Capacitive Dielectric Tank for Electrostatic Centrifugal Spraying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic spraying systems face challenges with high voltage requirements and insulation issues, particularly when using conductive liquids, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns in both industrial and agricultural applications, especially with centrifugal nozzles which struggle to penetrate plant canopies effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electrostatic centrifugal spraying system utilizing a dielectric liquid storage tank and a capacitive discharge high-voltage power supply to directly electrify droplets, avoiding induction electrodes and using a rotating spray disk to distribute charged droplets, with a grounded external surface for safety and efficient energy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct electrification is used with conductive liquids, then charge intensity on droplets is improved, but insulation problems and electrical discharge risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dielectric liquid storage tank as an intermediary component between the power supply and the conductive liquid. The tank's dielectric material (such as polypropylene or polyethylene coating) acts as an insulating barrier that prevents direct electrical contact between the conductive liquid and the high voltage source, thereby solving the insulation problem while still allowing electrostatic charging of droplets through capacitive coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical direct connection system with a capacitive coupling system. Instead of directly connecting the high voltage source to the conductive liquid through electrical contacts, the system uses the dielectric tank wall as a capacitor dielectric, enabling electrostatic field penetration and droplet charging without direct electrical contact, thus eliminating insulation breakdown risks.
2Productivity
If high voltage is used for electrostatic charging, then droplet deposition on plants is improved, but power consumption and safety risks worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pulsed high voltage discharge instead of continuous high voltage application. The capacitive discharge power supply delivers periodic voltage pulses that charge the dielectric tank and subsequently discharge to electrify the liquid droplets. This periodic action achieves effective droplet deposition while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous high voltage systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-charges the dielectric liquid storage tank to high voltage before droplet formation and ejection. By storing electrical energy in the dielectric tank in advance, the system ensures that droplets acquire sufficient electrostatic charge during their formation and ejection phases, improving deposition efficiency without requiring sustained high power input during the spraying operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If centrifugal nozzles are used, then droplet size uniformity is improved, but penetration into plant canopies worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the centrifugal nozzle's rotational mechanism with electrostatic charging to create dynamically charged droplets. The rotation of the centrifugal nozzle ensures uniform droplet formation and size distribution, while the simultaneous electrostatic charging imparts strong electrostatic forces that enhance droplet penetration into plant canopies by attracting charged droplets to the negatively charged plant surfaces, overcoming the limitation of purely mechanical centrifugal spray systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system achieves high charge intensities on droplets without disintegration, efficient droplet distribution on complex targets like plants, reduced risk of electrical discharges, and lower power consumption, enabling effective pesticide application with reduced active ingredient usage and lower soil losses.
Implementation Method 1
a tank configured to store liquid, the tank comprising an internal dielectric surface and an external conducting surface, wherein when the liquid is stored in the tank, the tank is configured to act as a capacitor storing electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
a power supply configured to electrify liquid drops of the stored liquid
Implementation Method 3
When a cloud of charged droplets approaches a plant, an induction phenomenon occurs, and the vegetal surface of the plant acquires a charge opposite to that of the charged droplets. Consequently, the plant strongly attracts the charged droplets
Implementation Method 4
a spray nozzle comprising a spray disk for blowing the electrified liquid drops unto a target
Data Source
AI summary
An electrostatic centrifugal spraying system for direct electrification includes a tank configured to store liquid. The tank includes an internal dielectric surface and an external conducting surface, wherein when the liquid is stored in the tank, the tank is configured to act as a capacitor storing electrical energy for electrostatic spraying. The spraying system further includes a power supply, configured to electrify liquid drops of the stored liquid, and a spray nozzle, comprising a spray disk for blowing the electrified liquid drops unto a target.