Agricultural Spray Nozzle Angle and Adjuvant Control for Microdrift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing precision spraying techniques for pesticidal compositions suffer from uneven application and microdrift due to crosswinds, leading to inadequate dosage on targeted areas and potential pesticidal resistance.
Innovation Solution
The use of agricultural spray nozzles with a spray angle of 65° or less, combined with adjuvant compositions comprising ethoxylated alcohol, glycerol polyethyleneglycol ricinoleate, soybean phospholipids, and unsaturated fatty acids, improves spray uniformity and reduces microdrift.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If precision spraying techniques are used to reduce pesticide usage, then pesticide application efficiency is improved, but spray uniformity deteriorates due to crosswinds causing microdrift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spray angle parameter to 65° or less (narrower spray angle) to reduce the impact of crosswinds on spray distribution. This parameter modification helps maintain spray uniformity in precision spraying applications by limiting the spray pattern's exposure to wind-driven drift, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and spray uniformity maintenance.
2Manufacturing precision
If spray angle is reduced to 65° or less to reduce microdrift, then spray targeting precision is improved, but spray coverage area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spray application into multiple adjacent spots or bands, where each nozzle applies a narrow, precise spray pattern. By using multiple segmented application zones rather than a single broad spray, the system achieves both precise targeting with narrow spray angles and adequate overall coverage through systematic progression across the treatment area.
3Manufacturing precision
If adjuvant composition is added to improve spray uniformity, then spray distribution evenness is improved, but composition complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjuvant composition as an intermediary substance that modifies the spray characteristics to improve distribution evenness. The adjuvant acts as a mediator between the pesticide active ingredient and the environment, enhancing spray uniformity and reducing microdrift effects without requiring fundamental changes to the spraying equipment or operational procedures.
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 adjuvant compositions enhance the uniformity and reduce microdrift of pesticidal sprays, ensuring targeted areas receive adequate pesticide doses even in windy conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The adjuvants themselves are typically not pesticidal but work synergistically with the composition to improve the efficacy
Implementation Method 2
The agricultural spray nozzle has a spray angle of 65° or less... Spraying the agricultural spray may comprise non-broadcast spraying
Implementation Method 3
The agricultural spray nozzle has a spray angle of 65° or less... In precise application techniques, the use of single nozzles can lead to an uneven application
Implementation Method 4
It would therefore be advantageous to provide an adjuvant for a pesticidal composition which mitigates or ameliorates one or more of the above problems
Data Source
AI summary
A method for improving uniformity of an agricultural spray comprising spraying the agricultural spray through an agricultural spray nozzle having a spray angle of 65° or less. The agricultural spray comprises an active ingredient such as a pesticide, an adjuvant composition and a carrier fluid such as water.