# US 11,992,005 B2 · Automated spray nozzle test system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,992,005 B2 - Document ID: US11992005B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/004,381 - Filed: 2020-08-27 - Published: 2021-03-04 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2019-08-30 - Assignees: Micro-Trak Systems, Inc. - Applicants: Micro-Trak Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Jeff Germscheid - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11992005B2 ## CPC - A01M 7/0096: {Testing of spray-patterns} - A01C 23/007: {Metering or regulating systems} - A01C 23/047: {Spraying of liquid fertilisers} - A01M 7/0042: {Field sprayers, e.g. self-propelled, drawn or tractor-mounted} - B05B 1/16: having selectively- effective outlets - B05B 12/004: {comprising sensors for monitoring the delivery, e.g. by displaying the sensed value or generating an alarm (B05B12/08 takes precedence; registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus in general G07C3/00)} - B05B 12/006: {Pressure or flow rate sensors} - B05B 12/008: {integrated in or attached to a discharge apparatus, e.g. a spray gun} - B05B 9/0423: {for supplying liquid or other fluent material to several spraying apparatus} - B05B 15/18: for improving resistance to wear, e.g. inserts or coatings; for indicating wear; for handling or replacing worn parts - B05B 15/50: Arrangements for cleaning; Arrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockage; Arrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter - 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 - A01C: PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING (parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, in general A01B51/00 - A01B75/00) - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) ## Abstract A spray system and method for testing the flow rate of individual nozzles in the spray system are disclosed. The spray system can include a spray tank for holding a fluid to be sprayed, a pump in fluid communication with the spray tank, a manifold in fluid communication with the pump, a plurality of spray nozzles in fluid communication with the manifold, a main flow meter located in a first branch line in fluid communication with the pump and the manifold, a nozzle check flow meter located in a second branch line in fluid communication with the pump and the manifold, and a valve assembly for operating the spray system between a normal operation mode and a nozzle test mode, wherein in the normal operation mode, the valve assembly directs flow to the main flow meter, wherein in the nozzle test mode, the valve assembly directs flow to the nozzle check flow meter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of testing individual nozzles on a spray system including a plurality of nozzles, the method including: a. providing the spray system including a main spray tank, a pump in fluid communication with the main spray tank, a valve arrangement in fluid communication with the pump, a manifold in fluid communication with the valve arrangement, and the plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the manifold, wherein the spray system further includes a first fluid passageway having a first piping branch and a main flow meter, and a second fluid passageway having a second piping branch and a nozzle check flow meter extending from the valve arrangement to the manifold, wherein the valve arrangement is operable to direct flow from the main spray tank, the pump, and through one of the first and second fluid passageways while blocking flow through the other of the first and second fluid passageways; b. configuring the spray system from a normal operating mode into a nozzle test mode by operation of the valve arrangement, wherein the normal operating mode includes directing flow from the main spray tank, through the pump, through the valve arrangement, through the first fluid passageway including the main flow meter, through the manifold, and to the plurality of nozzles, while preventing flow through the second fluid passageway including the nozzle check flow meter, wherein the nozzle test mode includes: i. directing flow from the main spray tank, through the pump, through the valve arrangement, through the second fluid passageway including the nozzle check flow meter, through the manifold, and to the plurality of nozzles such that all flow from the pump is directed through the nozzle check flow meter while preventing flow through the main flow meter; ii. operating the pump to meet a first pressure set point; iii. opening one of the individual nozzles of the spray system while maintaining the remaining nozzles in a closed position; iv. measuring the resulting flow rate through the nozzle check flow meter; v. closing the individual nozzle; and vi. repeating steps ii) to v) until the flow rate through each individual nozzle has been measured at the nozzle check flow meter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: a. recording each of the measured flow rates through the individual nozzles. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: a. comparing the measured flow rates through each individual nozzle to a target flow parameter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising: a. providing an indication of which individual nozzles fail to meet the target flow parameter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the target flow parameter is a flow rate range. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the target flow parameter is a minimum flow rate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: a. purging the spray system of air prior to configuring the system to operate in the nozzle test mode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the configuring step includes operating a three-way valve to direct flow from the pump to the nozzle check flow meter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of opening one of the individual nozzles includes opening one of the individual nozzles for a predetermined time period before closing the individual nozzle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the comparing step is performed as each individual nozzle is being tested. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: a. configuring the spray system from the nozzle test mode to the normal operating mode once all individual nozzles have been tested. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the step of providing an indication includes providing a notification at a user interface located within a cab of a vehicle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the configuring step is initiated from a user interface located within a cab of a vehicle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the step of providing a notification includes reporting the measured flow rates of at least the individual nozzles failing to meet the target flow parameter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of directing flow from the pump through a main flow meter and preventing flow through a nozzle check flow meter and the step of directing flow from the pump to the nozzle check flow meter while preventing flow through the main flow meter are effectuated by operating a single three-way valve.