Spray Boom Nozzle Timing for Uniform Field Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural devices for dispensing liquid products over a field result in uneven coverage due to the closing of nozzles, leading to unsprayed areas.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural device with a pressure regulation unit and nozzle controller that calculates nozzle timing data, including spraying frequency and maximum closing time, to ensure homogeneous spraying by regulating the opening and closing of nozzles based on movement speed and field conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If nozzles are closed during spraying to control liquid product amount, then the amount of liquid sprayed is reduced, but the coverage becomes uneven with unsprayed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing pulse-width modulation (PWM) that periodically opens and closes nozzles in a controlled manner. The controller activates nozzles for specific pulse widths (opening times) within each cycle, creating periodic spray patterns that cover the entire field area without leaving unsprayed gaps, thus maintaining uniform coverage while controlling the total liquid amount.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by making the nozzle opening time variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the opening time of each nozzle based on its position along the boom and the desired spray quantity, allowing precise control over liquid distribution while ensuring complete field coverage through coordinated timing of multiple nozzles.
2Quantity of substance
If nozzles are frequently opened and closed to control spraying amount, then liquid product quantity is controlled, but water hammer effect increases causing instability and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action with carefully designed pulse cycles that balance spray quantity control with system stability. By optimizing the pulse width and cycle frequency, the system achieves precise liquid quantity control while maintaining sufficiently long intervals between nozzle activations to allow pressure stabilization, thereby reducing water hammer effects and improving overall system reliability.
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 device achieves more even distribution of liquid products by minimizing unsprayed areas and reducing the water hammer effect, enhancing spraying stability and reducing wear.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure regulation unit including at least one nozzle controller that is configured for controlling the opening and closing of one or more associated nozzles
Implementation Method 2
a speed detector that is configured to measure movement speed of the agricultural device
Implementation Method 3
the nozzle controller is further configured to operate each of the one or more associated nozzles based on the calculated nozzle timing data and wherein, preferably the at least one pressure regulation unit and/or the at least one nozzle controller is configured to calculate the nozzle timing data such that, the maximum closing time is not exceeded to obtain a homogeneous spraying
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural device includes a boom having a supply line for transporting liquid product and nozzles along the boom, each nozzle operatively connected to the supply line. A liquid product supply is connected to the supply line for supplying the liquid product to be sprayed. A pressure regulation unit includes a nozzle controller for controlling opening and closing of a nozzle. A speed detector measures speed of the device. The pressure regulation unit and/or the nozzle controller calculate nozzle timing data for each nozzle including a spraying frequency and a maximum closing time. The speed is provided to the pressure regulation unit and/or the nozzle controller for calculation of nozzle operation data. The nozzle controller operates each of the nozzles based on the calculated nozzle timing data and the maximum closing time is not exceeded to obtain a homogeneous spraying of the liquid product over a surface of a field.