Electrical Weeding Power Control With PWM and Voltage Multiplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical weeding devices face inefficiencies due to semi-constant power delivery from AC or varying voltage sources, leading to uneven energy consumption and quality of application, as they struggle to maintain constant power output across dynamically changing loads and resistances.
Innovation Solution
A weed inactivation device employing a DC power source with a power inverter, transformer, and voltage multiplier, coupled with a control unit featuring a PWM module and sensor, adjusts the duty cycle to maintain constant power delivery and limit parasitic voltage peaks, ensuring optimal energy usage across a wide load range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If AC or varying voltage sources are used in electrical weeding devices, then the device can operate with simple power supply infrastructure, but the power delivery becomes semi-constant leading to uneven energy consumption and application quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the power delivery parameters by converting AC input to controlled DC output through rectification and regulation circuits. The system dynamically adjusts voltage and current parameters to maintain constant power delivery despite varying load conditions, ensuring consistent application quality while operating from standard AC infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control mechanisms that continuously monitor the actual power delivery to the electrodes and adjust the rectified DC output accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the power delivered remains constant despite changes in weed resistance, soil moisture, or other environmental factors, thereby maintaining uniform application quality
2Use of energy by moving object
If high voltage is used to ensure constant power delivery across varying loads, then energy consumption by weeds is maximized, but parasitic voltage peaks increase causing energy loss and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic switching of rectified voltage to the electrodes in controlled pulses rather than continuous application. This periodic action allows the system to build up sufficient voltage for effective weed control while providing intervals that prevent excessive parasitic peaks and associated energy losses, optimizing the balance between energy delivery and energy waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the voltage output based on real-time load conditions detected by sensors. When load resistance is high, the system increases voltage to maintain constant power delivery; when load resistance is low, it reduces voltage to prevent excessive current and parasitic peaks. This dynamic adaptation maximizes energy consumption by weeds while minimizing parasitic losses across varying operational conditions
3Power
If the power source operates at maximum power output, then constant power delivery is maintained across varying loads, but the system complexity increases to control and regulate the output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary rectification of AC input to DC before the main power delivery stage. This preliminary action simplifies subsequent control by working with unidirectional DC current rather than alternating current, reducing the complexity of power regulation while maintaining constant power delivery capability across varying loads
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate circuitry including rectification stages, filtering capacitors, and regulation circuits that act as mediators between the AC power source and the electrode output. These intermediary components transform and condition the power in stepped stages, making the overall system more manageable and less complex than direct AC-to-electrode connection while enabling constant power delivery
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 solution achieves stable and efficient constant power delivery across varying loads, reducing energy waste and ensuring uniform application quality by controlling the duty cycle and capacitor charge, thereby maximizing the use of the power source.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electronic converter comprising: a power inverter; a transformer coupled to the inverter
Implementation Method 2
a transformer coupled to the inverter; and a voltage multiplier coupled to the transformer
Implementation Method 3
Given the cycles of charge and discharge of the capacitors of the voltage multiplier, when the load is low, parasite voltage peaks may be seen
Implementation Method 4
a control unit comprising a PWM module and at least one sensor, wherein the PWM module is coupled to the at least one electronic converter and the at least one sensor is coupled to the plurality of electrodes; wherein the control unit controls the power output
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical weeding device, comprising at least two electrodes, whereby the at least one electrode is directed to the weed. The weed activation device is used as a physical herbicide apparatus. The invention relates to a weed inactivation device, comprising at least two electrodes, whereby the at least one electrode is directed to the weed.Object of the current invention is to provide for a use of small, cheap, high-power factor efficient and effective electronic converter to control for constant power output with minimal voltage parasitic fluctuations. In order to achieve this objective, the present invention proposes a weed inactivation device comprising an electrical power source, at least one electronic converter, which comprises a power inverter, a transformer coupled to the inverter and a voltage multiplier coupled to the transformer. The device further comprises a plurality of electrodes coupled to the at least one electronic converter, wherein at least one electrode is pointed at one or more loads (or weed system), and a control unit. The control unit comprising a PWM module and at least one sensor, wherein the PWM module is coupled to the at least one electronic converter and the at least one sensor is coupled to the plurality of electrodes. The control unit controls the power output of the at least one electronic converter to supply, within a determined load range, substantially constant power to the plurality of electrodes by adjusting the duty cycle of the PWM module according to the load and limiting parasitic voltage peaks to 1 kV.