Microdroplet Nozzle Channels for Reduced Spray Drift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nozzles struggle to balance droplet size for effective crop spraying, as they either result in significant spray drift or inadequate coverage, and there is a need for nozzles that can produce a range of droplet sizes to address varying environmental conditions and target types.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle design featuring discrete linear grooves and channels with adjustable outlet configurations to emit microdroplets of precise sizes, minimizing drift and ensuring even distribution, using a flow member and cover member within an enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional nozzles are used to produce small droplets for effective coverage, then droplet size is reduced, but spray drift increases and environmental contamination worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle divides the single flow stream into multiple discrete channels, each producing separate droplet streams. This segmentation allows precise control over droplet size in each channel while maintaining overall spray coverage, preventing drift by keeping droplets contained within controlled trajectories.
Solution Approach 2:
Different channels can be configured with different outlet sizes and geometries to produce locally optimized droplet sizes. This allows some channels to produce smaller droplets for coverage while others produce larger droplets for reduced drift, all within a single nozzle assembly.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If larger droplets are used to reduce spray drift, then environmental contamination is reduced, but coverage effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the spray into multiple discrete channels, the system can distribute different droplet sizes to different target areas. Larger droplets from certain channels reduce drift and contamination, while smaller droplets from other channels maintain coverage effectiveness, achieving both goals simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle allows variation in droplet size parameters across different channels by adjusting outlet dimensions, groove geometries, and flow distribution. This parameter diversity enables optimization for both reduced contamination and maintained coverage effectiveness.
3Shape
If a single orifice configuration is used for uniform droplet size, then spray pattern is simplified, but adaptability to different environmental conditions and target types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single orifice is segmented into multiple channels with different outlet configurations. This allows the nozzle to adapt to different environmental conditions and target types by utilizing different channel combinations, while maintaining an overall uniform spray pattern through coordinated channel design.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle structure allows for adjustable or reconfigurable channel configurations that can adapt to different spraying conditions. The discrete channel architecture enables dynamic selection of active channels or adjustment of flow distribution to match specific environmental requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A nozzle (18) for forming a spray pattern of micro droplets. The nozzle comprises a flow member (20) having at least one face (30) and a plurality of discrete grooves formed in the at least one face. One or more cover member (21) is located over the face to cover the grooves so as to define a series of discrete channels. Each channel has a fluid inlet end that receives liquid to be sprayed and a fluid outlet end from which micro droplets are emitted.