Digital Positioning Slurry System Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slurry material application systems lack efficiency, consistency, and accuracy in adjusting material application rates in response to vehicle speed, relying on human manipulation and wheel encoder-based speed sensing, which leads to inefficiencies and increased human error.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a digital positioning receiver, such as GPS or Horn Radar, with a programmed microcontroller to control the output flow rates and percentages of slurry material components, enabling proportional adjustment based on vehicle speed, using hydraulic and electronic flow control systems to achieve target application rates and percentages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wheel encoder-based speed sensing is used, then vehicle speed can be detected, but the system requires physical integration into the vehicle and wheel diameter sizing which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wheel encoder-based speed sensing with a GPS receiver that uses satellite signals to determine vehicle speed. This substitution eliminates the need for physical integration into the vehicle's wheel system and removes the requirement for wheel diameter sizing, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining speed measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a GPS receiver as an intermediary device that obtains speed information from satellite signals rather than directly from the vehicle's mechanical components. This intermediary approach allows speed sensing without physical attachment to the vehicle, simplifying the overall system integration
2Ease of operation
If independent material flow control is used, then each material can be controlled separately, but the system lacks coordination with vehicle speed leading to inconsistent application rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the GPS-derived vehicle speed is continuously fed back to the microcontroller, which then adjusts the material flow rates proportionally. This closed-loop feedback ensures that material application rates remain consistent with actual vehicle speed, preventing over-application or under-application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the material flow control dynamic by linking it to real-time vehicle speed data from the GPS receiver. The microcontroller continuously adjusts flow rates based on current speed conditions, allowing the system to adapt to changing operating conditions while maintaining proper application rates
3Ease of operation
If manual speed manipulation is used, then the system is simple to operate, but human error increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to self-regulate material flow rates automatically based on GPS-derived speed information. The microcontroller performs the calculations and adjustments without human intervention, eliminating human error while maintaining ease of operation through simple target rate input. The system serves itself by automatically coordinating material delivery with vehicle motion
Data Source
AI summary
A system to provide an efficient, faster, and consistent slurry material application through utilizing a digital positioning receiver and micro controller as means for adjusting output flow rates and percentages of the individual materials within the slurry recipe.This slurry control system consists of a digital positioning receiver for means of sensing vehicle speed, a hydraulically motor controlling the aggregate and emulsion, an electronic liquid additive flow meter, an electronically controlled water flow meter, a dry additive hydraulic motor, an adjustable display, a dedicated prime mover and pump, and a programmed micro controller to proportionally control each material of the slurry recipe to accomplish each of their target output flow rates and percentages.