Liquid Manure Applicator Bellows Downforce and Chopper System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Applying liquid manure to zone-tilled farm fields is inefficient due to the suspension of solids, which clogs distribution hoses and results in over-application, as existing filters are not effective in removing all suspended solids, requiring large hoses and excessive liquid manure application.
Innovation Solution
A liquid manure applicator with a distributor featuring restriction flanges and a rotary chopper to limit solid sizes entering the hoses, allowing for precise application of smaller solids and preventing hose clogging, along with expandable bellows for downforce on distribution tools to maintain contact with the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing filters are used to remove suspended solids from liquid manure, then some solids are removed, but not all solids are removed effectively causing hose clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary chopper extracts and removes suspended solids from the liquid manure stream before they can enter and clog the distribution hoses. By actively removing the harmful solids rather than attempting to filter them, the system prevents clogging while maintaining application efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary chopper acts as an intermediary device between the liquid manure source and the distribution hoses. It processes the manure by chopping solids into manageable sizes, serving as a intermediate treatment step that protects the downstream hoses from clogging.
2Reliability
If large diameter hoses are used to prevent clogging from suspended solids, then clogging is reduced, but liquid manure application rate increases excessively causing over-application
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting and removing suspended solids through the rotary chopper, the system eliminates the need for large diameter hoses that would otherwise be required to prevent clogging. This allows the use of smaller hoses that enable precise, controlled application rates without over-application.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If distribution tools are raised off the ground to avoid soil contact, then tool wear is reduced, but manure application precision and effectiveness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By removing suspended solids that cause clogging and wear, the rotary chopper protects the distribution tools from damage while allowing them to maintain ground contact for precise application. The tools remain intact longer because the harmful solids are extracted beforehand.
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
Enables precise and efficient application of liquid manure at lower rates, reducing waste and maintaining soil contact, thereby conserving manure and preventing over-fertilization in zone-tilled fields.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary chopper to break up the solids into small pieces
Implementation Method 2
An expandable bellows is provided underneath the arm and when air is forced into the bellows, the bellows expands and puts a downforce on the arm
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid manure applicator comprises a tank for holding a supply of liquid manure that is distributed onto a farm field through a distributor having a plurality of distribution ports and hoses. The hoses lead to individual distribution tools that include a pair or rotary coulters and a bellows for applying downforce to the coulters. The distributor includes a ring that restricts the size of the solids entering the distribution ports and hoses to something substantially equal to or less than 50% of the cross-sectional area of the hoses. This prevents the hoses from plugging even when small diameter hoses are used to lower the application rates to values more consistent with the needs of a zone tilled field. A rotary chopper in the distributor reduces the size of larger solids until they have been broken up into pieces small enough to pass the restriction provided by the ring.