Flow control and operation monitoring system for individual spray nozzles
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring the operation of a fluid nozzle comprising:
- a fluid nozzle configured to emit a fluid according to a predetermined spray pattern and flow rate;
a vibration sensor positioned in operative association with the fluid nozzle, the vibration sensor sensing nozzle vibration in at least one direction; and
a controller in communication with the vibration sensor, the controller, based on vibrations sensed by the vibration sensor, being configured to convey information to an operator regarding the flow rate or the spray pattern of a fluid being emitted by the nozzle.
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Abstract
An apparatus and process for monitoring fluid flow through a nozzle is disclosed. A vibration sensor, such as an accelerometer, is mounted to a nozzle. The vibration output received from the sensor is then analyzed to determine whether or not the nozzle is operating properly. Through the present invention, information can be obtained regarding variations in flow rate, and/or variations in spray pattern and droplet size spectra. If the nozzle flow pulsates, the vibration sensor may also provide information regarding whether the nozzle is pulsating according to a desired frequency duty cycle or waveform.
132 Citations
55 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring the operation of a fluid nozzle comprising:
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a fluid nozzle configured to emit a fluid according to a predetermined spray pattern and flow rate; a vibration sensor positioned in operative association with the fluid nozzle, the vibration sensor sensing nozzle vibration in at least one direction; and a controller in communication with the vibration sensor, the controller, based on vibrations sensed by the vibration sensor, being configured to convey information to an operator regarding the flow rate or the spray pattern of a fluid being emitted by the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A process for monitoring the operation of a fluid nozzle comprising:
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positioning a vibration sensor in operative association with a fluid nozzle, the fluid nozzle being configured to emit a fluid according to a predetermined spray pattern and flow rate; sensing vibrations occurring at the fluid nozzle while the nozzle is emitting a fluid using the vibration sensor, the vibration sensor sensing nozzle vibration in at least one direction; and comparing the sensed vibrations to a reference using a controller, the controller being in communication with the vibration sensor for receiving the sensed vibrations from the vibration sensor, the controller thereafter conveying information to an operator regarding the flow rate or the spray pattern of a fluid being emitted by the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An agrochemical delivery system for dispensing controlled amounts of a fertilizer or pesticide onto a crop comprising:
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a reservoir for holding an agrochemical, said reservoir including an outlet for dispensing said agrochemical; a pumping means for moving the agrochemical; a distribution manifold in communication with the outlet of the reservoir, the distribution manifold being connected to a plurality of dispensing tubes; a plurality of fluid nozzles, each nozzle being placed on the end of a corresponding dispensing tube for dispensing an agrochemical onto a crop, each nozzle including a Z axis that comprises the direction of flow of an agrochemical through the nozzle, a Y axis that is perpendicular to the Z axis and parallel to a direction of travel of the agrochemical delivery system when the system is dispensing an agrochemical, and an X axis that is perpendicular to the Z axis and perpendicular to the Y axis; a plurality of vibration sensors positioned in operative association with selected fluid nozzles, the vibration sensors sensing nozzle vibration in at least one direction, the at least one direction comprising the Z axis direction, the Y axis direction, or the X axis direction; and a controller in communication with each of the vibration sensors for receiving a vibration output from each of the sensors, the controller being configured to compare the vibration outputs to a reference for determining whether the corresponding nozzles are operating properly. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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Specification