Baler Preservative Application System for Outer Rind Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying preservatives to cylindrical bales of crop material are inefficient, as they can be corrosive, difficult to apply, and evaporate, leading to diminished effectiveness, while new preservatives are costly and require targeted application to the outer rind to conserve resources.
Innovation Solution
A baler equipped with a preservative application system and bale size sensor that controls the application of preservatives based on the bale's diameter, ensuring targeted application to the outer rind, using a storage container, transfer device, and applicator device to apply preservatives at a controlled rate during bale formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If preservative is applied to the entire bale, then mold growth is prevented throughout the bale, but costly preservative is wasted on the inner core where it is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preservative only to the outer rind layer of the bale (approximately 6 inches deep) rather than the entire bale. The application system uses a rotating drum with spray nozzles that contact only the outer surface, concentrating the preservative where moisture penetration and mold growth occur, while leaving the inner core untreated to conserve preservative resources.
2Reliability
If propionic acid or anhydrous ammonia is used as preservative, then mold growth is inhibited, but the preservative becomes corrosive and evaporates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the preservative by using buffered propionic acid (pH 4.5-5.5) instead of concentrated propionic acid or anhydrous ammonia. This buffering reduces corrosiveness and volatility while maintaining mold inhibition effectiveness. The system also controls application rate and timing to optimize preservative performance and stability.
3Reliability
If preservative application rate is increased to ensure adequate treatment of the outer rind, then mold prevention is improved, but application cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a control system that monitors bale diameter and adjusts the preservative application rate accordingly. The system uses feedback from bale size measurements to optimize the amount of preservative applied, ensuring adequate coverage of the outer rind while preventing over-application that would waste preservative and increase costs.
4Reliability
If preservative is applied early during bale formation, then mold prevention is more effective, but the preservative must be applied to the entire bale including the core
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preservative to the outer rind during the bale formation process before the bale is completed and baled. This preliminary action allows the preservative to be applied to the outer surface where it is most needed, while the bale is still being formed and the preservative can be incorporated into the outer layers without requiring treatment of the entire bale core.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for applying preservative to agricultural crops during baling. More particularly, a baler has a preservative application system and a bale size sensor. The preservative application system has a preservative storage container, a preservative transfer device and an applicator device. The preservative transfer device is in communication with both the storage container and the applicator device to transfer a preservative stored in the storage container to the applicator device. The bale size sensor is in communication with the transfer device so that the transfer device and therefore the application of preservative to the crop can be controlled in response to a bale size sensed by the bale size sensor.