Dual Pump Spraying System Fluidic Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural spraying systems are complex and costly due to the need for multiple pumps and fluid-controlling components, with mechanical self-priming pumps requiring complex pressure control and often necessitating additional pumps for high delivery volumes and pressure, and non-self-priming pumps requiring hydraulic drives and additional components for efficient operation, while also facing contamination and complex rinsing processes.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a self-priming pump exclusively for filling and flushing, and a non-self-priming pump for circulation and dispensing, with gravitational charging and fluidic separation to minimize components and prevent contamination, allowing for larger line cross-sections and independent hydraulic or electrical operation, reducing complexity and contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple pumps and fluid-controlling components are used to achieve high delivery volume and pressure, then the system can meet spraying performance requirements, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery volume and pressureVSAvoidnumber of pumps and fluid-controlling components
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple pumps into a single integrated pump system that can operate in different modes (self-priming and non-self-priming) to perform filling, circulation, and dispensing functions, thereby reducing the total number of components while maintaining high delivery volume and pressure capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated pump system is designed to perform multiple functions including filling the tank, circulating spray solution, and dispensing at high pressure, replacing what would traditionally require separate dedicated pumps for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical self-priming pumps are used for filling, then the pump can operate independently of engine speed, but complex pressure control devices are required to maintain constant spray pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent operation from engine speedVSAvoidpressure control devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical pressure control devices with an electronically controlled pump system that uses electronic sensors and control algorithms to maintain constant spray pressure, eliminating complex mechanical pressure regulators and valves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If non-self-priming pumps with hydraulic drives are used for high delivery volume, then pumping performance improves, but additional pumps and components are required for charging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery volume and pressureVSAvoidnumber of pumps and charging components
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the charging function with the main pump system by using the same integrated pump to perform both high-volume dispensing and tank charging operations, eliminating the need for separate charging pumps and associated components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If small line cross-sections are used to minimize contamination during spraying, then chemical application containment is improved, but filling time increases and the system becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical application contaminationVSAvoidfilling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the fluid system into separate contaminated and clean zones with dedicated pathways, allowing large-diameter lines for rapid filling in the clean zone while maintaining small-diameter lines in the contaminated zone to minimize chemical contact and contamination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration simplifies the system, reduces component count, allows for efficient operation independent of engine speed, and minimizes contamination, enabling longer filling times with larger line cross-sections and reduced cleaning efforts, while maintaining high delivery volumes and pressures.

Implementation Method 1

the non-self-priming pump being arranged in such a way that gravitational charging takes place through liquid from the tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3114930B1Spraying system
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 DEERE & CO
  • EP3114930B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A spraying system (10) for an agricultural field sprayer is proposed. The spraying system (10) comprises a spray boom (18) for applying a spraying solution, a tank (12) for the spraying solution, a filling device for filling the tank (12), a rinsing device for rinsing the tank (12), a circulation device for circulating the spraying solution in the tank (12), a discharge device for conveying the spraying solution from the tank (12), an integrated self-priming pump (14), an integrated non-self-priming pump (16), and an electronic control unit for controlling the spraying system (10).To minimize the complexity of the spraying system (10) while maximizing its functionality, it is proposed that the self-priming pump (14) be used exclusively to operate the filling device and the rinsing device, and that the non-self-priming pump (16) be used to operate the circulation device, the application device, and the rinsing device, wherein the non-self-priming pump (16) is arranged such that charging is carried out by gravity through spray solution from the tank (12) and the filling device is fluidically separated from the circulation device and the application device.