Variable Spray Nozzle Flow Meter for Drift and Coverage Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural spraying systems face challenges in optimizing spray operations, including droplet size control, spray pattern uniformity, and minimizing drift, especially under varying environmental conditions, due to limitations in nozzle control and flow rate management.

Innovation Solution

A continuously-variable nozzle system (CVNS) with a flow meter featuring internal helical splines and a movable sphere, coupled with a sensor and actuator system, allows for real-time adjustment of fluid pressures, flow rates, and droplet sizes, enabling precise control of spray patterns and minimizing unintended spray drift.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If pressure is decreased to reduce droplet size and minimize drift, then spray drift is reduced, but spray pattern coverage shrinks resulting in coverage gaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray driftVSAvoidspray pattern coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously - using variable nozzle orifices to adjust spray pattern shape and flow control valves to regulate flow rate - allowing pressure to be optimized for coverage while maintaining drift reduction through droplet size control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts nozzle parameters and flow rates in real-time based on operating conditions, enabling the spray system to adapt coverage and droplet size to maintain both coverage area and drift reduction across varying pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If pressure is increased to maintain spray pattern coverage, then coverage gaps are reduced, but droplet size increases and spray drift increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray pattern coverageVSAvoidspray drift

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously - using variable nozzle orifices to adjust spray pattern shape and flow control valves to regulate flow rate - allowing pressure to be optimized for coverage while maintaining drift reduction through droplet size control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts nozzle parameters and flow rates in real-time based on operating conditions, enabling the spray system to adapt coverage and droplet size to maintain both coverage area and drift reduction across varying pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If flow rate is increased to improve productivity, then material application rate increases, but droplet size increases and drift susceptibility increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial application rateVSAvoidspray drift

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously - using variable nozzle orifices to adjust spray pattern shape and flow control valves to regulate flow rate - allowing flow rate to be increased for productivity while maintaining droplet size control through coordinated nozzle and valve adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts nozzle parameters and flow rates in real-time based on operating conditions, enabling the spray system to adapt coverage and droplet size to maintain both coverage area and drift reduction across varying pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 CVNS provides accurate and reliable measurement of low flow rates, enabling precise control over spray characteristics, reducing coverage gaps and drift, and adapting to changing conditions for improved agricultural application efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

internal helical splines configured to interact with a spray liquid passing through the chamber and create a cyclone-like effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCyclone-like effect: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

a sensor disposed outside the chamber and configured to detect motion of the sphere and generate an output signal in response to detected motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11925177B2Continuously-variable nozzle system with integrated flow meter

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 PRECISION PLANTING LLC

AI summary

A continuously variable nozzle system includes a nozzle body (5) with an inlet and an outlet. A conduit is defined between the inlet and the outlet by a series connection of components which includes a flow meter (10). The flow meter (10) has a chamber (83) with internal helical splines (82) that are configured to interact with a spray liquid passing through the chamber (83) and create a cyclone-like effect. A sphere (52) is located inside the chamber (83) for free movement along a circular path (106). A sensor is located outside of the chamber (83) and configured to detect motion of the sphere (52) and generate an output (9) signal in response to detected motion.