Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.

A method for handling a fluid includes separating the fluid into a liquid and a vapor within a container such that at least a portion of the vapor is disposed above the liquid, detecting a level of the liquid in the container, and actuating at least one valve to exhaust the vapor from the container to maintain the level of the liquid at or above a desired level. The at least one valve is communicatively coupled to a controller. The method further includes sending a signal from the at least one valve to the controller, and determining diagnostic data based at least in part on the signal.

A planter system for planting seeds and spraying fluid includes a seeder assembly including a seed tube and a conveyor apparatus configured to propel or carry the seed through the seed tube. The planter system also includes a sensor configured to transmit a detection signal upon detection of the seed passing a detection location. The planter system also includes a control system configured to determine a travel time of the seed from the detection location to a furrow based on a baseline drop time for the seed, a baseline travel speed of the seeder assembly, and an operating travel speed of the seeder assembly. The control system is configured to transmit a control signal to a valve coupled to a nozzle assembly based on the travel time and the detection signal to spray the fluid on or adjacent the seed.

A fluid application system includes a manifold defining an internal passageway, and a plurality of nozzle assemblies connected in fluid communication with the internal passageway. Each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies includes a body defining a fluid passage, an inlet connected to the manifold for receiving fluid flow into the fluid passage, a spray outlet for discharging fluid from the fluid passage, an electrically actuated valve fluidly connected between the inlet and the spray outlet, and a pressure dampener connected in fluid communication with the fluid passage between the inlet and the spray outlet. The electrically actuated valve is configured to control fluid flow through the fluid passage, and the pressure dampener is configured to dampen fluctuations in fluid pressure within the fluid passage.

A method for emitting a fluid from a plurality of nozzle assemblies of a fluid dispersal system is provided. The method includes determining a desired distribution profile for the emitted fluid. The method also includes directing air into a path of the fluid emitted from the plurality of nozzle assemblies. In addition, the method includes determining a localized air speed at each nozzle assembly. Moreover, the method includes determining a target characteristic of the fluid emitted from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies. Further, the method includes controlling an operating parameter of a valve assembly of each nozzle assembly to obtain the respective target characteristic of the fluid emitted from each nozzle assembly. The operating parameter is controlled based on a difference between the determined localized air speed and a fluid exit velocity of the fluid emitted from the respective nozzle assembly.

A three-way valve assembly includes a housing assembly and a diaphragm drip check. The housing assembly defines an inlet, a return outlet, a dispensing outlet, a return flow path extending from the inlet to the return outlet, and a dispensing flow path extending from the inlet to the dispensing outlet. The diaphragm drip check includes a plunger and a diaphragm retained within a sensing chamber, at least one magnet coupled to the plunger and generating a magnetic field, and a sensing assembly. The plunger is operatively coupled to the diaphragm such that deflection of the diaphragm causes corresponding displacement of the plunger. The sensing assembly includes a printed circuit board and at least one sensor, the printed circuit board positioned on the housing assembly such that the at least one sensor is affected by the at least one magnet as the plunger is displaced within the sensing chamber.

A valve assembly includes a housing assembly defining a valve seat, an inlet, an outlet, a flow path, and an aperture located between the inlet and the valve seat. The housing assembly includes a valve body and a valve cap. A traveler is positioned within a first chamber of the valve body and is movable between a first position, in which it engages the valve seat, and a second, displaced position. The traveler includes a plunger that is received within the aperture and slides within the aperture as the traveler moves between the first position and the second position, the plunger defining at least one slot that permits fluid flow therethrough when the traveler is displaced from the valve seat.

A system for applying agricultural fluid to a target includes a fluid supply line, a plurality of nozzle assemblies, and a plurality of electrically actuated valve assemblies. The system includes a user interface configured to receive a user input relating to a user selection of an alternative operation mode, and a controller communicatively connected to the valve assemblies and configured to control at least one operating parameter of the plurality of electrically actuated valve assemblies. The controller is configured to retrieve a first flow value, determine the at least one operating parameter based on the first flow value, receive a signal from the user interface relating to the user selection of the alternative operation mode, retrieve a second flow value, and determine the at least one operating parameter based on the second flow value in response to the user selecting the alternative operation mode.

A method for emitting a fluid from a fluid dispersal system includes determining a desired distribution profile for the fluid, identifying a plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, and determining, for each section of the plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, an amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies needed to deposit fluid according to the desired distribution profile within the corresponding section. The method also includes determining a target emission rate of the fluid from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies based on the determined amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly, and controlling an operating parameter of a valve assembly of each nozzle assembly to obtain the respective target emission rate from each nozzle assembly.

A system for applying agricultural fluid to a target includes a controller communicatively connected to valve assemblies and configured to control at least one operating parameter of each valve assembly, and a portable electronic device connected in communication with the controller. The portable electronic device includes a user interface. The portable electronic device is configured to retrieve a stored user profile including at least one prestored value that relates to a physical characteristic of the system or an operating parameter of the system, and populate at least one user input field of the user interface with the at least one prestored value. At least one of the controller and the portable electronic device is configured to retrieve the stored user profile and determine the at least one operating parameter of each valve assembly based on the physical characteristic of the system or the operating parameter of the system.

An aerial fluid dispersal system includes a fluid reservoir configured to hold a quantity of fluid, a manifold assembly in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a fluid pump coupled in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the manifold assembly, a plurality of nozzle assemblies coupled in fluid communication with the manifold assembly, and a controller coupled to the fluid pump and the plurality of nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly includes an electrically-actuated valve, a spray nozzle fluidly coupled downstream of the electrically-actuated valve, and a check valve fluidly coupled in series with the electrically-actuated valve. The controller is configured to control the operating parameter of the electrically-actuated valve of each nozzle assembly.