Solenoid Valve Closure-Time Sensing for Nozzle Flow Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural spraying systems face challenges in accurately monitoring and adjusting the flow rate of individual nozzles due to issues such as clogging, obstruction, or damage, which can lead to application errors and inefficiencies, especially with wider booms and higher speeds, and current monitoring methods fail to detect these issues promptly.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for monitoring fluid flow through agricultural nozzles using solenoid valves with integrated poppet measurement devices and drive circuits to detect nozzle operation by sensing the movement of the poppet within the valve, allowing for real-time adjustment and detection of flow rate discrepancies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual nozzle flow monitoring is implemented, then application precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow monitoring devices with an electrical sensing system. A flow sensor detects fluid flow through the nozzle and generates an electrical signal, which is processed by a controller to determine nozzle operation status. This substitution of mechanical monitoring with electrical sensing reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary flow sensor and controller system between the nozzle and the monitoring function. The flow sensor acts as an intermediary that converts physical fluid flow into electrical signals, and the controller serves as an intermediary that processes these signals to determine nozzle status. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture.
2Productivity
If wider spray booms and higher travel speeds are used to increase productivity, then land coverage efficiency is improved, but detection of nozzle malfunctions becomes more difficult and application errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where flow sensors continuously monitor fluid flow through each nozzle and provide real-time data to a controller. The controller processes this feedback information to detect nozzle malfunctions such as clogging or damage. This feedback mechanism enables automatic detection without requiring operator visual inspection, solving the problem of increased detection difficulty with wider booms and higher speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system performs self-service by automatically detecting and reporting nozzle malfunctions without requiring operator intervention or visual inspection. The system monitors its own operation status through embedded sensors and controllers, enabling autonomous detection of problems even during high-speed operation over large areas.
3Device complexity
If visual inspection methods are used to monitor nozzle operation, then system complexity is kept low, but detection accuracy and timeliness deteriorate due to operator attention limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human visual inspection with automated electrical sensing. Flow sensors and controllers substitute for operator eyes and attention, providing objective and continuous monitoring of nozzle operation. This substitution maintains relatively simple system architecture while dramatically improving detection accuracy and eliminating human attention limitations.
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 precise monitoring and adjustment of individual nozzle flow rates, reducing application errors and ensuring consistent chemical distribution across the spray boom, even in conditions where nozzles are obscured or difficult to access.
Implementation Method 1
A solenoid valve, methods for operating and/or actuating the solenoid valve, valve system diagnostics, and applications. The valve may be designed to actuate in a manner so as to control liquid flow into and/or through a device, such as a spray nozzle.
Implementation Method 2
A system and method for monitoring fluid flow through agricultural nozzles using solenoid valves with integrated poppet measurement devices and drive circuits to detect nozzle operation by sensing the movement of the poppet within the valve
Data Source
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AI summary
Spray systems and control systems for use with spray systems are provided. A method of detecting fluid flow through a nozzle coupled in fluid communication with a solenoid valve including a solenoid coil and a poppet is provided. The method generally includes (1) dispensing fluid through the solenoid valve and the nozzle, (2) de-energizing the solenoid coil to close the solenoid valve and control a fluid flow through the nozzle, (3) determining a closing time of the solenoid valve based on a signal from a poppet measuring device, and (4) determining a fluid flow value based on a time delay between the de-energizing the solenoid coil and the closing time.