RF Plugging Detection for Agricultural Spreaders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural spraying and spreading systems face challenges in detecting full or partial plugging of spray nozzles and pipes, leading to uneven distribution of fertilizers and pesticides, which affects crop yields and requires costly and complex monitoring systems susceptible to ambient noise and light conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a radio frequency (RF) based system that generates and receives RF signals to detect changes in signal attenuation as they pass through the dispersal area, allowing for real-time monitoring of nozzle functionality and plugging detection using RF transmitters and receivers, and optionally thermal imaging for additional diagnostics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acoustic sensor systems are used to detect nozzle plugging, then nozzle functionality can be monitored, but the system becomes highly sensitive to ambient noise and requires costly sensor housing and intricate signal filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic-based detection systems with electromagnetic radiation-based detection. Instead of using microphones and acoustic signal processing to detect nozzle plugging, the system uses electromagnetic sensors to detect changes in the spray pattern caused by plugging. This substitution eliminates the need for complex acoustic signal filtration and makes the system less sensitive to ambient noise while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If digital camera based systems are used to monitor spray nozzle operation, then spray pattern analysis is possible, but the system becomes costly and requires complex analyzing algorithms and is susceptible to dirt, vibration and light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical camera-based detection systems with electromagnetic radiation-based detection using sensors that operate in the electromagnetic spectrum. This substitution eliminates the vulnerabilities of camera systems to dirt accumulation, vibration, and varying light conditions. The electromagnetic sensors provide consistent detection performance regardless of these environmental factors while maintaining the ability to analyze spray patterns for plugging detection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If RF based system is used for plugging detection, then the system becomes less affected by environmental factors, but requires understanding of RF signal interaction with material dispersal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electromagnetic radiation as an intermediary to detect nozzle plugging. The RF transmitter emits electromagnetic signals that pass through the spray pattern, and the RF receiver detects changes in these signals caused by interactions with the spray material. This intermediary approach allows detection of plugging conditions while being insensitive to environmental factors like dirt and light, as electromagnetic radiation penetrates these obstacles without significant interference.
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 provides a cost-effective and robust method for detecting plugging in agricultural sprayers and spreaders, ensuring even application of materials and minimizing yield losses by quickly identifying and addressing nozzle issues, while being less affected by environmental factors like dirt and darkness.
Implementation Method 1
A radio frequency (RF) transmitter is disposed to generate an RF signal that passes through the dispersal area. The RF signal is detectably changed when interacting with the material passing through the dispersal area.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
An agricultural spreader (1020) is disclosed. The agricultural spreader (1020) comprising: a material holding bin (1024) that holds material to be spread onto an agricultural surface over which the agricultural spreader (1020) travels; at least one delivery conduit (1028-1042) having an inlet end receiving the material to be spread and an outlet end, through which the material to be spread exits and is directed to the agricultural surface through a corresponding first dispersal area; a first radio-frequency (RF) transmitter disposed to generate an RF signal that passes through the first dispersal area, the RF signal bring detectably changed when interacting with the material traveling through the first dispersal area; an RF receiver (1059-1082) disposed to receive the RF signal after the RF signal passes through the first dispersal area, the RF receiver (1059-1082) providing a first output indicative of the received RF signal; and a controller (1122) coupled to the RF receiver (1059-1082) and configured to detect plugging of the at least one delivery conduit (1028-1042) based on the first output of the RF receiver (1059-1082). Furthermore, a method of controlling an agricultural spreader (1020) is disclosed.