阅读说明：本技术 输送蒸汽到田地表面上下方的装置和方法 (Apparatus and method for delivering steam above and below the surface of a field ) 是由 罗纳德·格莱姆 于 2019-01-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供一种用于将蒸汽输送到田地表面上下方的蒸汽喷射器。该蒸汽喷射器包括支撑框架,该支撑框架具有多个安装到其上并基本向下定向的蒸汽喷嘴,用于将蒸汽喷射到田地表面上下方。至少一个蒸汽产生器连接到蒸汽喷嘴以向其提供蒸汽。水加热箱连接到至少一个蒸汽产生器的每一个,以向其提供基本恒定压力的热水。给水加热箱提供压缩空气以对水加热箱加压。给水加热箱以及至少一个蒸汽产生器中的每一个供电。(A steam injector for delivering steam above and below a field surface is provided. The steam injector includes a support frame having a plurality of steam nozzles mounted thereto and oriented generally downwardly for injecting steam onto and below the field surface. At least one steam generator is connected to the steam nozzle to provide steam thereto. A water heating tank is connected to each of the at least one steam generators to provide hot water thereto at a substantially constant pressure. Compressed air is supplied to the water heating tank to pressurize the water heating tank. The feedwater heating tank and each of the at least one steam generator are powered.)

1. A steam injector for delivering steam above and below a field surface, comprising:

a support frame;

a plurality of steam nozzles mounted on said support frame and oriented substantially downward to emit steam above and below the field surface;

at least one steam generator connected to the steam nozzle to provide steam thereto;

d. a water heating tank connected to each of said at least one steam generator for providing heated water at a substantially constant pressure thereon;

e. means for supplying compressed air to the water heating tank to pressurize the water heating tank; and

f. means for supplying power to each of the water heating tank and the at least one steam generator.

2. The steam injector of claim 1, comprising a water storage tank and a water pump connected to the water heating tank to provide water thereto.

3. The steam injector of claim 2, comprising at least one pressure maintenance valve between the at least one steam generator and the water heating tank.

4. The steam injector of claim 3, wherein each steam generator is connected to the water heating tank, respectively.

5. The steam injector of claim 4, wherein each steam generator is connected to at least one steam nozzle.

6. The steam injector of claim 1, comprising: an adjustment mechanism mounted on the support frame for adjusting a distance between the field surface and the steam nozzle.

7. The steam injector of claim 1, comprising means for moving the steam injector in at least a forward direction.

8. The steam injector of claim 7, comprising a shroud extending a predetermined distance in a rearward direction from the steam nozzle, the shroud forming a casing above the field surface for containing the steam therein.

9. The steam injector of claim 2, comprising:

a. at least one steam pressure sensor and steam temperature sensor for sensing steam pressure and temperature injected from the at least one steam nozzle;

b. a processor connected to:

i. at least one of the steam pressure sensor and the steam temperature sensor;

means for powering each of the feedwater heating tank and the at least one steam generator;

means for providing compressed air;

a water pump; and

v. a human-machine interface;

c. the processor is configured to control:

i. supplying power to each of the water heating tank and the at least one steam generator;

supplying water to the water heating tank; and

providing compressed air to a water heating tank;

d. it is based on:

i. steam pressure and steam temperature data received from at least a steam pressure sensor and a steam temperature sensor; and

user input data received from a human-machine interface.

10. The steam injector of claim 9, comprising: water heating case pressure sensor and who heating case temperature sensor, it sets up in the water heating case, and be connected to the treater for the sensing pressure and temperature in the water heating case to provide the treater with water heating case pressure and water heating case temperature data.

11. The steam injector of claim 10, comprising a water heating tank level sensor disposed in the water heating tank and connected to the processor for sensing a liquid level in the water heating tank and providing the water heating tank level data to the processor.

12. The steam injector of claim 11, comprising a hot water pressure sensor and a hot water temperature sensor disposed between the water heating tank and the at least one steam generator and connected to the processor to sense hot water pressure and temperature provided to the at least one steam generator for providing hot water pressure and hot water temperature data to the processor.

13. The steam sprayer of claim 11 including a tank level sensor disposed in the tank and connected to the processor for sensing the level of liquid in the tank and providing the tank level data to the processor.

14. A steam injector for delivering steam above and below a field surface, comprising:

a. a support frame having a span of at least 20 feet and a maximum of 200 feet;

b. a plurality of steam nozzles mounted on said support frame along the span thereof and oriented substantially downward to emit steam above and below the field surface;

c. at least one vapor generator connected to the vapor spray nozzle to provide vapor thereto;

d. means for supplying substantially constant pressure hot water to each steam generator; and

e. means for supplying power to each steam generator.

15. The steam injector of claim 14, wherein each steam generator is connected to at least one steam nozzle.

16. The steam injector of claim 14, comprising an adjustment mechanism mounted on the support frame for adjusting a distance between the field surface and the steam nozzle.

17. The steam injector of claim 14, comprising means for moving the steam injector in at least a forward direction.

18. The steam injector of claim 17, comprising a shroud extending a predetermined distance in a rearward direction from the steam nozzle, the shroud forming a casing above the field surface for containing steam therein.

19. The steam injector of claim 14, comprising:

a. at least one steam pressure sensor and steam temperature sensor for sensing steam pressure and temperature injected from the at least one steam nozzle;

b. a processor connected to:

i. at least one of the steam pressure sensor and the steam temperature sensor;

means for powering each of the feedwater heating tank and the at least one steam generator;

means for providing hot water; and

iv, a human-machine interface;

c. the processor is configured to control:

i. supplying power to the at least one steam generator; and

supplying hot water to the at least one steam generator;

d. it is based on:

i. steam pressure and steam temperature data received from at least a steam pressure sensor and a steam temperature sensor; and

user input data received from a human-machine interface.

20. A method of delivering steam onto and below a field surface comprising:

a. providing a support frame covering a span of at least 20 feet up to a maximum of 200 feet and having a plurality of steam nozzles mounted thereon along the span and oriented substantially downward to project steam above and below a field surface; and the number of the first and second groups,

b. providing a substantially constant flow of steam to each steam nozzle at a temperature above 110 ℃ and a pressure in the range of 10 to 150 psi.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising:

a. providing at least one steam nozzle connected to the steam injector for providing steam thereto;

b. means arranged to supply hot water at a substantially constant pressure to each steam generator;

c. means arranged to supply power to each steam generator;

d. providing at least one steam pressure sensor and a steam temperature sensor to sense the pressure and temperature of steam ejected from the at least one steam nozzle;

e. a setup processor connected to:

i. at least one steam pressure sensor and steam temperature sensor;

means for supplying power to at least one steam generator;

means for providing hot water; and

human-machine interface

f. The processor to control:

i. supplying power to at least one steam generator;

providing hot water to at least one steam generator;

g. it is based on:

i. steam pressure and steam temperature data received from at least a steam pressure sensor and a steam temperature sensor;

user input data received from a human-machine interface, an

h. The steam injector is moved forward at a predetermined speed.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to agricultural implements, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for delivering steam above and below the surface of a field.

Background

In today's large-scale crop production, farmers apply large quantities of herbicides, such as glyphosate, to the field to weed. The use of these herbicides in large quantities can contaminate the soil and nearby waterways over time, thereby adversely affecting the environment and also adversely affecting the consumer of the agricultural product, as these herbicides can deposit on the crops themselves, posing a significant health risk.

In addition, repeated application of the same herbicide on the same field results in weeds that are resistant to the herbicide, thus requiring the application of more effective herbicides over time.

Therefore, organic agriculture has been widely accepted by farmers and consumers. However, farmers who use the organic crop production method are prohibited from weeding with herbicides, and only frequently conduct cultivation before sowing and during summer fallow to weed. Thus, farmers who use organic crop production methods often lose significant amounts of crop, as uncontrollable weeds can overgrow and block the crop.

Meanwhile, steam sprayers for weeding are known in the art, and they are generally small devices with hand-held sticks for gardening, or small mobile devices for small organic farming, and are not suitable for large-scale crop production in areas of hundreds of acres on agricultural fields.

It is desirable to provide an apparatus and method for delivering steam above and below the surface of a field for large-scale crop production.

It is also desirable to provide a device for delivering steam above and below the surface of a field that covers a span of at least 20 feet up to a maximum of 200 feet and is capable of providing a substantially constant flow of steam at a temperature above 110 ℃ and a pressure in the range of 10 to 150psi for each steam nozzle disposed along the span.

It is also desirable to provide a device for delivering steam above and below the surface of a field that is remotely controllable.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for delivering steam above and below the surface of a field for large scale crop production.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for delivering steam above and below the surface of a field that covers a span of at least 20 feet up to a maximum of 200 feet and each steam nozzle capable of being positioned along the span provides a substantially constant flow of steam at temperatures above 110 ℃ and pressures in the range of 10 to 150 psi.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for delivering steam above and below a surface of a site that is remotely controllable.

According to one aspect of the invention, a steam injector is provided for delivering steam above and below the surface of a field. The steam injector includes a support frame having a plurality of steam nozzles mounted thereto and oriented generally downwardly for injecting steam onto and below the field surface. At least one steam generator is connected to the steam nozzle to provide steam thereto. A water heating tank is connected to each of the at least one steam generators to provide hot water thereto at a substantially constant pressure. Compressed air is supplied to the water heating tank to pressurize the water heating tank. The feedwater heating tank and each of the at least one steam generator are powered.

According to an aspect of the invention, a steam injector for delivering steam above and below a field surface is provided. The steam injector includes a support frame having a plurality of steam nozzles mounted thereto and oriented generally downwardly for injecting steam onto and below the field surface. At least one steam generator is connected to the steam nozzle to provide steam thereto. A water heating tank is connected to each of the at least one steam generators to provide hot water thereto at a substantially constant pressure. Compressed air is supplied to the water heating tank to pressurize the water heating tank. The feedwater heating tank and each of the at least one steam generator are powered. The steam injector also includes at least one steam pressure sensor and a steam temperature sensor for sensing the pressure and temperature of the steam injected from the at least one steam spray nozzle.

The processor is connected to: at least one steam pressure sensor and one steam temperature sensor, means for powering each of the feedwater heating tank and the at least one steam generator, means for providing compressed air, a water pump, and a human-machine interface. Based on steam pressure and steam temperature data received from at least steam pressure and steam temperature sensors; and user input data received from the human-machine interface, the processor controlling: the method includes supplying power to each of the water heating tank and the at least one steam generator, supplying water to the water heating tank, and supplying compressed air to the water heating tank.

According to an aspect of the invention, a steam injector for delivering steam above and below a field surface is provided. The steam injector includes a support frame covering a span of at least 20 feet up to a maximum of 200 feet. A plurality of steam nozzles are mounted on the support frame along the span thereof and are oriented generally downwardly to emit steam above and below the field surface. At least one steam generator is connected to the steam nozzle to provide steam thereto. Hot water at a substantially constant pressure is provided to each steam generator, and power is supplied to each steam generator.

According to this aspect of the invention, a method is provided for delivering steam above and below the surface of a field. Includes a support frame covering at least 20 feet to a maximum of 200 feet in span. A plurality of steam nozzles are mounted on the support frame along the span and are oriented substantially downward to emit steam above and below the field surface. While the steam injector is moving forward at a predetermined speed, a substantially constant flow of steam at a temperature above 110 ℃ and a pressure in the range of 10 to 150psi is provided to each steam nozzle.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an apparatus and method for delivering steam above and below a field surface for large scale crop production.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a means for delivering steam above and below the surface of a field covering a span of at least 20 feet up to a maximum of 200 feet, and is capable of providing a substantially constant flow of steam at a temperature above 110 ℃ and a pressure in the range of 10 to 150psi to each steam nozzle disposed along the span.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a device for delivering steam above and below the surface of a field that is remotely controllable.

Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a is a simplified block diagram showing a top view of a steam injector coupled to a tractor and a water storage tank, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 1b and 1c are simplified block diagrams showing a top view and a side view, respectively, of a steam injector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1d is a simplified block diagram showing a detailed side view of a steam injector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating power supply to components of a steam injector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a control circuit connected to a steam injector assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

Although the following description of the preferred embodiment refers to a steam injector connected to a tow vehicle by a tow bar, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention are not so limited, but may also be adapted to connect the steam injector to the tow vehicle by a three-point hitch, or to provide the steam injector as a self-propelled unit.

Referring to fig. 1a-1 d, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a steam injector 100 for delivering steam above and below the field surface. Preferably, the steam injector 100 includes a support frame 102 having wheels 104 rotatably movably mounted thereto in a conventional manner. The support frame 102 has a conventional metal frame design for making agricultural implements, for example made of steel, and has a span S of at least 20 feet and at most 200 feet. The support frame 102 is connected to the hitch 12 of the towing vehicle 10 by a tow bar 103 mounted thereon to pull the towing vehicle 10 in a forward direction, as indicated by the block arrows in fig. 1a-1 c. The steam nozzles 122 are mounted on the support frame 102 in an equidistant manner (distance DN) along its span S. For example, DN is 30 inches between them and is oriented substantially downward to spray steam 134 of sufficient pressure above and below the field surface 20 at a distance Do of 1.5 to 3 inches, as shown in fig. 1 d. Preferably, the steam nozzle 122 is vertically movably mounted to the support frame 102 by a nozzle support frame 124, the nozzle support frame 124 being mounted to a nozzle adjustment mechanism 136 to enable vertical adjustment of the steam nozzle 122, as shown by the solid arrow in fig. 1d, such that the bottom end of the steam nozzle 122 is placed at a predetermined height HN, for example 6 to 24 inches, above the field surface 20. The nozzle adjustment mechanism 136 includes, for example, a vertically oriented guide structure of conventional design and conventional hydraulic actuator. Alternatively, the steam nozzle 122 is mounted directly to the support frame 102, which includes a vertical adjustment mechanism interposed between the support frame and the wheel 104.

As shown in fig. 1d, 30 inches therebetween and oriented substantially downward to spray steam 134 of sufficient pressure above and below the field surface 20 at a distance Do of 1.5 to 3 inches. Preferably, the steam nozzle 122 is vertically movably mounted to the support frame 102 by a nozzle support frame 124, the nozzle support frame 124 being mounted to a nozzle adjustment mechanism 136 to enable vertical adjustment of the steam nozzle 122, as shown by the solid arrow in fig. 1d, with the bottom end of the steam nozzle 122 being positioned at a predetermined height HN, e.g., 6 to 24 inches, above the viewing surface 20. The nozzle adjustment mechanism 136 includes a vertically oriented guide structure of, for example, conventional design and conventional hydraulic actuator. Alternatively, the steam nozzle 122 is mounted directly to the support frame 102, which includes a vertical adjustment mechanism interposed between the support frame and the wheel 104.

Preferably, each steam nozzle 122 is directly connected to a respective steam generator 120 by a steam conduit 126 to receive therefrom, in operation, a substantially constant flow of steam at a temperature above 110 ℃ (up to 350 ℃) and at a pressure in the range of 10 to 150 psi. Steam conduit 126 is, for example, conventional high pressure piping or a high pressure hose connected to steam nozzle 122 and steam generator 120 using conventional high pressure fittings. Alternatively, a plurality of steam nozzles 122 are connected to one steam generator 120. Steam generator 120 is, for example, an electrically heated helical coil single tube low water content boiler of conventional design.

Preferably, each steam generator 120 is individually connected to the water heating tank 116 by a hot water conduit 118 to receive hot water therefrom at a substantially constant pressure in the range of 10 to 150 psi. The hot water conduit 118 is, for example, a conventional high pressure pipe or a high pressure hose connected to the water heating tank 116 and the steam generator 120 using conventional high pressure fittings. It is further preferred that a pressure maintenance valve (PSV) 146 of conventional design be interposed between each steam generator 120 and the water heating tank 116 to ensure that the pressure of the heated water is substantially constant. Alternatively, the at least one steam generator 120 is connected to the water heating tank 116 via the same hot water conduit 118 and branching therefrom. The water heating tank 116 is of conventional design and includes, for example, an electrical heating element disposed in a high pressure tank.

To ensure that the pressure of the hot water is substantially constant during operation, the water heating tank 116 is pressurized to a pressure of 10 to 150 psi. Preferably, compressed air is used to pressurize the water heating tank 116, wherein the compressed air is provided, for example, by a conventional electric air compressor 132 connected to the water heating tank 116 via a compressed air conduit 133. Alternatively, the water tank 116 is pressurized with pressurized water, for example, by pumping water from the storage tank 110 to the water heating tank 116.

Preferably, the water storage tank 110 is provided as a separate wheel support unit 112 to be coupled to a towing means 108, e.g. steam injector 100, e.g. via a tow bar 114, and the towing means 108 is mounted, e.g. to a rearwardly directed extension 102A of the support frame 102. Providing the storage tank 110 as a separate unit enables flexibility with respect to the size of the storage tank 110, for example, a large-sized water tank can be used.

Preferably, the various components of the steam injector 100 are electrically powered, as will be described below, with the power being provided by a conventional generator 128, the conventional generator 128 generating AC or DC power, and being driven by a drive shaft 130, the drive shaft 130 being adapted to be coupled to a Power Take Off (PTO) of the tractor 10. Alternatively, other power sources are employed, such as an internal combustion engine mounted to the support frame 102, coupled to the hydraulic system of the tractor 10, or a combination thereof.

Further preferably, the steam injector 100 includes a shroud 106, the shroud 106 being mounted to the support frame 102 and extending a distance Ds (e.g., 8 feet) in a rearward direction from the steam nozzle 122. The shroud 106 includes a top cover 106A and a wall 106B, the sides and rear of the wall 106B depending in a generally downward direction, the bottom end 106C of the wall being placed against the field surface 20 to form an enclosure 107 for containing steam above the field surface 20. The roof 106A includes, for example, a metal frame structure mounted to the support frame 102 and covered with tarpaulin-type sheeting, while the walls 106B include the same tarpaulin-type sheeting. Alternatively, the shroud 106 is made of a more rigid material, such as a metal plate or plastic plate material.

Fig. 2 illustrates the power supply to the various components of the steam injector 100 according to a preferred embodiment. The electric power is generated using an electric generator 128, preferably driven by a drive shaft 130 coupled to the PTO of the tractor 10, and distributed to the various components as shown in phantom. In particular, the power is supplied to:

a water supply pump 142 for supplying water to the water heating tank 116 through the water supply conduit 140;

a water heating tank 116 for heating the supplied water to a predetermined hot water temperature, for example, in a temperature range between 80 ℃ and 100 ℃;

an air compressor 132 for providing compressed air to the water heating tank 116 at a pressure of 10 to 150 psi;

each of the steam generators 120 for generating a substantially constant flow of steam at a temperature above 110 ℃ and a pressure in the range of 10 to 150 psi; and

the electric drive of the nozzle adjustment mechanism 136 is used, for example, to power a hydraulic pump to provide hydraulic power to a hydraulic actuator to vertically adjust the steam nozzle 122.

Fig. 3 shows a control circuit for controlling the operation of the various components of the steam injector 100 according to a preferred embodiment. The control circuit includes a controller 170, for example a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) type microprocessor, connected to:

a steam pressure sensor 158 and a steam temperature sensor 160, for example, provided in each steam conduit 126, for sensing the pressure and temperature of the steam ejected from the respective steam nozzles;

a hot water pressure sensor 154 and a hot water temperature sensor 156, for example, disposed in each hot water conduit 118 between the PSV 146 and the steam generator 120, for sensing the pressure and temperature of the hot water provided to each steam generator 120;

a water heating tank pressure sensor 148 and a water heating tank temperature sensor 150 disposed in the water heating tank 116 for sensing the pressure and temperature in the water heating tank 116;

a water heating tank liquid level sensor 152 disposed in the water heating tank 116 for sensing a liquid level in the water heating tank 116;

a tank level sensor 152 is disposed in the tank 110 for sensing the level of liquid in the tank 110;

each steam generator 120;

each PSV 146;

a water heating tank 116;

a water supply pump 142;

an air compressor 132;

a water heating tank pressure control valve 117, preferably including a safety valve mechanism, for fail-safe over-pressure protection of the water heating tank 116;

a generator 128;

a nozzle adjustment mechanism 136; and

a Human Machine Interface (HMI) 172, such as a touch screen, is used to receive user input data and display operating parameters of the steam injector 100.

During operation, the controller 170 controls:

power is supplied to the water heating tank 116;

power is supplied to each steam generator 120;

power is supplied to the air compressor 132; and

the operation of each of the PSVs 146,

it relies on:

steam pressure and steam temperature data received from steam pressure sensor 158 and steam temperature sensor 160;

hot water pressure and hot water temperature data received from a hot water pressure sensor 154 and a hot water temperature sensor 156;

tank pressure and tank temperature data received from a tank pressure sensor 148 and a tank temperature sensor 150; as well as user input data received from the HMI 170,

such that a substantially constant flow of steam at a temperature above 110 ℃ and a pressure between 10 and 150psi is provided to each steam nozzle 122 as the steam injector 100 moves in a forward direction at a predetermined speed.

Further, preferably, the controller 170 ensures safe operation of the steam injector 100 by: controlling the level of the water heating tank 116, and controlling the operation of the water supply pump 142 such that the water heating tank 116 is filled to a predetermined operating level;

when the liquid level is below a predetermined minimum liquid level threshold, stopping power 120 to the water heating tank 116 and the steam generator, and providing a warning signal to the HMI;

when the water heating tank pressure is below a predetermined minimum water heating tank pressure, power to the water heating tank 116 and the steam generator 120 is stopped, and a warning signal is provided to the HMI;

providing an indication of the liquid level in the storage tank 110 to the HMI and providing a warning when the liquid level is below a predetermined minimum liquid level threshold;

when the hot water pressure received from each hot water pressure sensor 154 is lower than a predetermined minimum hot water pressure, stopping power supply to the steam generator 120 and providing a warning signal to the HMI; and the combination of (a) and (b),

when the water heating tank pressure is above the predetermined maximum water heating tank pressure, power to the air compressor 132 is stopped and a warning signal is provided to the HMI.

Preferably, the control circuit is implemented using conventional controller area network (CAN bus) technology, and the HMI 172 may be placed generally in the tractor cab 14 to integrate control of the steam injector 100 into the control network of a standard tractor 10. This allows the operator to control the steam injector 100 while seated in the tractor cab 14, and in addition, integrate steam injector operation with tractor 10 operation, e.g., automatically adjusting steam parameters, the height HN of the steam nozzle 122, the PTO power provided to the generator 128, and the speed of the tractor 10 (e.g., 5 to 6mph minimum speed).

Optionally, the water/steam system of the steam injector 100 is provided with self-cleaning techniques, such as anode protection and/or rinsing with a cleaning agent, to prevent/remove corrosion and/or deposition without extensive disassembly.

It should be noted that although the steam injector 100 is described above as a pull-type unit having a pull rod, the steam injector 100 may also be implemented as a three-point junction on the tractor 10, or as a self-propelled device.

Further, the support frame 102 may be adapted to fold over the span in a conventional manner, for example, by providing the support frame 102 as a central portion having left and right side wings attached thereto, wherein the side wings are pivotally movable in an upward or rearward direction to facilitate transport of the steam injector 100 to and from the field.

The invention has been described herein by way of preferred embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described herein.