Hose Compression Flow Balancing for Even Liquid Fertilizer Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid fertilizer application systems in agriculture face issues with uneven distribution, blockages, and maintenance challenges due to the use of conventional flow measurement and regulation devices, leading to inefficiencies and reduced yield potential.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow device comprising a hose within a housing with a compression plate and sensors to measure and adjust the hose opening, allowing for precise flow control and measurement without direct contact with the liquid, preventing blockages and corrosion, and ensuring even distribution across multiple rows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flow meters or metering valves are used to measure or regulate liquid fertilizer flow, then flow measurement and regulation capability is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to frequent failure and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the flow path by using a magnetic field sensor that detects hose deformation caused by fluid pressure, rather than placing a physical metering valve or turbine directly in the corrosive liquid fertilizer flow. This separation allows accurate flow measurement without exposing measurement components to corrosive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the flexible hose as an intermediary element that transmits fluid pressure information to the magnetic sensor. The hose acts as a mediator between the liquid fertilizer and the sensor, allowing indirect measurement of flow conditions without direct contact between the sensor and corrosive liquid.
2Measurement precision
If turbine flow meters are used for flow measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent maintenance during planting season
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical turbine flow meters with a magnetic field-based sensing system that detects hose deformation. This substitution eliminates moving parts and mechanical wear, significantly reducing maintenance requirements during the planting season while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hose itself serves as both the fluid conduit and the sensing element. The hose's natural deformation in response to fluid pressure provides the measurement signal, eliminating the need for separate mechanical measurement devices that require maintenance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flow is divided among multiple rows using conventional manifolds or flow dividers, then distribution capability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates resulting in uneven fertilizer distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid manifold systems with dynamic, independently controllable hose assemblies for each row. Each hose can be individually adjusted and monitored via magnetic sensors, allowing real-time balancing of flow distribution across multiple rows to compensate for variations in hose length, elevation, or resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fertilizer distribution system into individual row-specific hose assemblies rather than using a single manifold for multiple rows. This segmentation allows independent control and measurement of flow to each row, improving 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
The solution provides accurate and consistent flow measurement and regulation, preventing blockages and corrosion, ensuring even fertilizer distribution and reducing maintenance needs, thereby enhancing efficiency and yield potential during planting.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor(s) 26 may be any sensor capable of measuring the position or orientation of the clamp plate 20. In one implementation, two magnets 30 and two magnetic sensors 26 are used to define the movement of the clamp plate 20
Implementation Method 2
a compression plate in operational communication with the housing configured to compress the hose against the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A system for flow control and measurement comprising a fluid tank, a pump in communication with the fluid tank, a manifold in communication with the pump configured to distribute fluid flow to two or more individual lines, and at least one flow device in line with each of the two or more individual lines. The at least one flow device comprising a housing, a hose disposed within the housing, a compression plate configured to compress the hose against the housing, the compression sufficient to close a lumen of the hose when fluid is not flowing through the hose, and at least one sensor configured to determine the position of the compression plate relative to the housing, where the position of the compression plate indicates pressure inside the hose.