IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,336,529
Granted Patent B2
US 12,336,529 · App. 17/559,368 · Granted Jun 24, 2025

System and method for an agricultural applicator

Inventors: Andrew W. Harmon (Sheboygan, WI); Ajay Sharda (Manhattan, KS); Jonathan Fabula (San Jose, PH)
A01M7/0089A01M7/0042B05B1/20B05B12/082B05B12/085B05B12/12G05B15/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,336,529
App. No.
17/559,368
Granted
Jun 24, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for an agricultural application operation is provided herein. The method includes receiving a target application condition for an agricultural product to be exhausted from a nozzle assembly through an input device. The method also includes receiving an agricultural product flow condition and data related to boom movement from a sensing system. In addition, the method includes receiving a first duty cycle from a computing system. The method further includes determining a detected application condition based on the agricultural product flow condition, the data related to boom movement, and the first duty cycle with the computing system. Lastly, the method includes generating a duty cycle command based on a comparison of the target application condition to the detected application condition with the computing system.

Claims (38)

1. A method for an agricultural application operation, the method comprising:

receiving, through an input device, a target application condition for an agricultural product to be exhausted from a nozzle assembly;

receiving, from a sensing system, an agricultural product flow condition and data related to boom movement of a boom arm in a fore direction or an aft direction relative to a frame;

receiving, from a computing system, a first duty cycle;

determining, with the computing system, a deflection magnitude of the nozzle assembly from a default axis in the fore direction or the aft direction based on a distance of the nozzle assembly along the boom arm relative to the frame and a boom deflection model;

determining, with the computing system, a detected application condition based on the agricultural product flow condition, the data related to the boom movement, and the first duty cycle; and

generating, with the computing system, a duty cycle command based on a comparison of the target application condition to the detected application condition.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target application condition includes at least one of a target spray quality index, a target application rate range, or a target pressure range.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detected application condition deviates from the target application condition based on the boom movement.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the duty cycle command is to maintain the first duty cycle when the detected application condition is within a defined range of the target application condition.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the duty cycle command is a second duty cycle when the detected application condition deviates from a defined range of the target application condition.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

generating, with the computing system, a vehicle command if the second duty cycle is to be greater than 100% duty cycle for a valve of the nozzle assembly.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

generating, with the computing system, a notification when the first duty cycle is different than the second duty cycle.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

calculating, with the computing system, a spray quality index at least in part based on one or more of the detected application condition, airflow at each nozzle assembly, a nozzle tip size, which agricultural product is being applied, and inclement weather.

9. An agricultural system comprising:

a product application system including one or more nozzle assemblies;

a sensing system configured to capture data indicative of a condition of a spray operation;

an input device configured to receive a target application condition for an agricultural product to be exhausted from a nozzle assembly;

a position sensor operably coupled with a boom assembly operably supporting the one or more nozzle assemblies and configured to capture data indicative of a boom position relative to a default axis; and

a computing system communicatively coupled to the product application system, the sensing system, the position sensor, and the input device, the computing system being configured to:

receive an agricultural product flow condition and data related to boom movement of a boom arm in a fore direction or an aft direction relative to a frame from the sensing system;

receive a first duty cycle for the one or more nozzle assemblies;

determine a position of the one or more nozzle assemblies relative to the default axis in the fore direction or the aft direction based on a boom deflection model, the data from the position sensor, and a position of the nozzle assembly relative to the frame;

determine a detected application condition based on the agricultural product flow condition, the position of the one or more nozzle assemblies relative to the default axis, and the first duty cycle; and

generate a duty cycle command based on a comparison of the target application condition to the detected application condition.

10. The system of claim 9 , further comprising:

a flow sensor operably coupled with the product application system and configured to capture data indicative of a flow condition within the product application system.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the duty cycle command is a second duty cycle when the detected application condition deviates from a defined range of the target application condition.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the computing system is further configured to:

generate a vehicle command if the second duty cycle is to be greater than 100% duty cycle for a valve of the nozzle assembly.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the computing system is further configured to:

generate a notification when the first duty cycle is different than the second duty cycle.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the computing system is further configured to:

calculate a spray quality index at least in part based on one or more of the detected application condition, airflow at each nozzle assembly, a nozzle tip size, which agricultural product is being applied, and inclement weather.

15. The system of claim 9 , wherein each of the one or more nozzle assemblies each include a pulse-width modulated valve.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2021
From: FABULA, JONATHAN
To: KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 058465/0320 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2021
From: SHARDA, AJAY
To: KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 058465/0346 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2021
From: HARMON, ANDREW W.
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 058465/0361 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230189785A1 · Jun 22, 2023
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