Secondary Stream Metering for Plant Protection Liquid Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for dispensing plant protection products in agriculture require complex and costly metering pumps to handle varying volumetric flow rates, leading to technical complexity and high costs due to the need for multiple metering ranges and frequent flushing to prevent contamination.
Innovation Solution
A system with a tank-mounted metering pump that meters the mixture component into a secondary stream line, which is then mixed with the carrier liquid, allowing for precise and inexpensive metering without the need for wide-ranging metering capabilities and reducing the risk of contamination by keeping undiluted components isolated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional metering pumps are used to handle varying volumetric flow rates, then the system can accommodate different flow rates, but the device complexity and cost increase due to the need for multiple metering ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the carrier liquid flow into a main stream and a secondary stream that branches off and merges back. The metering pump only needs to meter into the secondary stream, which handles a fixed, narrow volumetric flow rate range, while the main stream handles the variable total flow rate. This segmentation allows the metering pump to be simple while the overall system remains adaptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary stream acts as an intermediary carrier that receives the metered plant protection product and then merges with the main stream. This intermediary approach allows the metering pump to operate at a constant, limited flow rate range while still serving the variable total system flow rate requirements.
2Ease of operation
If conventional metering systems are used, then direct metering into the main stream is achieved, but the risk of contamination increases and flushing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the metering operation from the main carrier liquid stream by introducing the plant protection product into the secondary stream instead. This segmentation isolates the concentrated product handling to a specific zone, reducing the risk of contamination in the main water supply while maintaining ease of metering operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary stream serves as an intermediary pathway that carries the plant protection product away from the main carrier liquid supply. This intermediary approach allows metering operations to proceed easily while preventing direct contact between concentrated product and the main water stream, thus reducing contamination risk.
3Adaptability or versatility
If metering pumps with wide ranging capabilities are used, then all flow rate requirements are met, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the flow rate handling function: the main stream handles variable flow rates through its pump, while the secondary stream handles a fixed, narrow range through the metering pump. This segmentation allows use of a simple, inexpensive metering pump with limited range while still achieving overall system adaptability to various flow rate requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The main stream pump serves multiple functions: it drives both the main stream and, through the junction system, indirectly drives the secondary stream. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve wide flow rate coverage without requiring the metering pump to handle the full range, reducing cost.
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 achieves accurate and cost-effective metering of plant protection products by integrating the metering pump into the tank, reducing the complexity and cost of the metering system and eliminating the need for wide-ranging metering capabilities, while ensuring precise delivery and minimizing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary stream line, which branches off from the main stream line at a first junction and leads back into the main stream line at a second junction
Implementation Method 2
the tank comprises a metering pump for delivering the mixture component located in the tank into the secondary stream line
Implementation Method 3
The metering pump is driven by a drive unit coupled detachably to the metering pump. In this case, the drive unit drives the metering pump hydraulically
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for dispensing liquid mixtures, having a main stream line for passage of a main stream of a carrier liquid, a secondary stream line, which branches off from the main stream line at a first junction and leads back into the main stream line at a second junction, and at least one tank for accommodating a mixture component, the tank having a discharge opening connected to the secondary stream line. The system tank includes a metering pump for delivering the mixture component located in the tank through the discharge line into the secondary stream line and the system comprises a drive unit which is coupled detachably to the metering pump to drive the metering pump. The invention further relates to a method of using the above-stated system and to use of the system to dispense a plant protection product.