Agricultural Fan Speed Control via Ground Speed Decoupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural product delivery systems face issues with uneven spreading of particulate materials due to the loss of proportionality between engine speed and ground speed, leading to pulsing of material onto the ground during deceleration, which results in incorrect metering rates.
Innovation Solution
A control system that uses a lookup table to independently control fan speed based on ground speed, decoupled from engine speed, allowing for precise fan speed adjustment through a hydraulic system to maintain consistent application rates, utilizing Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and swash plate control in a hydrostatic drive system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fan speed is controlled proportionally to engine speed, then the system is simple to operate, but the application rate becomes incorrect during deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coupling between engine speed and fan speed with an electronic control system. A sensor detects ground speed, and a controller independently regulates fan speed based on this input, decoupling it from engine speed fluctuations. This substitution allows precise maintenance of application rates even during deceleration, as the fan speed is actively controlled rather than passively following engine speed.
2Manufacturing precision
If fan speed is increased to maintain application rate during deceleration, then application rate precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic fan speed control that adapts to changing ground speed conditions. The controller continuously adjusts fan speed based on real-time ground speed measurements to maintain the target application rate. This dynamic adjustment prevents both over-application (wasting energy and material) and under-application (incorrect rates), optimizing energy usage while maintaining precision.
3Loss of energy
If engine speed is reduced during turns, then fuel efficiency is improved, but material distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ground speed as an intermediary parameter that mediates between engine speed and fan speed. The sensor detects ground speed, and the controller uses this information to independently control fan speed, creating an indirect control path that decouples fan operation from engine speed fluctuations. This allows the engine to be slowed for fuel efficiency during turns while the fan speed is maintained or adjusted to preserve material distribution uniformity.
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
Ensures continuous and uniform distribution of particulate materials across varying ground speeds by maintaining necessary fan speeds, conserving horsepower and preventing material pulsing, while allowing for variable application rates from light to heavy.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrostatic drive system configured to drive the fan at multiple fan speeds
Implementation Method 2
the control system can control a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) solenoid to a pump causing a transfer of a given amount of fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A system for distributing particulate material from an agricultural machine includes a fan configured to provide an airflow in a supply line for distributing particulate material, a hydraulic system configured to drive the fan at a plurality of fan speeds, and a control system configured to control the hydraulic system. The control system executes a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to: determine a given product application rate for distributing the particulate material; determine a given ground speed of the agricultural machine; determine a fan speed for achieving the given product application rate at the given ground speed; and control the hydraulic system to drive the fan at the fan speed.