Fluid Circuit Valve Control for Agitator Power Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid circuits in distributor machines, such as field sprayers, inefficiently use pump capacity for continuous mixing, as a fixed portion is always dedicated to stirring, limiting optimal mixing and power utilization.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control unit adjusts valve positions based on data from multiple measuring devices to optimize agitator performance, reallocating unused pump output for stirring and circulation, ensuring maximum power use and precise control of the stirring process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed portion of pump capacity is permanently used for mixing, then continuous stirring is ensured, but pump power utilization is limited and mixing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of pump capacity allocation between mixing and dispensing functions. The control unit continuously monitors dispensing requirements and reallocates pump capacity accordingly, allowing the mixing function to receive variable power based on actual needs rather than fixed allocation. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the pump system by introducing variable speed control and dynamic capacity adjustment. The pump can operate at different speeds and allocate different portions of its capacity to mixing versus dispensing, allowing optimization of both continuous stirring reliability and overall power utilization efficiency.
2Power
If maximum pump power is used for stirring, then mixing performance is optimized, but dispensing capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically balances power allocation between stirring and dispensing based on real-time requirements. When dispensing demand is low, more pump power is directed to stirring; when dispensing demand increases, power is reallocated accordingly. This dynamic balancing allows the system to achieve maximum stirring power at appropriate times without permanently sacrificing dispensing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic adjustment of power allocation between mixing and dispensing functions. The control unit continuously monitors system state and periodically reallocates pump capacity, creating a rhythm of power distribution that ensures adequate stirring power is provided when needed while maintaining sufficient dispensing capacity throughout operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the agitator operates with constant power, then mixing is maintained, but energy efficiency is reduced during variable demand conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the control unit continuously monitors dispensing rate, tank contents, and mixing requirements. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts agitator power in real-time, increasing power when mixing intensity is needed and reducing power when dispensing dominates or tank is low on contents. This feedback mechanism maintains mixing consistency while optimizing energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational parameters (dispensing rate, tank contents level) to automatically regulate its own power consumption. The control unit makes real-time decisions about power allocation based on current system state, allowing the system to self-adjust energy usage according to actual needs without external intervention, thereby maintaining mixing consistency while improving energy efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A distribution machine comprising at least a storage container, in particular a liquid tank, for the material to be applied, in particular a pesticide, one or more nozzles for applying the material, a pump for conveying the material to be applied from the storage container to the at least one nozzle, a first branch of the line between the pump and the at least one nozzle, which leads to the agitator and diverts a portion of the material flow to the agitator, a second branch between the pump and the at least one nozzle, which diverts a portion of the material flow to the line between the storage container and the pump or the storage container itself or a component located in this section, such as preferably a filter.a first control valve for throttling the flow rate between the first branch and the agitator, a second control valve for throttling the flow rate between the second branch and the line between the storage tank and the pump, a first measuring device, in particular a pressure probe and/or flow meter, for measuring the flow rate which is dispensed directly from the at least one nozzle, at least a second measuring device, in particular a pressure probe and/or flow meter and/or position feedback of at least one of the control valves, for measuring the flow rate from the first branch to the agitator and/or the flow rate from the second branch to the line between the storage tank and the pump, an agitator inside the storage tank for stirring and/or circulating the material to be dispensed, by introducing the material itself,preferably by means of at least one nozzle. In order to provide a liquid circuit that performs an optimized stirring process of the material in the storage tank, the dispensing rate and/or the stirring process is adjusted by means of the valve positions based on the data from the at least two measuring devices such that the portion of the pump power not required for dispensing the material is used for circulating and/or stirring the material in the storage tank.