Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An agricultural spreader includes at least one delivery conduit that carries material to be spread from a bin to an exit end of the delivery conduit under the influence of air blown through the delivery conduit by a fan. A deflector is mounted proximate the exit end of the delivery pipe and deflects the material onto agricultural field 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 the material passing through the dispersal area. An 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 RF receiver and detects plugging of the delivery conduit based on the output of the RF receiver.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes at least one nozzle configured to receive a liquid and direct atomized liquid to an agricultural field in a dispersal area. A thermal imager is operably coupled to the agricultural sprayer and has a field of view behind the agricultural sprayer. The thermal imager is configured to provide an indication of a thermal reaction of the agricultural field in response to application of the atomized liquid. An output of the thermal imager is used to characterize operation of the at least one nozzle.

Abstract: An agricultural spreader includes at least one delivery conduit that carries material to be spread from a bin to an exit end of the delivery conduit under the influence of air blown through the delivery conduit by a fan. A deflector is mounted proximate the exit end of the delivery pipe and deflects the material onto agricultural field 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 the material passing through the dispersal area. An 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 RF receiver and detects plugging of the delivery conduit based on the output of the RF receiver.