Spraying Device With Adjustable Flow Valves for Site-Specific Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spray devices lack the ability to vary the application rate of active substances site-specifically and maintain optimal droplet size spectrum, as they rely on fixed spraying pressure and direct feeding methods, limiting flexibility and efficiency in field applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adjustable flow valves in both the active substance and carrier liquid lines allows for independent control of spraying pressure and volume flow, ensuring constant optimal droplet size and site-specific application rate adjustments, even when switching off individual nozzles or sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the spraying pressure is regulated via the spray pressure to adjust application quantities and driving speed, then the application rate can be controlled, but the droplet size spectrum changes and falls outside the specified size range
Solution Approach 1:
The spray system is segmented into multiple independently controllable nozzle groups or sections. Each section can be controlled separately, allowing the application rate to be varied across different zones of the working width while maintaining optimal droplet size in each section through local pressure regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the spray pressure for each section independently based on real-time requirements. By making the pressure regulation dynamic and section-specific rather than global and fixed, the system can maintain optimal droplet size spectrum while varying application rates across different areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the application rate is varied over the entire working width to react to changing application conditions, then the application quantity can be adjusted, but sections or individual nozzles must be completely switched off which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by allowing different application rates in different sections or zones of the working width based on local field conditions. Each section can be independently controlled to match the specific requirements of that area, rather than applying a uniform rate across the entire width or completely switching off sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic, continuous adjustment of application rates across different sections of the working width. This dynamic control allows the sprayer to adapt to changing conditions in real-time without the need to completely switch off individual nozzles or sections, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving site-specific application rates.
3Quantity of substance
If spray liquid is mixed on the farm and transported in large quantities, then the spray mixture is available for application, but there are major risks for the user and environment and potential over-mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-filling the tank with carrier liquid only, without mixing the active substance in advance. The active substance is then metered into the carrier liquid during the spraying process itself, ensuring that spray mixture is only created when needed and in the exact quantities required for application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically metering the active substance into the carrier liquid during spraying based on real-time application requirements. This eliminates the need for manual pre-mixing and transport of large quantities of spray mixture, reducing environmental risks while ensuring precise application rates.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the amount of active substance fed into the carrier liquid is proportional to the amount of carrier liquid discharged, then the mixing ratio is consistent, but site-specific variation of application rate is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the spraying system into multiple independently controllable sections, each with its own active substance metering and carrier liquid supply. This allows each section to maintain a consistent mixing ratio locally while enabling site-specific variation of application rates across different sections of the working width.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the metering rate of active substance for each section independently while maintaining the appropriate mixing ratio locally. This dynamic control enables site-specific application rate variation without compromising the consistency of the spray mixture composition in each section.
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
This solution enables precise, pressure-independent droplet formation and site-specific application rate variation, maintaining optimal spray performance and minimizing waste by adjusting carrier liquid and active substance flow in real-time, thus enhancing application efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (3) driven by a power source (not shown) conveys the carrier liquid from the storage tank (1)
Implementation Method 2
the spray nozzles (7) atomize the spray liquid and thereby produce liquid droplets
Implementation Method 3
Both the spray liquid mixed in advance with conventional sprayers and the components mixed with each other to form a spray liquid in the direct feed system during ongoing spraying operation by direct feeding of the PPP concentrate into the carrier liquid in a mixing chamber in the pipe system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
For ground spraying, a beam with jets is attached to an agricultural machine across the direction of travel. The carrier liquid and the active ingredient are delivered through the liquid feed lines (8,10) at a constant pressure to the jets (7). On changing the strength of the sprayed liquid, the volumes of the carrier and active ingredient liquids are altered without a change in pressure.