Mobile fluid distribution system and method

Abstract

A fluid distribution system and method for mobile applications. The system includes a power source, a pump driven by the power source, and a motor driven by the pump. The system also includes a spray head with a fluid inlet passage, a fluid outlet passage, a fluid piston disposed in a chamber for controlled access between the inlet and outlet passages and defining a variable orifice, and a hydraulic cylinder controllably engaged to the orifice. The fluid piston and the hydraulic cylinder are aligned with a common longitudinal axis, and the inlet passage is offset from the axis in a direction opposed to the location of the outlet passage.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method for distributing a fluid, the method comprising the steps of:
 determining a ground speed of a mobile machine configured for fluid distribution;   determining a pressure of fluid being delivered to a spray head having a variable orifice;   comparing the determined pressure to a desired fluid pressure;   controlling a variable displacement motor to maintain the desired fluid pressure based on the comparison; and   controlling a size of the variable orifice during operation as a function of the ground speed and independent of fluid pressure to vary a flow rate of fluid output from the spray head to maintain a desired distribution of fluid.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein controlling the size of the variable orifice includes the step of controlling sizes of a plurality of orifices on a corresponding plurality of spray heads. 
     
     
         12 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein controlling sizes of a plurality of orifices includes the step of controlling the sizes of the plurality of orifices independent of each other. 
     
     
         13 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , further including the steps of:
 determining a condition associated with a location for fluid distribution;   determining a desired fluid pressure as a function of the condition;   controlling the variable displacement motor to maintain the desired fluid pressure; and   controlling the variable orifice as a function of the ground speed and as a further function of the determined condition to maintain the desired distribution of fluid.   
     
     
         14 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein determining a condition includes the step of determining a level of dryness associated with the location. 
     
     
         15 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , further including the step of controlling a pump to adjust a pressure of fluid being delivered to the spray head. 
     
     
         22 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein controlling a size of the variable orifice includes the step of controlling movement of a fluid piston of the spray head. 
     
     
         23 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , further including the step of controlling a fluid distribution pattern. 
     
     
         24 . A method, as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the fluid distribution pattern is laminar flow. 
     
     
         25 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the desired distribution of fluid is a desired distribution per unit of area. 
     
     
         26 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein controlling sizes of the plurality of orifices includes the step of controlling movement of a fluid piston of each of the corresponding plurality of spray heads. 
     
     
         27 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , further including the step of controlling a fluid distribution pattern. 
     
     
         28 . A method, as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein the fluid distribution pattern is laminar flow. 
     
     
         29 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the desired distribution of fluid is a desired distribution per unit of area. 
     
     
         30 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein an operator may select a spray mode. 
     
     
         31 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein determining a pressure of fluid being delivered to a pray head includes the step of determining a pressure of fluid at multiple locations. 
     
     
         32 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the operation includes fluid distribution. 
     
     
         33 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the operation includes fluid distribution. 
     
     
         34 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the variable orifice is continuously variable. 
     
     
         35 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of orifices are continuously variable.