[en] Longitudinal spray distribution is mainly affected by the horizontal speed variations of the nozzles. Manufacturers classically try to reduce unwanted nozzles movements using
horizontal boom suspension but these methods show performance and price limitations.
The purpose of this paper is to propose a spray controller aiming to compensate the
effect of the horizontal boom movements on the spray distribution besides the effect of
tractor speed variations. The controller is based on three main parts: a control law
describing the relationship between nozzle speed, nozzle flow and spray coverage; a
real time measurement of the boom horizontal speed variations using micro-machined
capacitive accelerometers and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) no zzle flow actuators.
A prototype was developed using a processor board controller (dSpace) and tested on a
laboratory test bench. The nigrosine solution spray coverage was measured using
image analysis for field representative multi-sine nozzle speed variations. The spray
coverage uniformity using the spray controller showed about 51% compensation of the
spray coverage variations observed without controller.
Disciplines :
Engineering, computing & technology: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
El Bahir, Lhoussain
Lebeau, Frédéric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Sciences et technologie de l'environnement > Mécanique et construction
Destain, Marie-France ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Sciences et technologie de l'environnement > Mécanique et construction
Kinnaert; ULB > SAAS
Hanus, Raymond; ULB > SAAS
Language :
English
Title :
Spray controller for horizontal boom movements compensation
Publication date :
2002
Event name :
Conférence AgEng 2002
Event organizer :
Scientific Society of Mechanical Engineering
Event place :
Budapest, Hungary
Event date :
2002
Audience :
International
Main work title :
Proceedings of AgEng2002
Publisher :
Scientific Society of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest, Hungary