Rotary Atomizer Spraying Unit with Carrier Air Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spraying technologies in the agricultural sector, particularly in wine-making, face challenges in precisely controlling the flow rate and energy efficiency of phytosanitary products, leading to inefficiencies, environmental pollution, and health risks due to uncontrolled droplet distribution and high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A compact spraying module with a rotary atomizer and electronic control system that allows for controlled variable flow rates and efficient energy use, incorporating a fan to generate a stream of carrier air that mixes with the liquid to form droplets, ensuring precise targeting and minimizing waste and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spray jet devices are used with calibrated jets, then droplets can be projected onto vegetation, but the flow rate of pulp cannot be controlled precisely due to pressure variations and jet wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by measuring the actual flow rate of pulp through sensors and adjusting the pump operation accordingly. This closed-loop system compensates for pressure variations and jet wear, maintaining precise flow rate control despite changing operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical calibrated jet system with an electronically controlled pump and metering mechanism. This substitution allows for precise electronic control of flow rate independent of mechanical wear and pressure fluctuations, achieving both precision and reliability.
2Speed
If high pressure is used to increase droplet speed, then droplets reach vegetation faster, but droplet size decreases and kinetic energy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using moderate pressure combined with carrier air flow instead of high pressure alone. This parameter adjustment allows droplets to maintain larger size while still achieving adequate speed through the combined effect of pump pressure and air stream propulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces carrier air flow as a pneumatic assistance mechanism to supplement the hydraulic pressure from the pump. This combination allows the system to achieve high droplet speed without relying solely on high hydraulic pressure, thereby preserving droplet size and kinetic energy.
3Productivity
If centralized ventilation system is used to generate air stream, then droplets can be transported to vegetation, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ventilation system into localized units at each nozzle rather than using a single centralized system. This segmentation allows each nozzle to generate only the air stream needed for its specific droplet flow, reducing total energy consumption while maintaining effective droplet transport to vegetation.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple nozzles are used for covering zone, then vegetation can be treated, but flow rate varies from nozzle to nozzle and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a centralized electronic control system that manages multiple nozzles through a universal interface. This system allows remote adjustment of flow rate for all nozzles simultaneously, eliminating the need for manual intervention at each nozzle while maintaining consistent flow rates across the entire coverage area.
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 solution enables precise control over droplet distribution, reducing environmental impact and energy consumption while ensuring effective coverage of plant targets with minimal product loss and improved operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
the rotary atomizer (3) ensuring, on its periphery or its end (3b), in the state of rotation of said rotary atomizer, the breaking-up of liquid into droplets
Implementation Method 2
a fan (2) that comprises at least one propeller (2a) mounted in rotation around a second axis of rotation (X2) and making it possible to generate a stream of carrier air
Implementation Method 3
transporting means (8, 9) for transporting the liquid, coming from a supply system with a controlled variable flow rate, up to the rotary atomizer (3)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a spraying unit intended for spraying a liquid onto vegetation and including: a nozzle formed by a tube, a rotatable atomizer, and a fan generating a carrying air flow around the atomizer, a drive system, and a transport unit for transporting the liquid to the atomizer, which is capable of breaking the liquid up into droplets. The nozzle encloses a body surrounded by the carrying air flow and including a rotatable portion formed by the rotatable atomizer, the rotation of which causes droplets in the carrying air flow to be propelled, preferably in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Also disclosed is a compact spraying module including such a unit and to a spraying and control system including a plurality of such modules.