Atomising device and method for distributing a plant protection product on crops and agricultural machine comprising such an atomising device

Abstract

An atomising device (44) for distributing a plant protection product on agricultural crops has a nozzle (7) aligned along an axis (A) and configured to generate a first atomized jet (J1) of a mixture of water and a plant protection product; and an air amplifier (8) defining a convergent / divergent duct axially aligned with the nozzle (7) and spaced from the nozzle (7) to the extent that it contains the first jet (J1) within the convergent / divergent duct and generates a second atomized jet (J2) of a mixture of water and a plant protection product exiting the convergent / divergent duct.

Description

[0001] "ATOMISING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING A PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCT ON CROPS AND AGRICULTURAL MACHINE COMPRISING SUCH AN ATOMISING DEVICE"

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102024000007150 filed on March 29 , 2024 , the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] The present invention concerns an atomising device for distributing a plant protection product on agricultural crops and an agricultural machine comprising said device , in particular for distributing the plant protection product on crops organi zed in rows .

[0006] The plant protection treatment of agricultural crops consists in atomi zing a mixture of water and a plant protection product in an atomised j et directed towards the crops in order to eradicate parasites , generally insects or fungi , or prevent attack by and the spread of said parasites .

[0007] STATE OF THE ART

[0008] In this field agricultural machines are used, better known as atomisers , each of which comprises a plurality of noz zles that generate respective j ets consisting of a plurality of mixture droplets ; a pump for supplying the mixture to the noz zles ; and a fan that intercepts the noz zles and the relative j ets to convey the mixture droplets towards the crops .

[0009] The agricultural machines of the type identi fied above are generally cumbersome and heavy, due mainly to the dimensions of the fan .

[0010] Furthermore , the atomisation is not fully ef fective because the droplets are not small enough and uni formly distributed . In addition, the dif fusion achieved by the fan results in dispersion of the product in the environment .

[0011] OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0012] The obj ect of the present invention is to provide an atomisation device for distributing a plant protection product on agricultural crops which is able to remedy or at least mitigate at least some of the drawbacks of the known art .

[0013] In accordance with the present invention, an atomisation device is provided for distributing a plant protection product on agricultural crops , the atomisation device comprising :

[0014] - a noz zle aligned along an axis and configured to generate a first atomised j et of a mixture of water and a plant protection product ; and

[0015] - an air ampli fier defining a convergent / divergent duct axially aligned with the noz zle and spaced from the nozzle to the extent that it contains the first atomised j et within the convergent / divergent duct and generates a second atomised j et of a mixture of water and plant protection product exiting the convergent / divergent duct .

[0016] The atomisation device allows the dimensions of the droplets to be reduced and the droplets to be distributed within the second j et thanks to the intense mixing resulting from the combination of the first j et and the air of the air ampli fier . The second j et can be easily directed and is therefore able to improve the precision with which the droplets reach the interested surface , in this case the leaf surface of the crop .

[0017] In construction terms , the noz zle is axially spaced from the air ampli fier so as to allow the convergent / divergent duct to draw air from the side facing the noz zle .

[0018] For this purpose , the atomisation device comprises a plate on which the noz zle is mounted and a plurality of spacers arranged between the plate and the air ampli fier .

[0019] In practice , the atomisation device comprises a first fitting for feeding the mixture of water and plant protection product to the noz zle and a second fitting for feeding compressed air to the air ampli fier .

[0020] In particular, the convergent / divergent duct has a converging section facing the noz zle and a diverging section; the air ampli fier has an annular slit at the converging section in the vicinity of the diverging section to feed a first air flow into the convergent / divergent duct to achieve the suction of a second air flow from the convergent section .

[0021] In practice , the first air flow is an air flow supplied with compressed air, while the second air flow is drawn from the convergent / divergent duct from the same side on which the first j et is supplied . In ef fect , the second j et is the result of mixing of the first j et of the first air flow and o f the second air flow .

[0022] In particular, the air ampli fier comprises an outer tubular body and an inner tubular body coupled so as to form an annular chamber that can be supplied with compressed air and in fluidic communication with said slit .

[0023] In this way it is possible to feed the first flow into the convergent / divergent duct in the position most appropriate for functioning of the air ampli fier .

[0024] In particular, the outer tubular body and the inner tubular body are coupled in an adj ustable manner to vary the width of the annular slit , in particular the outer tubular body and the inner tubular body are coupled by means of a threaded coupling .

[0025] In this way it is possible to adj ust the volume of air and the speed of the second j et .

[0026] A further obj ect of the present invention is to provide an agricultural machine able to remedy or at least mitigate at least some of the drawbacks of the known art .

[0027] In accordance with the present invention, an agricultural machine is provided for distributing a plant protection product on agricultural crops , in particular crops organi zed in rows , the agricultural machine comprising :

[0028] - a frame configured to be advanced along a path in the vicinity of said crops ; and

[0029] - at least one atomisation device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and supported by said frame so as to direct the second j et towards said crops .

[0030] The precision of the agricultural machine produced with the use of at least one atomisation device reduces dispersion of the plant protection products into the environment .

[0031] In particular, the agricultural machine comprises a first supply line for supplying a mixture of water and a plant protection product to said noz zle to generate the first j et ; and

[0032] - a second supply line for supplying compressed air to said air ampli fier and supplying said second j et .

[0033] In this way, it is possible to accurately control the second j et .

[0034] In further detail , the first supply line comprises a first duct and a pump, in particular a diaphragm pump or a gear pump, while the second supply line comprises a second duct and a compressor, in particular a volumetric compressor and more in particular a piston compressor .

[0035] In general , the agricultural machine is able to operate with relatively few component elements which have small dimensions and are compact . In particular, the compressor has much smaller overall dimensions and weight than the fan and therefore the entire agricultural machine is lighter and less cumbersome .

[0036] In particular, the agricultural machine comprises a plurality of atomiser devices arranged on opposite sides of the frame and facing respective crops so as to cover the surface to be treated arranged on two opposite sides .

[0037] In particular, each atomisation device is mounted on the frame in a selectively movable and / or pivotable manner so as to adapt the agricultural machine to di f ferent types of crops and to di f ferent vegetative periods .

[0038] A further obj ect of the present invention is to provide an atomisation method for distributing a plant protection product on agricultural crops which is free from the drawbacks of the known art .

[0039] In accordance with the present invention an atomisation method for distributing a plant protection product on crops is provided, the method comprising :

[0040] - generating a first j et atomised around an axis of a mixture of water and plant protection product ;

[0041] - directing the first j et of air into an air ampli fier defining a convergent / divergent duct axially aligned with the noz zle and spaced from the noz zle to the extent that it contains the first j et atomised into the convergent / divergent duct ;

[0042] - feeding a flow of compressed air into the convergent / divergent duct to generate a second atomised j et of a mixture of water and plant protection product exiting from the convergent / divergent duct .

[0043] The atomisation method allows the dimensions of the droplets to be reduced and the droplets to be distributed within the second j et thanks to the intense mixing resulting from the combination of the first j et and the air of the air ampli fier .

[0044] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0045] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of non-limiting embodiment examples thereof , with reference to the Figures of the attached drawings , in which :

[0046] - Figure 1 is a schematic view, with parts removed for clarity, of an agricultural machine for the treatment of crops in accordance with the present invention; and

[0047] - Figure 2 is a schematic view, with parts removed for clarity, of a view on enlarged scale of an atomisation device produced according to the present invention;

[0048] - Figure 3 is a schematic elevation view, with parts removed for clarity, of an embodiment of the agricultural machine produced according to the present invention and arranged between two rows of a plantation crop ; and

[0049] - Figure 4 is a schematic plan view, with parts removed for clarity, of the agricultural machine of Figure 3 .

[0050] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0051] With reference to Figure 1 , the number 1 indicates overall an agricultural machine for the treatment of crops , in particular crops organi zed in rows .

[0052] The agricultural machine 1 comprises a frame 2 configured to be associated with an agricultural tractor, not illustrated in the attached Figures , for transporting the agricultural machine 1 along the cultivated fields and for powering the agricultural machine 1 with energy and motive force .

[0053] The agricultural machine 1 is configured to be connected to a tank 3 adapted to be associated with the tractor, not illustrated in the attached figures , and to contain a mixture of water and a plant protection product to carry out the plant protection treatment .

[0054] The agricultural machine 1 comprises at least an atomisation device 4 ; a supply line 5 for supplying a mixture of water and an active substance to the atomisation device 4 ; and a second supply line 6 for supplying compressed air to the atomisation device 4 .

[0055] Each atomisation device comprises a noz zle 7 aligned along an axis A and configured to generate a first atomised j et of a mixture of water and a plant protection product ; and an air ampli fier 8 defining a convergent / divergent duct axially aligned with the noz zle 7 and spaced from the noz zle 7 to the extent that it contains the atomised j et JI within the convergent / divergent duct and generates an atomised j et J2 exiting the convergent / divergent duct .

[0056] The supply line 5 comprises a duct 10 which connects the tank 3 to the atomisation device 4 ; and a pump 11 , which is arranged along the duct 10 and is preferably a diaphragm pump or a gear pump .

[0057] The second supply line 6 compri ses a second duct 12 and a positive displacement compressor 13 arranged along the duct 12 . In particular, the positive displacement compressor 13 is a piston compressor .

[0058] In structural terms , the atomisation device 4 comprises a plate 14 , on which the noz zle 4 is mounted; and three spacers 15 , only two of which are illustrated in the attached Figures , which connect the plate 14 to the air ampli fier 8 .

[0059] With reference to Figure 2 , the atomisation device 4 comprises a fitting 16 arranged along the plate 14 to fluidically connect the duct 10 to the nozzle 7 and a fitting 17 arranged along the outer face of the air ampli fier 8 to fluidically connect the duct 12 to the air ampli fier 8 .

[0060] In this case the air ampli fier 8 comprises an outer tubular body 18 and an inner tubular body 19 , which are shaped so as to form an annular chamber 20 in fluidic communication with the second supply line 6 and the convergent / divergent duct through an annular slit 21 , which extends between the outer tubular body 18 and the inner tubular body 19 . The outer tubular body 18 defines the inlet , namely the convergent portion, of the convergent / divergent duct , while the inner tubular body 19 defines the divergent or outlet portion of the convergent / divergent duct .

[0061] The inner tubular body 19 is coupled with the outer tubular body 18 in a selectively adj ustable manner so as to modify the width of the annular slit 21 , which is expediently positioned along the axis A slightly upstream of the area in which the transverse passage section of the convergent / divergent duct has a minimum value .

[0062] In the case illustrated, the outer and inner tubular bodies 18 and 19 are reciprocally coupled by means of a threaded coupling selectively lockable in a plurality of positions by means of a ring nut 22 .

[0063] In operating terms , the atomisation device 4 performs the following operations . The noz zle 7 atomi ses the mixture supplied by the supply line 5 in a substantially conical-shaped j et JI having dimensions such as to be contained within the minimum passage section of the convergent / divergent duct .

[0064] The air ampli fier 8 supplies the convergent / divergent duct with a flow of compressed air Fl through the slit 21 .

[0065] Following the action of the j et JI and the flow of compressed air Fl , the convergent / divergent duct draws a flow of sucked air F2 into the convergent / divergent duct from the space between the noz zle 7 and the air ampli fier 8 and ampli fies the flow of air exiting the air ampli fier 8 . Furthermore , the combination of the flows of compressed air Fl and sucked air F2 and the j et JI generates a new j et J2 exiting the convergent / divergent duct . The j et J2 is characteri zed by a more uni form distribution of the droplets than the j et JI and a reduction in the dimensions of the droplets with respect to the j et JI and a higher speed .

[0066] With reference to the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 , the agricultural machine 1 is advanced in the advancement direction DI in the space between two rows 23 of a crop, in this case vines . The agricultural machine 1 comprises a plurality of atomiser devices 4 arranged on opposite sides of the frame 2 and facing respective rows 23 . In the case illustrated, the atomiser devices 4 are arranged along two opposite substantially vertical rows so as to allow distribution of the plant protection treatment throughout the height of the leaf surface of the row .

[0067] Since this height varies during the vegetative period of the plant and according to the type of crop, each atomisation device 4 is mounted on the frame in a selectively adj ustable manner with respect to the frame 2 both in terms of position, orientation, and, i f necessary, number .

[0068] Lastly, it is evident that the present invention comprises further variations of the embodiments described included in the protective scope of the attached claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. An atomizing device for distributing a plant protection product on crops, the atomizing device (4) comprising:- a nozzle (7) aligned along an axis (A) and configured to make a first atomized jet (JI) around the axis (A) of a mixture of water and a plant protection product; and- an air amplifier (8) defining a convergent / divergent duct axially aligned with the nozzle (7) and spaced from the nozzle (7) to the extent that it contains the first atomized jet (JI) within the convergent / divergent duct and generates a second atomized jet (J2) of a mixture of water and a plant protection product exiting the convergent / divergent duct.

2. The atomizing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle(7) is axially spaced apart from the air amplifier (8) to allow the converging / diverging conduit to draw air from the side facing the nozzle (7) .

3. The atomizing device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 and comprising a plate (14) on which the nozzle (7) is mounted, and a plurality of spacers arranged between the plate (14) and the air amplifier(8) .

4. The atomizing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the converging / diverging duct has a converging section facing the nozzle (7) and a diverging section, the air amplifier (8) having an annular slit (21) at the converging section proximate the diverging section to feed a first flow of compressed air (Fl) into the converging / diverging duct to realize suction of a second flow of sucked air ( F2 ) from the converging section.

5. The atomizing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air amplifier (8) comprises an outer tubular body (18) and an inner tubular body (19) coupled to form anannular chamber (20) feedable with compressed air and in fluidic communication with said annular slit (21) .

6. The atomizing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer tubular body (18) and the inner tubular body (19) are coupled in an adjustable manner to vary the width of the annular slot (21) , in particular the outer tubular body (18) and the inner tubular body (19) are coupled by means of a threaded coupling.

7. An agricultural machine for distributing a plant protection product on agricultural crops, in particular crops organized in rows, the agricultural machine (1) comprising:- a frame (2) configured to be advanced along a path in the vicinity of said crops; and- at least one atomization device (4) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and supported by said frame (2) to direct the second jet (J2) towards said crops.

8. The agricultural machine as claimed in claim 7, and comprising :- a first supply line (5) for supplying a mixture of water and a plant protection product to said nozzle (7) to generate the first jet (JI) ; and- a second supply line (6) for feeding compressed air to said air amplifier (8) and supplying said second jet (J2) .

9. The agricultural machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first supply line (5) comprises a first duct (10) and a pump (11) , in particular a diaphragm pump or a gear pump.

10. The agricultural machine as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the second supply line (6) comprises a second conduit (12) and a compressor (13) , in particular a positive displacement compressor and more particularly a piston compressor.

11. The agricultural machine as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10 and comprising a plurality of atomizing devices (4) arranged on opposite sides of the frame (2) and facing respective crops .

12. The machine as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein each atomizing device is mounted on the frame (2) in a selectively movable and / or pivotable manner.

13. An atomization method for distributing a plant protection product on crops, the method comprising:- generating a first jet (JI) atomized around an axis (A) of a mixture of water and a plant protection product;- directing the first jet of air (JI) within an air amplifier (8) defining a convergent / divergent duct axially aligned with and spaced from the nozzle (7) to the extent that the first jet (JI) atomized within the convergent / divergent duct is contained supplying a stream of compressed air (Fl) into the converging / diverging duct to generate a second atomized jet (J2) of a mixture of water and plant protection product exiting the converging / diverging duct.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 and comprising supplying said flow (Fl) of compressed air through an annular slit (21) at the converging section in proximity to the diverging section to achieve suction of sucked air flow (F2) from the converging section .

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