Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for an analysis system. A method according to some embodiments is executed by a graphics processing unit. The method includes generating input data including image data captured with a monocular camera operating in a field environment wherein the image data describes a two-dimensional image of the field environment. The method includes analyzing the input data to generate output data describing a three-dimensional graphic of the field environment depicted in the two-dimensional image. In some embodiments, the output data localizes objects, such as a mobile field device upon which the monocular camera is mounted, within the field environment. In some embodiments, the output data localizes any tangible object located within the field environment with an accuracy that satisfies a threshold for accuracy. The method includes modifying an operation of an autonomous control system of a mobile field device based on the output data.

Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for an analysis system. A method according to some embodiments is executed by a graphics processing unit. The method includes generating input data including image data captured with a monocular camera operating in a field environment wherein the image data describes a two-dimensional image of the field environment. The method includes analyzing the input data to generate output data describing a three-dimensional graphic of the field environment depicted in the two-dimensional image. In some embodiments, the output data localizes objects, such as a mobile field device upon which the monocular camera is mounted, within the field environment. In some embodiments, the output data localizes any tangible object located within the field environment with an accuracy that satisfies a threshold for accuracy. The method includes modifying an operation of an autonomous control system of a mobile field device based on the output data.

Abstract: A method for emitting a fluid from a plurality of nozzle assemblies of a fluid dispersal system is provided. The method includes determining a desired distribution profile for the emitted fluid. The method also includes directing air into a path of the fluid emitted from the plurality of nozzle assemblies. In addition, the method includes determining a localized air speed at each nozzle assembly. Moreover, the method includes determining a target characteristic of the fluid emitted from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies. Further, the method includes controlling an operating parameter of a valve assembly of each nozzle assembly to obtain the respective target characteristic of the fluid emitted from each nozzle assembly. The operating parameter is controlled based on a difference between the determined localized air speed and a fluid exit velocity of the fluid emitted from the respective nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A method for emitting a fluid from a fluid dispersal system includes determining a desired distribution profile for the fluid, identifying a plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, and determining, for each section of the plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, an amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies needed to deposit fluid according to the desired distribution profile within the corresponding section. The method also includes determining a target emission rate of the fluid from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies based on the determined amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly, and controlling an operating parameter of a valve assembly of each nozzle assembly to obtain the respective target emission rate from each nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a solenoid valve having a coil and a poppet configured to translate within the coil includes a drive switch operable to de-energize the coil to translate the poppet toward the closed position, a sensor configured to detect the poppet translating within the solenoid valve, and a controller configured to receive a closure signal from the sensor, determine a closing time of the solenoid valve based on the closure signal, determine a time delay between de-energizing the coil and the determined closing time, and determine a fluid flow value of fluid flowing through the solenoid valve based on the determined time delay.

Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for an analysis system. A method according to some embodiments is executed by a graphics processing unit. The method includes generating input data including image data captured with a monocular camera operating in a field environment wherein the image data describes a two-dimensional image of the field environment. The method includes analyzing the input data to generate output data describing a three-dimensional graphic of the field environment depicted in the two-dimensional image. In some embodiments, the output data localizes objects, such as a mobile field device upon which the monocular camera is mounted, within the field environment. In some embodiments, the output data localizes any tangible object located within the field environment with an accuracy that satisfies a threshold for accuracy. The method includes modifying an operation of an autonomous control system of a mobile field device based on the output data.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a solenoid valve having a coil and a poppet configured to translate within the coil includes a drive switch operable to de-energize the coil to translate the poppet toward a closed position, a sensor configured to detect the poppet translating within the solenoid valve, and a drive circuit configured to energize and de-energize the coil of the solenoid valve to translate the poppet of the solenoid valve between an open position and a closed position. The drive circuit includes a controller configured to receive a closure signal from the sensor, determine a closing time of the solenoid valve based on the closure signal, determine a time delay between de-energizing the coil and the determined closing time, and determine a fluid flow value of fluid flowing through the solenoid valve based on the determined time delay.

Abstract: A method for emitting a fluid from a fluid dispersal system includes determining a desired distribution profile for the fluid, identifying a plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, and determining, for each section of the plurality of sections of the desired distribution profile, an amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies needed to deposit fluid according to the desired distribution profile within the corresponding section. The method also includes determining a target emission rate of the fluid from each nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies based on the determined amount of fluid required from each nozzle assembly, and controlling an operating parameter of a valve assembly of each nozzle assembly to obtain the respective target emission rate from each nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a solenoid coil, a poppet, and a drive circuit. A first semiconductor device of the drive circuit is controlled by a gate signal to control a coil current. A flyback circuit of the drive circuit includes a second semiconductor device in series with a diode. The second semiconductor device is controlled by a flyback control signal to: (i) enable the flyback circuit to maintain the coil current through the solenoid coil when the poppet transitions to a second position, and (ii) disable recirculation of the coil current through the solenoid coil when the poppet transitions to a first position. A controller is configured to transition the poppet to the second position using the gate signal, enable the flyback circuit using the flyback control signal, and reduce at least one of a duty cycle and a frequency of the gate signal when the flyback circuit is enabled.

Abstract: A method for emitting a fluid from an aerial fluid dispersal system includes emitting the fluid from a plurality of individually controlled nozzle assemblies distributed across a manifold assembly. The method also includes receiving, at a controller, an input associated with a desired droplet size of the fluid emitted from each respective nozzle assembly and determining, by the controller, a target differential fluid velocity for each respective nozzle assembly based on the desired droplet size. The method also includes regulating, using the controller, the velocity of the fluid exiting each respective nozzle assembly to produce the target differential fluid velocity from each respective nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A system for applying fluid to an agricultural field includes a fluid source, a plurality of nozzles connected in fluid communication with the fluid source, and a plurality of electrically actuated valves configured to control fluid flow through the plurality of nozzles. The plurality of electrically actuated valves are divided into a plurality of groups. The system also includes a plurality of section control valves. Each section control valve is connected in fluid communication between the fluid source and a corresponding one of the groups of electrically actuated valves. Each section control valve is positionable to adjust a flow coefficient of the section control valve. The system further includes a controller configured to control the position of each section control valve to provide a predetermined flow coefficient for each section control valve based on a predetermined fluid pressure for the corresponding group of electrically actuated valves.

Abstract: A drive circuit for operating a solenoid includes a main switch and a charge pump circuit. The main switch is coupled in series with a coil of the solenoid. The main switch is configured to selectively enable current flow from a voltage source according to a main switching signal to translate a poppet of the solenoid between an opened position and a closed position. The charge pump circuit is coupled to the voltage source. The charge pump circuit is configured to discharge through the coil to translate the poppet from the closed position to the opened position, and to charge when the poppet is held in the opened position.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a solenoid coil, a poppet, and a drive circuit. A first semiconductor device of the drive circuit is controlled by a gate signal to control a coil current. A flyback circuit of the drive circuit includes a second semiconductor device in series with a diode. The second semiconductor device is controlled by a flyback control signal to: (i) enable the flyback circuit to maintain the coil current through the solenoid coil when the poppet transitions to a second position, and (ii) disable recirculation of the coil current through the solenoid coil when the poppet transitions to a first position. A controller is configured to transition the poppet to the second position using the gate signal, enable the flyback circuit using the flyback control signal, and reduce at least one of a duty cycle and a frequency of the gate signal when the flyback circuit is enabled.

Abstract: A method for emitting a fluid from an aerial fluid dispersal system includes emitting the fluid from a plurality of individually controlled nozzle assemblies distributed across a manifold assembly. The method also includes receiving, at a controller, an input associated with a desired droplet size of the fluid emitted from each respective nozzle assembly and determining, by the controller, a target differential fluid velocity for each respective nozzle assembly based on the desired droplet size. The method also includes regulating, using the controller, the velocity of the fluid exiting each respective nozzle assembly to produce the target differential fluid velocity from each respective nozzle assembly.

Abstract: Fluid dispersal systems and methods of controlling such systems are provided. A method for emitting a fluid from an aerial fluid dispersal system includes receiving data corresponding to an initial aerial distribution profile of fluid emitted by the aerial fluid dispersal system across a distribution width. The fluid is emitted through a plurality of individually controlled nozzle assemblies, and an emission rate of the fluid emitted from a respective nozzle assembly of the plurality of nozzle assemblies is based on an operating parameter of a valve assembly of the respective nozzle assembly. The method also includes determining an effect of the emission rate of each respective nozzle assembly on the initial aerial distribution profile of the fluid across the distribution width. The method also includes controlling the operating parameter of each respective valve assembly to adjust the emission rate of each respective nozzle assembly to generate a compensated distribution profile.

Abstract: A drive circuit is provided for controlling a solenoid valve having a solenoid coil. The drive circuit includes a first semiconductor device, a flyback circuit, and a processor. The first semiconductor is coupled in series with the coil and is controlled by a gate signal to energize the coil. The flyback circuit is in parallel with the coil and includes a series-coupled second semiconductor device and a diode. The second semiconductor is controlled by a flyback control signal to enable the flyback circuit when the first semiconductor is controlled by the gate signal to hold the valve open. The diode has a low forward voltage to slow decay of a current conducted through the coil. The processor generates the gate signal to control the first semiconductor and to reduce a duty cycle of the gate signal when the flyback circuit is enabled to reduce power consumption by the coil.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a solenoid valve having a coil and a poppet configured to translate within the coil includes a drive switch operable to de-energize the coil to translate the poppet toward a closed position, a sensor configured to detect the poppet translating within the solenoid valve, and a drive circuit configured to energize and de-energize the coil of the solenoid valve to translate the poppet of the solenoid valve between an open position and a closed position. The drive circuit includes a controller configured to receive a closure signal from the sensor, determine a closing time of the solenoid valve based on the closure signal, determine a time delay between de-energizing the coil and the determined closing time, and determine a fluid flow value of fluid flowing through the solenoid valve based on the determined time delay.

Abstract: A method of detecting fluid flow through a solenoid valve in a fluid application system includes dispensing fluid through the solenoid valve, de-energizing a solenoid coil of the solenoid valve to close the solenoid valve and control a fluid flow through the solenoid valve, determining a closing time of the solenoid valve based on a signal from a poppet measuring sensor, determining a time delay between the de-energizing the solenoid coil and the closing time, and determining a fluid flow value based on the time delay.

Abstract: A system for applying fluid to an agricultural field includes a fluid source, a plurality of nozzles connected in fluid communication with the fluid source, and a plurality of electrically actuated valves configured to control fluid flow through the plurality of nozzles. The plurality of electrically actuated valves are divided into a plurality of groups. The system also includes a plurality of section control valves. Each section control valve is connected in fluid communication between the fluid source and a corresponding one of the groups of electrically actuated valves. Each section control valve is positionable to adjust a flow coefficient of the section control valve. The system further includes a controller configured to control the position of each section control valve to provide a predetermined flow coefficient for each section control valve based on a predetermined fluid pressure for the corresponding group of electrically actuated valves.

Abstract: A drive circuit is provided for controlling a solenoid valve having a solenoid coil. The drive circuit includes a first semiconductor device, a flyback circuit, and a processor. The first semiconductor is coupled in series with the coil and is controlled by a gate signal to energize the coil. The flyback circuit is in parallel with the coil and includes a series-coupled second semiconductor device and a diode. The second semiconductor is controlled by a flyback control signal to enable the flyback circuit when the first semiconductor is controlled by the gate signal to hold the valve open. The diode has a low forward voltage to slow decay of a current conducted through the coil. The processor generates the gate signal to control the first semiconductor and to reduce a duty cycle of the gate signal when the flyback circuit is enabled to reduce power consumption by the coil.