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US 12,611,690 B2Granted
Spray unit
AssigneeBayer Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsMalcolm Faers, Yoshitaka Sato, Andrew Charles Chapple
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a spray unit (10) with an axle (20), an atomising disc (30), a spray direction modifying assembly (40), and a liquid applicator (50). The atomising disc is configured to spin about the axle centred on the centre of the disc. The liquid applicator is configured to apply liquid to a surface of the atomising disc. The spray direction modifying assembly is in proximity to the atomising disc. The spray direction modifying assembly comprises at least one air channel (41). The at least one air channel is configured to provide air in proximity to the atomising disc to modify the subsequent trajectory of the liquid droplets that leave the outer edge of the atomising disc.
Claims19
A spray unit, comprising:
- an axle;
- an atomizing disc;
- a spray direction modifying assembly;
- a liquid applicator;
- wherein, the atomizing disc is configured to spin about the axle centered on a center of the disc;
- wherein, the liquid applicator is configured to apply liquid to a surface of the atomizing disc, and wherein the atomizing disc is configured to form atomized liquid droplets from the liquid applied to the surface of the atomizing disc;
- wherein the spray direction modifying assembly is in proximity to the atomizing disc;
- wherein the spray direction modifying assembly comprises at least one air channel;
- and
- wherein the at least one air channel is configured to provide air in proximity to the atomizing disc in a direction perpendicular to the axle, to modify a subsequent trajectory of the liquid droplets that leave an outer edge of the atomizing disc.
7 more elements
A spray vehicle, comprising:
- a spray unit, wherein the spray unit includes:
- an axle;
- an atomizing disc;
- a spray direction modifying assembly;
- and
- a liquid applicator;
- wherein, the atomizing disc is configured to spin about the axle centered on a center of the disc;
- wherein, the liquid applicator is configured to apply liquid to a surface of the atomizing disc;
- wherein the spray direction modifying assembly is in proximity to the atomizing disc;
- wherein the spray direction modifying assembly comprises at least one air channel;
- and
- wherein the at least one air channel is configured to provide air in proximity to the atomizing disc to modify a subsequent trajectory of liquid droplets that leave an outer edge of the atomizing disc;
- a liquid tank;
- at least one spray direction modifying assembly adjustment actuator;
- a plurality of sensors;
- and
- a processing unit;
- wherein, the liquid tank is configured to hold a liquid;
- wherein, the at least one spray unit is configured to spray a liquid;
- wherein, the at least one spray direction modifying assembly adjustment actuator is configured to operate and/or move the spray direction modifying assembly of the at least one spray unit;
- wherein, at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a rotational speed of the atomizing disc about the axle centered on the center of the atomizing disc;
- wherein, at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a liquid flow rate of the liquid applicator to the surface of the atomizing disc;
- wherein, the processing unit is configured to determine a liquid droplet size of the liquid droplets that leave the edge of the atomizing disc after atomization on the atomizing disc comprising utilization of the measured rotational speed of the atomizing disc, the measured liquid flow rate of the liquid from the liquid applicator to the surface of the atomizing disc, and the physico-chemical properties of the liquid;
- and
- wherein, the processing unit is configured to determine at least one instruction for control of the at least one spray direction modifying assembly adjustment actuator, wherein determination of the at least one instruction for the control of the at least one spray direction modifying assembly adjustment actuator comprises utilization of the determined liquid droplet size.
22 more elements
A spray vehicle, comprising:
- a spray unit, wherein the spray unit includes:
- an axle;
- an atomizing disc;
- a spray direction modifying assembly;
- and
- a liquid applicator;
- wherein, the atomizing disc is configured to spin about the axle centered on a center of the disc;
- wherein, the liquid applicator is configured to apply liquid to a surface of the atomizing disc;
- wherein the spray direction modifying assembly is in proximity to the atomizing disc;
- wherein the spray direction modifying assembly comprises at least one air channel;
- and
- wherein the at least one air channel is configured to provide air in proximity to the atomizing disc to modify a subsequent trajectory of liquid droplets that leave an outer edge of the atomizing disc;
- a liquid tank;
- at least one spray direction modifying assembly adjustment actuator;
- a plurality of sensors;
- and
- a processing unit;
- wherein, the liquid tank is configured to hold a liquid;
- wherein, the at least one spray unit is configured to spray a liquid;
- wherein, the at least one spray direction modifying assembly adjustment actuator is configured to operate and/or move the spray direction modifying assembly of the at least one spray unit;
- wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a speed of the spray vehicle relative to the ground;
- wherein, at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure an air movement direction relative to the spray vehicle with respect to a fore-aft axis of the spray vehicle;
- wherein, at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure an air movement speed relative to the spray vehicle;
- wherein the processing unit is configured to determine an air movement direction relative to a projection of the fore-aft axis onto the ground and determine an air movement speed relative to the ground, the determination comprising utilization of the speed of the spray vehicle, the air movement direction relative to the spray vehicle with respect to the fore-aft axis of the spray vehicle and the air movement speed relative to the spray vehicle;
- and
- wherein, the processing unit is configured to determine at least one instruction for control of a rotational speed of the atomizing disc, a liquid flow rate of the liquid from the liquid applicator to the surface of the atomizing disc and/or the at least one spray direction modifying assembly adjustment actuator, wherein determination of the at least one instruction for the control comprises utilization of the determined air movement direction relative to the projection of the fore-aft axis onto the ground and the determined air movement speed relative to the ground.
23 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.