Variable rate flow divider
US6318645A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16K11/074
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fluid distribution system is especially useful in agricultural apparatus for delivering liquid agricultural chemicals to agricultural fields. The system includes a flow divider with a cylindrical stator with a ring of collection chambers around the bottom of the stator and a rotor having a flow passage from the center of the top end to the bottom end above the ring of collection chambers. The flow dividers may be cascaded to provide multiple outlets. The system may include plural liquid supplies and a mixer for mixing the liquids from the plural supplies to provide a desired blend upstream of the flow divider. It is preferred that the flow of each liquid can be varied to vary the blend. The system may also include a control that varies the blend according to requirements as distribution proceeds. This may include a recorded mapping of a field being treated and a position sensor, for example a global position sensor (GPS) for monitoring the position of the apparatus in the field. The liquid blend is then controlled according to the requirements of the field position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.