Spray Boom Support Structure with Elastomeric Struts
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Solution Overview
Problem
As spray booms increase in size, they face challenges in maintaining strength while minimizing weight, and existing truss structures often compromise on rigidity and flexibility, leading to stress and weight issues due to the use of traditional materials like steel.
Innovation Solution
A spray boom support structure featuring a first and second support member with vertical elements and struts, where each vertical support element includes a bottom and top saddle portion and an I-beam portion with flanges, and struts with rods and elastomeric material to distribute stress and enhance flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional steel truss structures are used to maintain strength, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining steel truss elements with polymeric material components. The steel members provide structural strength while the polymeric materials (such as elastomeric bearings and composite joints) reduce overall weight and provide flexibility. This hybrid approach allows the boom to achieve required strength levels without the full weight penalty of traditional all-steel construction.
2Area of stationary object
If the boom length is increased to cover more area, then spray coverage is improved, but structural rigidity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boom is divided into multiple modular sections connected by articulated joints. Each section can be independently supported and positioned, allowing the overall structure to span large areas while maintaining local rigidity. The segmentation enables the boom to be constructed in manageable segments that can be assembled to achieve the required total length without compromising the structural integrity of individual sections.
3Stability of the object's composition
If more gussets are added to increase rigidity, then structural stability is improved, but weight and stress points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters and structural configuration by replacing traditional rigid metal gussets with elastomeric bearings and polymeric reinforcement elements. These materials provide the necessary structural stability and load distribution while being lighter in weight. The parameter change from rigid metallic connections to flexible polymeric connections maintains stability while reducing weight and the number of stress concentration points.
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 optimizes strength and weight by providing a flexible yet rigid structure that reduces stress and weight, allowing for better suspension tuning and reduced flexing, while the elastomeric material helps in energy dissipation and damping vertical movement.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric material is disposed within the tube section of the first rod... the elastomeric material is disposed between an inner surface of the tube section of the first rod and an outer surface of the second rod
Implementation Method 2
the elastomeric material helps in energy dissipation and damping vertical movement
Data Source
AI summary
A spray boom support structure includes a first support member, a second support member, a plurality of vertical support elements disposed between the first and second support member along lengths of the first and second support members, and at least one strut. Each vertical support element includes a bottom saddle portion coupled to first support member, a top saddle portion coupled to the second support member, and an I-beam portion disposed between the top and bottom saddle portions. Further, each strut extends between adjacent vertical support elements.