초록 ▼

An individual spray nozzle contains two or more valves that are actuated by time or frequency modulated signals such as pulse width modulated (PWM) signals. The PWM signals are interleaved to open and close each of the respective valves that enable fluid to flow from an input to a combined output. T

An individual spray nozzle contains two or more valves that are actuated by time or frequency modulated signals such as pulse width modulated (PWM) signals. The PWM signals are interleaved to open and close each of the respective valves that enable fluid to flow from an input to a combined output. The opening and closing positions of two or more different valves are interleaved to increase the range of performance, such as to increase the frequency of fluid flow from the input to the combined output. Additional embodiments are described.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An agricultural sprayer comprising: a boom assembly coupled to an agricultural vehicle;at least one single nozzle arranged on the boom assembly, the at least one single nozzle having a fluid inlet connected to three fluid outlets;a first actuator that couples the fluid inlet to a first outlet bas

1. An agricultural sprayer comprising: a boom assembly coupled to an agricultural vehicle;at least one single nozzle arranged on the boom assembly, the at least one single nozzle having a fluid inlet connected to three fluid outlets;a first actuator that couples the fluid inlet to a first outlet based on a first open or closed position of the first actuator, the first actuator connected to a first circuit configured to receive a first modulated duration signal to control the first actuator to be in the first open or closed position;a second actuator that couples the fluid inlet to a second outlet based on a second open or closed position of the second actuator, the second actuator connected to a second circuit configured to receive a second modulated duration signal to control the second actuator to be in the second open or closed position;a third actuator that couples the fluid inlet to a third outlet based on a third open or closed position of the third actuator, the third actuator connected to a third circuit configured to receive an aggregate modulated duration signal to control the third actuator to be in the third open or closed position;wherein the first and second outlet join together to form a combined outlet;wherein the first actuator is configured to move to the first open position in a different phase relationship with respect to the second open position of the second actuator, wherein the first open position and second open position are based on a duration and a polarity of the first and second modulated duration signals on the first circuit and on the second circuit, respectively, and wherein the duration and the polarity of the second modulated duration signal on the second circuit is determined based on the duration and the polarity of the first modulated duration signal on the first circuit; and wherein the modulated duration signals received by each of the first and second circuits are combined to generate the aggregate modulated duration signal that controls a spray pattern of a fluid dispensed from the combined outlet based on the third open or closed position of the third actuator; and,wherein the different phase relationship comprises a position interleave sequence such that the first open position and the second open position do not overlap in time. 2. The agricultural sprayer of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and aggregate modulated duration signals are generated independently. 3. The agricultural sprayer of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third actuators include solenoid valves. 4. The agricultural sprayer of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third circuits comprise electronic traces which further comprise wireless channels. 5. The agricultural sprayer of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third circuits are mounted on the single nozzle. 6. The agricultural sprayer of claim 1, wherein the third open or closed position of the third actuator is such continuous flow is maintained. 7. The agricultural sprayer of claim 1, wherein at least two of the modulated duration signals are a result of pulse width modulation. 8. The agricultural sprayer of claim 1, wherein the single nozzle is attached to a fluid distribution pipe that is mounted to a foldable composite carbon fiber spray boom. 9. The agricultural sprayer of claim 1, wherein the single nozzle is configured to attach to a fluid distribution pipe mounted on the agricultural sprayer. 10. The agricultural sprayer of claim 1, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are set up to open 180 degrees out of phase with respect to each other during a period T. 11. An individual spray nozzle comprising: a fluid inlet connected to three outlets;a first gate that couples the fluid inlet to a first outlet based on a first open or closed position of the first gate, the first gate connected to a first circuit configured to receive a first pulse width modulated (first PWM) signal to control the first gate to be in the first open or closed position;a second gate that couples the fluid inlet to a second outlet based on a second open or closed position of the second gate, the second gate connected to a second circuit configured to receive a second pulse width modulated (second PWM) signal to control the second gate to be in the second open or closed position;a third gate that couples the fluid inlet to a third outlet based on a third open or closed position of the third gate, the third gate connected to a third circuit configured to receive a third pulse width modulated (third PWM) signal to control the third gate to be in the third open or closed position;wherein the first and second outlet join together to form a combined outlet; and,wherein the second pulse width modulated signal is interleaved with the first pulse width modulated signal to generate the third pulse with modulated signal which includes an aggregate pulse width modulated signal that controls operations of the third gate to adjust a spray pattern of fluid dispensed from the combined outlet. 12. The individual spray nozzle of claim 11, wherein the third PWM signal has a duty cycle value to maintain continuous spraying. 13. The individual spray nozzle of claim 11, wherein the individual spray nozzle is mounted to a fluid distribution pipe that is mounted to a spray boom comprised of carbon fiber; and the spray boom is mounted to a center frame of a motor vehicle. 14. The individual spray nozzle of claim 11, wherein the first, second, and third circuit and are mounted external to and on top of a portion of the individual spray nozzle. 15. The individual spray nozzle of claim 11, wherein multiple individual spray nozzles are attached to a fluid distribution pipe that is mounted to a foldable suspension-type spray boom. 16. The individual spray nozzle of claim 11, further comprising a second fluid inlet that adjoins the fluid inlet to share a common chamber. 17. A method to operate a spray nozzle, comprising: setting up a circuit that generates first pulse width modulated (first PWM) signals, second pulse width modulated (second PWM) signals, and third pulse width modulated (third PWM) signals;configuring the circuit to phase shift first PWM signals from second PWM signals so that their respective pulses do not overlap during a period T;buffering first PWM signals on a first output of the circuit;buffering second PWM signals on a second output of the circuit;generating aggregate PWM signals by interleaving the first PWM signals with the second PWM signals, wherein the aggregate PWM signals includes third pulse width modulated (third PWM) signals;coupling the circuit to the spray nozzle, wherein the spray nozzle includes a fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, a second fluid outlet, a third fluid outlet and a combined outlet formed by the joining of the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet, and wherein a first valve couples the fluid inlet to the first fluid outlet, a second valve couples the fluid inlet to the second fluid outlet, and a third valve couples the fluid inlet to the third fluid outlet;connecting the first output to the first valve; connecting the second output to the second valve; andwherein a spray pattern of fluid dispensed from the third outlet is adjusted based on the aggregate PWM signals; and,wherein a spray pattern of fluid dispensed from the combined outlet is adjusted based on the phase shifted relation of the first and second PWM signals. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising selecting a modulation for first PWM signals based on a speed of travel of the spray nozzle and on a prescribed delivery of a particular amount of chemical. 19. The individual spray nozzle of claim 11, wherein the phase of the second PWM signal and the phase of the first PWM signal are synchronous. 20. The individual spray nozzle of claim 11, further comprising additional outlets having respective gates and circuits.