US3784100A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow control device for liquid applicators and process of operating same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-30
•
Granted: 1974-01-08
•
Expires: 1992-03-30
Abstract
Abstract The distribution of a pressurized treating liquid, such as liquid fertilizer, from spray nozzles on an agricultural vehicle is metered and controlled to maintain a desired application rate onto the ground in gallons per minute at varying ground speeds of the vehicle by means of a control valve assembly including an applicaion selector valve located directly in the main flow line to the spray nozzles and serving to divide liquid flow between the spray nozzles and a bypass line leading to the inlet of a circulation pump. The selector valve is initially adjusted to establish a predetermined supply pressure to the spray nozzles which will provide the desired liquid application rate for a particular vehicle ground speed, crop row spacing and orifice size of the selector valve. On applications where the aforesaid circulation pump is driven by a power take-off from a vehicle engine, a second, ground speed control valve forming part of the control valve assembly and located directly in the main liquid flow line upstream of the aforesaid selector valve is adjusted to a setting corresponding to the predetermined vehicle ground speed and divides the liquid flow between the main flow passage leading to the selector control valve and a return line leading back to a liquid supply tank, or to the pump inlet.
Inventors
- 👤 J Kirschmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:18
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01M; A01M7/00; A01M7/0089; A01C; A01C23/00; A01C23/007; B; B05; B05B; B05B9/00; B05B9/03; B05B9/04; B05B9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
416 words
Liquid distribution and control apparatus mounted on an agricultural vehicle for ground application of a liquid comprising: a supply tank containing liquid to be applied; a liquid distribution manifold having a plurality of spray nozzles connected thereto; a circulating pump connected in a flow circuit between said tank and said manifold and having an intake connected to said supply tank and a discharge in fluid flow communication with said distribution manifold, said pump being driven by a power takeoff from an engine supplying motive power to said vehicle; a control valve assembly interposed between the discharge of said pump and said distribution manifold, said control valve assembly having a main flow passage connected by an inlet to said pump discharge and by an outlet to said distribuTion manifold; a supply port in said main flow passage leading to said main flow passage outlet; a bypass port in said main flow passage connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump intake by a bypass line; an application selector valve in said main flow passage and shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between said supply port and said bypass port, said selector valve being so constructed and arranged between said supply port and bypass port that it simultaneously opens said supply port wider as it is shifted in a closing direction with respect to said bypass port, and vice versa; and a main flow port in said main flow passage upstream of said selector control valve; a return port in said main flow passage connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump inlet by a return line; a ground speed control valve in said main flow passage upstream of said selector valve and shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between said main flow port and said return port, said speed control valve having an inlet side directly connected to said pump discharge and being so constructed and arranged between said main flow port and said return port that as it is shifted to a setting corresponding to a higher vehicle ground speed it simultaneously opens said main flow port wider and closes more of said return port, and vice versa as said speed control valve is shifted to a setting corresponding to a slower vehicle ground speed, whereby said speed control valve meters the flow of all liquid from said pump to said selector valve through said main flow port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
416 words
Liquid distribution and control apparatus mounted on an agricultural vehicle for ground application of a liquid comprising: a supply tank containing liquid to be applied; a liquid distribution manifold having a plurality of spray nozzles connected thereto; a circulating pump connected in a flow circuit between said tank and said manifold and having an intake connected to said supply tank and a discharge in fluid flow communication with said distribution manifold, said pump being driven by a power takeoff from an engine supplying motive power to said vehicle; a control valve assembly interposed between the discharge of said pump and said distribution manifold, said control valve assembly having a main flow passage connected by an inlet to said pump discharge and by an outlet to said distribuTion manifold; a supply port in said main flow passage leading to said main flow passage outlet; a bypass port in said main flow passage connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump intake by a bypass line; an application selector valve in said main flow passage and shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between said supply port and said bypass port, said selector valve being so constructed and arranged between said supply port and bypass port that it simultaneously opens said supply port wider as it is shifted in a closing direction with respect to said bypass port, and vice versa; and a main flow port in said main flow passage upstream of said selector control valve; a return port in said main flow passage connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump inlet by a return line; a ground speed control valve in said main flow passage upstream of said selector valve and shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between said main flow port and said return port, said speed control valve having an inlet side directly connected to said pump discharge and being so constructed and arranged between said main flow port and said return port that as it is shifted to a setting corresponding to a higher vehicle ground speed it simultaneously opens said main flow port wider and closes more of said return port, and vice versa as said speed control valve is shifted to a setting corresponding to a slower vehicle ground speed, whereby said speed control valve meters the flow of all liquid from said pump to said selector valve through said main flow port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
Liquid distribution and control apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: said return port regulated by said ground speed control valve is connected to the bottom of said supply tank so that liquid returning to said tank through said return port will agitate the liquid contents of said tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
Liquid distribution and control apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: said speed control valve is shiftable to an off position wherein it completely closes said main flow port and directs all liquid flowing from said pump through said return port when the pump is running, but when it is not desired to distribute liquid through said manifold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
240 words
The process of distributing liquid onto the ground at a desired rate through a distribution manifold mounted on an agricultural vehicle, utilizing a circulating pump connected in a flow circuit between a liquid supply tank and said manifold by a supply line having a control valve assembly connected therein, said control valve assembly comprising an application selector valve shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between said distribution manifold and a bypass line leading back to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump and a ground speed control valve connected in series flow relation to said selector valve upstream thereof and shiftably operable through a number of control settings corresponding to particular ground speeds of said vehicle to divide flow between said selector valve and a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump, comprising the steps of: driving said agricultural vehicle along a desired liquid distribution path at a predetermined ground speed with said pump running; shiftably adjusting said speed control valve to a setting corresponding to said ground speed; and then shiftably adjusting said application selector valve until a predetermined pressure, as indicated by a pressure gauge, is reached at the outlet of said control valve assembly leading to said distribution manifold, said pressure being based on a desired liquid application rate in gallons per acre for a particular liquid treating agent, row spacing of crops and vehicle ground speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
240 words
The process of distributing liquid onto the ground at a desired rate through a distribution manifold mounted on an agricultural vehicle, utilizing a circulating pump connected in a flow circuit between a liquid supply tank and said manifold by a supply line having a control valve assembly connected therein, said control valve assembly comprising an application selector valve shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between said distribution manifold and a bypass line leading back to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump and a ground speed control valve connected in series flow relation to said selector valve upstream thereof and shiftably operable through a number of control settings corresponding to particular ground speeds of said vehicle to divide flow between said selector valve and a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump, comprising the steps of: driving said agricultural vehicle along a desired liquid distribution path at a predetermined ground speed with said pump running; shiftably adjusting said speed control valve to a setting corresponding to said ground speed; and then shiftably adjusting said application selector valve until a predetermined pressure, as indicated by a pressure gauge, is reached at the outlet of said control valve assembly leading to said distribution manifold, said pressure being based on a desired liquid application rate in gallons per acre for a particular liquid treating agent, row spacing of crops and vehicle ground speed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
370 words
Liquid distribution and control apparatus mounted on an agricultural vehicle for ground application of a liquid comprising: a supply tank coNtaining liquid to be applied; a liquid distribution manifold having a plurality of spray nozzles connected thereto; a circulating pump connected in a flow circuit between said tank and said manifold and having an intake connected to said supply tank and a discharge in fluid flow communication with said distribution manifold, said pump being driven by a power take-off from an engine supplying motive power to said vehicle; a control valve assembly interposed between said pump and said distribution manifold, said control valve assembly having a main flow passage connected by an inlet to said pump discharge and by an outlet to said distribution manifold; an application selector valve in said main flow passage and shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between a supply port leading to said main flow passage outlet and a bypass port connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump intake by a bypass line, said selector valve being so constructed and arranged between said supply port and bypass port that it simultaneously opens said supply port wider as it is shifted in a closing direction with respect to said bypass port, and vice versa; a ground speed control valve in said main flow passage shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between a main flow port in said main flow passage and a return port connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump inlet, said speed control valve being so constructed and arranged between said main flow port and said return port that as it is shifted to a setting corresponding to a higher vehicle ground speed it simultaneously opens said main flow port wider and closes more of said return port, and vice versa as said speed control valve is shifted to a setting corresponding to a slower vehicle ground speed; and a ground speed indicating scale positioned adjacent to an operating handle for said ground speed control valve to facilitate the setting of said speed control valve for a particular ground speed of said agricultural vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
370 words
Liquid distribution and control apparatus mounted on an agricultural vehicle for ground application of a liquid comprising: a supply tank coNtaining liquid to be applied; a liquid distribution manifold having a plurality of spray nozzles connected thereto; a circulating pump connected in a flow circuit between said tank and said manifold and having an intake connected to said supply tank and a discharge in fluid flow communication with said distribution manifold, said pump being driven by a power take-off from an engine supplying motive power to said vehicle; a control valve assembly interposed between said pump and said distribution manifold, said control valve assembly having a main flow passage connected by an inlet to said pump discharge and by an outlet to said distribution manifold; an application selector valve in said main flow passage and shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between a supply port leading to said main flow passage outlet and a bypass port connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump intake by a bypass line, said selector valve being so constructed and arranged between said supply port and bypass port that it simultaneously opens said supply port wider as it is shifted in a closing direction with respect to said bypass port, and vice versa; a ground speed control valve in said main flow passage shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between a main flow port in said main flow passage and a return port connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump inlet, said speed control valve being so constructed and arranged between said main flow port and said return port that as it is shifted to a setting corresponding to a higher vehicle ground speed it simultaneously opens said main flow port wider and closes more of said return port, and vice versa as said speed control valve is shifted to a setting corresponding to a slower vehicle ground speed; and a ground speed indicating scale positioned adjacent to an operating handle for said ground speed control valve to facilitate the setting of said speed control valve for a particular ground speed of said agricultural vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
307 words
Liquid distribution and control apparatus mounted on an agricultural vehicle for ground application of a liquid comprising: a supply tank containing liquid to be applied; a liquid distribution manifold having a plurality of spray nozzles connected thereto; a circulating pump connected in a flow circuit between said tank and said manifold and having an intake connected to said supply tank and a discharge is fluid flow communication with said distribution manifold, said pump being driven by a power take-off from an engine supplying motive power to said vehicle; a control valve assembly interposed between said pump and said distribution manifold, said control valve assembly having a main flow passage connected by an inlet to said pump discharge and by an outlet to said distribution manifold; an application selector valve in said main flow passage and shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between a supply port leading to said main flow passage outlet and a bypass port connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump intake by a bypass line, said selector valve being so constructed and arranged between said supply port and bypass port that it simultaneously opens said supply port wider as it is shifted in a closing direction with respect to said bypass port, and vice versa, and said selector valve being threadedly attached to and removable from said control valve assembly and comprised of a valve core detachably secured to a stem of an operating handle, said valve core having an orifice therein of predetermined size through which liquid passes to said outlet of said main flow passage, whereby different valve cores having different size orifices may be selectively attached to said stem of said selector valve to achieve a desired range of liquid flow rates to said distribution manifold for particular applications of liquids.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
307 words
Liquid distribution and control apparatus mounted on an agricultural vehicle for ground application of a liquid comprising: a supply tank containing liquid to be applied; a liquid distribution manifold having a plurality of spray nozzles connected thereto; a circulating pump connected in a flow circuit between said tank and said manifold and having an intake connected to said supply tank and a discharge is fluid flow communication with said distribution manifold, said pump being driven by a power take-off from an engine supplying motive power to said vehicle; a control valve assembly interposed between said pump and said distribution manifold, said control valve assembly having a main flow passage connected by an inlet to said pump discharge and by an outlet to said distribution manifold; an application selector valve in said main flow passage and shiftably operable through a range of control positions to divide flow between a supply port leading to said main flow passage outlet and a bypass port connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump intake by a bypass line, said selector valve being so constructed and arranged between said supply port and bypass port that it simultaneously opens said supply port wider as it is shifted in a closing direction with respect to said bypass port, and vice versa, and said selector valve being threadedly attached to and removable from said control valve assembly and comprised of a valve core detachably secured to a stem of an operating handle, said valve core having an orifice therein of predetermined size through which liquid passes to said outlet of said main flow passage, whereby different valve cores having different size orifices may be selectively attached to said stem of said selector valve to achieve a desired range of liquid flow rates to said distribution manifold for particular applications of liquids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
302 words
Liquid distribution And control apparatus mounted on an agricultural vehicle for ground application of a liquid comprising: a supply tank containing liquid to be applied; a liquid distribution manifold having a plurality of spray nozzles connected thereto; a circulating pump connected in a flow circuit between said tank and manifold and having an intake connected to said supply tank and a discharge in fluid flow communication with said distribution manifold, said pump being driven by a power transmission mechanism from a ground engaging wheel of said vehicle; a control valve assembly interposed between said pump and said distribution manifold, said control valve assembly having a main flow passage connected by an inlet to said pump discharge and by an outlet to said distribution manifold; an application selector valve in said main flow passage rotatably operable to an infinite variety of flow dividing positions between a supply port leading to said main flow passage outlet and a bypass port connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump intake by a bypass line, said selector valve being so constructed and arranged between said supply port and bypass port that it simultaneously opens said supply port wider as it is shifted in a closing direction with respect to said bypass port, and said selector valve being threadedly attached to and removable from said control valve assembly and comprised of a valve core detachably secured to a stem of an operating handle, said valve core having an orifice therein of predetermined size through which liquid passes to said outlet of said main flow passage, whereby different valve cores having different size orifices may be selectively attached to said stem of said application selector valve to achieve a desired range of liquid flow rates to said distribution manifold for particular applications of liquids.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
302 words
Liquid distribution And control apparatus mounted on an agricultural vehicle for ground application of a liquid comprising: a supply tank containing liquid to be applied; a liquid distribution manifold having a plurality of spray nozzles connected thereto; a circulating pump connected in a flow circuit between said tank and manifold and having an intake connected to said supply tank and a discharge in fluid flow communication with said distribution manifold, said pump being driven by a power transmission mechanism from a ground engaging wheel of said vehicle; a control valve assembly interposed between said pump and said distribution manifold, said control valve assembly having a main flow passage connected by an inlet to said pump discharge and by an outlet to said distribution manifold; an application selector valve in said main flow passage rotatably operable to an infinite variety of flow dividing positions between a supply port leading to said main flow passage outlet and a bypass port connected to a point in said flow circuit upstream of said pump intake by a bypass line, said selector valve being so constructed and arranged between said supply port and bypass port that it simultaneously opens said supply port wider as it is shifted in a closing direction with respect to said bypass port, and said selector valve being threadedly attached to and removable from said control valve assembly and comprised of a valve core detachably secured to a stem of an operating handle, said valve core having an orifice therein of predetermined size through which liquid passes to said outlet of said main flow passage, whereby different valve cores having different size orifices may be selectively attached to said stem of said application selector valve to achieve a desired range of liquid flow rates to said distribution manifold for particular applications of liquids.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |