Device for frost prevention of crops
A frost prevention device for protecting crops in open fields from frost damage. The device may include a housing that encloses both solid and liquid fuel storage compartments, a combustion chamber, a solid and liquid fuel feeding system, and an air intake and exhaust fan. The combustion chamber is configured to burn organic solid fuels or combustible liquids, generating heat to raise the ambient temperature around crops. The device may further include a control unit with thermal and moisture sensors configured to automate its operation based on environmental conditions, and a Global Positioning System module configured to assist in navigating through a field.
1 . A frost prevention device for crops in a field, comprising:
a housing supported on a chassis comprising wheels;
a support frame configured to hold the housing;
a solid fuel storage compartment configured to enclose solid fuel;
a liquid fuel storage compartment;
a combustion chamber configured to burn solid and/or liquid fuel;
a solid fuel feeding unit in operable connection with the solid fuel storage compartment and the combustion chamber;
a liquid fuel feeding unit in operable connection with the liquid fuel storage compartment and the combustion chamber;
an air intake fan configured to provide the combustion chamber with air required for complete combustion of solid and/or liquid fuel;
an exhaust fan; and
a control unit configured to operate the frost prevention device autonomously,
wherein the combustion chamber comprises:
a main body with an upper end and a lower end;
a combustion drawer;
a combustion drawer slot in proximity to the lower end configured to removably receive the combustion drawer;
a constriction in the main body;
a solid fuel inlet in operable connection with the solid fuel feeding unit;
a liquid fuel inlet in operable connection with the liquid fuel feeding unit;
an air inlet in operable connection with the air intake fan; and
a pass-through opening in operable connection with the exhaust fan and configured to move flue gases and hot air to a surrounding environment outside the housing.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to enclose the liquid fuel storage compartment, the liquid fuel feeding unit, the solid fuel feeding unit, the combustion chamber, and the air intake fan.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the
constriction in the main body is on at least two sides of the main body.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the solid fuel feeding unit comprises:
a second housing with an upper opening connected to the solid fuel storage compartment, a lateral opening, and a lower opening connected to the combustion chamber; and
a screw within the housing connected to an actuator to control the feed rate of the solid fuel to the combustion chamber.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises:
a controller configured to process input and output data;
a spark plug configured to initiate combustion of the solid and/or liquid fuel inside the combustion chamber;
thermal sensors positioned both outside the housing and inside the combustion chamber;
a moisture sensor on the exterior of the housing; and
a Global Positioning System module for precise movement and tracking within the field.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the main body has a pass-through opening at an uppermost portion of the main body.
7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the exhaust fan is configured to blow out hot air and flue gases through the pass-through opening of the combustion chamber to an ambient environment in the field.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the main body has a pass-through opening configured to pass hot gasses from the combustion chamber to the exhaust fan.
9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the exhaust fan is configured to blow out hot air and flue gases through the pass-through opening of the combustion chamber to an ambient environment in the field.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein upper solid fuel storage compartment is configured to enclose olive veneer mill pomace used for combustion in the device.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the liquid fuel storage compartment has a conical bottom end.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the liquid fuel storage compartment has a conical bottom end with an outlet configured to be in operable connection with the liquid fuel feeding unit.
13 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the liquid fuel storage compartment has a conical bottom end with an outlet configured to be in operable connection with the liquid fuel feeding unit and to facilitate flow of liquid fuel into the combustion chamber through the liquid fuel feeding unit.
14 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a moisture sensor.
15 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
liquid fuel and solid fuel.