Configurable Nozzle Assembly for Stable Spray Pattern Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face challenges in achieving uniform spray patterns and droplet sizes due to variations in flow rates and pressures, leading to inefficient application of agricultural products across irregular field shapes and contours.
Innovation Solution
A configurable nozzle assembly that dynamically adjusts its orifice size and shape to maintain specified spray patterns and droplet sizes by moving orifice plates in response to changes in flow rates and pressures, coupled with a localized injection system for instantaneous mixing of injection products with carrier fluids at the nozzle level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a static nozzle is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the spray pattern and droplet size vary with pressure and flow rate changes
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle incorporates a movable orifice plate that can dynamically adjust its position in response to pressure and flow rate changes. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the nozzle to maintain consistent spray patterns and droplet sizes despite variations in operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and stable performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice plate's position is adjusted based on detected changes in pressure and flow rate parameters. By changing the geometric parameters of the orifice (opening size and shape) in response to parameter variations, the system maintains stable spray characteristics while adapting to different operating conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the orifice plate is made movable to adjust spray patterns, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors to detect pressure and flow rate conditions, providing feedback to a control mechanism that adjusts the orifice plate position accordingly. This feedback loop enables automatic adaptation to varying operating conditions without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms, balancing adaptability with manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice plate adjustment mechanism is designed to automatically respond to changing conditions through integrated sensors and actuators, allowing the nozzle to self-regulate its spray pattern without external intervention. This self-service capability provides high adaptability while minimizing the complexity of external control systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If localized injection is implemented at the nozzle level, then the manufacturing precision of application is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is segmented into individual nozzle-level units, with each nozzle having its own injection capability. This segmentation allows for precise local control of product application at each nozzle, ensuring uniform distribution across the spray boom while distributing the complexity across multiple simple, identical modules rather than one complex centralized system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A configurable nozzle includes a nozzle body having a reception chamber configured to receive an application mixture. The nozzle body includes a nozzle orifice. At least one orifice assembly is coupled with the nozzle body, the at least one orifice assembly includes an orifice plate movably coupled with the nozzle body. The orifice plate extends along at least a portion of the nozzle orifice, and movement of the orifice plate changes one or more of the size or shape of the nozzle orifice. An orifice actuator is coupled with the orifice plate, and the orifice actuator is configured to move the orifice plate.