Radar-Based Liquid Volume Detection for Moving, Tilted Farm Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural systems face challenges in accurately measuring and monitoring liquid fertilizer levels in tanks on agricultural implements, especially when the implement is tilted or on uneven terrain, leading to inconsistent application, spillage, and environmental hazards.
Innovation Solution
A radar sensor system combined with an inertial movement sensor is used to determine liquid volume and positional information, providing accurate measurements even when the tank is moving or tilted, using a 60 GHz radar sensor and a six-degree-of-freedom sensor to calculate volume and compensate for changes in orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensors (ultrasonic, LiDAR, weight-based) are used to measure liquid volume, then the system can provide volume information, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the tank is moving or tilted on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based sensors (ultrasonic, LiDAR, weight-based) with a radar sensor system that uses electromagnetic waves to detect liquid level. The radar sensor is specifically designed to measure the position of the liquid surface without physical contact, allowing accurate measurements even when the tank is moving or tilted, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability under dynamic conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct physical contact methods to electromagnetic wave reflection. By using radar to detect the liquid surface position and combining this with inertial measurement unit data to calculate tank orientation, the system can accurately determine liquid volume regardless of tank motion or tilt, improving both precision and reliability simultaneously
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to ensure accurate liquid level monitoring, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a radar sensor system that serves multiple functions: it measures liquid level, detects tank motion, and provides data for volume calculation. By making the radar sensor multi-functional rather than using separate dedicated sensors for each function, the system achieves accurate liquid level monitoring while keeping device complexity low
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the radar sensor with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to create an integrated system that measures both liquid level and tank orientation simultaneously. This merging of functions into a single integrated system reduces the number of separate components needed compared to using multiple independent sensors, thus improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity
3Productivity
If the tank is tilted on sloped terrain to navigate the field, then productivity improves, but liquid fertilizer spills and application consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the radar sensor to continuously monitor liquid level and the inertial measurement unit to detect tank orientation in real-time. This feedback information is processed to calculate the actual liquid volume despite tilting, allowing the system to maintain consistent fertilizer application even when the tank is on sloped terrain, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and application precision
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 ensures precise and reliable monitoring of liquid levels, reducing spillage and environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency and safety, with fewer components and lower complexity compared to existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
A radar sensor system combined with an inertial movement sensor is used to determine liquid volume and positional information
Implementation Method 2
using a 60 GHz radar sensor
Implementation Method 3
a six-degree-of-freedom sensor to calculate volume and compensate for changes in orientation
Implementation Method 4
compensate for changes in orientation
Data Source
AI summary
Agricultural inputs, such as liquid fertilizer, is stored in a tank. The tank can be positioned on an agricultural implement. The level of liquid in the tank will vary upon application, and determining the level remaining in the tank presents a problem, especially when the implement is tilted or angled, such as on a side hill. A phase coherent pulse radar sensor in conjunction with a six degree-of-free sensor can provide the needed information for determining the volume in the tank as the implement moves in a field and over unlevel terrain. The radar and sensor can also be used to determine positional aspects of the implement, such as heading, speed, orientation, pitch, yaw, and the like.