Title :
A portable weed control device using high frequency AC voltage
Author :
Mizuno, A. ; Nagura, A. ; Miyamoto, T. ; Chakrabarti, A. ; Sato, Takao ; Kimura, K. ; Kimura, T. ; Kobayashi, M.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. & Electron. Eng., Toyohashi Univ. of Technol., Japan
Abstract :
A simple, compact, lightweight, battery-operated weed control device, rated 3 kV, 200 W, has been built which is inherently safe because of low operating voltage and which incorporates added safety features such as grounding and angle sensors. The effectiveness of the device has been verified on weeds like Poa annua L., which has always been a problem on golf courses. The electrical resistance of weeds has been found to drop drastically as a result of electrical discharge through them. Ground potential distribution has been studied as a safety check. All the results obtained indicate that this device is very safe for the operator. The device is about to go into commercial production
Keywords :
earth electrodes; high-frequency discharges; power apparatus; 200 W; 3 kV; Poa annua L.; angle sensors; battery-operated; electrical resistance; ground potential distribution; grounding; high frequency AC voltage; low operating voltage; portable weed control device; safety; Batteries; Chemical hazards; Electric shock; Fires; Frequency; Insects; Low voltage; Microorganisms; Safety devices; Voltage control;
Conference_Titel :
Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting, 1993., Conference Record of the 1993 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Toronto, Ont.
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-1462-X
DOI :
10.1109/IAS.1993.299136
