Fast change of state of weed seeds to having reduced germination viability using low energy unnatural indigo region and medium wavelength infrared illumination
US12219947B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 2020 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01F17/02
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A change of state of weed seeds to having reduced germination viability in under one minute by illuminating a seed with at least one of 2 J/cm2 cumulative illumination energy, and 0.2 W/cm2 irradiance, but no more than 7 W/cm2 average irradiance, of at least one of an Indigo Region Illumination Distribution (IRID), and infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared (MWIR) radiation, preferably 2-8 microns. The MWIR radiation from heated borosilicate glass or glass powder at just under 500 C offered a peak MWIR emission of 3.75 microns was unexpectedly effective, and can be used in a radiant and transmissive weed seed accumulator transport belt. The process can be incorporated into a harvester combine to convert a tailings flow prior to discharge on an agricultural field. An illuminated harvest combine using an illuminator according to the invention allows reduction of the weed seed bank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.