Patent Publication Number: US-2022211024-A1

Title: Drop-down applicators for an agricultural sprayer

Description:
RELATED DISCLOSURES 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/295,853, filed Mar. 7, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to agricultural sprayers. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to drop-down applicators for agricultural sprayers. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, an agricultural vehicle is moveable across a surface. The agricultural vehicle includes a chassis, a traction member coupled to the chassis with the traction member configured to engage the surface and move the chassis relative to the surface, a holding tank coupled to the chassis with the holding tank configured to support agricultural matter, a support boom coupled to the chassis, and a plurality of applicator assemblies. Each applicator assembly of the plurality of applicator assemblies includes a resilient body coupled to the support boom, a foot coupled to the body with the foot configured to be biased into engagement with the surface via the resiliency of the body, and a nozzle. The nozzle is in communication with the holding tank and configured to dispense the agricultural matter. 
     In another aspect, the body includes a central axis, and the central axis is linear while the foot is configured to be spaced from the surface. 
     In another aspect, the central axis includes a curvature while the foot is configured to engage the surface. 
     In another aspect, each applicator assembly of the plurality of applicator assemblies includes a mount that rigidly couples the body to the support boom. 
     In another aspect, the body is coupled to the mount at a coupling location, a first distance is measured from an apex of the foot to the coupling location while the foot is configured to be spaced from the surface, a second distance is measured from a contact point on the foot to the coupling location while the foot is configured to engage the surface, and the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     In another aspect, each applicator assembly of the plurality of applicator assemblies includes a bracket supporting the nozzle, and the nozzle is adjustable to change a dispensing direction of the nozzle relative to the bracket. 
     In another aspect, the foot is selectively coupled to the body. 
     In another aspect, the foot includes a material that has a greater stiffness than a material of the body. 
     In another aspect, the nozzle is a first nozzle, the holding tank is a first holding tank, and the agricultural matter is a first agricultural matter, the agricultural vehicle further comprises a second holding tank coupled to the chassis and configured to support a second agricultural matter, each applicator assembly of the plurality of applicator assemblies includes a second nozzle coupled to the body and positioned between the first nozzle and the support boom, and the second nozzle is configured to dispense the second agricultural matter. 
     In another aspect, an agricultural vehicle is moveable across a surface. The agricultural vehicle includes a chassis, a traction member coupled to the chassis with the traction member configured to engage the surface and move the chassis relative to the surface, a holding tank coupled to the chassis with the holding tank configured to support agricultural matter, a support boom coupled to the chassis, and an applicator assembly. The applicator assembly includes a frame non-pivotably coupled to the support boom with the frame including a portion configured to contact the surface and a nozzle coupled to the frame with the nozzle in communication with the holding tank and configured to dispense the agricultural matter. The nozzle is configured to move relative to the support boom in response to the frame flexing relative to the support boom. 
     In another aspect, the frame includes a body having a central axis, the portion of the frame includes a foot coupled to the body, and the central axis is linear while the foot is configured to be spaced from the surface. 
     In another aspect, the central axis includes a curvature while the foot is configured to engage the surface. 
     In another aspect, the applicator assembly includes a mount that rigidly couples the body to the support boom. 
     In another aspect, the body is coupled to the mount at a coupling location, a first distance is measured from an apex of the foot to the coupling location while the foot is configured to be spaced from the surface, a second distance is measured from a contact point on the foot to the coupling location while the foot is configured to engage the surface, and the first distance is greater than the second distance. 
     In another aspect, the applicator assembly includes a bracket supporting the nozzle, and the nozzle is adjustable to change a dispensing direction of the nozzle relative to the bracket. 
     In another aspect, an applicator assembly is configured to be coupled to a support boom of an agricultural vehicle that is moveable across a surface. The applicator assembly includes a resilient body configured to be coupled to the support boom, a foot coupled to the body with the foot configured to engage the surface, and a nozzle. The nozzle is configured to dispense agricultural matter to the surface. The nozzle is configured to move relative to the support boom in response to the body flexing relative to the support boom. 
     In another aspect, the body includes a central axis, and the central axis is linear while the foot is configured to be spaced from the surface. 
     In another aspect, the central axis includes a curvature while the foot is configured to engage the surface. 
     In another aspect, the foot is selectively coupled to the body. 
     In another aspect, the foot includes a material that has a greater stiffness than a material of the body. 
     Any of the above referenced aspects of the disclosure can be combined with any one or more of the above referenced aspects of the disclosure. 
     Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an agricultural sprayer including a plurality of drop-down applicator assemblies coupled along a support boom of the agricultural sprayer. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one assembly of the plurality of drop-down applicator assemblies. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of one assembly of the plurality of drop-down applicator assemblies positioned between adjacent crop rows of an agricultural field. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of one assembly of the plurality of drop-down applicator assemblies spaced from the agricultural field. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the drop-down applicator assembly of  FIG. 4  contacting the agricultural field in a first configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the drop-down applicator assembly of  FIG. 4  contacting the agricultural field in a second configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of the agricultural sprayer with the plurality of drop-down applicator assemblies contacting the agricultural field. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Terms of degree, such as “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” etc. are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer to reasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, general tolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of the described embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an agricultural vehicle (e.g., an agricultural sprayer  10 ) that includes a chassis  15  having wheels  20  (e.g., traction members) to support a cab  25 , two holding tanks  30 , and a power unit  35  above an agricultural surface or ground  40 . The holding tanks  30  are operable to carry agricultural matter (e.g., liquid fertilizer, liquid pesticide, liquid fungicide, dry/solid forms of nutrients, dry/solid forms of protection products, agricultural seeds, etc.) to be distributed onto crops  45  growing from the ground  40  or directly onto the ground  40 . The power unit  35  provides mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic power to components of the sprayer  10 . For example, the power unit  35  at least drives one of the wheels  20  to move the sprayer  10  across the ground  40  in a forward direction  50  or a rearward direction  52  and drives a delivery device (e.g. a pump) to dispense the agricultural matter within the holding tanks  30  onto the ground  40 . In other embodiments, the wheels  20  can be continuous tracks operable to move the sprayer  10  relative to the ground  40 . 
     The sprayer  10  includes a support boom  55  coupled to the chassis  15  behind the holding tanks  30  and the cab  25 . A hydraulic assembly  60  (e.g., hydraulic cylinders) is coupled to the chassis  15  and the support boom  55  and is operable to raise and lower the support boom  55  relative to the chassis  15  and the ground  40 . Spray nozzles  65  are positioned along a longitudinal axis  70  of the support boom  55  with each spray nozzle  65  fluidly coupled to at least one holding tank  30 . The spray nozzles  65  are operable to dispense/spray the agricultural material within at least one holding tank  30  onto the ground  40  and the crops  45 . In other embodiments, the support boom  55  can be positioned in front of the cab  25 . In further embodiments, a pull-behind sprayer can include a frame and wheels/continuous tracks that support the support boom  55  above the agricultural field  40  and is selectively coupled to a vehicle (e.g., a tractor) to be pulled across the agricultural field  40 . In some embodiments, the pull-behind sprayer can also include one or more holding tanks  30 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , a plurality of drop-down applicator assemblies  80  are positioned along the longitudinal axis  70  of the support boom  55 . In particular, each applicator assembly  80  is positioned between adjacent spray nozzles  65  and configured as a light-weight design to not overload the support boom  55 .  FIG. 2  illustrates one applicator assembly  80 , which is substantially similar to the other applicator assemblies  80 . As such, only one applicator assembly  80  will be discussed in detail below but is also equally applicable to the other applicator assemblies  80 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the applicator assembly  80  includes a resilient or flexible frame  85  having a body  90  (e.g., a first portion) coupled to the support boom  55  and a foot  95  (e.g., a second portion) coupled to the body  90 . The body  90  includes a central axis  100  that is substantially linear while the frame  85  is in a default or relaxed position ( FIG. 2 ). In other embodiments, the central axis  100  can include at least one curvature while the frame  85  is in the default position. In addition, the body  90  is substantially a strip of material having a rectangular cross section in a plane transverse to the central axis  100 . For example, a thickness  105  of the body  90  is less than a width  110  of the body  90 . The thickness  105  is measured in a direction parallel to the forward and rearward directions  50 ,  52 , and the width  110  is measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis  70  of the support boom  55 . As a result, the body  90  is bendable/resilient in the forward and rearward directions  50 ,  52  but is substantially rigid in the direction transverse to the forward and rearward directions  50 ,  52 . 
     A mount or clamp  115  is directly coupled to the support boom  55  and the body  90  and is adjustable to clamp onto different sized support booms  55 . The mount  115  is also selectively coupled to the support boom  55  enabling the applicator assembly  80  to be selectively coupled to the support boom  55 . A top portion  120  of the body  90  that interfaces with the mount  115  is rigidly coupled to the mount  115  such that the top portion  120  cannot pivot relative to the support boom  55 . As such, the frame  85  is non-pivotably coupled to the support boom  55 . The interface between the body  90  and the mount  115  defines a coupling location  125 . In further embodiments, the mount  115  can be fixed to the support boom  55  by, for example, a welding process in which the applicator assembly  80  is non-removably coupled to the support boom  55 . 
     The foot  95  is designed as a teardrop shape member and includes an outer surface  130  having an end or apex  132 , a front curved side  135 , and a rear curved side  138  with the front side  135  being symmetrical with the rear side  138  about the apex  132 . The outer surface  130  of the foot  95  is configured to contact the ground  40 . In other embodiments, the foot  95  can include a different shape (e.g., a C-shape member, a zig-zag shaped member, a pig-tail shaped member, a diamond shaped member, etc.). In one embodiment, the foot  95  is selectively coupled to and replaceable from the body  90  as the foot  95  is a wear component that engages the ground  40 . In addition, the symmetry of the foot  95  allows for easy installation to the body  90  as the foot  95  can be rotated 180 degrees about the central axis  100  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) and still be properly coupled to the body  90 . In the illustrated embodiment, the foot  95  includes a greater stiffness/hardness than the body  90  to decrease wear on the foot  95 . In one embodiment, at least a portion of the frame  85  is manufactured from fiberglass, carbon fiber, or the like. For example, the body  90  can be manufactured from fiberglass (e.g., a nonferrous-based material), but the foot  95  can be manufactured from a different material (e.g., ferrous-based material) to decrease wear on the foot  95 . In further embodiments, the body  90  and the foot  95  can be manufactured from similar materials, for example, the body  90  and the foot  95  can be both manufactured from a nonferrous-based material, or the body  90  and the foot  95  can be both manufactured from a ferrous-based material. In some embodiments, the foot  95  can be non-removably fixed to the body  90 . In further embodiments, the body  90  can be formed integral with the foot  95  as one-piece component. 
     An upper bracket  140  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) is coupled to the body  90  and supports upper spray nozzles  150  each having an outlet  155 . The upper bracket  140  is slidably adjustable to selectively position the spray nozzles  150  along the central axis  100  of the body  90 . The spray nozzles  150  are also adjustable relative to the upper bracket  140  to change an angle at which the outlets  155  are oriented (e.g., to change a dispensing direction of the outlets  155  relative to the upper bracket  140 ). For example, the spray nozzles  150  are manually pivotable relative to the upper bracket  140  and selectively secured to the upper bracket  140  to change the angle of the outlets  155 . In other embodiments, the spray nozzles  150  can be electronically adjusted by an operator within the cab  25  of the sprayer  10  or automatically adjusted by a control processor to change the angle of the outlets  155 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , upper nozzle lines  165  are coupled to the upper spray nozzles  150  and the first holding tank  30   a  to provide fluid communication between the first holding tank  30   a  and the upper spray nozzles  150 . In other embodiments, the upper spray nozzles  150  can be in fluid communication with the second holding tank  30   b , or each upper spray nozzle  150  can be in fluid communication with a different holding tank  30   a ,  30   b.    
     A lower bracket  170  is coupled to the body  90  adjacent the foot  95  and supports a first lower spray nozzle  175  having a first lower outlet  180  and a second lower spray nozzle  185  having a second lower outlet  190 . In other embodiments, the lower bracket  170  can be coupled to the foot  95 . The spray nozzles  175 ,  185  are adjustable relative to the lower bracket  170  to change dispensing directions  192   a ,  192   b  of the outlets  180 ,  190  ( FIG. 3 ). For example, the spray nozzles  175 ,  185  are manually pivotable relative to the lower bracket  170  to change the dispensing directions  192   a ,  192   b  of the outlets  180 ,  190 . In other embodiments, the spray nozzles  175 ,  185  can be electronically adjusted by an operator within the cab  25  of the sprayer  10  or automatically adjusted by a control processor to change the dispensing directions  192   a ,  192   b  of the outlets  180 ,  190 . A first lower nozzle line  195  is coupled to the first lower spray nozzle  175  and the second holding tank  30   b  to provide fluid communication between the second holding tank  30   b  and the first lower spray nozzle  175 . Likewise, a second lower nozzle line  200  is coupled to the second lower spray nozzle  185  and the second holding tank  30   b  to provide fluid communication between the second holding tank  30   b  and the second lower spray nozzle  185 . In other embodiments, the first and second lower spray nozzles  175 ,  185  can be in fluid communication with the first holding tank  30   a , or each spray nozzle  175 ,  185  can be in fluid communication with a different holding tank  30   a ,  30   b.    
     In operation, the sprayer  10  moves into an agricultural field such that each applicator assembly  80  is positioned between adjacent crop rows  75  ( FIG. 1 ) with the support boom  55  in a raised position. As such, the applicator assemblies  80  are spaced from the ground  40  ( FIG. 4 ) in the default position with the central axis  100  of each applicator assembly  80  extending substantially perpendicular to the ground  40 . In this condition, a first distance  205  is measured from the apex  132  to the coupling location  125  in a direction vertical to the ground  40 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an operator of the sprayer  10  continues to move the sprayer  10  along the ground  40  as the operator lowers the support boom  55  by the hydraulic assembly  60  for the outer surface  130  of each foot  95  to engage the ground  40 . A contact point  210  between each foot  95  and the ground  40  when each foot  95  initially contacts the ground  40  is located at the apex  132  of each foot  95 . Continuing to lower the support boom  55  (as the sprayer  10  is moving in the forward direction  50 ) forces each body  90  to flex in the rearward direction  52  ( FIG. 5 ) causing the contact point  210  to move from the apex  132  to the front side  135  of each foot  95 . In other words, each body  90  includes a curvature  212  while the contact point  210  is located on the front side  135  of the foot  95 . The support boom  55  is positioned at a desired height above the ground  40  such that all of the applicator assemblies  80  drag along the ground  40  and the resiliency of each body  90  biases the corresponding foot  95  into the ground  40 . Once the support boom  55  is positioned at the desired height, the support boom  55  remains stationary relative to the chassis  15  during operation. In some embodiments, the desired height of the support boom  55  is dependent upon the dispensing directions  192   a ,  192   b  of the adjustable lower spray nozzles  175 ,  185 . For example, it is advantageous to direct the dispensing directions  192   a ,  192   b  of the nozzles  175 ,  185  to a base of the crops  45  ( FIG. 3 ), as discussed in more detail below. The orientation of the nozzles  175 ,  185  relative to the ground  40  will change depending on the height of the support boom  55  above the ground  40 . With a greater flex in the body  90  ( FIG. 6 ), the dispensing directions  192   a ,  192   b  will be oriented more upwardly away from the ground  40  than if the body  90  includes a lesser flex in which the dispensing directions  192   a ,  192   b  will be directed into the ground  40  ( FIG. 5 ). In one embodiment, the operator can set the height of the support boom  55  such that there is some flex in each body  90  and then exit the cab  25  to adjust each lower nozzle  175 ,  185  (and the upper spray nozzles  150 ) such that the dispensing directions  192   a ,  192   b  are directed in a desired orientation. 
     As the sprayer  10  is traveling through the agricultural field, the sprayer  10  is operable to pump agricultural material (e.g., a liquid fertilizer) from at least one of the holding tanks  30  through the first and second lower nozzle lines  195 ,  200  to be dispensed/sprayed from the first and second lower outlets  180 ,  190 . In one embodiment, the outlets  180 ,  190  are oriented toward the base of the crops  45  to increase the efficiency of applying the agricultural material closer to the root system of the crops  45 . In other embodiments, a first flexible hose can be coupled to the first lower spray nozzle  175  with an end of the first flexible hose contacting the ground  40  adjacent the first row  75   a , and a second flexible hose can be coupled to the second lower spray nozzle  185  with an end of the second flexible hose contacting the ground  40  adjacent the second row  75   b . In this embodiment, the outlets of the first and second flexible hoses drag along the ground  40  and directly apply the agricultural material to the ground  40  adjacent the bases of the crops  45 , rather than the agricultural material being sprayed onto the ground  40  and the crops  45  via the spray nozzles  175 ,  185 . 
     In addition, the sprayer  10  is operable to pump another agricultural material (e.g., a liquid fungicide) from at least one of the holding tanks  30  through the upper nozzle lines  165  to be dispensed/sprayed from the first and second upper outlets  155 . The illustrated first and second upper outlets  155  are oriented to dispense the agricultural material to a mid-portion and/or an upper portion of the crops  45  by, for example, pivoting the spray nozzles  150  relative to the upper bracket  140  and/or by sliding the upper bracket  140  along the body  90 . The agricultural material can be dispensed from the upper spray nozzles  150  at the same time as the other agricultural material is being dispensed from the first and second lower spray nozzles  175 ,  185 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , the ground  40  can be uneven as the sprayer  10  travels over the ground  40  and dispenses agricultural material from the applicator assemblies  80 . For example, the ground  40  can include a protrusion  215  in which one of the feet  95  can travel over as the sprayer  10  moves across the agricultural field. As the foot  95  engages the protrusion  215 , the resiliency of the body  90  allows the body  90  to flex further in the rearward direction  52  causing the contact point  210  to move further upward on the front side  135  of the foot  95  toward the body  90 . In this condition, a second distance  220  is measured from the contact point  210  to the coupling location  125  in a direction vertical to the ground  40 , which is less than the first distance  205  ( FIG. 4 ). In other words, the nozzles  175 ,  185  move relative to the support boom  55  as the sprayer  10  travels over the ground  40 . 
     Moreover, the resiliency of each body  90  is such that a third distance  225  measured vertically from the contact point  210  to the outlets  180 ,  190  is generally constant as each body  90  flexes between the two different positions as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The foot  95  is rigid enough such that the difference in distances  225  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is due to rotation of the foot  95  relative to the ground  40  as the body  90  deflects in the rearward direction  52 . Accordingly, the dispensing directions  192   a ,  192   b  of the spray nozzles  175 ,  185  are generally constant (e.g., within a range of 30 degrees) as the sprayer  10  travels over the uneven ground  40  increasing the efficiency of applying the agricultural matter. In other embodiments, the dispensing directions  192   a ,  192   b  can move within a range of about 45 degrees to about 60 degrees as the sprayer  10  travels over the ground  40 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , each applicator assembly  80  is able to flex independently from the other applicator assemblies  80 . As such, each applicator assembly  80  automatically adjusts/flexes as the sprayer  10  travels over the uneven ground  40  while the support boom  55  remains stationary relative to the chassis  15 . This allows the operator to set the support boom  55  at one position and allow the applicator assemblies  80  to automatically adjust to the contours of the ground  40  to efficiently apply the agricultural matter to the crops  45 . 
     The curved surface  130  of each foot  95  enables the sprayer  10  to move in the rearward direction  52  (if desired) without having the foot  95  catch on an object on the ground  40  causing the body  90  to flex in the forward direction  50 . Rather, if the sprayer  10  moves in the rearward direction  52  while the foot  95  engages the ground  40 , the foot  95  can again travel over objects/protrusions on the ground  40  and maintain the flex in the body  90  in the rearward direction  52 . 
     Furthermore, due to the rigidity of the applicator assemblies  80  in the transverse direction to the longitudinal axis  70  of the support boom  55 , each applicator assembly  80  is maintained between adjacent crop rows  75   a ,  75   b  ( FIG. 7 ). However, in some embodiments, a first guide can be coupled to the lower bracket  170  adjacent the first lower spray nozzle  175  to project beyond one lateral side of the body  90 , and a second guide can be coupled to the lower bracket  170  adjacent the second lower spray nozzle  185  to project beyond the other lateral side of the body  90 . As such, the guides are operable to contact the crops  45  as the sprayer  10  moves along the ground  40  to help maintain the applicator assembly  80  between adjacent crop rows  75   a ,  75   b.    
     Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the disclosure as described. Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.