High-Pressure Weeding Apparatus with Helical Jet Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for weeding large surfaces with high-pressure fluid are inefficient and limited in pressure, making them ineffective for significant mechanical actions, especially on solid grounds like vineyards or orchards.
Innovation Solution
A high-pressure weeding apparatus with a tank for storing fluid, a high-pressure pump system, and a spraying device capable of delivering atomized water at pressures above 400 bar, integrated with a tractor for efficient coverage and adjustable nozzle movement to penetrate soil and target weeds effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional spray apparatuses are used, then portability and ease of operation are maintained, but processing efficiency and mechanical action capability are insufficient for large surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into modular components: a tank for fluid storage, a high-pressure pump system for pressure generation, and a spraying device with adjustable nozzles for fluid delivery. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system efficiency and enabling efficient processing of large surfaces.
2Force
If low-pressure spray systems are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but mechanical action capability is insufficient for solid grounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a high-pressure pump system that generates fluid pressure exceeding 400 bar, utilizing hydraulic principles to deliver atomized water at extremely high pressures. This enables significant mechanical action on solid grounds such as vineyards and orchards, penetrating the soil to cut off weed roots effectively.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed nozzle systems are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different ground conformations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The spraying device incorporates adjustable nozzles that can be moved to different positions and orientations, allowing the system to adapt to various ground conformations and weed locations. This dynamic adjustment capability enables effective processing of different ground types without requiring multiple specialized devices.
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 apparatus efficiently weeds large areas by penetrating the soil with high-pressure jets to cut off weed roots, allowing for fast and effective processing without limiting speed, adaptable to different ground types and conformations.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus comprises at least one spraying device to spray high-pressure atomized water towards the ground. Suitably, a fluid connecting line is then provided extending from the tank towards the device, that passes through the supply means. The atomized water flowing from the apparatus has a pressure greater than 400 bar
Implementation Method 2
In order to effectively weed the ground thereof, the jet of working fluid must penetrate into the ground for some centimetres, 2 - 3 centimetres to 10 centimetres depending on the plants to be weeded, in order to cut off the root. In this sense, the operation of weeding according to the present invention may be seen as a high-pressure hydraulic eradication.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for the spraying of an area of interest (S) of a high-pressure working fluid (V) wherein the apparatus is susceptible to move relatively to the ground (S) along a direction of reciprocal advancement (d) and it comprises at least one tank (2) for the working fluid (V), at least one outlet nozzle (41) and a fluid connecting line (4) extending from the tank (2) towards the outlet nozzle (41). The apparatus further comprises supply means (5) of the working fluid (V) that include a high- pressure pump and at least one spraying device (10) placed along the fluid connecting line (4) the former (5) upstream with respect to the latter (10). Furthermore, the spraying device (10) comprises a support structure (11) that comprises a first plate (12), motor means (35) acting upon the first plate (12) to promote the eccentric rotation thereof around a first axis (Z) and at least one manifold (42) placed on the first plate (12) to move integrally therewith. In particular, the latter (42) comprises at least one outlet nozzle (41) oriented so as to spray a jet of working fluid (V) towards the ground (S). The first plate (12) is mounted movable with said support structure (11) so that upon the movement along the direction of reciprocal advancement (d) of the apparatus (1) and of the ground (S), the jet flowing from the outlet nozzle (41) hits the latter with helical path.