Methods and apparatus for refilling a tank carried by a vehicle

Abstract

An arrangement 402 for making a fluid connection includes a first connector 404 and a second connector 406. The first connector 404 includes a first port 408, a first mating interface 410, and an alignment guide 412. The second connector 406 includes a second port 414, a second mating interface 416, and a vacuum port 422. A seal 418 is adjacent the first mating interface 410 or the second mating interface 416. A method of refilling a vehicle 102 includes disposing the vehicle 102 near a refill tank 202, aligning the first connector with the second connector, applying a vacuum to maintain a first mating interface of the first connector adjacent a second mating interface of the second connector, transferring liquid from the refill tank to the product tank via the second connector and the first connector, and after transferring the liquid from the refill tank to the product tank, breaking the vacuum to enable the first connector to disconnect from the second connector.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REFILLING A TANK CARRIED BY A VEHICLECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U. S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 662,604, “Methods and Apparatus for Refilling a Tank Carried by a Vehicle,” filed June 21 , 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to mobile machines, such as self- propelled agricultural machines and similar vehicles. More particularly, embodiments relate to mobile machines with a fluid product tank.BACKGROUND

[0003] Releasable fluid connectors have long been used for transferring large volumes of liquid chemicals, such as fertilizer or fuel. Some conventional fluid coupler assemblies are designed to transfer hazardous liquid and can be selectively coupled or decoupled while restricting liquid from leaking from the connection. Specifically, it is known in the art to provide a "dripless" connection with a pair of mating couplers that each include an integral valve to restrict inadvertent fluid leakage when the couplers are coupled or decoupled.

[0004] Agricultural applicators are used to apply liquid onto a crop field. Such applicators carry a liquid container with a limited amount of liquid, and the container is typically replenished from a supply station. A conventional applicator supply station includes a supply line and a storage container that feeds the supply line. The applicator container is refilled by manually positioning the supply line into fluid communication with the applicator container and pumping liquid from the storage container.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] In some embodiments, an arrangement for making a fluid connection includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first port, a first mating interface, and an alignment guide surrounding the first mating interface. The second connector includes a second port, a second mating interface, and a vacuum port. A seal is adjacent the first mating interface of the first connector or the second mating interface of the second connector. The vacuum port is in fluid communication with a space defined by the first mating interface and the second mating interface.

[0006] In certain embodiments, the first mating interface and the second mating interface may each be circular. For example, the second mating interface may have two concentric rings.

[0007] The arrangement may optionally include at least one fastener connecting the seal to the first connector.

[0008] The alignment guide may define a chamfer tapering inward toward the first mating interface.

[0009] At least one of the first connector and second connector may include a proximity sensor.

[0010] Certain embodiments include a system for distributing a liquid. The system comprises a vehicle having a chassis, a product tank, a plurality of nozzles, a refill line, and a first connector, the first connector defining a first port and a first mating interface. The system also comprises a refill tank coupled to a supply line and a second connector, the second connector defining a second port and a second mating interface. A seal is adjacent the first mating interface or the second mating interface. One of the first connector or the second connector defines a vacuum port, which is in fluid communication with a space defined by the first mating interface and the second mating interface. The vehicle may be a crop sprayer, for example. The refill tank may optionally be carried by another vehicle.

[0011] Some embodiments include a method of refilling a vehicle (e.g., a crop sprayer) comprising a chassis carrying a product tank and a plurality of nozzles. The method includes disposing the vehicle near a refill tank, aligning a first connector carried by the vehicle with asecond connector coupled to the refill tank, applying a vacuum to maintain a first mating interface of the first connector adjacent a second mating interface of the second connector, transferring liquid from the refill tank to the product tank via the second connector and the first connector, and after transferring the liquid from the refill tank to the product tank, breaking the vacuum to enable the first connector to disconnect from the second connector.

[0012] Applying the vacuum to maintain the first mating interface of the first connector adjacent the second mating interface of the second connector may include maintaining a fluid connection between the first connector and the second connector. The vacuum may be applied responsive to a signal from a proximity sensor.

[0013] The method may include opening at least one valve while the vacuum is applied to begin transferring the liquid from the refill tank to the product tank. The at least one valve may be closed before breaking the vacuum.

[0014] The vacuum may be broken using a control remote from the first connector and the second connector (e.g., in an operator cab).

[0015] The method may include extending the first connector from the vehicle. The method may also include retracting the first connector to the vehicle after breaking the vacuum.

[0016] The method may include extending the second connector from the refill tank. The method may also include retracting the second connector to the refill tank after breaking the vacuum.

[0017] The method may include moving the refill tank to a position near the vehicle.

[0018] The product tank may be filled while a boom carried by the vehicle is in a work position.

[0019] In some embodiments, liquid is cleared from the supply line and the refill line before breaking the vacuum. For example, liquid may be cleared from the supply line and the refill line by providing air (e.g., from a compressed air source) in the supply line and the refill line.

[0020] It should be understood that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives set out herein, and individual features thereof may be taken independently or inany possible and compatible combination. Where features are described with reference to a single aspect or embodiment, such features are applicable to all aspects and embodiments unless otherwise stated or where such features are incompatible.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Various features and advantages may be more readily ascertained from the following description of example embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a simplified side view illustrating an agricultural vehicle in the form of a self-propelled crop sprayer;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a simplified side view illustrating a refill vehicle;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a simplified top view of the crop sprayer of FIG. 1 being refilled by the refill vehicle of FIG. 2;

[0025] FIG. 4A is a simplified cross-sectional view of an arrangement for making a fluid connection to refill the crop sprayer as shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 3;

[0026] FIG. 4B is a simplified cross-sectional view illustrating separated parts of the arrangement shown in FIG. 4A;

[0027] FIG. 4C is a simplified perspective view of a part of the arrangement shown in FIG. 4A;

[0028] FIG. 4C is another simplified perspective view of the part shown in FIG. 4C;

[0029] FIG. 4E is a simplified perspective view of parts of the arrangement shown in FIG. 4A;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a simplified flow chart illustrating a method of refilling a vehicle;

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a control module that may be used in conjunction with refilling a vehicle; and

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates an example computer-readable storage medium comprising processor-executable instructions configured to embody one or more of the methods of refilling a vehicle, such as the method illustrated in FIG. 5.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The illustrations presented herein are not actual views of any particular machine or portion thereof, but are merely idealized representations to describe example embodiments of the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.

[0034] The following description provides specific details of embodiments. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without employing many such specific details. Indeed, the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with conventional techniques employed in the industry. In addition, the description provided below does not include all the elements that form a complete structure or assembly. Only those process acts and structures necessary to understand the embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below. Additional conventional acts and structures may be used. The drawings accompanying the application are for illustrative purposes only, and are thus not drawn to scale.

[0035] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterized by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps, but also include the more restrictive terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" and grammatical equivalents thereof.

[0036] As used herein, the term "may" with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term "is" to avoid any implication that other, compatible materials, structures, features, and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded.

[0037] As used herein, the term "configured" refers to a size, shape, material composition, and arrangement of one or more structure and / or apparatus facilitating operation thereof in a predetermined way.

[0038] As used herein, the singular forms following "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0040] As used herein, spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "bottom," "above," "upper," "top," "front," "rear," "left," "right," and the like, may be used for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Unless otherwise specified, the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the materials in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

[0041] As used herein, the term "adjacent" includes not only "in direct contact with," but also "separated by a relatively small gap." For example, two surfaces are adjacent to one another if separated by a seal in between them, even if the surfaces do not touch. Furthermore, a surface is adjacent to a seal with which it is in direct contact.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle in the form of a crop sprayer 102 used to deliver chemicals to agricultural crops in a field. The crop sprayer 102 includes a chassis 104 and an operator cab 106 mounted on the chassis 104. The operator cab 106 may house controls for the crop sprayer 102. An engine 108 may be mounted on a forward portion of the chassis 104 in front of operator cab 106, or may be mounted on a rearward portion of the chassis 104 behind the operator cab 106. The engine 108 may be commercially available from a variety of sources and may include, for example, a diesel engine or a gasoline powered internal combustion engine, a battery-powered electric motor, etc. The engine 108 provides energy to propel the crop sprayer 102 through a field on wheels 110 or tracks, and may also provide energy to spray liquids from the crop sprayer 102.

[0043] The crop sprayer 102 further includes a product tank 112 to store a liquid to be sprayed on the field. The liquid may include, for example, fresh water, pesticides (e.g., herbicides, insecticides, and / or fungicides), and / or fertilizers. The product tank 112 may be mounted on the chassis 104, either in front of or behind the operator cab 106. The crop sprayer 102 may include more than one product tank 112 to store different products to be sprayed onthe field. The stored products may be dispersed by the crop sprayer 102 one at a time, or different products may be mixed and dispersed together in a variety of mixtures.

[0044] A boom 114 on the crop sprayer 102 is used to distribute the liquid from the product tank 112 over a wide swath as the crop sprayer 102 is driven through the field. The boom 114 may include two or more portions that can fold for transport on public roadways, and unfold for field operations (e.g., spraying crops). The boom 114 carries nozzles 116 or other devices for distributing liquid.

[0045] The crop sprayer 102 includes a refill line 118 connected to the product tank 112 and configured to provide addition product to the product tank 112 when needed. A first connector 120 at the end of the refill line 118 is used to connect to a source during refilling, and to be disconnected from the source during field operations. The source for refilling may be, for example, a stationary tank or another vehicle. The refill line 118 may be movable and / or retractable, such as on hinged joints, sliding joints, etc., to simplify connection to the refill source.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a refill vehicle 202 that may be used to refill the chemicals to the crop sprayer 102 shown in FIG. 1. The refill vehicle 202 includes a chassis 204 and an operator cab 206 mounted on the chassis 204. The operator cab 206 may house controls for the refill vehicle 202. An engine 208 may be mounted on a forward portion of the chassis 204 in front of operator cab 206, or may be mounted on a rearward portion of the chassis 204 behind the operator cab 206. The engine 208 may be commercially available from a variety of sources and may include, for example, a diesel engine or a gasoline powered internal combustion engine, a battery-powered electric motor, etc. The engine 208 provides energy to propel the refill vehicle 202 over public roadways to a field on wheels 210.

[0047] The refill vehicle 202 includes a refill tank 212 to store a liquid to be delivered to the crop sprayer 102 (FIG. 1). The refill tank 212 may be mounted on the chassis 204, typically behind the operator cab 206. The refill vehicle 202 may include more than one refill tank 212 to store different products.

[0048] In other embodiments, the refill tank 212 may be fixed tank on the ground(e.g., temporarily or permanently installed on a base or directly on the ground), and not attached to a vehicle at all.

[0049] A supply line 214 is connected to the refill tank 212 to enable delivery of the liquid to the crop sprayer 102. The supply line 214 may be movable and / or retractable, such as on hinged joints, sliding joints, etc., to simplify connection to the crop sprayer 102. The supply line 214 includes a second connector 216 configured to mate with the first connector 120 on the crop sprayer 102.

[0050] In use, and as depicted in FIG. 3, when the crop sprayer 102 is near the refill tank 212, the supply line 214 and the refill line 118 can be brought together, such that the first connector 120 can be connected to the second connector 216. Once a fluid connection is made, the liquid in the refill tank 212 can be used to refill the product tank 112. After the liquid is transferred, the first connector 120 is disconnected from the 216, and the crop sprayer 102 can continue field operations. If the refill tank 212 is on a refill vehicle 202, the crop sprayer 102 may not need to leave the agricultural field, and thus may not need to fold up the boom 114 before refilling. Folding and unfolding the boom 114, as well as transit to a refill location, can take a significant amount of time, and therefore bringing the refill tank 212 to the crop sprayer 102 can save time for the operator of the crop sprayer 102, and enable the crop sprayer 102 to cover more area in a day.

[0051] FIG. 4A is a simplified cross-sectional view of an arrangement 402 for making a fluid connection to refill a tank on a vehicle, such as the crop sprayer 102 shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 3. The arrangement 402 includes a first connector 404 (e.g., the first connector 120 or the second connector 216) and a second connector 406 (e.g., the second connector 216 or the first connector 120), which are depicted in FIG. 4A such that a fluid connection can be made between the first connector 404 and second connector 406. FIG. 4B illustrates separation between the first connector 404 and the second connector 406. FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D are additional views of the first connector 404. FIG. 4E is simplified perspective view of the first connector 120 and the second connector 406, without additional parts connected to them. The first connector 404 has a first port 408, a first mating interface 410, and an alignment guide 412surrounding the first mating interface 410. The second connector 406 includes a second port 414, and a second mating interface 416. A seal 418 is adjacent the first mating interface 410 and the second mating interface 416 when the first connector 404 and second connector 406 are in the position shown in FIG. 4A. The first mating interface 410 and the second mating interface 416 may each be circular, as shown, but may alternatively have another selected shape.

[0052] In use, the second mating interface 416 abuts the seal 418, which in turn abuts the first mating interface 410 to form a liquid-tight seal, so that liquid can flow between the first port 408 and the second port 414 without leaking. As shown, one or more fasteners 420 may hold the seal 418 to the first mating interface 410 when the first connector 404 and second connector 406 are separated (as depicted in FIG. 4A). The fasteners 420 may alternatively hold the seal 418 to the second connector 406 rather than to the first connector 404. The fasteners 420 may include bolts, pins, screws, etc. In some embodiments, the fasteners 420 may be omitted, and the seal 418 may be held in place by an interference fit (e.g., the first connector 404 may be shaped with a lip or other feature to retain the seal 418), an adhesive, or any other method.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4A, the second connector 406 (or, alternatively, the first connector 404) may define a vacuum port 422, in fluid communication with a space defined by the first mating interface 410 and the second mating interface 416 when the members 404, 406 are connected. When a vacuum source is applied to the vacuum port 422 (e.g., via an external vacuum pump), the vacuum may hold the second connector 406 to the first connector 404.

[0054] The alignment guide 412 is shaped to encourage the second connector 406 to slide into place against the first connector 404 such that a proper seal is made. For example, the alignment guide 412 can include a chamfer tapering inward toward the first mating interface 410. The alignment guide 412 can alternatively include a portion of a conical surface angled inward, a rounded corner, or any other selected shape. Surfaces of the second connector 406 may also be shaped to encourage proper alignment. The alignment guide 412 and the corresponding shape of the second connector 406 may also help avoid pinching the operator's hands between the members 404, 406 when making a connection.

[0055] In some embodiments, and as shown best in FIG. 4B, the second mating interface 416 may include more than one distinct area configured to contact the seal 418. For example, the second mating interface 416 shown includes two concentric rings. Each of the rings, in conjunction with the seal 418 and a surface of the second connector 406 between the rings, forms the space connected to the vacuum port 422. Furthermore, ends of the fasteners 420 (if present) may be disposed in this space.

[0056] The first connector 404 may be connected to the supply line 214 (FIG. 2) by a clamp 430 and a seal 428, as shown in FIG. 4A. In other embodiments, different connection mechanisms between the first connector 404 and the supply line 214 may be used, such as a nipple port and hose clamp. Hose connections are well known in the art and not described in detail herein. Likewise, the second connector 406 may be connected to the refill line 118 (FIG. 1) by another clamp 430 and seal 428, or by any other mechanism. One or more valves 424, 426 may also be disposed within supply line 214 and / or the refill line 118, or between the connectors 404, 406 and the lines 214, 118. The valves 424, 426 may be configured to open when the first connector 404 and the second connector 406 form a liquid-tight seal (e.g., when in the position shown in FIG. 4A). For example, the valves 424, 426 may be controlled by valve actuators 436, 438, by handles, or any other means.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4B, the arrangement 402 may include a proximity sensor 432 configured to sense when the first connector 404 is aligned with and adjacent to the second connector 406. For example, the proximity sensor 432 may be a Hall-Effect sensor in or on the second connector 406 that can sense the presence of a magnet 434 (FIG. 4D) in or on the first connector 404. In other embodiments, the magnet 434 may be omitted, and the proximity sensor 432 may detect the material of the first connector 404. The proximity sensor 432 may be in communication with a control system that controls the vacuum source and / or the valves 424, 426.

[0058] FIG. 5 is a simplified flow chart illustrating a method 500 of refilling a vehicle, such as crop sprayer. The vehicle comprises a chassis carrying a product tank and a plurality of nozzles, such as the crop sprayer 102 shown in FIG. 1.

[0059] In block 502, the refill tank is provided at a position near where the vehicle is to be refilled, such as to the edge of an agricultural field. The refill tank may be a mobile tank(e.g., on a tanker truck or trailer, as shown in FIG. 2), semi-permanent (e.g., a tank on the ground), or permanent.

[0060] In block 504, the vehicle is disposed near the refill tank. In some embodiments, the method 500 is performed while a boom carried by the vehicle is in a work position. That is, the boom may remain in an unfolded or extended configuration, for example if the vehicle does not leave the field for the refill operation. In some embodiments, the refill tank is brought to the vehicle to be refilled. The refill tank may be on any side of the vehicle to be refilled, e.g., left, right, front, or back.

[0061] In block 506, a first connector carried by the vehicle is extended from the vehicle.

[0062] In block 508, a second connector coupled to the refill tank is extended from the refill tank.

[0063] In block 510, the first connector is aligned with the second connector.

[0064] In block 512, a vacuum is applied to maintain a first mating interface of the first connector adjacent a second mating interface of the second connector. For example, the vacuum may be applied to a space between the first mating interface and the second mating interface. The vacuum may be effective to maintain a fluid connection between the first connector and the second connector. The vacuum may be applied in response to a signal from a proximity sensor.

[0065] In block 514, at least one valve is opened while the vacuum is applied to begin transferring the liquid from the refill tank to the product tank.

[0066] In block 516, liquid is transferred from the refill tank to the product tank via the second connector and the first connector.

[0067] In block 518, the valve(s) are closed to stop flow. In some embodiments, the valve(s) may be closed automatically if the proximity sensor (if present) indicates that the connection between the first connector and the second connector is broken. In certain embodiments, air (e.g., from a compressed air source) can be used to clear liquid from either orboth the supply line and the refill line after stopping flow (e.g., by turning off a pump) and before closing the valve(s). The valves may be closed manually or by an electric motor, for example.

[0068] After transferring the liquid from the refill tank to the product tank, and as shown in block 520, the vacuum is broken to enable the first connector to disconnect from the second connector. The vacuum may be broken by using a control remote from the first connector and the second connector (for example, in the operator cab of the vehicle). Breaking the vacuum may involve, for example, disconnecting a vacuum source or opening a bleed valve. Thus, the refill line may disengage from the supply line automatically with no physical human interaction.

[0069] Block 522 represents retracting the first connector to the vehicle after breaking the vacuum. Block 524 represents retracting the second connector to the refill tank after breaking the vacuum. Springs, motors, or other devices may encourage the connectors to be retracted and to help keep the connectors stowed for future use.

[0070] Though depicted as a flow chart, the actions in FIG. 5 may be performed concurrently, and in some embodiments, some actions may be omitted. As one example, one of blocks 506, 508 may be omitted.

[0071] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an example control module 600 that may be used to control operations related to refilling the product tank 112. In one embodiment, the control module 600 includes a controller 602 (e.g., an electronic control unit or ECU) coupled to a vacuum source 620, the proximity sensor 432, a tank level sensor 618, valves 424, 426, and / or a user interface 604. The example controller 602 is merely illustrative, and some controllers may have fewer or additional components, and / or some of the functionality associated with the various components depicted in FIG. 6 may be combined, or further distributed among additional modules or controllers. Further, though described in the context of residing in a single controller 602, functionality of the controller 602 may be distributed among a plurality of controllers, and in some embodiments, some of the functionality of the controller 602 may be performed by the refill vehicle 202, and other functionality performed by the crop sprayer 102. The controller 602 is depicted in this example as a computer system, but may be embodied as aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), among other devices. Certain well-known components of computer systems are omitted here to avoid obfuscating relevant features of the controller 602. In one embodiment, the controller 602 has one or more processors, such as processor 606, input / output (I / O) interfaces 608, and memory 610, all coupled to one or more data busses, such as data bus 612. The memory 610 may include any one or a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random-access memory RAM, such as DRAM, and SRAM, etc.) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). The memory 610 may store a native operating system, one or more native applications, emulation systems, or emulated applications for any of a variety of operating systems and / or emulated hardware platforms, emulated operating systems, etc.

[0072] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the memory 610 includes an operating system 614 and refill software 616. In some embodiments, additional or fewer software modules (e.g., combined functionality) may be deployed in the memory 610 or additional memory (or in different devices). In some embodiments, a separate storage device may be coupled to the data bus 612, such as a persistent memory (e.g., optical, magnetic, and / or semiconductor memory and associated drives). The storage device may be a removable device, such as a memory stick or disc.

[0073] In one embodiment, refill software 616 is executed by the processor 606 to receive user input at the user interfaces 604 (e.g., one or a combination of console button, switch, knob, hydro handle or joystick, scroll wheel, display screen with selectable icon displayed on the screen that is manipulated by a mouse or joystick, display screen embodied with selectable icons on a touch-type screen, microphone on a headset or on the console, etc.), and match or associate (e.g., via look-up table or in some embodiments via programmed switch position activation) the input from the proximity sensor 432 and / or the tank level sensor 618.

[0074] The user interface 604 may include a display screen coupled to the controller 602 with selectable icons, a hydro handle or joystick with selectable buttons or switches, a console with switches, button, knobs, scroll wheel, a microphone, etc., with corresponding signals from operator input received at the user interfaces 604 delivered via the I / O interfaces608 to the refill software 616 executing on the processor 606. The output from the refill software 616 is provided to the user interface 604, which may in turn display a status of the refill operation.

[0075] Execution of the refill software 616 may be implemented by the processor 606 under the management and / or control of the operating system 614. For instance, the source statements that embody the method steps or algorithms of the refill software 616 may be translated by one or more compilers of the operating system 614 to assembly language and then further translated to a corresponding machine code that the processor 606 executes to achieve the functionality of the refill software 616. In some embodiments, the operating system 614 may be omitted and a more rudimentary manner of control implemented. The processor 606 may be embodied as a custom-made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU) or an auxiliary processor among several processors, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip), one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), a plurality of suitably configured digital logic gates, and / or other well-known electrical configurations comprising discrete elements both individually and in various combinations to coordinate the overall operation of the controller 602.

[0076] The I / O interfaces 608 provide one or more interfaces to one or more devices, such as the user interfaces 604, the vacuum source 620, the valves 424, 426, a liquid pump 622 (for transferring liquid), and / or an air supply 624 (for purging liquid lines), among other devices that are coupled directly or indirectly (e.g., over a bus network, such as a CAN network, including one operating according to ISOBUS standards) to the controller 602. The I / O interfaces 608 may also comprise functionality to connect to other networks. For instance, the I / O interfaces 608 may include a network interface that enables remote or wireless communications, such as via telemetry functionality, Bluetooth communications, near-field, among other electromagnetic spectrum communications.

[0077] Still other embodiments involve a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) having processor-executable instructions configured to implement one or more of the techniques presented herein. An example computer-readable medium that may be devised is illustrated in FIG. 7, wherein animplementation 700 includes a computer-readable storage medium 702 (e.g., a flash drive, CD- R, DVD-R, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a platter of a hard disk drive, etc.), on which is computer-readable data 704. This computer- readable data 704 in turn includes a set of processor-executable instructions 706 configured to operate according to one or more of the principles set forth herein. In some embodiments, the processor-executable instructions 706 may be configured to cause a computer associated with the crop sprayer 102 (FIG. 1) and / or the refill vehicle 202 (FIG. 2) to perform operations 708 when executed via a processing unit, such as at least some of the example method 500 depicted in FIG. 5. In other embodiments, the processor-executable instructions 706 may be configured to implement a refill system, such as at least some of the example crop sprayer 102 and refill vehicle 202 depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. That is, a control environment for the crop sprayer 102 and / or the refill vehicle 202 may include or be connected to the implementation 700 of FIG. 7. Many such computer-readable storage media may be devised by those of ordinary skill in the art that are configured to operate in accordance with one or more of the techniques described herein.

[0078] One benefit of the process as described is that once the connection is made between the first connector and the second connector, subsequent operations need not require any manual input. That is, the valves may be opened and closed remotely (e.g., from the operator cab), liquid and air flow may be controlled remotely, the vacuum may be broken remotely, and the connectors may retract automatically. In some embodiments, the operator may send a single command to stop filling, which command closes the valves, turns off the liquid pump, purges, the lines with air, and then breaks the vacuum. In certain embodiments, no operator command may be needed to stop the refill process. For example, a tank level sensor in the product tank may send a signal to a control system, and the control system may send the signals to close the valves, turn off the liquid pump, purge the lines, and break the vacuum.

[0079] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the process may be carried out without manual input at all. For example, the proximity sensor (if equipped) may be used to assist the system (e.g., based on user input to a computer in the operator cab, based on an automatedprogram, etc.) in aligning the refill line with the supply line, and when the proximity sensor determines that the lines are aligned, the computer may begin the refill process. The computer may stop the refill process when the product tank reaches a predetermined level.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An arrangement for making a fluid connection, the arrangement comprising: a first connector defining a first port, a first mating interface, and an alignment guide surrounding the first mating interface; a second connector defining a second port, a second mating interface, and vacuum port; and a seal adjacent the first mating interface of the first connector or the second mating interface of the second connector; wherein the vacuum port is in fluid communication with a space defined by the first mating interface and the second mating interface.

2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first mating interface and the second mating interface are each circular.

3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein the second mating interface comprises two concentric rings.

4. The arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising at least one fastener connecting the seal to the first connector.

5. The arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the alignment guide defines a chamfer tapering inward toward the first mating interface.

6. The arrangement of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the first connector and second connector comprises a proximity sensor.

7. A system for distributing a liquid, the system comprising: a vehicle comprising a chassis, a product tank, a plurality of nozzles, a refill line, and a first connector, the first connector defining a first port, a first mating interface, and an alignment guide surrounding the first mating interface;a refill tank coupled to a supply line and a second connector, the second connector defining a second port and a second mating interface; and a seal adjacent the first mating interface or the second mating interface; wherein one of the first connector or the second connector defines a vacuum port, wherein the vacuum port is in fluid communication with a space defined by the first mating interface and the second mating interface.

8. A method of refilling a liquid tank of a vehicle, the method comprising: disposing a vehicle near a refill tank, the vehicle comprising a chassis carrying a product tank and a plurality of nozzles; aligning a first connector carried by the vehicle with a second connector coupled to the refill tank; applying a vacuum to a space between a first mating interface of the first connector and a second mating interface of the second connector to maintain the first connector adjacent the second connector; transferring liquid from the refill tank to the product tank via the second connector and the first connector; and after transferring the liquid from the refill tank to the product tank, breaking the vacuum to enable the first connector to disconnect from the second connector.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising maintaining a fluid connection between the first connector and the second connector while transferring the liquid from the refill tank to the product tank.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein applying the vacuum to the space between the first mating interface of the first connector and the second mating interface of the second connector comprises applying the vacuum responsive to a signal from a proximity sensor.

11. The method of any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising opening at least one valve while the vacuum is applied to begin transferring the liquid from the refill tank to the product tank.

12. The method of claim 13, further comprising closing the at least one valve before breaking the vacuum.

13. The method of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein breaking the vacuum comprises breaking the vacuum using a control remote from the first connector and the second connector.

14. The method of any one of claims 8 to 13, further comprising extending the first connector from the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising retracting the first connector to the vehicle after breaking the vacuum.

16. The method of any one of claims 8 to 15, further comprising extending the second connector from the refill tank.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising retracting the second connector to the refill tank after breaking the vacuum.

18. The method of any one of claims 8 to 17, further comprising moving the refill tank to a position near the vehicle.

19. The method of any one of claims 8 to 18, wherein transferring liquid from the refill tank to the product tank via the second connector and the first connector comprises filling the product tank while a boom carried by the vehicle is in a work position.

20. The method of any one of claims 8 to 19, further comprising clearing liquid from the supply line and the refill line before breaking the vacuum.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein clearing liquid from the supply line and the refill line comprises providing air in the supply line and the refill line.

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