Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Container for non-fluid material – and scattering means – Rotating scatterer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-11
2001-03-27
Kashnikow, Andres (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Container for non-fluid material, and scattering means
Rotating scatterer
C239S689000, C239S658000, C239S069000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206306
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a discharge apparatus for discharging materials from a container onto an open area such as a field.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a discharge apparatus for discharging materials from a manure spreader container onto any open area such as a field.
2. Background Information
Normally, when manure or other fertilizers are to be spread over a field to be cultivated, the manure is evenly spread over the entire surface of the field.
However, each field has inherent characteristics which make it advantageous to apply varying quantities of the fertilizer to different parts of the field.
For example, certain parts of the field such as a valley portion may have a relatively deep soil coverage whereas an elevated portion of the same field may have had much of the soil eroded therefrom thus requiring a relative increase in soil nutrient replacement.
In view of the requirements for a variable spread of manure over the area of the field, spreader programs have been developed which optimize the amount of fertilizer required for each portion of the field.
The aforementioned programs are sometimes developed by combining the results of individual soil sample analyses taken from the various portions of the field. Accordingly, a map of the field is generated together with a set spread pattern so that the amount of fertilizer is adjusted manually to correspond with the previously determined spread requirements.
Therefore, by utilizing the spreader program, a farmer is able to raise crops of uniform quality throughout the entire field under cultivation.
In recent years, satellites have enabled the accurate determination of the actual location of a spot on the surface of the earth within a few feet and to provide not only a read out of the longitude and latitude but also the elevation of such a location. Such a means for ascertaining a location is known in the art as a “global positioning system” or GPS.
The present invention combines the aforementioned GPS technology with a land survey such that the actual location of a spreader spreading material in an open area such as a field can be continuously monitored. Such a system in combination with a soil requirement survey enables the generation of a program for regulating the amount of materials spread at any location on the open area such as a field.
Accordingly, for a particular location, the soil requirement is determined from the survey “map” so that the program generates a signal which may be used to regulate the amount of materials spread to optimize crop cultivation.
More specifically, such regulation may include one or more of the following discharge regulator arrangements:
1) Control of the power supplied from the driving motor to the discharge means.
2) Adjusting the opening of a door between the manure container and the discharge apparatus.
3) Regulating the land speed of the apparatus.
4) Altering the rotational speed of a discharge auger disposed in the materials container.
Therefore, it is a primary feature of the present invention to provide a discharge apparatus that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art proposals and which makes a considerable contribution to the art of spreading materials and the like on a field.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a discharge apparatus that includes a variable delivery discharge controlled by a program that optimizes the materials spread pattern.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a careful consideration of the detailed description contained hereinafter taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a discharge apparatus and method for discharging materials onto a field or open area to be cultivated.
More particularly, the present invention concerns a discharge apparatus for discharging materials from a container onto an open area such as a field. The apparatus includes a power discharge device which is disposed adjacent to a discharge outlet defined by the container. The arrangement is such that when the apparatus is being used to spread the materials onto the open area such as the field, the materials move from the container through the outlet towards the power discharge device for discharging the materials at a location on the field. A power source is drivingly connected to the power discharge device for rotating the power discharge device. A power sensor is provided for sensing the power supplied by the power source which is approximately the power used by the power discharge device, the power sensor generating a first signal which correlates to a spread rate of the materials discharged.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, such modifications and variations fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Included in such modifications would be the provision of a device secured to the apparatus for continuously monitoring and analyzing the soil as the apparatus moves over the field. Such analysis could include moisture content and/or the mineral content of the soil.
Also, although the detailed description describes a load cell arrangement for sensing the tension and the amount of material discharged, those skilled in the art will appreciate that when a hydraulic motor is used for driving the power discharge means, the hydraulic power within the hydraulic motor will be directly related to the amount of materials discharged. Similarly, in the case of an electric motor drive, the electrical power supplied will be proportional to the rate of discharge of the materials.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3241841 (1966-03-01), Kucera
patent: 4373668 (1983-02-01), Forbes et al.
patent: 4630773 (1986-12-01), Ortlip
patent: 5186396 (1993-02-01), Wise et al.
patent: 5318226 (1994-06-01), Kime et al.
patent: 5653389 (1997-08-01), Henderson et al.
patent: 5927603 (1999-07-01), McNabb
patent: 6024305 (2000-02-01), McFarlane
Archer David J.
Ganey Steven J.
Kashnikow Andres
Knight Manufacturing Corp.
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