Smart Nozzle Flow Control for Uniform Boom Spraying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face challenges in achieving uniform distribution of agricultural products due to irregular field shapes and sprayer configurations, leading to waste and unpredictable application variations.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle control system with electronic control units (ECUs) at each nozzle, which adjusts flow rates based on inputs such as nozzle position, boom length, yaw rate, target flow rate, sprayer speed, and system pressure, using location fiducials to ensure precise application according to field-specific characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional agricultural sprayers are used with fixed boom configurations, then the sprayer structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the distribution uniformity of agricultural products deteriorates due to irregular field shapes and sprayer dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The sprayer boom is divided into multiple independently controllable sections or nozzles, each equipped with its own flow control valve. This segmentation allows individual adjustment of each nozzle's flow rate to compensate for variations in sprayer dynamics and field irregularities, achieving uniform distribution without requiring complete redesign of the entire sprayer system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sprayer system incorporates dynamic flow control capabilities where electronic control units continuously adjust the flow rate of each nozzle based on real-time parameters such as sprayer speed, yaw rate, and position. This dynamic adjustment compensates for changing operational conditions and maintains distribution uniformity throughout the spraying process.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual nozzle flow control is implemented, then distribution uniformity is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to multiple ECUs and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electronic control units are merged into a centralized control system that manages all nozzle flow rates from a single control platform. This consolidation reduces the overall complexity by eliminating redundant control logic across multiple independent ECUs while maintaining the ability to individually adjust each nozzle's flow rate for uniform distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with multi-functional capabilities where a single control unit can manage various parameters including flow rate adjustment, speed compensation, yaw rate correction, and position-based modulation. This universality reduces the need for separate specialized control circuits for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If flow rates are adjusted for each nozzle based on position and conditions, then distribution precision is improved, but the control system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Flow rate adjustment parameters and control algorithms are pre-calculated and stored in memory before the spraying operation begins. The system uses pre-determined correction factors based on nozzle position, sprayer configuration, and expected operational conditions, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations during spraying and reducing computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms where actual flow rates and operational parameters are continuously monitored and compared against target values. The electronic control units automatically adjust nozzle flow rates based on this feedback, simplifying the control algorithm by using closed-loop control rather than complex open-loop calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for nozzle control. The system includes an overall system pressure valve, configured to adjust the pressure of an agricultural product within a boom. A master node is configured to receive an overall system flow rate measurement, an overall target flow rate, and an overall system pressure measurement, the master node configured to adjust the overall system pressure valve to control the pressure of the agricultural product. A plurality of smart nozzles are configured to dispense the agricultural product, the plurality of smart nozzles each associated with an electronic control unit (ECU) and one or more individual nozzle, the smart nozzle is configured to control a nozzle flow rate of the associated one or more individual nozzles.