Methods of analyzing liquid in an agricultural liquid applicator

Abstract

A method of analyzing a liquid in an agricultural sprayer includes directing, with a drum housing (16) and a central passage housing (23), a fluid along a vortex flow path (24) within the drum housing (16) and around an axis to revolve a projectile (30) within the drum housing (16) and around the axis S-S. A light beam is emitted across a path of the projectile (30) and the fluid. An optical sensor (12) receives a first reflection of the light beam from the fluid and a second reflection of the light beam from the projectile (30). The optical sensor (12) communicates data about the first and second reflections to a controller (39), and the controller (39) assesses the first and second reflections to determine a turbidity of the fluid flowing along the vortex flow path (24).

Description

METHODS OF ANALYZING LIQUID IN AN AGRICULTURAL LIQUID APPLICATORCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U. S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 519,477, "Methods of Analyzing Liquid in an Agricultural Liquid Applicator," filed August 14, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to agricultural liquid applicators, such as sprayers, planters, etc., and more specifically to an optical sensor system for measuring the turbidity of fluid in an agricultural liquid applicator.BACKGROUND

[0003] It is desirable to measure the flow rate of agricultural liquids to monitor the amount of fluid, such as a pesticide, being sprayed or otherwise applied in a particular area and ensure applicator integrity. Overuse of pesticides can lead to product waste and adverse environmental outcomes, while underuse of pesticides can cause an area to be inadequately treated and in some instances can contribute to increasing pesticide resistance. Furthermore, it is desirable to know whether fluids are well-mixed during application, so that an operator can know that each nozzle is delivering the appropriate concentration of material.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] Some embodiments include a method of analyzing a liquid in an agricultural liquid applicator, such as a sprayer, planter, etc. The method comprises directing, with a drum housing and a central passage housing, a fluid along a vortex flow path within the drum housing and around an axis to revolve a projectile within the drum housing and around the axis. A light beam is emitted across a path of the projectile and the fluid. An optical sensor receives a first reflection of the light beam from the fluid and a second reflection of the light beam from the projectile. The optical sensor communicates data about the first and second reflections to a controller, and the controller assesses the first and second reflections to determine a turbidity of the fluid flowing along the vortex flow path.

[0005] The fluid flowing along the vortex flow path and around the axis may drive revolution of the projectile around the axis within the drum housing.

[0006] Assessing the first and second reflections may include, for example, generating reflectivities of the fluid and the projectile with the controller.

[0007] If the projectile comprises a first portion having a first optical property and second portion having a second optical property different from the first optical property, the optical sensor may receive the second reflection of the light beam from the first portion of the projectile and / or from the second portion of the projectile, depending on which provides appropriate contrast with the fluid.

[0008] Assessing the first and second reflections may comprise analyzing an optical signature of the projectile. For example, the optical sensor may communicate data about the first and second reflections of the light beam to an oscilloscope.

[0009] The controller may communicate the turbidity of the fluid to a display, which may in turn display the turbidity to a user. An alert may be generated corresponding to a change in the turbidity of the fluid.

[0010] In some embodiments, a method of analyzing liquid in an agricultural sprayer includes performing the method on each of a plurality of liquid flows, each liquid flow passing through a different nozzle on a boom; and comparing the turbidities of the liquid flows to one another. An alert may be generated corresponding to a difference between the turbidities of the liquid flows being greater than a preselected threshold.

[0011] Each of the turbidities may also be compared to a target, and an alert generated corresponding to a difference between at least one of the turbidities of the liquid flows and the target being greater than a preselected threshold.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method includes generating a control signal corresponding to a difference between at least one of the turbidities of the liquid flows and the target being greater than a preselected threshold.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the method includes adjusting an intensity of the light beam responsive to an intensity of the first reflection or the second reflection.

[0014] The present summary is provided only by way of example, and not limitation. Other aspects of the present disclosure will be appreciated in view of the entirety of the present disclosure, including the entire text, claims, and accompanying figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the present disclosure, various features and advantages may be more readily ascertained from the following description of example embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an optical flow rate sensor system.

[0017] FIG. IB is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 1A along a central plane.

[0018] FIG. 1C is a schematic depiction of an optical sensor and controller.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 1A taken orthogonal to the cross-sectional view of FIG. IB.

[0020] FIG. 3A is a first perspective view of a portion of the sensor system of FIG. 1A.

[0021] FIG. 3B is a second perspective view of the portion of the sensor system of FIG. 1A.

[0022] FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of a bi-sectional projectile.

[0023] FIG. 4B is a back perspective view of the bi-sectional projectile of FIG. 4A.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a graph of light reflection off of the bi-sectional projectile of FIG. 4A in the flow of a fluid of changing composition.

[0025] FIG. 6A is a graph showing an oscilloscope analysis of the light reflection at time tA in FIG. 5.

[0026] FIG. 6B is a graph showing an oscilloscope analysis of the light reflection at time ts in FIG. 5.

[0027] FIG. 6C is a graph showing an oscilloscope analysis of the light reflection at time to in FIG. 5.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a simplified flow chart illustrating a method of analyzing liquid in an agricultural sprayer.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The illustrations presented herein are not actual views of any sensor or portion thereof, but are merely idealized representations to describe example embodiments of the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.

[0030] The following description provides specific details of embodiments. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without employing many such specific details. Indeed, the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with conventional techniques employed in the industry. In addition, the description provided below does not include all the elements that form a complete structure or assembly. Only those process acts and structures necessary to understand the embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below. Additional conventional acts and structures may be used. The drawings accompanying the application are for illustrative purposes only, and are thus not drawn to scale.

[0031] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterized by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps, but also include the more restrictive terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" and grammatical equivalents thereof.

[0032] As used herein, the term "may" with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term "is" so as to avoid any implication that other, compatible materials, structures, features, and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded.

[0033] As used herein, the term "configured" refers to a size, shape, material composition, and arrangement of one or more of at least one structure and at least one apparatus facilitating operation of one or more of the structure and the apparatus in a predetermined way.

[0034] As used herein, the singular forms following "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0035] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0036] As used herein, spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "bottom," "above," "upper," "top," "front," "rear," "left," "right," and the like, may be used for ease of description to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Unless otherwise specified, the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the materials in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

[0037] As used herein, the term "about" used in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter).

[0038] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range.

[0039] An optical flow rate sensor for an agricultural liquid applicator (e.g., sprayer, planter, etc.) uses an arc-shaped projectile in combination with a fixed body having a vortexing geometry to measure the flow rate of a fluid through the applicator. As used herein, the term "projectile" refers to a rotary optical encoder element. The arc-shaped projectile includes at least two sections with dissimilar transmittance, absorption, and reflectivity values, which provides a lower-noise optical signal than a uniform projectile and allows for more accurate readings across a wide range of fluid opacity. The vortexing geometry is provided by the shape of a section of the applicator, and creates a vortex flow that allows for more accurate readings across a wide range of fluid flow rates.

[0040] A projectile which contains two or more sections which have different optical transmittance / absorption values can increase the signal-to-noise ratio at different fluid opacities, allowing the optical sensor to produce accurate measurements across a range ofopacities. The characteristic optical signature of a multi-sectional projectile improves signal strength relative to noise, permitting more accurate measurements despite fluid opacity.

[0041] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an optical flow rate sensor system 10 including an optical sensor 26. FIG. IB is a cross-sectional view of sensor system 10 taken along plane A— A. FIG. 1C is a schematic depiction of optical sensor 26. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of sensor system 10 of FIG. 1A taken along plane B— B, which is orthogonal to plane A— A. Sensor system 10 includes optical sensor section 12, display housing 14, drum housing 16, splines 18, clips 20, and central passage housing 23. Optical sensor section 12 includes optical sensor 26, optical sensor window 28, and projectile 30. Drum housing 16 has interior walls 32 defining a vortex flow path 24. Drum housing 16 includes first end 34 and second end 36. Sensor system 10 is oriented along axis S— S, which is in plane A— A. Sensor system 10 can additionally include a controller, such as controller 39 (shown in FIG. 1C).

[0042] The axial direction of fluid movement through sensor system 10 is along axis S— S, such that one or more flow paths through sensor system 10 define axis S— S. Optical sensor section 12 is oriented axially along axis S— S and can be located adjacent to a housing section that contains components for routing fluid towards a spray nozzle. Optical sensor section 12 includes the components of sensor system 10 which allow for the flow rate of a fluid within sensor system 10 to be measured with an optical sensor, such as optical sensor 26. Drum housing 16 extends axially along axis S— S and defines an approximately hemispheric interior shape. Drum housing 16 defines a cavity therein that defines the vortex flow path 24. Interior walls 32 extend from inner surface 33 of drum housing 16 (shown in FIG. 3A), and interior walls 32 can extend both circumferentially around inner surface 33 and axially along drum housing 16 with respect to axis S— S. In the example depicted in FIGS. 1A-2, interior walls 32 form a vortexing geometry within drum housing 16.

[0043] Display housing 14 can be mounted to drum housing 16 such that display housing 14 is adjacent to drum housing 16 and central passage housing 23 during operation of sensor system 10. Display housing 14 is configured to receive a display, such as display 37 (shown schematically in FIG. 1C). Display 37 can be a screen or other user interface device configured to communicate information about the operation of sensor system 10 to a user. Thisinformation can include flow rate of a fluid within sensor system 10. Optical sensor 26 can be located adjacent to a bottom side of display housing 14 with respect to the drum housing 16. Optical sensor window 28 can be an opening that extends through display housing 14 and drum housing 16. As described in more detail below, optical sensor 26 can be located adjacent to optical sensor window 28 such that optical sensor 26 can detect the movement of projectile 30 within drum housing 16. In the example depicted in FIG. IB, projectile 30 is a rigid encoder element disposed to revolve about axis S— S within drum housing 16. As described further hereinafter, projectile 30 rotates due to torque applied by fluid flow through sensor system 10, providing an indicator of flow rate.

[0044] Splines 18 extend from display housing 14 to support and stabilize display housing 14 above drum housing 16. Clips 20 secure drum housing 16 about central passage 22 such that drum housing 16 is connected to central passage housing 23. Central passage 22 extends axially within sensor system 10 with respect to axis S— S.

[0045] As described in more detail below, fluid flows through drum housing 16 along the vortex flow path 24 defined by interior walls 32 and inner surface 33 such that the fluid is directed to travel in the vortex flow path around central passage 22. The fluid then is directed into central passage 22 and flows in the opposite direction to eventually be routed out of the sensor system 10 (e.g., to a spray nozzle). Optical sensor 26 is configured to emit a light beam to detect one or more targets and can include a source, such as source 27, which emits the light beam. Source 27 can be an LED configured to emit a light beam in the infrared light range (i.e., a light beam having a wavelength of between approximately 700 nanometers and approximately 1 millimeter). The one or more targets can be, for example, projectile 30, which rotates within drum housing 16 as fluid passes through sensor system 10. Optical sensor 26 is also configured to receive the light beam after the light beam is reflected off the target and can include a detector, such as detector 29, which receives the light beam. Detector 29 can be a photodiode capable of receiving infrared light. Optical sensor 26 can be further configured to communicate data about the reflected light beam to controller 39. Controller 39 can be a processor. Controller 39 and optical sensor 26 can form one component, or controller 39 can be separate from optical sensor 26. Controller 39 can be configured to generate transmittance,absorption, and reflectivity data about the fluid and the target. Controller 39 can be further configured to assess the speed of the target and calculate a flow rate of the fluid within drum housing 16. In this way, optical sensor 26 and controller 39 can detect and analyze the movement of a target, such as projectile 30, within drum housing 16. Controller 39 can be further configured to communicate with a display, such as display 37, the flow rate of the fluid along vortex flow path 24 and properties of the fluid, and display 37 can be configured to display the flow rate of the fluid and the properties. In some examples, optical sensor 26 can be configured to communicate data about the reflected light beam to an oscilloscope 41. Oscilloscope 41 and display 37 and / or controller 39 can form one component, or oscilloscope 41 can be separate from both display 37 and controller 39.

[0046] During operation of sensor system 10, fluid flows through optical sensor section 12. Fluid enters first end 34 of drum housing 16 and flows in a direction parallel to axis S— S (i.e., along the first flow path). The fluid then is directed in the vortex flow path 24 by interior walls 32. This vortex flow path 24 is characterized by having both an axial component (towards second end 36 of drum housing 16) and a circumferential component (about inner circumference 38 of drum housing 16, shown in FIG. 5A). The interior geometry of drum housing 16 (i.e., interior walls 32) and the exterior of central passage housing 23 together define the vortex flow path 24 that pre-vortexes fluid incident upon projectile 30. As a consequence of the vortexing geometry of interior walls 32, fluid contacts projectile 30 at a vector velocity with a substantial circumferential component, improving responsiveness (i.e., revolution about axis S— S) of projectile 30 at a wide range of fluid flow rates. More specifically, this vortexing increases torque on projectile 30, helping to more readily overcome static friction to rotate projectile 30 even at low fluid flow rates. The fluid arrives at second end 36, flows into central passage 22, and flows through central passage 22 towards first end 34. The fluid can then be routed to an outlet of sensor system 10, such as a spray nozzle. The movement of fluid through optical sensor section 12 drives the revolution of projectile 30 about axis S— S by moving projectile 30 along the portion of the vortex flow path 24 illustrated by inner circumference 38.

[0047] FIGS. 3A-3B are rear perspective views of optical sensor section 12 and drum housing 16, with projectile 30 therein. FIGS. 4A-4B are perspective views of projectile 30. Projectile 30 includes opaque section 132 and translucent section 134.

[0048] The projectile 30 is depicted as a bi-sectional projectile. The projectile 30 can have an arc shape and can form an arc which is approximately one-eighth (approximately 12%) of inner circumference 38 of drum housing 16. Opaque section 132 and translucent section 134 can each make up approximately one half of projectile 30 such that approximately one half of projectile 30 is opaque and approximately one half of projectile 30 is translucent. Projectile 30 can be configured to rotate about a rotational axis. During operation of the sprayer, the revolution axis of projectile 30 can be oriented around axis S— S. Other designs of bi-sectional projectiles are possible, such as a projectile which is half black and half white, half opaque and half transparent, and other possible combinations.

[0049] When fluid flows through the sensor system 10, the projectile 30 travels along a portion of the vortex flow path 24 such that projectile 30 revolves around axis S— S along the inner circumference of drum housing 16. A portion of the vortex flow path 24 is represented by arrow 40 shown in FIG. 3A. As described above in reference to FIGS. 1A-2, the flow of fluid through drum housing 16 causes the rotation of projectile 30 about axis S— S. Fluid impinges against the projectile 30 and causes movement of projectile 30. Interior walls 32 can be configured to allow the projectile 30 to rotate within a particular section of the drum housing 16 and prevent movement of the projectile 30 to points further downstream.

[0050] The opaque section 132 has a higher optical absorption value than translucent section 134, which generates a distinct optical signature and raises the signal-to-noise ratio relative to a uniform projectile.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a graph 200 depicting optical measurements of the projectile 130 rotating within the optical sensor section 12 of a sensor system 10. The graph 200 may be generated by an oscilloscope analyzing a specific wavelength or range of wavelengths of light. FIG. 5 illustrates how the sensor system 10 may be used to determine a property of the fluid itself, in addition to the flow rate.

[0052] In FIG. 5, the x-axis represents time, and the y-axis represents a response that correlates with the amount of light detected by the sensor at a point in time. As shown, the amount of light detected fluctuates stepwise at high frequency, which fluctuations correspond to whether the projectile 30 is in view, and if so, which part of the projectile 30. That is, the different parts of the projectile 30 have different optical properties, at least one of which is different from the optical properties of the fluid. The frequency of the fluctuations can be used to determine the flow rate of the fluid, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2023 / 0025158 Al, "Spray Flow Sensing with Optical Signature Analysis," published January 26, 2023.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a response 502 representing an average of reflectance of light through the fluid as a function of time, which is defined as the light detected by the sensor when the projectile 30 is not in view. A baseline response 504 represents the average transmittance of light through or reflected off projectile 30, typically the darker or more opaque portion. The baseline response 504 may change with time responsive to sensor electronics. For example, an automatic gain control may increase or decrease the brightness of the light beam responsive to the reflection from the projectile and / or the fluid such that the highest point of the response 502 or the baseline response 504 is near a specific voltage, which may be selected to be near the maximum detectable by the optical sensor 26. This may enable the sensor system 10 to have a relatively higher signal resolution between the brightest and darkest objects seen than a sensor that has pre-defined signal levels.

[0054] At time tA, the fluid reflects a relatively high amount of light. FIG. 6A illustrates an oscilloscope analysis of the light at time tA. The "baseline" or relatively flat portion of the chart shows a high reflection. The peaks, corresponding to different parts of the projectile, are oriented downward, indicating that a portion of the projectile reflects less light than the fluid. FIG. 6A indicates that the fluid has a high turbidity. As used herein, the term "turbidity" means the tendency of a fluid to reflect light. High turbidity generally indicates the presence of suspended matter, dissolved colored organic compounds, and / or microscopic organisms.

[0055] In an agricultural sprayer, turbidity may be used as an indicator of mixing of solid particulate matter in the liquid, because organisms are usually not present and there istypically little variation of dissolved compounds within a tank. Furthermore, turbidity may be used to determine whether a fluid line has been rinsed (i.e., with clean rinse water having a low turbidity).

[0056] At a later time te, the reflectivity and turbidity of the fluid in the sensor have dropped, while the reflectivity of the target has increased slightly. FIG. 6B illustrates an oscilloscope analysis of the light at time ts. The baseline shows a lower reflection than FIG. 6A, with peaks corresponding to the projectile oriented upward and downward. The fluid therefore reflects more light than one portion of the projectile and less light than the other portion of the projectile. The fluid has a lower turbidity than the fluid at time tA.

[0057] This can indicate various different conditions, such as that a flushing operation has begun, that there is a flow problem, or that agitation in the tank has stopped. An operator can use the information that turbidity has dropped to guide additional actions. That is, if the operator initiated flushing the system, the drop would be expected; if no change had been made, the drop would signal to the operator that there is a problem to be investigated.

[0058] At a still later time to, the reflectivity and turbidity of the fluid in the sensor have dropped further. FIG. 6C illustrates an oscilloscope analysis of the light at time to. At the baseline, almost no light is reflected, and peaks of one portion of the projectile are oriented upward. A relatively small peak in FIG. 6C represents the other portion of the projectile. If a flushing operation is being performed, the low turbidity calculable by the data in FIG. 6C may indicate that the system is clean enough to change the fluid, such as to use the sprayer to treat a different crop.

[0059] Though the graphs in FIGS. 5-6C represent a decrease in turbidity, the system may detect an increase in turbidity in the same manner. That is, the response of the fluid may start at a low reflectivity (and therefore low turbidity), and increase with time. The baseline response of the target may remain relatively constant, but may increase or decrease slightly. Furthermore, if suspended matter in the liquid tends to absorb light, rather than reflect light, a change in the amount of such matter may also be detected by changes as described.

[0060] The response 202 and baseline response 204 may vary based on different factors, such as liquid flow rate, temperature, liquid density and viscosity, target shape andcomposition, or any other parameter. Some factors may change during a typical agricultural spraying operation, such that absolute calibration of the response 204 with fluid composition may not be practical. Even if the change in the response 202 is not sufficiently repeatable to provide an absolute measurement of the turbidity of the liquid, the response 202 may nonetheless be useful to provide relative measurements, and may be useful for identifying flow or mixing problems, and for indicating progress of flushing.

[0061] In some embodiments, flow sensor systems 10 may be installed on multiple nozzles of a spray boom. If different flow sensor systems 10 indicate different reflectivities and turbidities, a signal may be generated to warn the operator of the difference. For example, turbidity at each nozzle may be integrated into a display system such as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2023 / 0025803 Al, "Systems and Methods for Monitoring Spray Quality," published January 26, 2023.

[0062] Additional projectile shapes and compositions are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2023 / 0025158 Al, mentioned above, and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 500,536, "Projectiles for Optical Flow Sensing, and Related Sensors and Methods," filed May 5, 2023.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a simplified flow chart illustrating a method 300 of analyzing a liquid in an agricultural sprayer having an optical flow rate sensor system (such as flow sensor system 10). In act 302, a drum housing of a sensor system (such as drum housing 16 within sensor system 10) directs fluid within the drum housing along a vortex flow path within the drum housing. As described in detail above, the shape of the drum housing causes the fluid to travel along the vortex flow path. The movement of the fluid along the vortex flow path also drives revolution of a projectile, such as projectile 30, around the axis ( / .e., along a portion of the vortex flow path).

[0064] In act 304, a light beam is emitted across the path of the projectile and the fluid. For example, the light beam can be emitted through an optical sensor window, toward the axis of revolution of the projectile. The light beam alternately hits the fluid and the projectile, depending on the position of the projectile in the drum. The light beam can be emitted from a combined optical transmitter and sensor.RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP

[0065] In act 306, an optical sensor (which may be a part of the same device that transmitted the light beam in act 304) receives a first reflection of the light beam from the fluid. The magnitude of the first reflection is correlated to the turbidity of the fluid, in that higher turbidity corresponds to greater light reflection.

[0066] In act 308, the optical sensor receives a second reflection of the light beam from the projectile. The second reflection may be from either portion of a projectile have two (or more) sections with different optical properties. The optical sensor may, in some embodiments, receive additional reflections corresponding to different parts of the projectile.

[0067] In act 310, the optical sensor communicates data about the first and second reflections to a controller (which, as described above in reference to FIGS. 1A-1B, can be a processor or other component of the optical sensor). This data can include, for example, the total amount of light in each reflection, the wavelength of reflected light, an optical signature of each reflection (e.g., the reflectance of the material at particular wavelengths), etc. The optical sensor may communicate data about the first and second reflections to an oscilloscope for analysis (which may be built-in with the optical sensor, a standalone component, or part of the controller).

[0068] In act 312, the controller assesses the first and second reflections to determine a turbidity of the fluid flowing along the vortex flow path. For example, the controller may generate reflectivities of the fluid and the projectile. The turbidity may communicated to and displayed on a display visible by an operator of the sprayer. If a change in turbidity is detected, an alarm may be generated.

[0069] In certain embodiments, the method may be carried out at each of a plurality of sensors, and the resulting turbidities may be compared with one another. An alert may be generated if the difference between two of the turbidities is greater than a preselected threshold. In some embodiments, each turbidity is separately compared to a preselected target value, and if the difference is greater than a preselected threshold, an alert is generated. The alerts can help the operator to determine whether the sprayer is operating as expected. In some embodiments, a control signal can be generated to change fluid flow or other parametersinstead of or in addition to alerting the operator. Thus, the system could, for example, adjust the amount of solids mixed with the liquid.

[0070] Though depicted as a flow chart, some actions in FIG. 7 may be performed concurrently, and in some embodiments, some actions may be omitted. The method 300 may be used instead of or in addition to the methods of determining flow rate described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2023 / 0025158 Al, referenced above.

[0071] All references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entireties. If there is a conflict between definitions herein and in an incorporated reference, the definition herein shall control.

[0072] While the present disclosure has been described herein with respect to certain illustrated embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the illustrated embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as hereinafter claimed, including legal equivalents thereof. In addition, features from one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment while still being encompassed within the scope as contemplated by the inventors. Further, embodiments of the disclosure have utility with different and various machine types and configurations.RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of analyzing a liquid in an agricultural liquid applicator, the method comprising: directing, with a drum housing and a central passage housing, a fluid along a vortex flow path within the drum housing and around an axis to revolve a projectile within the drum housing and around the axis, emitting a light beam across a path of the projectile and the fluid; receiving, with an optical sensor, a first reflection of the light beam from the fluid; receiving, with the optical sensor, a second reflection of the light beam from the projectile; communicating, with the optical sensor, data about the first and second reflections to a controller; and assessing, with the controller, the first and second reflections to determine a turbidity of the fluid flowing along the vortex flow path.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein assessing the first and second reflections comprises generating, with the controller, reflectivities of the fluid and the projectile.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the projectile comprises a first portion having a first optical property and second portion having a second optical property different from the first optical property, wherein receiving the second reflection comprises receiving the second reflection of the light beam from the first portion of the projectile.

4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the projectile comprises a first portion having a first optical property and second portion having a second optical property different from the first optical property, wherein receiving the second reflection comprises receiving the second reflection of the light beam from the second portion of the projectile.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving, with the optical sensor, a third reflection of the light beam from the first portion of the projectile.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein directing the fluid along the vortex flow path and around the axis comprises directing the fluid along the vortex flow path such that the fluid drives revolution of the projectile around the axis within the drum housing.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein assessing the first and second reflections comprises analyzing an optical signature of the projectile.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein analyzing the optical signature of the projectile comprises communicating, with the optical sensor, data about the first and second reflections of the light beam to an oscilloscope.

9. The method of any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising communicating, with the controller, the turbidity of the fluid to a display.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising displaying the turbidity of the fluid with the display.

11. The method of any of claims 1 to 10, further comprising generating an alert corresponding to a change in the turbidity of the fluid.

12. A method of analyzing liquid in an agricultural sprayer, the method comprising: performing the method of any of claims 1 to 11 on each of a plurality of liquid flows, each liquid flow passing through a different nozzle on a boom; and comparing the turbidities of the liquid flows to one another.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating an alert corresponding to a difference between the turbidities of the liquid flows being greater than a preselected threshold.

14. The method of claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising comparing each of the turbidities to a target.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating an alert corresponding to a difference between at least one of the turbidities of the liquid flows and the target being greater than a preselected threshold.

16. The method of claim 14 or claim 15, further comprising generating a control signal corresponding to a difference between at least one of the turbidities of the liquid flows and the target being greater than a preselected threshold.

17. The method of any of claims 1 to 16, further comprising adjusting an intensity of the light beam responsive to an intensity of the first reflection or the second reflection.

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