Offset Boom Applicator Control for Uniform Field Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural product delivery systems with mid-implement mounted booms face challenges in achieving complete coverage and minimizing product loss due to inconsistent application patterns, as the primary and secondary booms often overlap or underlap when turning into or exiting previously applied areas.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural product delivery applicator with a pneumatic conveying system, including multiple offset booms and a controller that independently manages airflow and metering devices for each boom, allowing precise control of product distribution across the field by activating and deactivating delivery lines based on real-time positioning and overlap detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a secondary offset boom is added to compensate for coverage gaps, then complete field coverage is improved, but product loss increases due to overlapping or underlapping application patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the product delivery system into multiple independent delivery lines (primary boom with first delivery line, secondary offset boom with second delivery line), each with its own metering device. This segmentation allows independent control of product flow to each boom, enabling precise management of application patterns and elimination of overlap waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the metering devices based on real-time operational conditions, including when booms are entering or exiting previously applied areas. The controller activates or deactivates delivery lines and adjusts metering rates dynamically to maintain consistent coverage without overlapping, adapting to the changing spatial relationship between booms and field boundaries.
2Productivity
If multiple delivery lines are used to expand coverage, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple metering devices and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages the pneumatic conveying system, controls multiple metering devices, monitors delivery line activation, and coordinates boom operations. By consolidating these control functions into a single multi-functional controller, the system achieves high productivity through multiple delivery lines while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
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 solution ensures consistent and complete coverage across the field, reducing product loss and waste by allowing for precise control of product application, ensuring that the booms turn on and off at optimal times to maintain uniform distribution.
Implementation Method 1
A pneumatic source, such as a fan or blower, provides air to convey and distribute material through the distribution channels
Implementation Method 2
The product is metered from the bin into a set of distribution channels for application to the soil
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural product delivery applicator for delivering particulate product to a field. The applicator includes a supply compartment to hold the product, a pneumatic conveying system, a metering system, and a controller. The pneumatic conveying system includes first delivery line operably connected to an airflow source and to the supply compartment, and a second delivery line operably connected to the airflow source and to the supply compartment. The metering system includes a first metering device associated with the first delivery line and a second metering device associate with the second delivery line. The controller controls the air flow source, the first metering device to meter product to result in a first mixed flow of airflow and product for the first delivery line, and the second metering device to meter product with the airflow to result in a second mixed flow of airflow and product for the second delivery line.