Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.

A method for emitting a fluid from a plurality of nozzle assemblies of a fluid dispersal system is provided. The method includes determining a desired distribution profile for the emitted fluid. The method also includes directing air into a path of the fluid emitted from the plurality of nozzle assemblies. In addition, the method includes determining a localized air speed at each nozzle assembly. Moreover, the method includes determining a target characteristic of the fluid emitted from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies. Further, the method includes controlling an operating parameter of a valve assembly of each nozzle assembly to obtain the respective target characteristic of the fluid emitted from each nozzle assembly. The operating parameter is controlled based on a difference between the determined localized air speed and a fluid exit velocity of the fluid emitted from the respective nozzle assembly.

A method for emitting a fluid from a fluid dispersal system includes determining a desired distribution profile for the fluid, identifying a plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, and determining, for each section of the plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, an amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies needed to deposit fluid according to the desired distribution profile within the corresponding section. The method also includes determining a target emission rate of the fluid from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies based on the determined amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly, and controlling an operating parameter of a valve assembly of each nozzle assembly to obtain the respective target emission rate from each nozzle assembly.

A system for applying agricultural fluid to a target includes a controller communicatively connected to valve assemblies and configured to control at least one operating parameter of each valve assembly, and a portable electronic device connected in communication with the controller. The portable electronic device includes a user interface. The portable electronic device is configured to retrieve a stored user profile including at least one prestored value that relates to a physical characteristic of the system or an operating parameter of the system, and populate at least one user input field of the user interface with the at least one prestored value. At least one of the controller and the portable electronic device is configured to retrieve the stored user profile and determine the at least one operating parameter of each valve assembly based on the physical characteristic of the system or the operating parameter of the system.

An aerial fluid dispersal system includes a fluid reservoir configured to hold a quantity of fluid, a manifold assembly in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a fluid pump coupled in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the manifold assembly, a plurality of nozzle assemblies coupled in fluid communication with the manifold assembly, and a controller coupled to the fluid pump and the plurality of nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly includes an electrically-actuated valve, a spray nozzle fluidly coupled downstream of the electrically-actuated valve, and a check valve fluidly coupled in series with the electrically-actuated valve. The controller is configured to control the operating parameter of the electrically-actuated valve of each nozzle assembly.

Various embodiments of a system for automatically sensing and spraying plants and/or plant precursors as they are planted or otherwise distributed on and/or within the ground is disclosed.

A method for emitting a fluid from a fluid dispersal system includes determining a desired distribution profile for the fluid, identifying a plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, and determining, for each section of the plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, an amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies needed to deposit fluid according to the desired distribution profile within the corresponding section. The method also includes determining a target emission rate of the fluid from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies based on the determined amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly, and controlling an operating parameter of a valve assembly of each nozzle assembly to obtain the respective target emission rate from each nozzle assembly.

A solenoid valve includes a solenoid coil, a poppet, and a drive circuit. A first semiconductor device of the drive circuit is controlled by a gate signal to control a coil current. A flyback circuit of the drive circuit includes a second semiconductor device in series with a diode. The second semiconductor device is controlled by a flyback control signal to: (i) enable the flyback circuit to maintain the coil current through the solenoid coil when the poppet transitions to a second position, and (ii) disable recirculation of the coil current through the solenoid coil when the poppet transitions to a first position. A controller is configured to transition the poppet to the second position using the gate signal, enable the flyback circuit using the flyback control signal, and reduce at least one of a duty cycle and a frequency of the gate signal when the flyback circuit is enabled.

A method for emitting a fluid from an aerial fluid dispersal system includes emitting the fluid from a plurality of individually controlled nozzle assemblies distributed across a manifold assembly. The method also includes receiving, at a controller, an input associated with a desired droplet size of the fluid emitted from each respective nozzle assembly and determining, by the controller, a target differential fluid velocity for each respective nozzle assembly based on the desired droplet size. The method also includes regulating, using the controller, the velocity of the fluid exiting each respective nozzle assembly to produce the target differential fluid velocity from each respective nozzle assembly.

A system for applying agricultural fluid to a target includes a controller communicatively connected to valve assemblies and configured to control at least one operating parameter of each valve assembly, and a portable electronic device connected in communication with the controller. The portable electronic device includes a user interface. The portable electronic device is configured to retrieve a stored user profile including at least one prestored value that relates to a physical characteristic of the system or an operating parameter of the system, and populate at least one user input field of the user interface with the at least one prestored value. At least one of the controller and the portable electronic device is configured to retrieve the stored user profile and determine the at least one operating parameter of each valve assembly based on the physical characteristic of the system or the operating parameter of the system.

A system includes a fluid supply line, a plurality of nozzle assemblies positioned and oriented to spray portions of a target, and a plurality of electrically actuated valve assemblies configured to control fluid flow to the nozzle assemblies. The system also includes a controller connected in communication with the plurality of electrically actuated valve assemblies and configured to individually actuate the valve assemblies between a closed position and an open position. The controller is configured to receive an orientation of each nozzle assembly relative to the target and determine a duty cycle of each valve assembly based on the orientation of the respective nozzle assembly. The controller is configured to actuate each valve assembly based on the respective orientation to provide a desired fluid characteristic of the fluid emitted from the respective nozzle assembly.