Spray Valve Stem Sequencing to Prevent Shutoff Pressure Bursts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural sprayers experience inaccuracies in liquid chemical usage monitoring due to unwanted bursts of high-pressure liquid during valve closure, requiring complex and expensive solutions.
Innovation Solution
A valve controlled spraying system with a single valve stem that completely shuts off liquid supply to spray nozzles before allowing drainage to a return line, using an electric motor to control the valve stem's movement and ensure seamless closure of inlet and return ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotatable ball valve is used to redirect liquid to a return line during valve shutoff, then liquid can be redirected before complete closure, but this causes spurts of high pressure liquid through the control valve which affects accurate monitoring of chemical usage
Solution Approach 1:
The valve stem is designed to perform preliminary closure of the inlet port before the return line port opens. The T-shaped cross-section of the valve stem ensures that the inlet port is completely sealed off first, preventing any liquid bursts, and only after this closure is achieved does the return line become unblocked for liquid redirection.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing valve designs are used that allow return line opening before inlet port closure, then liquid can be recirculated, but this requires complex and expensive multiple valving mechanisms to prevent unwanted bursts
Solution Approach 1:
The valve stem serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls both the inlet port closure and the return line opening through its T-shaped cross-section design. This single component performs what previously required multiple separate valving mechanisms, simplifying the overall device structure and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to prevent liquid bursts.
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
Enables accurate monitoring of liquid chemical usage by preventing unwanted liquid bursts during shutoff, ensuring reliable operation and economical manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor operatively connected to the valve stem for moving the valve stem between open and closed positions
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid spraying system having a liquid spray section and a controller for controlling liquid to the spray section. The controller includes a valve operable between multiple positions for controlling the supply of liquid to the spray section and enabling the flow of liquid from the spray section to a flow back line only after the liquid supply to the spray section has been terminated.