Devices, systems, and methods for agrochemical detection and agrochemical compositions
AssigneeSpogen Biotech Inc.
InventorBrian M. Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods for detecting agrochemicals in environments associated with agricultural equipment are described. Certain agrochemicals that are formulated for being detected using the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein are also described. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein are generally configured to use spectral characteristics to detect agrochemicals in an environment associated with agricultural equipment. The spectral characteristics can be analyzed in various ways to provide different types of information about the agrochemicals and/or the environment.
Claims33
An apparatus for detecting at least one agrochemical in a fluid flowing through a piece of agricultural equipment for use in a concurrent agricultural application, the apparatus comprising:
- a conduit configured to fluidly connect to piece of agricultural equipment to receive at least a portion of the fluid flowing through the piece of agricultural equipment such that said at least a portion of the fluid can be used in the concurrent agricultural application;
- a light source configured to transmit light into the conduit;
- a spectrophotometric device comprising a detector positioned to receive light from the light source after the light has been transmitted through or reflected by said at least a portion of the fluid, wherein the spectrophotometric device is configured to determine spectral characteristics of the received light;
- and
- a processor configured to detect when a trace amount of said agrochemical is present in the fluid using the spectral characteristics of the received light;
- wherein the piece of agricultural equipment is connected to an agricultural vehicle moving the piece of agricultural equipment through an agricultural field during the concurrent agricultural application, the apparatus further comprising a mounting system comprising a mount for mounting the light source and spectrophotometric device on the agricultural vehicle, the mount being constructed to have at least one of the following characteristics:
- the ability to form a mechanical interface with a corresponding part of the equipment on which the system or a component of the system is to be mounted;
- resistance to water;
- resistance to heat;
- chemical resistance to one or more agrochemicals;
- and combinations thereof.
An apparatus for detecting, measuring, and quantifying the amount of at least one agrochemical in a fluid flowing through a piece of agricultural equipment for use in a concurrent agricultural application, the apparatus comprising:
- a conduit configured to fluidly connect to piece of agricultural equipment to receive at least a portion of the fluid flowing through the piece of agricultural equipment such that said at least a portion of the fluid can be used in the concurrent agricultural application;
- a light source configured to transmit light into the conduit;
- a spectrophotometric device comprising a detector positioned to receive light from the light source after the light has been transmitted through or reflected by said at least a portion of the fluid, wherein the spectrophotometric device is configured to determine spectral characteristics of the received light;
- and
- a processor configured to measure a concentration of said agrochemical using the spectral characteristics of the received light;
- wherein the piece of agricultural equipment is connected to an agricultural vehicle moving the piece of agricultural equipment through an agricultural field during the concurrent agricultural application, the apparatus further comprising a mounting system comprising a mount for mounting the light source and spectrophotometric device on the agricultural vehicle, the mount being constructed to have at least one of the following characteristics:
- the ability to form a mechanical interface with a corresponding part of the equipment on which the system or a component of the system is to be mounted;
- resistance to water;
- resistance to heat;
- chemical resistance to one or more agrochemicals;
- and combinations thereof
- wherein the mount further comprises a damper configured to insulate at least one of the light source and spectrophotometric device from vibrations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.