US 11,997,982 B2
Spraying system, methods of making and using the same, and computer-readable medium for controlling the same
Michael A. Hunter, Wheatfield, IN (US); Ronald Cameron, Francesville, IN (US); and Lawrence Moon, Hanford, CA (US)
Assigned to BECO Dairy Automation Inc., Hanford, CA (US)
Filed by Michael A. Hunter, Wheatfield, IN (US); Ronald Cameron, Francesville, IN (US); and Lawrence Moon, Hanford, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/555,413.
Prior Publication US 2023/0189751 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. A01J 7/04 (2006.01); A01K 1/12 (2006.01); B05B 1/30 (2006.01); B05B 13/04 (2006.01)
CPC A01J 7/04 (2013.01) [A01K 1/126 (2013.01); B05B 1/30 (2013.01); B05B 13/0405 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sprayer system, comprising:
a) a wand having a nozzle at a first end thereof;
b) a rotary arm configured to rotate around a first axle, wherein the rotary arm has a first end connected to a second end of the wand through a rotating or rotatable connection mechanism, and the second end of the wand is opposite from the first end of the wand;
c) a motor configured to drive rotation of the rotary arm;
d) a support, configured to mechanically support the motor and/or the rotary arm; and
e) a controller or control panel configured to control the rotation of the rotary arm;
wherein:
the wand and the rotary arm are configured so that the rotation of the rotary arm causes the nozzle to move in a circular, elliptical and/or oval pattern;
the wand comprises a hollow tube, and the system further comprises a tank configured to store a liquid, a hose configured to supply the liquid from the tank to the wand, and a valve along the hose configured to open and close in response to a valve control signal from the controller or control panel; and
the valve control signal keeps the valve closed when the rotary arm and the wand are at an angle between 0° and 90° and between 270° and 360°, and the valve control signal can open the valve only when the angle between the rotary arm and the wand is from 90° to 270°, wherein 0° is a position in which the rotary arm and the wand overlap and/or the nozzle is retracted from the parlor to its maximum extent.