Sprayer Nozzle Set Control Under Drift Reduction Pressure Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural sprayers face limitations in operating speed due to stringent pressure restrictions imposed by drift reduction classes, leading to discontinuous speed ranges and potential under-application or breach of drift reduction thresholds.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural sprayer machine with a fluid delivery network and electronic controller that calculates speed setpoints based on nozzle characteristics and drift reduction class parameters, ensuring optimal operation within pressure limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sprayer operates at higher speeds to improve productivity, then productivity increases, but pressure restrictions from drift reduction classes cause discontinuous speed ranges and potential under-application or pressure breaches
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different nozzle sets based on operating speed and pressure conditions. Each nozzle set is calibrated for specific speed ranges, allowing the sprayer to maintain continuous operation across varying speeds while complying with drift reduction pressure limits. The controller automatically selects the appropriate nozzle set to ensure pressure requirements are met at any given speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray system is divided into multiple nozzle sets, where each set contains nozzles configured for specific operating conditions. This segmentation allows the system to handle different speed ranges independently, with each nozzle set optimized for particular pressure-speed combinations, thereby eliminating discontinuous speed ranges and ensuring continuous reliable operation.
2Reliability
If multiple nozzle sets are provided to cover different pressure ranges, then pressure compliance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically monitors operating conditions and selects the appropriate nozzle set without operator intervention. The system self-manages the complexity of multiple nozzle configurations by autonomously determining which set to activate based on current speed and pressure requirements, simplifying operation while maintaining compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors operating parameters and uses this feedback to automatically switch between nozzle sets. The controller receives data on speed and pressure conditions, then selects the optimal nozzle set to maintain pressure compliance, reducing the operational burden despite the presence of multiple nozzle configurations.
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 continuous and efficient pesticide application across varying speeds while adhering to drift reduction requirements, preventing under-application and pressure breaches.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid delivery network operates at a variable system pressure to create an expulsion force for the liquid
Implementation Method 2
The liquid is typically atomised by the nozzle and applied to the crop in a jet of mist for example
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A controller for an agricultural sprayer machine is configured to receive for each of a plurality of nozzle sets a respective upper pressure limit, a nozzle reference flow and a nozzle reference pressure. For each one of said plurality of nozzle sets a speed setpoint is calculated based upon the application rate setpoint, the nozzle reference flow, the nozzle reference pressure and the product pressure setpoint.