Compact Dual-Pump Sprayer System for Fluid Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid operation systems in agricultural sprayers are complex, bulky, and expensive due to the need for multiple pumps to perform various functions, and they often result in fluid contamination and inefficiencies, particularly when dealing with different fluid solutions and regulatory requirements across countries.
Innovation Solution
A compact sprayer system with two integrated centrifugal impeller pumps that can perform multiple functions simultaneously, such as filling, spraying, and auto-dilution, while maintaining fluid isolation to prevent contamination, and utilizing a shared mechanism to reduce the overall size and weight of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate pumps are used to perform different fluid functions, then each function can be performed reliably, but the system becomes complex, bulky, and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing a single pump system that can perform multiple fluid operations including filling, spraying, dilution, and rinsing. The pump is equipped with variable speed control and can be configured through software to execute different fluid management tasks, eliminating the need for separate dedicated pumps for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple pump functions into a single integrated pump unit. By combining filling, spraying, dilution, and rinsing capabilities in one pump system with unified control, the design reduces the number of separate components while maintaining all necessary fluid operation functions.
2Reliability
If multiple separate pumps are used to perform different fluid functions, then each function can be performed reliably, but the system becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing a single pump system that can perform multiple fluid operations including filling, spraying, dilution, and rinsing. The pump is equipped with variable speed control and can be configured through software to execute different fluid management tasks, eliminating the need for separate dedicated pumps for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple pump functions into a single integrated pump unit. By combining filling, spraying, dilution, and rinsing capabilities in one pump system with unified control, the design reduces the number of separate components while maintaining all necessary fluid operation functions.
3Reliability
If multiple separate pumps are used to perform different fluid functions, then each function can be performed reliably, but the system becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing a single pump system that can perform multiple fluid operations including filling, spraying, dilution, and rinsing. The pump is equipped with variable speed control and can be configured through software to execute different fluid management tasks, eliminating the need for separate dedicated pumps for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple pump functions into a single integrated pump unit. By combining filling, spraying, dilution, and rinsing capabilities in one pump system with unified control, the design reduces the number of separate components while maintaining all necessary fluid operation functions.
4Reliability
If multiple separate pumps are used to perform different fluid functions, then each function can be performed reliably, but fluid contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the fluid pathways for different operations. The single pump system uses electronically controlled valves and software management to create isolated fluid circuits for filling, spraying, dilution, and rinsing, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining reliable operation of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electronically controlled valves and software control as intermediaries to manage fluid pathways. These intermediaries enable the single pump to selectively connect to different fluid circuits, ensuring proper isolation and preventing contamination between different fluid operations.
5Device complexity
If a compact design with integrated pumps is used, then space and weight are reduced, but fluid isolation to prevent contamination becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electronically controlled valves and software control as intermediaries to manage fluid pathways. These intermediaries enable the single pump to selectively connect to different fluid circuits, ensuring proper isolation and preventing contamination between different fluid operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates the fluid pathways for different operations. The single pump system uses electronically controlled valves and software management to create isolated fluid circuits for filling, spraying, dilution, and rinsing, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining reliable operation of each function.
6Productivity
If simultaneous fluid operations are performed, then productivity is improved, but fluid contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electronically controlled valves and software control as intermediaries to manage fluid pathways. These intermediaries enable the single pump to selectively connect to different fluid circuits, ensuring proper isolation and preventing contamination between different fluid operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic control through variable speed operation and real-time software management to adjust fluid pathways during simultaneous operations. The system can dynamically switch between different fluid circuits and control flow rates to maintain isolation while performing multiple operations concurrently.
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
The system achieves significant space and weight reduction, allowing for faster and more efficient fluid operations, improved system performance, and compliance with regulatory requirements by enabling simultaneous functions like filling and rinsing, while minimizing fluid contamination and maintenance efforts.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the two pumps is capable of performing more than one function. Together, they provide self-primed filling, auto dilution, eductor rinsing
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a spray fluid operation system include a fluid flow circuit that provides several sprayer features while using a minimum number of fluid pumps. In an agricultural setting, a first pump (one function of which is filling) is integrated with a second pump (one function of which is spraying) and both located compactly underneath the solution tank. In some embodiments that include only two pumps, they are centrifugal impeller pumps. Each of the two pumps is capable of performing more than one function. Together, they provide self-primed filling, auto dilution, eductor rinsing, and so on, in a fluid-isolated manner to avoid fluid contamination.