Self-Calibrating Metering Apparatus with In-Meter Diffuser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metering devices for dispensing chemical granules, such as insecticides, face issues with foreign material plugging and inaccurate dispensing due to wear and tear, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, necessitating a self-calibrating solution that prevents malfunction and ensures precise chemical application.
Innovation Solution
A self-calibrating metering apparatus with an in-meter diffuser and electromechanical solenoid, featuring a calibrated orifice and flow sensor, which adjusts the flow rate and includes an in-meter diffuser to prevent plugging by foreign materials, and an electronic memory system for data storage and calibration adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical chain driven dispenser is used, then chemical granules can be dispensed, but wear and tear alters the dispensing rate by up to 15%, increasing cost and reducing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical chain-driven dispenser with an electromechanical solenoid system that opens and closes an orifice to control chemical granule flow. This substitution eliminates the wear and tear problems of mechanical chains, providing more reliable and precise dispensing rate control through electrical actuation rather than mechanical transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flow sensor to detect actual dispensing rate and an adjustment mechanism to modify the orifice opening duration or size, dynamically changing the dispensing parameters to maintain accuracy. This closed-loop parameter adjustment compensates for any drift and ensures consistent precision despite operational variations.
2Productivity
If coil diffusers are used in metering devices, then chemical granules can be dispersed, but foreign material and lumps plug the diffusers, causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diffuser function from the main metering pathway by using a separate vibration mechanism to fluidize and distribute chemical granules before they reach the orifice. This separation prevents foreign material and lumps from plugging the critical orifice while maintaining dispensing efficiency through vibrational fluidization rather than traditional coil diffusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs vibration to fluidize chemical granules and prevent clogging in the dispensing system. The vibrational energy keeps the granule flow smooth and prevents foreign material from accumulating and plugging the orifice, thereby maintaining both productivity and reliability of the meter operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical granules are dispersed over the entire seed furrow, then coverage is achieved, but the amount of chemical used is excessive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies chemical granules locally at the seed placement position rather than dispersing them uniformly across the entire furrow. The orifice delivers a precise, concentrated amount of chemical exactly where needed beside the seed, achieving effective pest control while minimizing the total quantity of chemical required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flow sensor to detect the actual amount of chemical granules being dispensed and provides feedback to a controller that adjusts the solenoid operation. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the precise local application rate is maintained, preventing both under-application (which would reduce effectiveness) and over-application (which would waste chemical).
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 ensures accurate and efficient dispensing of chemical granules by preventing plugging and allowing for real-time calibration, reducing waste and operational costs while maintaining the desired chemical application rate.
Implementation Method 1
a flow sensor configured to sense a greater flow rate at the inlet aperture than at the outlet aperture
Implementation Method 2
an electromechanical solenoid attached to the container
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a self-calibrating metering system (10) for dispensing chemical granules, the system comprising: a self-calibrating metering apparatus, including: a housing having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture (120); a container (400) mounted on said housing and including a bottom wall having an outlet aperture, the container being disposed with a supply of substantially fluent material and having its outlet aperture in fluid communication with the inlet aperture of said housing; an electromechanical solenoid (110) attached to the container; a calibrated orifice (125) disposed within the outlet aperture; a flow sensor (115) configured to sense a greater flow rate at the inlet aperture than at the outlet aperture; and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the flow rate of the meter.