Distributed Spray Boom Pumps for Uniform Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural sprayer systems face challenges with non-uniform spray applications and pressure distribution issues due to bulky, heavy, and expensive control pumps, which are exacerbated by uneven elevation and incline conditions, leading to inefficient fluid application.
Innovation Solution
A distributed pump system with multiple fluid distribution elements and application units, coupled via conduits and monitored by sensors, is dynamically controlled by an electronic unit to maintain consistent spray output, allowing for precise adjustment of fluid flow and pressure distribution across a wider spray area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single main supply line with one chassis mounted pump is used, then the system structure is simple, but the spray application uniformity deteriorates and limited to single spray
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single pump into multiple distributed pumps positioned along the spray boom, with each pump serving a specific section. This segmentation allows independent pressure control for each section, eliminating the uniformity problems caused by head pressure variations in single-pump systems while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dual pumps and manifolds are used, then two different applications can be performed at one time, but system pressure control becomes difficult resulting in uneven pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
Each distributed pump is equipped with its own pressure sensor and control valve, enabling localized pressure regulation independent of other sections. This local quality approach allows each pump to maintain optimal pressure for its specific location and application requirements, preventing the pressure distribution unevenness that plagues manifold-based dual pump systems.
3Area of stationary object
If spray boom width increases, then coverage area increases, but head pressures from elevation differences amplify the problem of uneven distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The spray boom is divided into multiple sections, each with its own pump and pressure control system. This segmentation breaks the long hydraulic circuit into shorter segments, minimizing the impact of elevation differences and head pressure variations across the entire boom width, thereby maintaining uniform application rates even on wide coverage areas.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional pumps are used, then fluid handling capability is sufficient, but the pumps are bulky, heavy and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces one large pump with multiple smaller distributed pumps. Each small pump handles only the fluid requirements for its specific section, significantly reducing individual pump size and weight. The collective fluid handling capability of multiple small pumps matches or exceeds that of a single large pump, while the distributed architecture reduces overall system weight and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed pump system is disclosed. The distributed pump system comprises a supply source and a support structure arranged on or proximate an agricultural vehicle. At least two fluid distribution elements are mounted to the support structure and are coupled at an inlet to a first conduit to provide fluid communication between the fluid distribution elements and the supply source. An application system including at least two application units is coupled to one or more of the fluid distribution elements by a second conduit. A first monitoring device is associated with a respective application unit and fluid distribution element, and is configured to sense a downstream flow parameter of the second conduit and generate a corresponding output signal. An electronic control unit is communicatively coupled to each of the fluid distribution elements and is configured to dynamically adjust an input parameter of one or more of the fluid distribution elements.