The present invention relates to an optimized flow control/adjustment valve, particularly for assemblies for dispensing an irrigation liquid for machines for sprinkling and/or weed control or the like.

With particular, but not exclusive, reference to the sector of precision agriculture, machines for sprinkling and/or weed control are known which make it possible to perform a controlled and selective distribution on the soil of irrigation liquids, such as for example fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, pesticides, water, by way of management and control systems that are generally based on mapping the areas to be treated.

Such machines consist substantially of a structure supporting a tank containing the irrigation liquid associated with a system for feeding the liquid to a plurality of assemblies for dispensing the liquid, which are distributed along one or more supporting bars. Such dispensing assemblies are generally constituted by nozzle attachment bodies provided with one or more atomizer nozzles. Furthermore, the dispensing assemblies are conventionally provided with a coupling body for connecting with the feeding system, which has an axial port in fluid communication with the nozzles and an annular port adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the feeding system, the annular port being arranged outside and coaxial with respect to the axial port.

The system for feeding comprises, for each dispensing assembly, a respective flow control/adjustment valve which is actuated to open/close by the management and control system of the machine and is associated with the coupling body of that assembly.

The flow control/adjustment valves that are generally used basically comprise a valve body to be associated with the coupling body, which defines an axial opening in fluid connection with the axial port and an annular opening in fluid connection with the annular port, between which a chamber is defined for the passage/collection of the irrigation liquid, inside which there is an annular sealing seat and in which flow control means are accommodated which can move between an open configuration and a closed configuration, there being in addition actuation means for moving the flow control means between the two configurations. In the closed configuration, the flow control means abut against the sealing seat to prevent the fluid communication between the axial opening and the annular opening, while in the open configuration they are spaced apart from the sealing seat to allow the passage of the irrigation liquid between the two openings.

Such actuation means can be, for example, of the pneumatic type, or electromechanical, solenoid-operated or the like.

As a function of the requirements of the specific application, the management and control system can command the actuation means so that the valve can be kept alternatively in the open configuration or the closed configuration, so acting as a cutoff or on-off valve, or so that it can be opened intermittently according to a set work cycle (called a “duty cycle”), so acting as a flow control valve.

Such machines are generally fixed or towed by a tractor, which by moving along a suitable path makes it possible to distribute the irrigation liquid on the entire area to be treated.

EP 2413008 Bl in the name of this same Applicant, for example, describes a valve of the type described above which has an element to adapt the passage section of the liquid, which is accommodated in the collection/passage chamber and defines the axial opening, the annular opening and the annular sealing seat.

When the valve is being opened, the liquid entering the valve through the annular opening acts on the flow control means at the external peripheral region, exerting an opening thrust that is added to the action of the actuation means to activate the travel of the flow control means away from the sealing seat.

The flow control means, by moving away from the sealing seat, define a passage section for the liquid, the extent of which must allow an adequate flow rate and avoid sudden flow resistances, therefore the travel of the flow control means between the fully closed and fully open configurations must be dimensioned as a function of these operational parameters.

These conventional valves are not devoid of drawbacks, among which there is the fact that, in order to allow the passage of an adequate flow rate and prevent excessive reductions in pressure of the irrigation liquid, there must be a suitable stroke of the flow control means that penalizes valve rest times and the energy required for its actuation.

In electromechanically-actuated or electromagnetic valves, moreover, this aspect affects the electricity consumption of the valve.

It should be noted that in the sector of precision agriculture, the response times of the valve are determining factors in obtaining optimal control of the distribution of the irrigation liquid and in preventing its waste and dispersion, in addition to the risk of contamination of areas that must not be treated.

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks in the background art by providing an optimized flow control/adjustment valve, particularly for assemblies for dispensing an irrigation liquid for machines for sprinkling and/or weed control or the like, that makes it possible to reduce the response times in the transition between the open and closed configurations without penalizing the flow rate and the pressure of the flow in output.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to reduce the energy consumption required to actuate the valve between the open and closed configurations.

Another object of the present invention is the possibility to incorporate it in machines for sprinkling and/or weed control, thus making it possible to obtain a better control of the distribution of the irrigation liquid on the areas to be treated and less waste thereof.

Last but not least, another object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure that is easy and practical to implement, safe to use and effective in operation, and low-cost.

This aim and these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter are all achieved by the present optimized flow control/adjustment valve, particularly for assemblies for dispensing an irrigation liquid for machines for sprinkling and/or weed control or the like, according to the appended main and independent claim 1, and optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics recited in the subsequent dependent claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an optimized flow control/adjustment valve, particularly for assemblies for dispensing an irrigation liquid for machines for sprinkling and/or weed control or the like, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a dispensing assembly for an irrigation liquid for machines for sprinkling and/or weed control or the like, associated with a flow control/adjustment valve which is optimized according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the dispensing assembly associated with the valve according to the invention of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the valve according to the invention, combined with a dispensing assembly;

Figure 4 is an enlarged- scale and partially cutaway view of the highlighted portion of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the valve according to the invention in the closed configuration, associated with the coupling body of a dispensing assembly;

Figure 6 is an enlarged-scale view of a portion of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the valve according to the invention in the open configuration, associated with the coupling body of a dispensing assembly;

Figure 8 is an enlarged-scale view of a portion of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view from above of the connecting ring associated with the sealing body of the valve according to the invention;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X in Figure 9 in which the direction of the path of the irrigation liquid is highlighted;

Figure 11 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the connecting ring associated with the sealing body of the valve according to the invention.

With particular reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates an optimized flow control/adjustment valve, particularly for assemblies for dispensing an irrigation liquid for machines for sprinkling and/or weed control or the like.

The valve 1 comprises a valve body 2 inside which a collection/passage chamber 3 for an irrigation liquid is defined.

The valve 1 further comprises at least one first and at least one second opening, respectively 4 and 5, for the passage of the irrigation liquid, which are associated with valve body 2 and are in fluid communication with the chamber 3.

Usefully the openings 4 and 5 are accessible from outside the valve body 2. Preferably the openings 4 and 5 face toward the outside of the valve body 2.

The valve 1 also comprises flow control means 6 accommodated inside the valve body 2 so that they can move along an operating axis A between a closed configuration and an open configuration, and actuation means 7 for actuating the movement of the flow control means 6 between the above-mentioned open and closed configurations.

The valve 1 comprises, finally, at least two sealing seats, one of which is proximal 8a and one distal 8b with respect to the operating axis A, which are associated with the valve body 2 and are interposed between the openings 4 and 5 inside the chamber 3. Between the seats 8a and 8b at least one corresponding passage section 9 for the irrigation liquid is defined.

In the closed configuration the flow control means 6 abut against the at least two sealing seats 8a and 8b in order to prevent fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening 4 and 5, while in the open configuration the flow control means 6 are spaced from said sealing seats in order to allow fluid communication between the openings 4 and 5 through the passage section 9.

The proximal seat 8a and the distal seat 8b are therefore arranged at different distances from the operating axis A, the proximal seat 8a being closer than the distal seat 8b. Furthermore, the proximal seat 8a and the distal seat 8b are arranged on the same side with respect to said axis, so as to define a passage section 9 that is spaced apart from the operating axis A.

In this manner, when the valve 1 is in the open configuration the irrigation liquid flows through the passage opening 9 both on the innermost side of the proximal sealing seat 8a and on the outermost side of the distal sealing seat 8b, thus reducing the stroke to open the flow control means 6 for the same required flow rate of irrigation liquid compared to traditional valves with a single annular sealing seat and without involving flow resistances.

Furthermore, when the valve 1 is in the closed configuration, the irrigation liquid under pressure present in the chamber 3 acts on the flow control means 6 at the at least two sealing seats 8a and 8b, thus increasing the resultant thrust in the direction of opening compared to traditional valves provided with a single sealing seat in the axial position, and reducing the force that needs to be imparted to the flow control means 6 by the actuation means 7 in order to activate the opening of the valve 1, and the associated energy consumption.

Preferably the operating axis A coincides with the axis of longitudinal extension of the valve 1, such that the valve body 2 and the associated chamber 3 extend along the same axis.

Usefully the second opening 5 is arranged at the operating axis A. Preferably the second opening 5 consists of a substantially circular hole that is coaxial with the operating axis A.

The term “substantially” in the present description means net of the usual tolerances for machining and assembly of the component parts.

Furthermore, the first opening 4 extends externally to the second opening 5 along at least one portion of its peripheral region. The second opening is, therefore, spaced apart from the operating axis A. Preferably the first opening 4 extends along at least one annular portion about the operating axis A. More preferably the first opening 4 has a substantially annular extension about the operating axis A.

In the preferred embodiment, the first opening 4 and the second opening 5 define, respectively, the inlet and the outlet of the irrigation liquid to/from the chamber 3. However, it is also possible for the flow of the irrigation liquid through the valve 1 to be inverted.

In a preferred embodiment, each one of the at least two sealing seats 8a and 8b extends along at least one substantially circular arc around the operating axis A so as to define at least one passage section 9 which extends along at least one portion of a substantially circular annulus. For example, there could be two or more arc-shaped proximal sealing seats 8a connected to respective arc-shaped distal sealing seats 8b, so as to define two or more lobed passage sections 9 distributed about the operating axis A.

Even more preferably, there are a proximal sealing seat 8a and a distal sealing seat 8b, each one extending along a respective circumference about the operating axis A so as to define a passage section 9 along a substantially circular annulus, circular except for any elements connecting the walls that define said sealing seats.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, there is a plurality of proximal sealing seats 8a and a plurality of distal sealing seats 8b which are distributed around the operating axis A, each proximal sealing seat 8a being connected to a respective distal sealing seat 8b so as to define the perimeter of a corresponding passage section 9. For example, there can be a plurality of passage sections 9, constituted by respective circular holes, or holes of another geometry, distributed around the operating axis A.

Advantageously the valve body 2 comprises an abutment body 10 for the flow control means 6 in the closed configuration, which is arranged at the operating axis A. The at least one proximal seat 8a, the at least one distal seat 8b and the at least one passage section 9 are associated with the abutment body 10. Preferably the abutment body 10 is contoured so as to define integrally the at least one proximal seat 8a, the at least one distal seat 8b and the at least one passage section 9.

Usefully the second opening 5 is also associated with the abutment body 10 and is preferably defined integral with it.

The first opening of abutment 4, on the other hand, is defined outside the abutment body 10.

Such abutment body 10 is constituted by a kind of bushing which extends along the operating axis A and has a first end, directed toward the outside of the valve 1, at which the second opening 5 is defined, and a second end, arranged opposite the first and directed toward the inside of the valve 1, at which the sealing seats 8a and 8b are defined.

Internally, the abutment body 10 has an axial hole 11 which is open at the second opening 5 and is connected to an interspace 12 which ends at the passage section 9.

The interspace 12 extends in a substantially annular fashion around the operating axis A, except for the connecting elements 13 for connecting the mutually opposite walls that define said interspace.

Usefully it should be noted that such connecting elements 13 are recessed with respect to the second end of the abutment body 10, so as not to interrupt the sealing seats 8a and 8b and so as not to obstruct the passage section 9.

Furthermore, the valve body 2 comprises a connecting ring 14 arranged outside the abutment body 10, radially with respect to the operating axis A. The first opening 4 is defined between the inner shell of the connecting ring 14 and the outer shell of the abutment body 10.

The ring 14 extends along the longitudinal axis A and has a first end, directed outward from the valve 1 , and a second end, arranged opposite the first, directed toward the inside of thereof.

At the first ends of the abutment body 10 and of the connecting ring 14, there are respective sealing rings 16 and 17.

Preferably the connecting ring 14 and the abutment body 10 are defined integrally in a single piece and are connected by a plurality of radial elements 15 interposed between them.

The flow control means 6 comprise a piston 18 provided with an abutment surface 18a adapted to abut against the sealing seats 8a and 8b in the closed configuration, which is accommodated so that it can move inside the valve body 2 with the abutment surface 18a facing the inside of the chamber 3.

Preferably the piston 18 extends along the longitudinal axis A.

Furthermore, the flow control means 6 comprise a channel 19 which is inside the piston 18 and has at least one first end 19a which is open at the abutment surface 18a and in fluid communication with the collection/passage chamber 3.

In more detail, there are one or more transverse openings 20 passing through the thickness of the piston 18 in order to place the chamber 3 in fluid communication with the inner channel 19.

The abutment surface 18a is contoured to define a substantially circular annulus lying on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the operating axis A, which protrudes radially inside the proximal sealing seat 8a and outside the distal sealing seat 8b with respect to said axis.

In this manner, the irrigation liquid under pressure present in the chamber 3, when the piston 18 is in the closed configuration, acts on the outer margin and on the inner margin of the abutment surface 18 a, increasing the resultant thrust in the direction of opening with respect to conventional solutions, in which the liquid presses on the piston only in the outer band, as a consequence reducing the opening force that needs to be exerted by the actuation means 7.

Furthermore, when the valve 1 is in the open configuration the irrigation liquid flows through the passage section 9 both from outside, coming directly from the first opening 4, and from inside, through the channel 19.

For the same flow rate of irrigation liquid required in output from the valve 1 in the open configuration, it is therefore possible to reduce the axial travel of the piston 18 between the open and closed configurations, reducing the response times of the valve and the energy required by the actuation means 7. Furthermore, the path followed by the irrigation liquid is contoured and dimensioned so as to limit drops in pressure.

Usefully the abutment body 10 comprises a recess 21 facing toward the abutment surface 18 and arranged inside the proximal sealing seat 8a with respect to the operating axis A, where irrigation liquid under pressure is collected.

Advantageously the channel 19 passes through the piston 18 axially and has a second end 19b, arranged opposite the first, which is in fluid communication with the chamber 3.

In this manner, the irrigation liquid present in the chamber 3 is caused to recirculate by the movement of the piston 18, so preventing the formation of solid deposits (e.g. constituted by impurities) which could interfere with the movement of said piston.

Furthermore, the flow control means 6 comprise at least one sealing gasket 22 which is associated with the abutment surface 18a and adapted to abut against at least one of the sealing seats 8a and 8b.

Preferably, there is a single gasket 22 with a substantially annular shape and radial extension, which is such as to cover both of the annular sealing seats 8a and 8b in the closed configuration.

In the preferred embodiment, the actuation means 7 comprise elastic means 23 of returning the piston 18 to the closed configuration, which are interposed between said piston and the valve body 2.

Such elastic means 23 are dimensioned so as to contrast the opening force exerted by the irrigation liquid on the inner and outer margins of the abutment surface 18a when the piston is in the closed configuration.

In more detail, the elastic means 23 can comprise an elastically- deformable compression element interposed between the piston 18 and the valve body 2. For example, the elastic means 23 can be constituted by an elastic compression spring interposed between the valve body 2 and an annular shoulder 24 defined on the outer shell of the piston 18. Preferably such spring 23 is of the conical helical type.

Furthermore, the actuation means 7 comprise electromagnetic means 25 of returning the piston to the open configuration. In this case the piston 18 is made of a suitable metallic material. Such electromagnetic means 25 comprise a coil 26 combined with an armature 27, the whole being enclosed by an outer shell 28 that forms part of the valve body 2.

The armature 27 has an axial compartment 27a inside which the piston 18 can move. The inside of the compartment 27a contributes to defining the chamber 3.

The piston 18 is accommodated with play inside the compartment 27a so that the irrigation liquid can flow between them.

The possibility is not ruled out that different actuation means 7 can be provided, for example of the electromechanical or pneumatic type.

Between the connecting ring 14 and the armature 27, an additional sealing ring 29 is provided. The connecting ring 14 is, preferably, screwed on the armature 27, but different systems for coupling are not ruled out.

The valve body 2 is completed by a moving nut 30 which is associated with the shell 28 by way of a connecting fork 32, between which an additional sealing ring 31 is interposed. The connecting fork 32 is inserted through openings 33 defined in the shell 28, and is engaged in an annular seat 34 defined in the moving nut 30.

It should be noted that the valve 1 can be operated using conventional technologies for commanding and controlling the actuation means 7 such as for an on-off flow control valve, since it is kept alternately in the open or closed configuration.

Alternatively, the valve 1 can be operated as a valve for adjusting the flow rate in output, for example by way of an adjustment system of the PWM (Pulse- Width Modulation) type, which causes an intermittent opening of the valve with a certain frequency on the basis of a set work cycle (called a “duty cycle”). Each duty cycle has a time for holding the open configuration and a time for holding the closed configuration of the valve 1. By varying the ratio between the time for holding open and the time for holding closed for each duty cycle, it is possible to adjust the flow rate of the irrigation liquid in output from the valve 1.

Furthermore, the valve 1 is preferably normally kept in the closed configuration, and is brought to the open configuration (total or partial) via commanding the actuation means 7.

The possibility is not ruled out however that for different applications the valve 1 could be kept normally in the open configuration, to be brought to the closed configuration by activating the actuation means 6. In practice, the valve 1 can find application, for example in a dispensing assembly 100 for an irrigation liquid for machines for sprinkling and/or weed control or the like, which are not described in detail in that they are of a conventional type.

Such dispensing assembly 100 for example can be of the type of a nozzle attachment assembly for conventional bars for spraying and/or weed control.

The dispensing assembly 100 comprises, substantially, at least one distribution element 101 for an irrigation liquid, such as a conventional nozzle or the like. Preferably there are two or more distribution elements 101 as in conventional multiple nozzle attachments. The dispensing assembly 100 shown by way of example has five distribution nozzles 101.

The dispensing assembly 100 further comprises a connecting duct 102 provided with a first irrigation liquid passage channel 103, associated in fluid communication with the at least one distribution element 101, and with a second irrigation liquid passage channel 104 which can be associated with a system for feeding said liquid, not shown as it is of conventional type.

The dispensing assembly 100 further comprises a coupling body 105 provided with a first port 106 and with a second port 107 for the passage of the irrigation liquid in fluid communication, respectively, with the first channel 103 and with the second channel 104. The second port 107 extends along at least one portion of the peripheral region of the first port 106 and outside it.

In the embodiment shown, the coupling body 105 is constituted by the end portion of the connecting duct 102, and the ports 106 and 107 are defined by the open ends of the channels 103 and 104.

Preferably the channels 103 and 104 have a uniform cross-section which coincides with that of the respective ports 106 and 107 along the extension of the connecting duct 102.

The connecting duct 102 extends along a longitudinal axis L. When the valve 1 is connected to the connecting duct 102, the operating axis A is arranged substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis L.

The coupling body 105 has a threaded outer surface for coupling with a corresponding female thread defined inside the moving nut 30.

In the preferred embodiment, the first port 106 is constituted by a substantially circular hole positioned at the longitudinal axis L and the second port 107 is contoured so as to define a substantially circular annulus outside the first port 106 and substantially coaxial therewith.

The walls of the coupling body 105 which define the ports 106 and 107 abut against the abutment body 10 and against the connecting ring 14 at the corresponding sealing rings 16 and 17.

The dispensing assembly 100, finally, comprises means 108 for connection to a supporting bar, not shown.

In use, the valve 1 is kept normally in the closed configuration by the action of the elastic means 23. In this condition the communication of fluid between the first port 106 and the second port 107 is prevented.

When the valve 1 is actuated to open via the actuation means 7 (by exciting the coil 26) the abutment surface 18a of the piston 18 is spaced apart from the sealing seats 8a and 8b, allowing the communication of fluid between the first and the second opening 4 and 5. As a consequence, the first and the second port 106 and 107 are also placed in fluid communication, thus allowing the passage of irrigation liquid to the at least one distribution element 101, passing through, in order, the second channel 104, the chamber 3 inside the valve 1, and the first channel 103.

In practice it has been found that the invention as described achieves the intended aim and objects and, in particular, attention is drawn to the fact that the valve according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the travel to open/close the piston for the same flow rate and output flow pressure required, as a consequence reducing the response times of the valve and the energy required to actuate it.

For this reason the valve according to the invention is particularly advantageous in machines for precision agriculture because it contributes to optimizing the control of the distribution of the irrigation liquids, while preventing waste thereof and reducing the risk of contamination of areas that must not be treated.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

In addition, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, as well as the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements, but without for this reason extending beyond the scope of protection of the following claims.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102022000017661 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.