Optical Flow Sensor with Multi-Section Projectile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face challenges in accurately measuring fluid flow rates due to issues with fluid opacity, leading to potential overuse or underuse of pesticides, which can result in waste and environmental issues.
Innovation Solution
An optical flow rate sensor system utilizing a multi-sectional projectile with different optical absorption values, combined with a vortexing geometry, to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and provide accurate flow rate measurements across varying fluid opacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional optical sensor is used to measure fluid flow rate, then the measurement can be performed, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to fluid opacity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile is designed with different optical absorption values (different colors/opacity) in different sections. As the projectile rotates through the fluid, these different optical sections modulate the light signal, creating a distinctive optical signature that allows the sensor to distinguish the projectile signal from fluid opacity interference, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite varying fluid transparency
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile is divided into multiple sections with different optical absorption properties. This segmentation allows the system to create a multi-component optical signal that can be analyzed to extract flow rate information while compensating for fluid opacity variations, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and fluid interference
2Reliability
If a single-color projectile is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement reliability deteriorates due to reduced signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile incorporates different colors (optical absorption values) in different sections to enhance the optical signal. This color variation creates a more distinctive optical signature that improves the signal-to-noise ratio and measurement reliability, accepting the trade-off of increased projectile manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical flow measurement methods with an optical detection system. The multi-color projectile works with the optical sensor to provide reliable measurements without complex mechanical components, improving reliability while keeping the overall system relatively simple
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
The system enables precise and reliable measurement of fluid flow rates, ensuring optimal pesticide application and reducing waste by improving signal strength and accuracy despite fluid opacity variations.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of the light beam is reflected off of the projectile. The optical sensor receives the portion of the light beam reflected off of the projectile.
Implementation Method 2
The projectile comprises a first section having a first optical absorption value and a second section having a second optical absorption value that is lower than the first optical absorption value.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical flow rate sensor system for a sprayer includes an optical sensor, an optical sensor window within a display housing, a projectile within a drum housing, and vortexing geometry upstream of the projectile. The optical sensor is located adjacent to the optical sensor window. The projectile includes a first section having a first optical absorption value and a second section having a second optical absorption value that is lower than the first optical absorption value. The projectile is configured to revolve around an axis of the drum housing.