LOW SPEED WIND TUNNEL DESIGN FOR AGRICULTURAL SPRAY PARTICLE ANALYSIS

• US 20150346052A1
• Filed: 08/11/2015
• Published: 12/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Winfield Solutions LLC (Land O'Lakes Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Winfield Solutions LLC (Land O'Lakes Incorporated)
• Inventors: Spandl, Eric P., Gehring, Jon Martin, Dahl, Gregory Keith, Gednalske, Joe V., Hambleton, William Thomas, Magidow, Lillian C.
• Granted Patent: US 10,107,713 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 9/04 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/02 Investigating particle size or size distribution by measuring osmotic pressure G01N7/10; investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions G01N15/04; investigating individual particles G01N15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0205 by optical means

Abstract

A wind tunnel device defines a cyclical tunnel to receive continuous airflow. Airflow is delivered through the tunnel to a testing region that includes a first portion carrying an arm including a spray tip configured to spray particulates in the testing region at an angle, and a second portion including an enlarged cutout region configured to receive the angled sprayed particulates. As airflow carries the angled spray particulates into the second portion, the enlarged cutout region enables the spray particulates to pass through and exit the second portion of the testing region. Analysis in the second region may be conducted through transparent walls free of openings to minimize exposure of the spray particulates to the exterior of the device. A scrubber is adapted to extract spray mist from the airflow as the airflow exits the testing region and is re-circulated through the cyclical tunnel.

Claims

1. A wind tunnel device comprising:

a testing region comprising;

a first portion carrying a spray tip configured to deliver a spray in the testing region; and

a second portion adapted to receive the spray and accommodate an area covered by the spray,

wherein the wind tunnel device is configured such that airflow from an airflow system carries the spray through the testing region, and

wherein the wind tunnel device is configured such that the airflow exiting the testing region is re-circulated using the airflow system.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the airflow is carried past the spray tip at between about 1 and about 20 miles per hour.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the airflow system comprises a fan.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the fan is controlled by a computer.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the wind tunnel device further comprises an analyzer configured to analyze the spray particulates in the testing region.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the analyzer comprises a laser.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a computer configured to control the laser.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a computer configured to control one or more of an arm coupled to the spray tip or a fluid delivery system fluidly coupled to the spray tip.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the testing region comprises transparent sidewalls.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising an arm configured to interchangeably receive a plurality of spray tips.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a traversing arm configured to receive the spray tip.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the testing region is adapted to accommodate a plurality of spray patterns.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the testing region is enlarged relative to other portions of the wind tunnel device.

14. A method of analyzing spray particulates in a wind tunnel comprising:

using a spray tip to deliver a spray in a testing region, the testing region adapted to receive the spray;

analyzing the spray as airflow carries the spray through the testing region; and

using an airflow system to re-circulate the airflow through an enclosed interior of the wind tunnel.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of analyzing is performed by a laser.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising using a computer to control one or more of an arm carrying the spray tip, a laser mount, a laser, or a fluid delivery system fluidly coupled to the spray tip.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the airflow is carried past the arm at between about 1 and about 20 miles per hour.

18. A wind tunnel, comprising:

a traversing arm adapted to receive a spray tip and to traverse into an area defined by a testing region;

a first expansion attached to the testing region; and

a second expansion attached to an opposite side of the testing region from the first expansion,

wherein the first and second expansions enable spray particles from the spray tip to pass through the testing region.

19. The wind tunnel of claim 18, further comprising an analyzer.

20. The wind tunnel of claim 18, further comprising a fan.