Agricultural Sprayer Nozzle Selection for Drift and Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face challenges in controlling system pressure to achieve optimal droplet size for effective pesticide application, balancing between drift reduction and coverage, which is influenced by groundspeed and system pressure adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that adjusts forward speed and nozzle selection based on drift reduction classes, using speed setpoints to maintain optimal operating parameters and ensure compliance with pressure limits, allowing for automatic nozzle switching and display alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If system pressure is increased to reduce droplet size for better coverage, then coverage quality is improved, but drift increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters (pressure, flow rate) based on groundspeed to maintain optimal droplet size while preventing drift. The controller adjusts pressure setpoints according to speed conditions to balance coverage quality and drift reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the previously static nozzle selection and pressure control dynamic by continuously adapting to changing groundspeed conditions. Nozzles are automatically selected and pressure is adjusted in real-time based on speed feedback to maintain optimal spray characteristics.
2Productivity
If groundspeed is increased to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but system pressure control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from groundspeed measurement to automatically adjust pressure setpoints and nozzle selection. The controller receives speed information and uses it to determine appropriate pressure levels, creating a closed-loop control system that simplifies operation while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of pressure and nozzle selection based on measured groundspeed without requiring manual intervention. The controller automatically selects appropriate nozzles and adjusts pressure to maintain optimal application rates across varying speeds.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple nozzles are used with different flow rates to maintain pressure, then pressure stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between different nozzle configurations based on groundspeed and pressure requirements. Rather than using all nozzles simultaneously, the controller activates specific nozzles whose combined flow characteristics match the required application rate at the current speed, simplifying the active configuration while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of automatically selecting a nozzle set from a plurality of nozzle sets on an agricultural spraying machine is provided. The method includes receiving an application rate setpoint, and for each nozzle set an upper pressure limit, a lower pressure limit, a nozzle reference flow and a nozzle reference pressure. A speed range is calculated for each nozzle set, wherein each speed range comprises a lower speed limit and an upper speed limit. One of said nozzle sets is selected based upon a sensed forward speed and the calculated speed ranges.