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US-12616990-B2 - Boom mounted spray nozzle assembly with compact multi spray nozzle design

US12616990B2US 12616990 B2US12616990 B2US 12616990B2US-12616990-B2

Abstract

A liquid spray boom for supporting a plurality of spray nozzle assemblies each having a compact design that enables transfer and storage of the spray boom with lesser tendency for damage. The spray nozzle assemblies each include a liquid inlet section and a pair of spray nozzle liquid supply and support legs extending from the liquid inlet section in forward transverse relation to the spray boom and at an acute angle to each other. A spray nozzle is removably mounted on each nozzle body liquid supply leg with a respective check valve disposed in rearward relation to the spray nozzle. The liquid inlet section, Y body, and supporting components for the spray nozzles and check valve are adapted for quick disconnect assembly and disassembly.

Inventors

  • Trevor Price
  • Timothy Winter
  • Marc Arenson

Assignees

  • SPRAYING SYSTEMS CO.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20210618

Claims (18)

  1. 1 . A liquid spraying system comprising; a horizontally supported elongated spray boom having a liquid supply conduit; a plurality of spray nozzle assemblies mounted in spaced relation along said elongated spray boom; said spray boom having a top side, a bottom side, and front and back lateral sides; said spray nozzle assemblies being mounted laterally away from one of said lateral sides on a common side of said spray boom; said spray nozzle assemblies each include a liquid inlet section supported in dependent relation to said elongated spray boom having a liquid passage communicating with said spray boom liquid supply conduit and a pair of spray nozzle support legs extending laterally away from said common lateral side of said spray boom; said spray nozzle support legs each having a respective liquid passage communicating with the liquid passage of said liquid inlet section; a spray nozzle removably mounted on each said spray nozzle support leg for receiving and spraying liquid from said liquid supply conduit via said nozzle body liquid inlet section and a respective spray nozzle support leg liquid passage; said spray nozzle support legs each supporting a respective check valve in laterally closer relation to the elongated spray boom than the spray nozzle supported by the respective spray nozzles support legs; and said check valve being operable for interrupting flow of liquid from the spray nozzle support leg liquid passage to the spray nozzle supported by the respective spray nozzle support leg.
  2. 2 . The liquid spraying system of claim 1 in which said spray nozzle support legs support the respective spray nozzles in depending relation to said spray nozzle support legs.
  3. 3 . The liquid spraying system of claim 1 in which said spray nozzle support legs are defined by a Y shaped body removably coupled to said liquid inlet section.
  4. 4 . The liquid spraying system of claim 3 in which said Y shaped body has an end body removably coupled to a terminal end of each spray nozzle support leg, and said spray nozzle and check valve supported by each spray nozzle support leg is removably coupled to a respective end body.
  5. 5 . The liquid spraying system of claim 4 in which said Y shaped body is releasably coupled to said liquid inlet section by a threadless clip, and said end bodies each are releasably connected to a terminal end of a respective spray nozzle support leg by a releasable clip.
  6. 6 . The liquid spraying system of claim 4 in which each said end body has an annular passage communicating with the spray nozzle support leg liquid passage of the respective spray nozzle support leg upon which it is mounted and an internal passage within said annular passage communicating with the respective spray nozzle supported by the end body, and each said check valve mounted on the respective end body being operable for closing said end body annular passage to prevent communication of liquid from said boom liquid supply conduit, liquid inlet section and the liquid passage of the spray nozzle support leg upon which the spray nozzle is mounted.
  7. 7 . The liquid spraying system of claim 1 in which said spray nozzle support legs extend outwardly from said liquid inlet section at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees with respect to each other.
  8. 8 . The liquid spraying system of claim 1 including a liquid flow monitor disposed within said liquid inlet section for monitoring the flow rate of liquid to said spray nozzles.
  9. 9 . A liquid spraying system comprising; a horizontally supported elongated spray boom having a liquid supply conduit; a plurality of spray nozzle assemblies mounted in laterally spaced relation along a common side of said elongated spray boom; said spray boom having a top side, a bottom side, and front and back lateral sides; said spray nozzle assemblies being mounted laterally away from one of said lateral sides on a common side of said spray boom; said spray nozzle assemblies each including a Y shaped nozzle body supported by said spray boom; said Y shaped body having a liquid inlet section communicating with said liquid supply conduit and a pair of legs extending laterally away from said liquid inlet section at an acute angle to each other; said Y shaped body legs each having a respective liquid passage communicating with said Y shaped body liquid inlet section; a spray nozzle removably mounted on each said Y shaped body leg for receiving and spraying liquid from said liquid supply conduit via said Y shaped body liquid inlet section and a respective Y shaped body leg liquid passage; said Y shaped body legs each supporting a respective check valve in laterally closer relation to the elongated spray boom than the spray nozzle supported by the respective spray nozzles support legs; and said check valve being operable for interrupting flow of liquid from the respective Y shaped body leg passage to the spray nozzle supported by the respective Y shaped body leg.
  10. 10 . The liquid spraying system of claim 9 in which said Y shaped body is supported in depending relation to said spray boom.
  11. 11 . The liquid spraying system of claim 9 in which said Y shaped body includes an end body at the terminal end of each Y shaped body leg, said end body of each Y shaped body leg supporting a respective one of said spray nozzles in depending relation to the Y shaped body leg and a respective check valve in rearward relation to the respective spray nozzle.
  12. 12 . The liquid spraying system of claim 11 in which said Y shaped body and end bodies are separate components releasably secured together.
  13. 13 . The liquid spraying system of claim 12 in which said end bodies each are releasably connected to a terminal end of a respective Y shaped body leg by a releasable clip.
  14. 14 . The liquid spraying system of claim 11 in which each said end body has an annular passage communicating with the liquid passage of the respective Y shaped body leg upon which it is mounted and an internal passage within said annular passage communicating with an inlet passage to the respective spray nozzle supported by the end body, and each said check valve mounted on the respective end body being operable for closing said end body internal passage to prevent communication of liquid from said boom liquid supply conduit, and Y shaped body leg passage of the Y shaped body leg upon which it is mounted.
  15. 15 . The liquid spraying system of claim 14 in which said check valves each is an electronic operated check valve.
  16. 16 . The liquid spraying system of claim 9 in which said Y shaped body legs extend outwardly at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees with respect to each other.
  17. 17 . The liquid spraying system of claim 16 in which said Y shaped body legs extend outwardly at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to each other.
  18. 18 . The liquid spraying system of claim 9 in which said Y shaped body legs each support the respective spray nozzle in forward relation to said spray boom and the check valve rearwardly of the respective spray nozzle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/040,756 filed Jun. 18, 2020, which is incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to liquid spray booms such as those pulled in the field behind a tractor or the like for agricultural spraying, and more particularly, to an improved spray nozzle assembly for use on such spray booms. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Agricultural spray booms carry a large number of laterally spaced spray nozzle assemblies along the length of the boom. Each spray nozzle assembly commonly comprises a plurality of spray nozzles, as well as, one or more check valves for immediately interrupting the discharge of liquid from the spray nozzles upon shut off of the liquid supply for preventing waste and over application of the liquid chemical, which further adds to the bulk and size of each assembly. In recent years, relatively sophisticated check valves are being used for each spray nozzle for electronically controlling and monitoring liquid spray of agricultural chemicals. Such control and check valves are of a size that substantially increases the footprint of the spray nozzle assembly relative to the liquid supply boom. Electrical wiring of the electronic check valves further must be incorporated into each spray nozzle assembly. Such liquid spray booms can be relatively long in length, such as 80 feet or more, to maximize spraying during each path of travel. To facilitate transport and storage of the spray boom when not in use, the spray booms have pivot joints that enable opposite sides or segments of the boom to be folded into side by side relation to each other. Due to the bulk and size of the spray nozzle assemblies and the associated check valves and their protuberance from the spray boom, upon positioning of the spray boom sections into overlying side by side relation, the spray nozzle assemblies can come into engaging and damaging contact with each other, necessitating repair or replacement and downtime of the sprayer. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid spray boom having a multiplicity of spray nozzle assemblies with associated liquid check or control valves along the length thereof designed for more reliably permitting folding or pivoting of sections of the boom into a side by side relation without interfering, contacting engagement of the spray nozzle assemblies. Another object is to provide a spray nozzle assembly having a multiplicity of relatively large electronic check valves that has a compact design which enables protective mounting on the liquid spray boom. A further object is to provide a spray nozzle of the foregoing type having electronic check valves which facilitate protective mounting of the spray nozzle assembly on the liquid supply spray boom and wiring of respective electronic check valves. Another object is to provide a spray nozzle assembly of the foregoing type that is relatively simple in construction and which lends itself to economical manufacture. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective of an illustrated spray boom in accordance with the invention being pulled by a motorized tractor; FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective of one of the spray nozzle assemblies mounted on the liquid spray boom shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3. is an enlarged perspective of one of the end bodies of the spray nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 2 which supports a respective spray nozzle and electronic check valve; FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the spray nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the spray nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical section of the illustrated nozzle assembly taken in the plane of the line 6-6 in FIG. 4; FIG. 7 is a horizontal section of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly taken in the plane of line 7-7 in FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical section of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly taken in the plane of line 8-8 in FIG. 4; FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective of a turbine operated liquid flow monitor of the illustrated spray nozzle assembly; and FIG. 10 is an enlarged transverse section of the magnetic hub of the turbine operated liquid flow monitor shown in FIG. 9. While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrative embodiment thereof has been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TH