System for spraying plants with automated nozzle selection
US11596964B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 2021 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01C23/008
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for spraying plants comprises a location-determining receiver for estimating a position of a sprayer with respect to one or more rows of plants. A distance sensor is arranged to measure a distance between a nozzle assembly and a plant row segment. A guidance module is adapted to align the nozzle assembly with a target path between the rows of plants, such as a centered path between the rows, or offset between the rows of the plants. A first nozzle is targeted toward a first zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a first spray pattern of the first nozzle. A second nozzle is targeted toward a second zone with respect to the plant row segment based on a second spray pattern of the second nozzle. A nozzle selection module for selecting automatically a first nozzle or a second nozzle based on maximum coverage of a target zone around the plant segment based on the first zone, the second zone, and the measured distance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.