US 12,234,016 B2
Aerial fluid dispersal systems including electrically and mechanically actuated valves
Adam Madison, Lancaster, KS (US); and Andrew J. Holtz, Heber, CA (US)
Assigned to Capstan Ag Systems, Inc., Topeka, KS (US)
Filed by Capstan Ag Systems, Inc., Topeka, KS (US)
Filed on Nov. 9, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/949,655.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/933,008, filed on Nov. 8, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0139147 A1, May 13, 2021
Int. Cl. B64D 1/18 (2006.01); B05B 1/16 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 1/18 (2013.01) [B05B 1/169 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aerial fluid dispersal system for use with an aerial vehicle, the aerial fluid dispersal system comprising:
a fluid reservoir configured to hold a quantity of fluid;
a boom pipe coupled in fluid communication with and downstream of said fluid reservoir, said boom pipe oriented in a direction perpendicular to a travel direction of the aerial vehicle;
a fluid pump coupled in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir and said boom pipe for generating a flow of pressurized fluid in said boom pipe;
a plurality of nozzle assemblies coupled in fluid communication with said boom pipe and spaced apart from one another in a direction perpendicular to the travel direction of the aerial vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each nozzle assembly is positioned external to said boom pipe, each nozzle assembly of said plurality of nozzle assemblies including:
a pulse-width modulated (PWM) valve coupled downstream of the boom pipe;
a single spray nozzle fluidly coupled downstream of the PWM valve and configured to emit the pressurized fluid based on an operating parameter of the PWM valve, wherein the plurality of nozzle assemblies includes a single spray nozzle for each of the PWM valves such that there is a one-to-one correspondence of spray nozzles and PWM valves; and
a check valve fluidly coupled in series with the PWM valve; and
a controller coupled to said fluid pump and said plurality of nozzle assemblies, said controller configured to control the operating parameter of the PWM valve of each nozzle assembly.