Mobile Sprayer Filling System Decoupling Mixing and Refill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for filling sprayer cisterns are time-consuming and require extensive manipulations, leading to prolonged immobilization of sprayers and increased travel time, as they involve preparing concentrated mixtures and filling the cistern separately, which hampers efficient agricultural spraying operations.
Innovation Solution
A mobile system that prepares a concentrated mixture of active materials and water in advance, using a centrifugal pump to quickly fill the cistern without interruption, allowing the sprayer to remain operational and reducing the need for multiple trips by decoupling the filling process from the sprayer's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sprayer cistern is filled using known methods involving separate preparation of concentrated mixture and filling operations, then the filling can be completed, but the process takes substantial time and requires multiple manipulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the concentrated mixture preparation unit and the filling unit into a single integrated system. The preparation unit mixes active material with water to create concentrated mixture, which is then directly transferred to the sprayer cistern through the same system, eliminating the need for separate preparation and filling operations and reducing overall time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the concentrated mixture in advance within the integrated unit before the filling operation begins. The active material is incorporated into water and mixed to form the concentrated mixture ready for immediate transfer to the cistern, reducing waiting time during field operations.
2Productivity
If the sprayer is immobilized for substantial time during filling operations, then the cistern can be filled, but the actual spraying time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system enables continuous operation by preparing the concentrated mixture and filling the cistern in an uninterrupted sequence. The sprayer remains positioned in the field throughout the process, with only brief connection and disconnection times, maximizing continuous spraying action.
3Productivity
If the sprayer is displaced to water or mixture tanks for filling, then the cistern can be replenished, but additional travel time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system serves multiple functions: it can prepare concentrated mixture from active material and water, store the mixture, and fill the sprayer cistern. This multi-functional unit can be positioned at field edges or orchard perimeters, serving as a mobile filling station that eliminates the need for the sprayer to travel to fixed water or mixture tanks.
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
This approach significantly reduces the time required for preparing and filling the cistern, enabling faster and more efficient spraying operations by allowing the sprayer to remain operational during filling and minimizing travel time, thereby increasing overall output.
Implementation Method 1
pumping means, in particular a centrifugal pump
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for filling a sprayer tank with at least one liquid solution, including at least a first tank containing a first liquid solution and a second tank configured to contain a second liquid solution, means for temporarily connecting the system to the tank, means for incorporating an active material into the first tank or between the first tank and the connecting means, and pumping means controlled by a control device and configured to selectively fill the tank with the liquid solution(s). The system also includes means for preparing the first liquid solution in the first tank by mixing the second solution and the active material in predetermined proportions. The means for preparing the first liquid solution include at least the means for incorporating the active material, which are positioned between the first tank and the second tank, as well as agitation means configured to ensure that the first liquid solution remains a suspension in the first tank.