Smart Sprayer Valve Duty Cycle Correction for Precise Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural sprayer systems face inaccuracies in applying agricultural products due to discrepancies between specified and actual duty cycles of valves, leading to misapplication and inefficiencies in crop treatment.
Innovation Solution
A system is introduced that includes a solenoid valve with a coil generating magnetic flux, a moveable valve operator, and a transient voltage suppression diode (TVS) to dissipate energy, allowing a controller to correct the actual duty cycle of the valve operator to match the specified cycle, ensuring precise agricultural product application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the valve is operated by a controller with a specified duty cycle, then the valve control system can automate agricultural product application, but the actual duty cycle of the valve differs from the specified duty cycle due to mechanical response delays and tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors the actual duty cycle of the valve by detecting when the valve operator transitions between open and closed positions, then compares this actual duty cycle to the specified duty cycle. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the specified duty cycle to compensate for mechanical response delays and tolerances, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining automation.
2Productivity
If the specified duty cycle is used to control valve operation, then the controller can manage agricultural product flow, but the actual amount of agricultural fluid flowing through the valve differs from the specified amount
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects the actual flow of agricultural product through the valve by monitoring the valve operator's position transitions, then uses this information to adjust the specified duty cycle. This feedback mechanism ensures that the actual amount of agricultural fluid applied matches the intended amount, improving application accuracy while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the specified duty cycle parameter based on detected variations in actual valve performance. By changing the duty cycle parameter in response to observed deviations, the system compensates for mechanical tolerances and operating condition variations, ensuring accurate agricultural product application.
3Ease of operation
If the valve transitions between open and closed positions with mechanical response time, then the valve can physically control flow, but the timing of valve transition does not perfectly correspond to when the controller intends for modulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects the actual transition timing of the valve operator and uses this information to adjust the specified duty cycle in advance. By anticipating the mechanical response delay, the controller pre-adjusts the duty cycle timing so that the valve opens and closes at the intended moments, eliminating the time loss caused by mechanical response delays.
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 enhances the accuracy and precision of agricultural product application, minimizing waste and improving crop characteristics by aligning the actual duty cycle with the specified cycle, thus ensuring consistent and targeted application.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid valve with a coil generating magnetic flux
Implementation Method 2
a transient voltage suppression diode (TVS) to dissipate energy
Data Source
AI summary
A sprayer control system includes a plurality of smart nozzles each having at least one control valve with a valve operator, an electronic control unit for the valve operator, and one or more spray nozzles. The at least one control valve and the ECU control a flow rate of liquid agricultural product through the nozzles. A duty cycle modulator is in communication with the ECU and generates an applied duty cycle for the at least one control valve. The duty cycle modulator includes a specified duty cycle input having a specified duty cycle and a pressure monitor associated with the at least one control valve. A pressure comparator compares the valve pressure determined with the pressure monitor with a system pressure and generates a pressure error. An applied duty cycle generator generates the applied duty cycle based on the specified duty cycle modified by the pressure error.