System and method for at-nozzle injection of agrochemicals

Abstract

A system and method for combining an additive with a carrier fluid in a spray nozzle. The carrier fluid is fed to one or more nozzles that include an embedded Venturi. The Venturi includes an induction port connected to an additive supply. As the carrier fluid flows through the nozzle, the flow creates a vacuum or suction force that draws in the additive. Of particular advantage, the concentration of the additive combined with the carrier fluid can be maintained constant even if the flow rate of the carrier fluid varies. The system and process are particularly well suited for spraying fields, such as crop fields or orchards, with an agrochemical.

1 . A system for mixing and dispensing controlled amounts of a first fluid and a second fluid, comprising:
 one or more dispensing and mixing nozzles;   each said dispensing and mixing nozzle comprising a Venturi;   each said dispensing and mixing nozzle comprising an inlet for communication with a first fluid;   each said dispensing and mixing nozzle comprising an induction port for communication between a second fluid and the Venturi;   each said dispensing and mixing nozzle comprising a passive metering orifice configured for controlling the flow of the second fluid to said dispensing and mixing nozzle;   wherein the first fluid flowing through the Venturi in the dispensing and mixing nozzle causes the second fluid to be drawn into the dispensing and mixing nozzle and mixed with the first fluid prior to exiting the dispensing and mixing nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one said dispensing and mixing nozzle is a gas induction nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said metering orifice automatically adjusts the ratio of second fluid to first fluid in response to changes in the flow rate of the first fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 :
 wherein the first fluid is supplied from a first fluid supply reservoir for holding the first fluid and a first fluid supply circuit connecting the first fluid supply reservoir to each dispensing and mixing nozzle; and   wherein the second fluid is supplied from a second fluid supply reservoir for holding the second fluid and a second fluid supply circuit connecting the second fluid supply reservoir to the induction port of each dispensing and mixing nozzle.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 :
 wherein the first fluid supply circuit comprises a first pump, a first metering and control valve, a first flow meter, a first pressure transducer, and a first fluid distribution manifold, arranged in series, the first fluid distribution manifold being connected to each dispensing and mixing nozzle; and   wherein the second fluid supply circuit comprises a second metering and control valve, a second flow meter, a second pressure transducer, and a second fluid distribution manifold, arranged in series, the second fluid distribution manifold being connected to the induction port of each dispensing and mixing nozzle.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each dispensing and mixing nozzle further includes a gas port in communication with the Venturi and a gas source so that flow of the first fluid through the Venturi causes a gas to also be drawn into the dispensing and mixing nozzle and mixed with the first and second fluids. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each dispensing and mixing nozzle includes a second Venturi and a gas port in communication with the second Venturi and a gas source for drawing a gas into the dispensing and mixing nozzle for mixing with the first and second fluid mixture. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each dispensing and mixing nozzle further includes a gas port in communication with the Venturi and with ambient atmosphere so that flow of the first fluid through the Venturi causes air to also be drawn into the dispensing and mixing nozzle and mixed with the first and second fluids. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each dispensing and mixing nozzle includes a second Venturi and a gas port in communication with the second Venturi and with ambient atmosphere for drawing air into the dispensing and mixing nozzle for mixing with the first and second fluid mixture. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid comprises a carrier fluid and wherein the second fluid comprises an additive fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid comprises an additive fluid and the second fluid comprises a carrier fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid and second fluid each comprise a liquid or gas or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second fluid is an agrochemical elected from the group consisting of an herbicide, an insecticide, a pesticide, a growth regulator, a desiccant, a defoliant, a fungicide, a rodentacide, a fertilizer, a nutrient stabilizer, a soil conditioner, a root stimulant, a surfactant, a drift inhibitor, a buffer, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid is an agrochemical elected from the group consisting of an herbicide, an insecticide, a pesticide, a growth regulator, a desiccant, a defoliant, a fungicide, a rodentacide, a fertilizer, a nutrient stabilizer, a soil conditioner, a root stimulant, a surfactant, a drift inhibitor, a buffer, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         15 . In a spraying system having a nozzle with an internal Venturi and an air inlet to the Venturi, and a first fluid supply connected to the nozzle, the improvement comprising a second fluid supply connected to the air inlet for mixing a second fluid drawn into the nozzle by the Venturi effect with a first fluid flowing through the nozzle. 
     
     
         16 . In the spraying system of  claim 15 , the improvement further comprising a passive metering orifice in the nozzle configured for controlling the flow of the second fluid to said nozzle. 
     
     
         17 . In the spraying system of  claim 16 , the improvement further comprising the metering orifice configured to automatically adjust the ratio of second fluid to first fluid in response to changes in the flow rate of the first fluid. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for mixing and dispensing controlled amounts of a first fluid and a second fluid, comprising:
 a nozzle;   said nozzle comprising a Venturi;   said nozzle comprising an inlet for communication with a first fluid;   said nozzle comprising an induction port for communication between a second fluid and the Venturi;   said nozzle comprising a passive metering orifice configured for controlling the flow of the second fluid to said nozzle;   wherein the first fluid flowing through the Venturi in the nozzle causes the second fluid to be drawn into the nozzle and mixed with the first fluid prior to exiting the nozzle.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said nozzle is a gas induction nozzle. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said metering orifice automatically adjusts the ratio of second fluid to first fluid in response to changes in the flow rate of the first fluid. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 :
 wherein the first fluid is supplied from a first fluid supply reservoir for holding the first fluid and a first fluid supply circuit connecting the first fluid supply reservoir to each nozzle; and   wherein the second fluid is supplied from a second fluid supply reservoir for holding the second fluid and a second fluid supply circuit connecting the second fluid supply reservoir to the induction port of each nozzle.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 :
 wherein the first fluid supply circuit comprises a first pump, a first metering and control valve, and a first fluid distribution manifold, arranged in series, the first fluid distribution manifold being connected to each nozzle; and   wherein the second fluid supply circuit comprises a second metering and control valve, and a second fluid distribution manifold, arranged in series, the second fluid distribution manifold being connected to the induction port of each nozzle.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein each nozzle further includes a gas port in communication with the Venturi and a gas source so that flow of the first fluid through the Venturi causes a gas to also be drawn into the nozzle and mixed with the first and second fluids. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein each nozzle includes a second Venturi and a gas port in communication with the second Venturi and a gas source for drawing a gas into the nozzle for mixing with the first and second fluid mixture. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein each nozzle further includes a gas port in communication with the Venturi and with ambient atmosphere so that flow of the first fluid through the Venturi causes air to also be drawn into the nozzle and mixed with the first and second fluids. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein each nozzle includes a second Venturi and a gas port in communication with the second Venturi and with ambient atmosphere for drawing air into the nozzle for mixing with the first and second fluid mixture. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first fluid comprises a carrier fluid and wherein the second fluid comprises an additive fluid. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first fluid comprises an additive fluid and the second fluid comprises a carrier fluid. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first fluid and second fluid each comprise a liquid or gas or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the second fluid is an agrochemical elected from the group consisting of an herbicide, an insecticide, a pesticide, a growth regulator, a desiccant, a defoliant, a fungicide, a rodentacide, a fertilizer, a nutrient stabilizer, a soil conditioner, a root stimulant, a surfactant, a drift inhibitor, a buffer, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first fluid is an agrochemical elected from the group consisting of an herbicide, an insecticide, a pesticide, a growth regulator, a desiccant, a defoliant, a fungicide, a rodentacide, a fertilizer, a nutrient stabilizer, a soil conditioner, a root stimulant, a surfactant, a drift inhibitor, a buffer, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         32 . A method for mixing and dispensing controlled amounts of a first fluid and a second fluid, the method comprising:
 drawing the second fluid into a dispensing and mixing nozzle by providing the first fluid flowing through a Venturi in the nozzle so that the fluids are mixed prior to exiting the nozzle.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 automatically adjusting a ratio of second fluid to first fluid in response to changes in the flow rate of the first fluid.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 drawing air into the nozzle to be mixed with the first and second fluids.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 pumping the first fluid; and   passively controlling the flow of the second fluid.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 dividing the first and second fluids from respective supply reservoirs.