Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Marine vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2003-06-13
2004-08-17
Jeanglaude, Gertrude A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Marine vehicle
C701S036000, C701S213000, C210S198100, C210S749000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06778887
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an aquatic pesticide application system for applying at least one pesticide to a body of water from a floating vessel.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various methods and equipment for treating bodies of water with treatment agents are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,481,815, 5,089,120, 4,882,072, 4,877,524, 4,818,416 and 4,747,958, and U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2002/0119891 A1. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,416 describes a method and a vessel for treating bodies of water with treatment agents. The vessel includes an onboard microcomputer that receives signals from a water depth sensor, a water pH sensor, and a speed sensor. The vessel includes a tank hull including a supply of a treatment agent. A pump and pump engine are in fluid communication with the tank hull. The pump pumps treatment agent to spray arms. The microcomputer is also connected to a flow meter which detects flow through the pump outlet, and is also connected to the pump engine to control output from the pump. The vessel of U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,416 may include dual pumping systems which are both operated by computer signals to dispense treatment agents at a rate determined by the measured speed of the vessel, the measured water depth and pH, and a predetermined application rate for the treatment agent. The dual pumping systems can dispense different treatment agents in various ratios and at various rates. Product delivery assemblies on the vessel may deliver treatment agents such as herbicides to the water surface or under the surface.
Various methods and equipment for farmland treatment activities, such as the application of pesticides, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,199,000, 6,122,581, 5,919,242, 5,862,501, 5,585,626 and 5,424,957. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,242 describes prescription farming methods in which herbicide is applied to sections of land based on GPS data. First, herbicide application rates are determined for land zones within various longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates on a plot of land. The application rate data is fed to a controller aboard a vehicle and as the vehicle traverses the plot of land, the controller receives GPS data and controls the herbicide application rate from dispensers attached to the vehicle.
However, there is still a need for an improved system for applying pesticides to a body of water from a floating vessel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing needs are met by an aquatic pesticide application system according to the invention for applying at least one pesticide to a body of water from a floating vessel. The system comprises a dispensing system for the pesticide(s), a receiver on the vessel for receiving position data from a global positioning system satellite, a storage device for storing digital map data representing a predetermined pesticide treatment plan for the body of water, and a processor for receiving position data and digital map data wherein the processor continuously outputs pesticide delivery signals derived from comparing position data and digital map data to the dispensing system to dispense pesticide(s) to the body of water when the vessel is directed over the body of water.
The dispensing system is associated with the vessel for delivering at least one pesticide to the body of water. Each pesticide is suitable for destroying or inhibiting the action of at least one aquatic pest in or on the body of water. The dispensing system includes a reservoir for each pesticide and a controllable flow device associated with each reservoir for regulating the application rate of each pesticide to the body of water.
The receiver on the vessel receives position data from a global positioning system satellite when the vessel is directed over the body of water. The storage device stores digital map data representing a predetermined pesticide treatment plan for the body of water.
The processor is in communication with the receiver and the storage device for receiving position data and digital map data. The processor continuously outputs pesticide delivery signals derived from comparing position data and digital map data when the vessel is directed over the body of water. The pesticide delivery signals correspond to an application amount for each pesticide at a position on the body of water. The processor is in communication with each controllable flow device for providing pesticide delivery signals to each controllable flow device such that each pesticide is applied to the body of water in accordance with the predetermined pesticide treatment plan for the body of water.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method for applying at least one pesticide to a body of water from a floating vessel. The method comprises providing a dispensing system associated with the floating vessel for delivering at least one pesticide to the body of water, each pesticide being suitable for destroying or inhibiting the action of at least one aquatic pest in or on the body of water, the dispensing system including a reservoir for each pesticide and a controllable flow device associated with each reservoir for regulating the application rate of each pesticide to the body of water; storing digital map data representing a predetermined pesticide treatment plan for the body of water in a digital storage device; directing the floating vessel over the body of water; receiving position data in a receiver from a global positioning system satellite when the vessel is directed over the body of water; continuously outputting, from a processor in communication with the receiver and the storage device, pesticide delivery signals derived from comparing position data and digital map data when the vessel is directed over the body of water, the pesticide delivery signals being indicative of an application amount for each pesticide at a position on the body of water; and providing from the processor pesticide delivery signals to each controllable flow device such that each pesticide is applied to the body of water in accordance with the predetermined pesticide treatment plan for the body of water.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood upon consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
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