Localized Boom Injection for Zero-Lag Sprayer Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face challenges in achieving even distribution of products across irregular field shapes and contour changes, leading to waste and unpredictable application due to the configuration of the sprayer and the need for minimizing lag time between injection of products and their application.
Innovation Solution
A localized product injection system that provides a pressurized source of injection products directly to the carrier flow at the product dispensers, eliminating lag time and allowing for instantaneous mixing and control of product concentration at each dispenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If injection product is mixed with carrier substance upstream in the header or boom tubes, then the injection product is distributed to multiple sections, but lag time occurs between injection and application at the nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the injection product delivery into separate localized injection interfaces at each boom section rather than a single upstream injection point. Each section has its own injection interface that independently mixes the injection product with carrier substance locally at the section level, eliminating the lag time that occurs when injection product travels through long header and boom tube passages from a centralized injection point.
Solution Approach 2:
Each boom section is equipped with its own localized injection interface that provides tailored mixing of injection product and carrier substance specific to that section's needs. This local mixing capability ensures that the injection product is applied immediately at each section without the time delay associated with upstream mixing and transport through the distribution system.
2Device complexity
If a single header mixes injection product with carrier substance, then the system structure is simplified, but individualized control of injection product concentration at each section is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The injection product delivery system is segmented into multiple independent localized injection interfaces, one at each boom section. Each interface can be independently controlled to vary the concentration of injection product mixed with carrier substance at that specific section, enabling individualized control while maintaining a modular structure that doesn't excessively complicate the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each localized injection interface is equipped with controllable mixing capabilities that can dynamically adjust the concentration of injection product at each boom section based on field conditions, crop needs, or prescription requirements. This dynamic control allows individualized concentration adjustment at each section while the system adapts to varying operational requirements.
3Reliability
If injection product reservoir is separate from carrier substance reservoir, then contamination is prevented, but additional pumping and delivery infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The injection product is extracted and stored in a separate reservoir from the carrier substance, preventing contamination between the two substances. The system includes dedicated pumping and delivery infrastructure specifically for the injection product, which transports it through distribution passages to each localized injection interface where it is mixed with carrier substance. This separation ensures reliability by preventing contamination while the dedicated infrastructure efficiently handles injection product delivery.
4Ease of operation
If sprayer configuration is fixed, then the system is simpler to operate, but unpredictable variation in application occurs due to irregular field shapes and contour changes
Solution Approach 1:
The sprayer system incorporates variable rate control capabilities that allow dynamic adjustment of injection product concentration and flow rate at each boom section based on real-time field conditions, GPS location, or prescription maps. This dynamic adaptability enables the fixed physical configuration of the sprayer to achieve precise application distribution across irregular field shapes and contour changes by varying the chemical application rate rather than the physical geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls application precision by changing parameters such as injection product concentration, flow rate, and timing at each localized injection interface rather than altering the physical configuration of the sprayer. These parameter changes allow the fixed sprayer structure to adapt to irregular field conditions and maintain uniform application distribution through variable rate technology.
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 precise and efficient application of agricultural products with minimal waste by providing immediate and controlled injection of products at the point of application, regardless of field irregularities and flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
maintains a pressurized source of the injection product immediately adjacent to each of the product dispensers
Implementation Method 2
instantaneous injection to the flow of the carrier substance immediately prior to dispensing
Data Source
AI summary
A localized product injection system includes a composite boom tube having a carrier fluid passage within a tube body, and at least one injection product passage within the tube body isolated from the carrier fluid passage. A plurality of port stations are provided at locations along the tube body. Each of the port stations includes a carrier fluid outlet port and at least one injection product outlet port. A localized injection interface is coupled at a port station. The injection interface includes a carrier fluid input coupled with the carrier fluid outlet port, and at least one injection product input coupled with the at least one injection product outlet port. The injection interface includes at least one throttling element in communication with the at least one injection product input, a mixing chamber, and an injection port configured for localized coupling and injection to a product dispenser.