Patent ID: 11925177
Assignee: INTELLIGENT AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS, LLC
Field: Chemical engineering (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC A  B  G | IPC A  B

Claim 0:
1. A continuously variable nozzle system configured for connection to a spray liquid source and configured for continuously, variably controlling a spray characteristic, the nozzle system comprising:
a nozzle body with an inlet and an outlet;
a conduit between the inlet and the outlet;
a flow control valve disposed in the conduit,
an actuator for controlling the flow control valve;
an impinging valve disposed in the conduit downstream of the flow control valve;
a further actuator for controlling the impinging valve, wherein the impinging valve serves to modify a mean droplet size of a spray;
a flow meter disposed in the conduit;
wherein the flow meter comprises:
a chamber with internal helical splines configured to interact with a spray liquid passing through the chamber and create a cyclone-like effect;
a sphere disposed inside the chamber for free movement along a circular path; and
a sensor disposed outside the chamber and configured to detect motion of the sphere and generate an output signal in response to detected motion.