US 11,896,989 B2
Work vehicle sprayer system and method with self-cleaning filter apparatus
Bran Ferren, Beverly Hills, CA (US); Donald Lariviere, Glendale, CA (US); and James Hamilton, Glendale, CA (US)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Jul. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/383,082.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/070,619, filed on Aug. 26, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0062939 A1, Mar. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. B05B 15/52 (2018.01); B05B 15/40 (2018.01); B05B 12/00 (2018.01); B01D 29/64 (2006.01); B01D 29/68 (2006.01)
CPC B05B 15/52 (2018.02) [B01D 29/64 (2013.01); B01D 29/6423 (2013.01); B01D 29/6484 (2013.01); B01D 29/684 (2013.01); B05B 12/006 (2013.01); B05B 15/40 (2018.02)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mobile sprayer system comprising:
a fluid source capable of supplying a primary fluid;
a nozzle apparatus capable of dispersing the primary fluid over an area of a field; and
a filter apparatus arranged between the fluid source and the nozzle apparatus to filter the primary fluid, the filter apparatus including:
a filter unit having a screen device defining a first screen device end and a second screen device end and having a filter unit housing that houses the screen device and includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet such that the primary fluid enters the filter apparatus through the fluid inlet, is directed through the screen device, and exits the filter apparatus through the fluid outlet; and
a plunger unit having a rod end housing coupled to the filter unit housing, having a plunger rod with a first plunger rod end positioned within the rod end housing and a second plunger rod end within the filter unit housing, and having a plunger assembly secured to the second plunger rod end and positioned within an interior of the screen device;
wherein the fluid source, the nozzle apparatus, and the filter apparatus are carried or towed by a vehicle;
wherein, during a first filter cleaning event segment of a filter cleaning event, the plunger rod is capable of translating within the screen device between a nominal position in which the plunger assembly is proximate the first screen device end and a cleaning position in which the plunger assembly is proximate the second screen device end;
wherein, during a second filter cleaning event segment of the filter cleaning event, the plunger rod is further capable of translating from the cleaning position to the nominal position; and
wherein the plunger assembly is capable of dislodging, at least in part, debris from within the interior of the screen device during each of the first filter cleaning event segment and the second filter cleaning event segment.