This invention relates to a spraying apparatus for an agricultural sprayer. More specifically, the invention relates to systems and methods for detecting full or partial plugging of a spray nozzle of an agricultural sprayer.
Agricultural spraying systems are known. Such systems typically include a fluid line or conduit mounted on a foldable, hinged, or retractable and extendible boom. The fluid line is coupled to one or more spray nozzles mounted along the boom. Each spray nozzle is configured to receive the fluid and direct atomized fluid to a crop or field during application.
Spraying operations are generally intended to distribute a product (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, etc.) evenly over an agricultural surface, such as a field or crop. Properly functioning spray nozzles ensure that dispersal of the product occurs evenly and is important to ensure crop yields.
An agricultural sprayer includes at least one nozzle configure to receive a fluid and direct atomized fluid to an agricultural surface in a dispersal area. A radio-frequency (RF) transmitter is disposed to generate an RF signal that passes through the dispersal area. The RF signal is detectably changed when interacting with droplets of the atomized fluid. A first RF receiver is disposed to receive the RF signal after the RF signal passes through the dispersal area and provides an output indicative of the RF signal. A controller is coupled to the first RF receiver and is configured to detect plugging of the at least one nozzle based on the output of the first RF receiver.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.
Embodiments described herein generally employ radio-frequency (RF) transmissions to detect a change in output from one or more nozzles. As the radio-frequency energy of the transmission passes through the droplets of a spray nozzle, the RF signal is changed in a detectable way. An RF receiver, configured to detect the RF signal that has passed through the spray, provides an output that is monitored to provide spray nozzle diagnostic indications. As used herein, radio-frequency (RF) is defined to mean electromagnetic energy having a frequency in the range from about 3 kHz to 300 GHz.
One example of electromagnetic energy being affected by passing through droplets of liquid is known as rain fade. Rain fade describes the attenuation of the RF signal as it passes through and is at least partially absorbed by atmospheric snow, ice or rain. Rain fade is particularly evident at RF frequencies above 11 GHz and is typically a quantity that is compensated for in electromagnetic transmissions. One particularly useful range of RF signals for embodiments described herein is a frequency range from about 7 GHz to about 55 GHz.
In one embodiment, RF receiver 314 is configured to substantially simultaneously receive RF signals relative to each of nozzles 360. However, it is also contemplated that RF receiver 314 may be configured to alternatively receive and analyze incoming RF signals relative to each nozzle 360 sequentially. The system, thus is able to provide a substantially real-time indication of the current efficacy of each nozzle during operation.
As shown, each multi-nozzle body 410 is configured to mount a plurality of spray nozzles, such as first nozzle 412 and a second nozzle 414. First nozzle 412 and second nozzle 414 are diametrically opposite one another on multi-nozzle body 410. As illustrated in
In embodiments where multiple RF transmitters 620 are used, any suitable technique for disambiguating the signals can be employed. For example, one RF transmitter 620 may operate in a first frequency range, while another RF transmitter 620 may operate in a second frequency range that does not overlap the first frequency range. Additionally, or alternatively, the different RF transmitters 620 may provide different modulation of their respective RF signals. Further still, the different RF transmitters 620 may be operated in sequence such that only a single RF transmitter 620 is operating at any given time.
Method 700 begins at block 705 where an RF signal is generated and passes through a dispersal area of at least one nozzle.
At block 710, the RF signal is received using an RF receiver, such as receiver 510. Next, at block 720, the received RF signal is analyzed. Analyzing the received RF signal, can include comparing the signal with a standard signal obtained and stored during known-good spraying conditions, as indicated in block 712. The standard can include a manufacturer-provided range of acceptable RF signals, or an indication of RF signals that indicate partial or complete plugging. Analyzing the received RF signal can additionally or alternatively include comparing the received signal with one or more received signals relative to other nozzles, as indicated in block 714. For example, using an average of a set of received RF signals can indicate that one or more nozzles in a set of nozzles is plugged, for example because the RF signal received from the plugged nozzle is different from the average in a statistically significant way. Historical data for a nozzle can also be used to detect full or partial plugging, as indicated in block 716. For example, a received RF signal will change as plugging is experienced, and the RF signal travels through a thinner, or non-existent spray.
At block 730, if a partial or fully plugged sensor is detected, method 700 proceeds to block 740 where an indication of plugging is provided. However, in the event that no plugging is detected for a particular nozzle, method 700 returns to block 705, and thus repeats.
At block 740, an indication of a plugged nozzle status is generated and sent. For example, an indication can be sent directly to an operator, as indicated in block 742, for example as an audible or visual alert. Additionally, or alternatively, a notification can be provided to an operator's device, such as a mobile phone. The indication can also be sent directly to the agricultural sprayer, as indicated in block 744, for remedial action, such as automatically switching to a different pair of active nozzles in a multi-nozzle assembly.
Environment 800 also includes an RF-based plug detection system 820, which may be located locally, for example as part of a computing unit within an agricultural vehicle, or remotely from an agricultural vehicle, for example within a separate computing system. RF-based plug detection system 820 includes storage component 830, which stores nozzle data 832, obtained from a plurality of nozzles 802, for example. Nozzle data 832 can be analyzed to detect a partial or completely plugged status within a nozzle 802. For example, historical data analyzer 840 can compare contemporaneously received nozzle data for a nozzle 802 to historical nozzle data 832 and detect a statistically significant difference. Additionally, comparative data analyzer 860 can compare nozzle data 832 from a single nozzle, to a known-good standard. For example, the known-good standard can include an average of contemporaneously received data 832 from all nozzles 802. Additionally, the known-good standard can include a standard provided from a manufacturer.
Based on a comparison, for example from historical data analyzer 840 or comparative data analyzer 860, plug status detector 850 detects that a nozzle 802 is experiencing partial or complete plugging, and generates a plugging indication. The plugging indication is then transmitted by communication component 870 to an operator 880, for example through a display on the agricultural vehicle, or through a display on a device associated with operator 880. Also, the figures show a number of blocks with functionality ascribed to each block. It will be noted that fewer blocks can be used so the functionality is performed by fewer components. Also, more blocks can be used with the functionality distributed among more components.
It should also be noted that the different examples described herein can be combined in different ways. That is, parts of one or more examples can be combined with parts of one or more other examples. All of this is contemplated herein.
Example 1 is an agricultural sprayer, comprising:
Example 2 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the at least one nozzle comprises a plurality of nozzles.
Example 3 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples and further comprising a second RF receiver, wherein the first RF receiver is disposed to receive the RF signal after passing through the dispersal area of a first nozzle of the plurality of nozzles, and the second RF receiver is disposed to receive the RF signal after passing through the dispersal area of a second nozzle of the plurality of nozzles.
Example 4 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the controller is configured to detect plugging by comparing the output of the first RF receiver to an output of the second RF receiver.
Example 5 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the controller is configured to detect plugging by comparing the output of the first RF receiver to default data.
Example 6 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the plurality of nozzles are part of a multi-nozzle assembly.
Example 7 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples and further comprising a plurality of multi-nozzle assemblies.
Example 8 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the nozzles are spaced apart along a boom.
Example 9 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the controller is configured to provide an indication of plugging based on the detection.
Example 10 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the controller is configured to engage a different nozzle based on the detection.
Example 11 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the RF signal has a frequency in the range from about 7 GHz to about 55 GHz.
Example 12 is an agricultural sprayer, comprising:
Example 13 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the controller is configured to detect plugging by comparing the output of the RF receiver when detecting the first RF signal to the output of the RF receiver when detecting the second RF signal.
Example 14 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the controller is configured to detect plugging by comparing the output of the RF receiver to default data.
Example 15 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the RF signal has a frequency in the range from about 7 GHz to about 55 GHz.
Example 16 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the controller is configured to provide an indication of plugging based on the detection.
Example 17 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the controller is configured to automatically disable a nozzle associated with plugging and activate a different nozzle of the plurality of nozzles.
Example 18 is the agricultural sprayer of any or all previous examples wherein the first and second nozzles are disposed diametrically opposite one another on the multi-nozzle body.
Example 19 is a method of detecting plugging in a nozzle of an agricultural sprayer, the method comprising:
Example 20 is the method of any or all previous examples wherein the reference is a radio-frequency signal that passes through a dispersal area of a different nozzle.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
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