# US 10,765,102 B2 · Variable volume flow injection nozzle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,102 B2 - Document ID: US10765102B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/043,443 - Filed: 2018-07-24 - Published: 2019-01-24 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-07-24 - Applicants: WiSys Technology Foundation, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas J. Zolper; James A. Luoma; Corey A. Flores - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765102B2 ## CPC - A01M 7/0032: {Pressure sprayers} - A01M 7/005: {Special arrangements or adaptations of the spraying or distributing parts, e.g. adaptations or mounting of the spray booms, mounting of the nozzles, protection shields (nozzles, spray heads or other outlets B05B1/00; spray pistols B05B9/01)} - A01N 63/27: Pseudomonas - A01M 2200/00: Kind of animal - Y02A 90/40: Monitoring or fighting invasive species - A01M: CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS (appliances for catching swarms or drone-catching A01K57/00; fishing A01K69/00 - {A01K99/00}; biocides, pest repellants or attractants A01N); APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS - A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS - Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ## Abstract The present invention provides a molluscicide application apparatus and process that disperses the molluscicide below the water's surface in a manner that minimizes air entrainment and ensures that the molluscicide solution settles at the targeted floor of the body of water, such as a river or lake bed where driessenid mussels are concentrated, and do not rise to the water's surface or disperse. The present invention also maintains a desired viscosity level, for example, 180 centistokes, at typical freshwater temperatures varying from 15° C. to 25° C. by adjusting the flow rate and/or nozzle orifice area of the molluscicide application. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An invasive species toxin application system comprising: a boat including a propulsion system for moving the boat along a surface of a body of water in a propulsion direction as directed by a steering wheel; a tank supported by the boat for holding a toxin; a nozzle extending perpendicular to the propulsion direction; nozzle supports extending downward from the boat to hold the nozzle beneath the surface of the body of water at a predetermined depth; and a pump for delivering the toxin from the tank to the nozzle at a predetermined delivery rate; wherein the nozzle provides at least one laterally extending opening presenting a variable fluid flow resistance as a function of lateral distance to promote uniform flow rate as a function of lateral distance. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the laterally extending opening is a set of discrete slots of varying area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2 wherein the set of discrete slots increase in area as the slots move away from an inlet of the nozzle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the nozzle extends by a lateral distance at least one half of a width of the boat measured perpendicularly to the propulsion direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4 wherein the nozzle extends a bilateral distance greater than the width of the boat. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the nozzle is positioned beneath the surface of the water by at least four feet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the nozzle provides a laterally extending tube connected by a T fitting to a vertically extending toxin delivery pipe communicating with the pump. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the opening is positioned to face rearward with respect to the propulsion direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the nozzle has a drag coefficient less than or equal to a drag coefficient of a circle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9 wherein the nozzle has a circular cross-section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a height control mechanism supporting the nozzle and adjustable to position the nozzle beneath the surface of the water at varying depths. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the nozzle provides a laterally extending tube connected to a vertically extending toxin delivery pipe communicating with the pump wherein the vertically extending toxin delivery pipe is a flexible hose. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 wherein the height control mechanism is at least two laterally offset supports extendable below the surface of the water and supporting opposite ends of the nozzle and mechanically linked to move in unison. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein an area of the laterally extending opening is adjustable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14 wherein the laterally extending opening is a rectangular shutter providing adjustability of area with opening or closing of the shutter with a relationship of direct proportionality between area and an amount of opening or closing of the shutter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a flow rate sensor providing a flow rate of the toxin exiting the nozzle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16 further comprising a control system controlling the flow rate of the toxin to be substantially equal to a speed of the boat. ### Claim 18 A method of delivering invasive species toxin to a body of water, the method comprising: using a low air entrainment mixer to mix a wettable solid with water without substantial entrainment of air to produce a toxin; delivering the toxin mixed by the low air entrainment mixture to a tank of a boat including a propulsion system for moving the boat along a surface of a body of water in a propulsion direction as directed by a steering wheel; moving the boat along the surface of the body of water in the propulsion direction to a location of an invasive species; and pumping the toxin from the tank to a nozzle extending laterally across the propulsion direction at a predetermined delivery rate, the nozzle supported by nozzle supports extending downward from the boat to hold the nozzle beneath the surface of the body of water at a predetermined distance; wherein the nozzle provides at least one laterally extending opening presenting a variable fluid flow resistance as a function of lateral distance to promote uniform flow rate as a function of lateral distance. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further comprising chilling the toxin prior to delivering the toxin through the nozzle.