US 12,256,725 B2
System for controlling the growth of weeds
Carlo Groffils, Herent (BE); and Karel Groffils, Herent (BE)
Assigned to TIENSE SUIKERRAFFINADERIJ N.V., (BE); and MEAM BV, (BE)
Appl. No. 18/017,822
Filed by TIENSE SUIKERRAFFINADERIJ NV, Tienen (BE); and MEAM BV, Herent (BE)
PCT Filed Jul. 23, 2021, PCT No. PCT/EP2021/070651
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 24, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/018255, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 27, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 20187733 (EP), filed on Jul. 24, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0270036 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
Int. Cl. A01M 21/04 (2006.01); G06V 20/10 (2022.01)
CPC A01M 21/046 (2013.01) [G06V 20/188 (2022.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mobile microwave system for controlling weed growth in a target location, such as an agricultural field, the mobile microwave system comprising
a microwave unit comprising
a microwave generator for generating microwaves within a frequency range suitable for controlling the weed growth;
a phased array antenna system comprising
a plurality of antenna elements configured for emitting a focused microwave beam within a target area;
at least one controllable phase shifter coupled between the microwave unit and the plurality of antenna elements;
wherein the phase shifter is configured for shifting a microwave phase of at least a part of the generated microwaves in order to adjust a direction of the focused microwave beam; and
a processing unit operatively connected to the phase shifter and configured to steer the focused microwave beam direction to align the target area with a position of a target weed plant in the target location;
wherein the mobile microwave system is mountable to a vehicle or a vehicle comprises a drive for moving said mobile microwave system.