Abstract:
The present invention provides an advanced spray control system for controlling a sprayer, which comprises a plurality of scrolling means operatively connected to the sprayer, where the spray system offers added controllability and operability. Also provided is a method of controlling a sprayer using the spray control system of the present invention.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to a novel variable rate spray control device for controlling a sprayer, particularly, an agricultural sprayer. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Sprayers are widely used in agriculture and horticulture for applying chemicals (e.g., insecticides and fungicides) or fertilizers to crops, to protect the crops from diseases, insects, and to facilitate the growth and harvest of the crops. 
         [0005]    Most agriculture/horticulture sprayers are designed to be mounted on or towed by a vehicle on the ground, or carried by airplanes or helicopters. These sprayers typically include one or more storage or supply vessels, a left and a right boom or other manifold systems which carry a plurality of geometrically arranged spaced nozzles along its length, a pump for pressurizing and distributing the fluid through pipes or hoses to spray nozzles, and means to control the pump, boom, and spray nozzles. 
         [0006]    Modern agriculture/horticulture sprayers typically have a boom with multiple spray sections that can be independently controlled. Usually a master control means is used to control the entire boom, while each section may have its own control or switch (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ). As sprayers get larger and the number of sections and spray nozzles to be controlled increases, the spray control system, or the switching system, tends to get more cumbersome and complex. Understanding the spray control system often is difficult, and it could take considerable effort to mastering the operation of the spray control system. In addition, using a separate switch for each section of a boom requires a considerable amount of space, which prevents ideally locating the switches in a convenient location. 
         [0007]    It is therefore desirable to provide a relatively simple, and easy to understand and operate, spray control switching system for controlling agriculture/horticulture sprayers, particularly large, multiple section sprayers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention relates to an advanced spray control system, such as, the spray control device incorporated into the main control handle of an application machine (e.g., an agricultural sprayer). Each boom (left, center, and/or right), boom section, as well as each spray nozzle on a boom section, may be turned on/off, independently, simultaneously, sequentially, or in sync, using an infinite control device, including, without limitation, a wheel-based or a scroll-based switch. 
         [0009]    In one aspect, the present invention provides a spray control system for controlling a sprayer having a plurality of spray units (e.g., without limitation, boom sections, or spray nozzles), which comprises a first and a second scrolling means operatively connected to the sprayer, wherein (1) the first scrolling means may change the status of the plurality of spray units in a first direction along one dimension (e.g., in a left-to-right order); (2) the second scrolling means may change the status of the plurality of spray units in a second direction along the dimension (e.g., in a right-to-left order); and (3) the first scrolling means and the second scrolling means may be selected from the group consisting of a wheel-based controlling means and a sliding switch-based controlling means (such as, without limitation, a wheel). 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the sprayer may contain a plurality of boom sections, and the spray control system may further comprise a plurality of boom section control means, wherein each of the boom section control means may set the status of its corresponding boom section to one of a SPRAY-ENABLED state or a SPRAY-DISABLED state. 
         [0011]    While a boom section is at SPRAY-ENABLED state, its status may further be set to be at one of a SPRAY-ON state or a SPRAY-OFF state. In one embodiment, the status of the boom section may be controlled using at least one of the first scrolling means and the second scrolling means. In another embodiment, the spray control system may further comprise a master apply control means, wherein the master apply control means may set the status of all of the boom sections, the status of which is not set to be at a SPRAY-OFF state using at least one of the first scrolling means and the second scrolling means, to be at either a SPRAY-ON state or a SPRAY-OFF state. In yet another embodiment, the spray control system of the present invention may further comprise a reset control means, wherein the reset control means may be used to set the status of all of the boom sections which are at SPRAY-ENABLED state to be at either SPRAY-ON state or SPRAY-OFF state. 
         [0012]    The spray control device of the present invention may optionally comprise a display means for displaying the operating status of the boom(s), e.g., the percentage that the boom is on or off, and/or the status of each section and/or nozzle during operation. 
         [0013]    The spray control system of the present invention may further include a programmable means. In one embodiment, the scrolling device of the present invention may be configured, through using the programmable means, to operate in a pulse mode. 
         [0014]    The present invention further provides a method for controlling a sprayer using the spray control system disclosed herein. 
         [0015]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a standard spray control system with a switch for each individual boom section. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic representation of an agricultural field sprayer having multiple boom sections. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic representation of one boom section having multiple nozzles. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a representative spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagraph of turning on boom sections L 1 , C, and R 1 - 5  of a sprayer using the LH boom wheel of a representative spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein all the boom sections are enabled. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagraph of turning on boom sections L 2  and R 1 - 4  of a sprayer using the LH boom wheel of a representative spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein boom sections C, L 1 , and R 5  are disabled. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic diagraph of turning on boom sections R 1 , C, and L 1 - 5  of a sprayer using the RH boom wheel of a representative spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein all the boom sections are enabled. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic diagraph of turning on boom sections L 1 - 3  and R 1 - 2  of a sprayer using the RH boom wheel of a representative spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein boom sections C, L 4 , and L 5  are disabled. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic diagraph of turning on boom sections L 1 , L 3 - 4 , C, and R 1 - 2  of a sprayer using both the LH and the RH boom wheels of a representative spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein all the boom sections are enabled. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  shows a schematic diagraph of turning on boom sections L 3 - 4 , C, and R 2 - 3  of a sprayer using both the LH and the RH boom wheels of a representative spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein boom sections R 1  and L 1 - 2  are disabled. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  shows a schematic diagraph of turning off all boom sections of a sprayer using the reset wheel of a representative spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein all the boom sections are enabled. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  shows a schematic diagraph of turning on all boom sections of a sprayer using the reset wheel of a representative spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein all the boom sections are enabled. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  shows a schematic diagraph of turning off boom sections L 1 - 3  and R 2 - 4  of a sprayer using the Master Apply wheel of a representative spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein boom sections C, L 4 - 5 , R 1 , and R 5  are disabled. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  shows a schematic diagraph of turning on boom sections L 1 - 3  and R 2 - 4  of a sprayer using the Master Apply wheel of a representative spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein boom sections C, L 4 - 5 , R 1 , and R 5  are disabled. 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  shows a schematic diagraph of a sprayer operation in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a section” includes a plurality of such sections and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and reference to “the scrolling means” is a reference to one or more such scrolling means and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows an agricultural sprayer  10  including a main frame  12  supported for forward movement over a field by front and rear ground wheels  14  and  16  powered by a conventional hydraulic drive arrangement. A vertically adjustable boom support frame  20  is connected to the rear of the frame  12  and supports a multi-section folding boom assembly  22  shown in the fully extended field working position for spraying a wide area. The assembly  22  is shown with five boom sections  30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  33 , and  34 . The sprayer  10  may include an operator station  35  having a spray control system  70  ( FIG. 4 ) for controlling various sprayer and boom functions including sprayer drive functions. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  depicts one of the boom sections (boom section  33 ), showing spray nozzles  40 ,  41 ,  42 , and  43 . In one embodiment, each of these spray nozzles may be controlled independently using the spray control system  70  of the present invention. For example, an operator of a sprayer may sequentially turn on/off spray nozzles  40 ,  41 ,  42 , and  43  using the spray control system  70 . In another embodiment, all the spray nozzles on the boom section  33  may be simultaneously turned on/off using the spray control system  70 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  depicts a spray control system  70  having a display device  60 , a lift hand (“LH”) boom wheel  51 , a right hand (“RH”) boom wheel  52 , and a center boom wheel  53 , which are operatively linked to the main control handle of a sprayer. 
         [0035]    These control wheels may afford an operator of the sprayer a plethora of, if not unlimited, options with regard to manipulating the conditions of the booms, boom sections, and/or spray nozzles of the sprayer. For instance, a boom wheel (e.g., LH boom wheel) may be set up in a mode that scrolling of the wheel may cause the change of the condition of boom sections or spray nozzles one at a time across the full length of a boom or a section of a boom. It may also be configured in a mode that scrolling the wheel may change the condition of all or a plurality of boom sections/spray nozzles. In one embodiment, the center wheel may be configured to allow the operator of the spray control system to control both booms of the sprayer. For example, the states of both booms may be reset to an all “SPRAY-ON” state or an all “SPRAY-OFF” state by pressing the center control wheel. A spray unit is at “on” or “SPRAY-ON” state when the spray unit is turned on so that materials (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides, and/or fungicides) are applied to targets of interest (e.g., crops). A spray unit is at “off” or “SPRAY-OFF” state when the spray unit is turned off and the application of materials to targets of interest is stopped. 
         [0036]    In one aspect, the present invention provides a spray control system for controlling a sprayer having a plurality of spray units (e.g., without limitation, boom sections, or spray nozzles), which comprises a first and a second scrolling means operatively connected to the sprayer, wherein (1) the first scrolling means may change the status of the plurality of spray units in a first direction along one dimension (e.g., in a left-to-right order); (2) the second scrolling means may change the status of the plurality of spray units in a second direction along the dimension (e.g., in a right-to-left order); and (3) the first scrolling means and the second scrolling means may be selected from the group consisting of a wheel-based controlling means and a sliding switch-based controlling means (such as, without limitation, a wheel). 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagraph of a spray control system having a display device  60 , a LH boom wheel  51 , a RH boom wheel  52 , a center/reset boom wheel  53 , a master apply switch  54 , and boom section switches  55  (corresponding to boom sections C, L 1 - 5 , and R 1 - 5 , respectively), which are operatively linked to the main control handle of a sprayer. The condition of the boom sections may be controlled using boom section switches  55 , which may be set to be at “SPRAY-ENABLED” state or “SPRAY-DISABLED” state. A boom section may be turned on or off (i.e., be set to be at “SPRAY-ON” state or “SPRAY-OFF” state, respectively) only when the boom section is at “enabled” or “SPRAY-ENABLED” state. When a boom section is at “disabled” or “SPRAY-DISABLED” state, the boom section may not be turned on and no materials may be applied using this boom section. Curser  56  functions as an indicator, showing the present position(s) of the LH boom wheel  51  and/or the RH boom wheel  52  (see, also,  FIGS. 6-10 ). In the present example as depicted in  FIG. 5 , all the boom sections are set to be at “SPRAY-ENABLED” state using boom section switches  55 , while boom sections L 1 , C, and R 1 - 5  are turned on using the LH boom wheel  51 . In the example as depicted in  FIG. 6 , boom sections C, L 1 , and R 5  are disabled using boom section switches  55 , while boom sections L 2  and R 1 - 4  are turned on using the LH boom wheel  51 . 
         [0038]    Similarly, in the example as depicted in  FIG. 7 , all the boom sections are enabled using boom section switches  55 , while boom sections R 1 , C, and L 1 - 5  are turned on using the RH boom wheel  52 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , boom sections C, L 4 , and L 5  are disabled using boom section switches  55 , while boom sections L 1 - 3  and R 1 - 2  are turned on using the RH boom wheel  52 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  shows the control of a sprayer using the spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein all the boom sections are enabled and boom sections L 1 , L 3 - 4 , C, and R 1 - 2  are turned on using both the LH and the RH boom wheels  51  and  52 . In the example as depicted in  FIG. 10 , boom sections R 1  and L 1 - 2  are disabled using boom section switches  55 , while boom sections L 3 - 4 , C, and R 2 - 3  are turned on using both the LH and the RH boom wheels  51  and  52 . Cursers  56  indicate the present positions of the LH boom wheel  51  and the RH boom wheel  52 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 9-10 , the spray control system of the present invention is capable of controlling the status of the boom sections/units from both ends of the boom. For example, the operator of the sprayer may turn off sections L 2  and L 5  using the LH boom wheel  51  and then turning off sections R 3 - 5  using the RH boom wheel  52 . This capability allows the operator to control boom sections or spray units individually, e.g., when entering point rows or other similar odd shaped fields (see, e.g.,  FIG. 15 ). By using both wheels the operator may have full control of the spray sections irrespective of the spray pattern needed. For instance, if the operator of the sprayer intends to spray the side of a roadway, the operator is capable of having only sections L 1 - 5  on and also controlling each section by turning off the sections from L 1  outwards or from L 5  inwards. The operator may also be able to skip sections using section switches  55 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  shows the control of a sprayer using the spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein all the boom sections are enabled and wherein all boom sections are turned off using the reset wheel  53 . In the example as depicted in  FIG. 12 , all boom sections are turned on using the reset wheel  53 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 13  shows the control of a sprayer using the spray control system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein boom sections C, L 4 - 5 , R 1 , and R 5  are disabled using boom section switches  55  and boom sections L 1 - 3  and R 2 - 4  are turned off using the Master Apply wheel  54 . In the example as depicted in  FIG. 14 , wherein boom sections C, L 4 - 5 , R 1 , and R 5  are disabled using boom section switches  55 , while boom sections L 1 - 3  and R 2 - 4  are turned on using the Master Apply wheel  54 . Unlike the reset wheel  53  which simultaneously turns on or off all boom sections which are enabled, the Master Apply wheel  54  only turns on or off the enabled boom sections which are not previously turned off by using the LH boom wheel  51  and/or the RH boom wheel  52 . 
         [0042]    The spray control system of the present invention may be configured to receive a variety of signals from the boom wheels, including, without limitation, a scrolling signal, a push signal, a touch signal, a continuous signal, a pulse signal, and combinations thereof. The boom wheels of the present invention may be manually operated or operated through an electronically-controlled operating mechanism as disclosed herein. The resolution of the boom wheels may be adjusted, such as, without limitation, enhanced, increased, attenuated, reduced, or otherwise manipulated, using techniques known in the art. 
         [0043]    The spray control system of the present invention may further include a programmable means, such as, without limitation, a computer-based device. The programmable means may be operatively linked to at least one of the boom wheels. In one embodiment, the scrolling device of the present invention may be configured, through using the programmable means, to operate in a pulse mode, changing the condition of at least one boom section at a programmed time interval. 
         [0044]    In addition, the spray control device of the present invention may optionally comprise a display means for displaying the operating status of the boom(s), e.g., the percentage that the boom is on or off, and/or the status of each section during operation. Display means suitable for the purposes of the present invention are well known in the art. 
         [0045]      FIG. 15  depicts a schematic diagraph of the operation of a sprayer, which includes the spray control system of present invention, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, a sprayer in position “A” travels along the direction of the arrow. The LH boom wheel, RH boom wheel, reset boom wheel, master apply switch, and/or boom section switches may be manipulated under this circumstance to control the state of the LH boom, turning off spray nozzles and/or boom sections gradually when entering the point row. 
         [0046]    In another embodiment, a sprayer in position “B” travels along the direction of the arrow. The LH boom wheel, RH boom wheel, reset boom wheel, master apply switch, and/or boom section switches may be manipulated to control the states of both the LH boom and the RH boom, turning off spray nozzles and/or boom sections gradually when entering the point row. In yet another embodiment, a sprayer in position “C” travels along the direction of the arrow. The LH boom wheel, RH boom wheel, reset boom wheel, master apply switch, and/or boom section switches may be manipulated under this circumstance to control the state of the RH boom, turning off spray nozzles and/or boom sections gradually when entering the point row. 
         [0047]    Whereas this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments, it is understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention, as described herein before and as defined in the appended claims. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means plus function elements, if any, in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.