US 11,980,902 B2
Equalization of nozzle performance for sprayers
Dennis J. Sullivan, Ankeny, IA (US); and Richard A. Humpal, Ankeny, IA (US)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 28, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/034,627.
Application 17/034,627 is a division of application No. 14/880,303, filed on Oct. 12, 2015, granted, now 10,786,826.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/197,938, filed on Jul. 28, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/094,538, filed on Dec. 19, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2021/0008582 A1, Jan. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. B05B 12/00 (2018.01); A01M 7/00 (2006.01); B05B 1/20 (2006.01); B05B 13/00 (2006.01)
CPC B05B 12/008 (2013.01) [A01M 7/0042 (2013.01); A01M 7/0089 (2013.01); B05B 1/20 (2013.01); B05B 13/005 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
5. A method of equalizing a spray system for an agricultural sprayer having (i) a boom assembly with a plurality of nozzles (ii) a control system configured to implement predetermined flow settings for the spray system corresponding to respective predetermined outflow rates or pressures for fluid outflows through the plurality of nozzles, the method comprising:
determining an output flow rate or fluid pressure for each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles;
determining an amount of tilt of the boom assembly with respect to a reference frame;
associating the amount of tilt with the determined output flow rate or fluid pressure for each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles;
determining tilt-updated flow settings for the spray system based on the determined output flow rate or fluid pressure; and
storing the tilt-updated flow settings in a spray profile for later use during a spray operation,
wherein:
a spray pattern of fluid dispensed from each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles is adjusted based on the spray profile and an associated signal waveform,
adjustment of the spray pattern comprises dynamically switching between at least two nozzle outlets or proportionally adjusting an output of each of the at least two nozzle outlets relative to one another,
the spray profile includes default flow settings for each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles, and
the default flow settings for at least one nozzle stored in the spray profiles is updated in response to the measured outflow rate exceeding or falling below a default reference value for the at least one nozzle.