Abstract:
In a vehicle with a power source for moving said vehicle and for spreading liquid material on a road surface a material distributing apparatus is provided which includes a hydrostatic transmission and associated control mechanism for automatically maintaining a constant application rate of the material to the road surface in response to changes in the width of the application pattern. The hydrostatic transmission is responsive to the power source for providing a controlled rate of flow of the liquid material from the tank of the distributing apparatus, to a discharge element of the apparatus and onto the road surface so as to maintain a constant rate of application for the material despite changes in the speed of the vehicle. A pattern adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the pattern provided by the discharge element. The control mechanism is responsive to a change of the distribution pattern provided by the pattern adjustment mechanism to cause the hydrostatic transmission to adjust its rate of flow of the liquid material to the discharge element -- in relation to the speed of the power source and the resulting speed of the vehicle -- such that the rate of application remains unchanged.
Abstract:
A striping apparatus for marking athletic fields and other surfaces comprises a wheeled platform adapted to be propelled by a prime mover and having thereon a tank for containing fluid, a nozzle assembly for spraying the marking fluid on a surface, and a pumping assembly for delivering the marking fluid under selectively variable pressures to the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly is adjustably positioned angularly and in elevation relative to the surface to be sprayed, and the pumping assembly is remotely controlled by a switch located on the prime mover. To mark designs, logos, numerals, and the like, an auxiliary hand-held, manually operated hose and nozzle are provided to allow the operator to mark the required figure.
Abstract:
A mobile center-pivot irrigation unit capable of irrigating small and irregularly-shaped fields is disclosed. The unit has two wheel-mounted irrigation carriages which support a single irrigation pipeline which is suspended between the two carriages. The first carriage is a light-weight steerable tractor with a pivot attachment mounted on its frame. The second carriage has two pivoting wheels which lock into position, thereby allowing the carriage to be either towed by the tractor, or to move in a circle about the tractor and pivot point. The unit is capable of being driven from field to field by a single operator and may be connected to a variety of irrigation water sources. Once connected to a water source, the second carriage wheels are repositioned and a water turbine powers the second carriage in a circular path about the first carriage as the unit sprays irrigation water onto the field.
Abstract:
A field tank-vehicle has a large reservoir for holding water or plant nutrients in water solution and/or suspension, and a plurality of relatively small auxiliary containers for holding water solutions and/or suspensions of herbicides, insecticides, hormones and other soil-treating chemicals. The apparatus includes vehicle-speed-responsive means for insuring uniform mixture application, and positive-action pumps for each feed line to insure accurate metering of each liquid to a mixer in the main line leading to a conventional sprayer boom. Each pump is driven from the vehicle-speed-responsive means by a variable-ratio speed-changer for metering the several liquids being combined, in desired proportions.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for depositing a bed of polymeric insulating foam on a horizontal or sloped surface. The apparatus rolls on the surface being insulated and while it moves forward, lateral bands of insulating foam are sequentially and rapidly deposited by spraying a foamable liquid from a nozzle mounted on a carriage reciprocally moving on a track on the apparatus.
Abstract:
A spraying plant the output of which can be made proportional to the rate of advance, comprises a source of power such as the power take off of a farming tractor, a positive displacement pump adapted to be driven from said source of power, a controlling member, such as a wheel, the rotation speed of which is proportional to said rate of advance, variable transmission means adapted to transmit power from said source to said pump and electronic regulating means controlled by said member for adjusting said variable transmission means whereby a predetermined quantity of product can be sprayed by unit area. The transmission means can be incorporated to the pump.
Abstract:
A portable sprayer which may be towed. The sprayer includes a frame having a pair of wheels rotatably mounted thereon. One of the wheels has a plurality of horizontally extending rollers which engage a flexible conduit mounted to the frame in a state of tension. One end of the conduit is connected by a hose to a container whereas the opposite end of the conduit is connected by another hose to a dispenser. As the sprayer is moved, the ground engaging wheels rotate causing the rollers to move against the flexible conduit thereby forcing the material from the container through the conduit towards the dispenser.
Abstract:
An automatic fluid control device designed to be combined with spray apparatus for controlling the flow of insecticide, fertilizer and the like is provided. The fluid control provides a valve responsive to a manual control and an automatic control governed by the speed of the vehicle carrying the spray apparatus. A pair of scanners correlates the vehicle speed with the spray flow by causing the valve plug to meter the flow as it rotates. The manual control displaces the valve plug along its longitudinal axis to provide a cumulative control of the fluid flow.