Plant Injection Pressure Control Without a Pressure Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plant injection methods face challenges with injection resistance due to unique tree growth characteristics and environmental conditions, leading to potential physical damage and safety hazards, and require continuous pressure sensor accuracy for proper dosage delivery.
Innovation Solution
A plant injection apparatus with a variable volume dosing chamber and a processor that controls injection pressure by monitoring motor current or revolution count, adjusting pulse force parameters like off-time, voltage, and current to maintain a target pressure without the need for a pressure sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If constant pressure injection method is used, then injection simplicity is maintained, but physical damage to bark and sapwood occurs and operator safety is compromised due to injection resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system transitions from constant pressure to dynamic pressure control, where the motor speed and plunger movement are continuously adjusted based on real-time pressure feedback from the pressure sensor. This allows the system to adapt to varying injection resistance throughout the injection process, maintaining safe pressure levels while ensuring complete dosage delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure sensor provides continuous feedback on the injection pressure within the tree. This feedback signal is processed by a controller that adjusts the motor-driven plunger movement to maintain pressure within a predetermined safe range, preventing both excessive pressure damage and incomplete injection.
2Device complexity
If conventional constant pressure injection is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but liquid splash back occurs reducing operator safety and hygiene
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor continuously monitors injection pressure and provides feedback to the controller. When resistance increases and pressure approaches dangerous levels that could cause splashback, the controller reduces motor speed to maintain pressure within safe limits, preventing liquid ejection and protecting operator safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively monitors pressure throughout the injection process and adjusts motor speed in advance before pressure reaches dangerous levels. This preventive approach cushioning against potential splashback events by maintaining pressure within safe boundaries throughout the entire injection cycle.
3Manufacturing precision
If onboard pressure sensor is used for accurate dosage delivery, then dosage precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
An onboard pressure sensor provides real-time pressure feedback during injection. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust motor speed and plunger movement, ensuring the liquid composition is delivered at the correct dosage and pressure. This closed-loop control system guarantees precise dosage delivery while adapting to varying tree resistance conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical pressure regulation mechanisms with an electronically controlled motor-driven plunger system. The motor speed and torque are precisely controlled by the controller based on pressure sensor feedback, providing more accurate and adaptable pressure control compared to purely mechanical systems.
4Manufacturing precision
If pressure sensor accuracy correlation to piston movement is required, then injection precision is maintained, but system reliability depends on continuous sensor accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors pressure via the pressure sensor and correlates pressure readings with motor position and speed data. The controller uses this integrated feedback to maintain precise injection control throughout the process, ensuring that dosage delivery remains accurate even as tree resistance conditions change during injection.
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 apparatus dynamically adjusts injection pressure to deliver a target dosage effectively, reducing physical damage and safety risks while ensuring accurate delivery across various plant species.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor configured to drive translation movement of the plunger via a threaded shaft
Implementation Method 2
drive translation movement of the plunger via a threaded shaft causing a change in volume in the chamber
Implementation Method 3
identifying a change pressure of the liquid discharged from the outlet during an injection operation by monitoring the motor current
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for injecting liquid into a plant comprising a variable volume dosing chamber with a plunger disposed within the chamber and a chamber inlet and outlet, the inlet and outlet in fluid communication with a common volume of the chamber. The apparatus also comprises a motor and a processor. The motor is configured to drive movement of the piston plunger causing a change in volume in the chamber. The processor is configured to control voltage and power to the motor by creating a plurality of pulses of power that provide energy to said motor; to identify a change in pressure of the liquid discharged from the outlet during an injection operation by monitoring the motor current or the number of revolutions of the motor; and to vary pulse force in response to the identified change in pressure to control the pressure of the liquid discharged from the outlet.