Spherical Ball Valve for Precise Spray Application Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural sprayer valves lack the ability to effectively divide fluid flow between the sprayer boom and the tank, limiting precise control over the spray application rate, as they typically only regulate in one line and cannot truly divide the flow.
Innovation Solution
A spherical ball valve with a circular opening for the boom port, an elongate wedge-shaped opening for the tank port, and an electric adjustment mechanism controlled by a computer to monitor pump displacement and flow rate, allowing for precise division of fluid flow between the boom and tank ports to achieve desired application rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional V-ball, butterfly, or poppet valves are used, then the valve structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the valve cannot truly divide the flow between boom and tank ports
Solution Approach 1:
The ball valve is segmented into multiple functional openings: a first circular opening for the boom port, a second circular opening for the tank port, and an elongate wedge-shaped opening that can selectively align with either port. This segmentation allows the single valve to perform multiple flow division functions that conventional single-opening valves cannot achieve.
2Device complexity
If a single regulating valve is used to divide flow, then the control system is more compact, but the flow control precision and regulation accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve ball rotates about an adjustment axis centered in the inlet port, allowing dynamic repositioning of the wedge-shaped opening to precisely control the split between boom and tank flow. This dynamic rotational adjustment enables accurate flow division ratios while maintaining a compact single-valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The computer monitors pump displacement variables and flow rate from the boom port, then sends control signals to the electric adjustment motor to position the valve ball. This feedback loop ensures precise flow control accuracy while using a compact integrated control system rather than multiple separate valves.
3Measurement precision
If the valve ball rotates about an axis centered in the inlet port, then the flow division between boom and tank ports is precise, but the valve housing and opening geometry become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The valve ball incorporates an asymmetric elongate wedge-shaped opening that, when rotated about the inlet-port-centered axis, provides precise flow division. The asymmetric geometry of the wedge opening compensates for the complex housing structure, enabling accurate flow control through a single rotating component rather than multiple simpler valves.
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
Enables improved flow control and precise regulation of the spray application rate, allowing for efficient use of fluid resources and reducing the need for multiple valves, resulting in a more compact control system that can handle both single and double pump systems.
Implementation Method 1
The ball valve is mounted in a valve housing for rotation about an adjustment axis centered in an inlet port of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A regulator valve includes an inlet coupled for receiving a spray solution delivered by a fixed displacement pump coupled to a solution tank. Located in the valve body so as to divide the solution received at the inlet between a bypass or tank port of the regulator valve, and a boom port is a ball valve in the form of a hollow sphere having a first circular opening in register with said inlet, a second circular opening in register with said boom port and an elongate, wedge-shaped opening in register with said bypass port. The ball valve is mounted for rotation about an axis which is coaxial with the first circular opening and includes a stem coupled to an electric motor for actuating the valve, the motor being coupled for receiving a control signal for causing the motor to position the ball for dividing the flow so as to achieve a desired solution application rate.