Spray Circuit Pressure Regulation for Nozzle-to-Nozzle Spraying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sprayer systems face challenges in maintaining a stable spray flow rate and pressure at the nozzle outlet during localized spraying, leading to transition times and inefficiencies in the spraying process.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle-to-nozzle spraying system with integrated pressure regulation means, including a pump and regulating valve, controlled by a central unit with pressure sensors, ensures constant pressure and flow rate, eliminating transition times and optimizing spraying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If localized spraying with single nozzle control is implemented, then spraying accuracy and pollution reduction are improved, but pressure stability and flow rate consistency deteriorate due to transition times
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-pressurizes the spray circuit before activating individual nozzles and maintains pressure during transitions. The pump continues operating to keep the circuit pressurized, so when a nozzle is activated, the liquid is already under pressure and ready for immediate spray, eliminating the pressure drop and transition time that would otherwise occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump operates continuously to maintain constant pressure in the spray circuit, ensuring that the liquid flow never stops or fluctuates. This continuous pressurization allows individual nozzles to be activated and deactivated without causing pressure instability, as the overall circuit pressure remains constant throughout the localized spraying process.
2Loss of substance
If nozzle-by-nozzle control is used for localized spraying, then liquid usage optimization is improved, but transition times increase due to pressure drops
Solution Approach 1:
The spray circuit is pre-filled and pre-pressurized with liquid before localized spraying begins. This preliminary preparation ensures that when any individual nozzle is activated, the liquid is already under pressure and ready to spray immediately, eliminating the delay that would normally occur while waiting for pressure to build up in the circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump runs continuously throughout the localized spraying operation, maintaining constant pressure in the circuit. This continuous operation prevents pressure fluctuations and ensures that each nozzle can be activated instantly without transition delays, allowing rapid switching between nozzles while optimizing liquid usage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pressure regulation means are integrated into the spray circuit, then flow rate constancy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure sensor continuously monitors the pressure in the spray circuit and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the pump operation or regulating valve based on this feedback to maintain constant pressure, ensuring stable flow rate at each nozzle while automatically compensating for any pressure variations that occur during localized spraying.
Solution Approach 2:
A regulating valve is introduced as an intermediary element in the spray circuit to control and stabilize pressure. This valve acts as a mediator between the pump and the nozzles, adjusting the flow to maintain constant pressure regardless of changes in nozzle activation patterns, thereby ensuring flow rate constancy without requiring complex redesign of the entire system.
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 system achieves continuous and efficient nozzle-to-nozzle spraying with constant pressure and flow rate, reducing clogging risks and improving spraying accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a pump located downstream of said circuit on the inlet loop between the tank and the spray boom, the pump being capable of injecting the liquid into the spray circuit at a determined flow rate
Implementation Method 2
a regulating valve located upstream of the circuit on the return loop between the spray boom and the tank, the regulating valve being capable of regulating the pressure in the spray circuit
Implementation Method 3
a spray boom comprising a plurality of nozzles capable of spraying the liquid
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a nozzle-to-nozzle spraying system (100) for machinery, particularly agricultural machinery (200), comprising: - a reservoir (10) containing a liquid to be sprayed (L); - a spray boom (20) comprising a plurality of nozzles (21) suitable for spraying said liquid (L); - a spray circuit (30) connecting said reservoir (10) and said boom (20) in a loop; - a control unit (40) suitable for controlling each nozzle (21) independently of each other for nozzle-to-nozzle spraying; - control means (50) configured to maintain a constant pressure in said spray circuit (30) so as to maintain a constant target flow rate determined at the outlet of each nozzle (21).