Abstract: A sprayer control system includes a plurality of smart nozzles each having at least one control valve with a valve operator, an electronic control unit for the valve operator, and one or more spray nozzles. The at least one control valve and the ECU control a flow rate of liquid agricultural product through the nozzles. A duty cycle modulator is in communication with the ECU and generates an applied duty cycle for the at least one control valve. The duty cycle modulator includes a specified duty cycle input having a specified duty cycle and a pressure monitor associated with the at least one control valve. A pressure comparator compares the valve pressure determined with the pressure monitor with a system pressure and generates a pressure error. An applied duty cycle generator generates the applied duty cycle based on the specified duty cycle modified by the pressure error.

Abstract: A sprayer control system includes a plurality of smart nozzles each having at least one control valve with a valve operator, an electronic control unit for the valve operator, and one or more spray nozzles. The at least one control valve and the ECU control a flow rate of liquid agricultural product through the nozzles. A duty cycle modulator is in communication with the ECU and generates an applied duty cycle for the at least one control valve. The duty cycle modulator includes a specified duty cycle input having a specified duty cycle and a pressure monitor associated with the at least one control valve. A pressure comparator compares the valve pressure determined with the pressure monitor with a system pressure and generates a pressure error. An applied duty cycle generator generates the applied duty cycle based on the specified duty cycle modified by the pressure error.

Abstract: A sprayer nozzle assembly includes a control valve configured to control a flow rate of agricultural product according to a duty cycle having valve open and valve closed positions. The assembly includes a sprayer tip having a tip orifice for spraying the agricultural product. A throttled interface duct interconnects the control valve and the sprayer tip. The throttled interface duct includes an interface duct profile. The interface duct profile is configured to decrease a flow characteristic of the agricultural product while the control valve is in the valve closed position.

Abstract: A sprayer control system includes a plurality of smart nozzles each having at least one control valve with a valve operator, an electronic control unit for the valve operator, and one or more spray nozzles. The at least one control valve and the ECU control a flow rate of liquid agricultural product through the nozzles. A duty cycle modulator is in communication with the ECU and generates an applied duty cycle for the at least one control valve. The duty cycle modulator includes a specified duty cycle input having a specified duty cycle and a pressure monitor associated with the at least one control valve. A pressure comparator compares the valve pressure determined with the pressure monitor with a system pressure and generates a pressure error. An applied duty cycle generator generates the applied duty cycle based on the specified duty cycle modified by the pressure error.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. An operator cavity is within the valve body, and the valve body includes a valve operator socket surface. A valve operator is slidably coupled with the valve body and in the operator cavity. The valve operator includes an operator surface configured to selectively isolate the fluid inlet from the fluid outlet, and an end surface. At least one of the valve operator socket surface or the end surface of the valve operator include a discontinuous interface. The discontinuous interface includes a recessed surface, and one or more interface breaking projections extending from the recessed surface, the one or more interface breaking projections space the recessed surface from the valve operator socket surface.