Abstract: A system for metering liquids at very low flows for use with agricultural sprayers is provided. The system may utilize two electronically controlled solenoid valves in series with a storage chamber in between. The flow may be a function of the PWM control of each of the valves, the phase relationship between the control signals, the storage chamber in between, the pressure difference across the metering device, and the fluid being metered.

Abstract: A photosensitive force sensor is provided. An example photosensitive force sensor comprises a force sensing device configured to be disposed on a surface of a substrate; a housing configured to be disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate; and an actuator configured to be disposed partially within the housing and partially within the aperture defined by the housing. The housing is configured to enclose the force sensing device. The aperture is configured to provide a coupling interface. The actuator is in mechanical contact with the force sensing device. The actuator is a rigid body that is configured to provide a light path from a light source external to/outside of the housing to the force sensing device.

Abstract: With the use of electromagnetic radiation sources, such as lasers emitting light, and corresponding detectors, spray patterns from spray nozzle assemblies can be sampled and compared to one or more calibration patterns to determine if nozzles of spray nozzle assemblies are worn out. A unique calibration pattern could be used to compare for each spray nozzle assembly, and/or a single calibration pattern could be used to compare for multiple spray assemblies. In one aspect, detectors can be arranged near sources to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by spray patterns. In another aspect, detectors can be arranged opposite of sources to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through a spray pattern.

Abstract: A photosensitive force sensor is provided. An example photosensitive force sensor comprises a force sensing device configured to be disposed on a surface of a substrate; a housing configured to be disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate; and an actuator configured to be disposed partially within the housing and partially within the aperture defined by the housing. The housing is configured to enclose the force sensing device. The aperture is configured to provide a coupling interface. The actuator is in mechanical contact with the force sensing device. The actuator is a rigid body that is configured to provide a light path from a light source external to/outside of the housing to the force sensing device.

Abstract: A system for metering liquids at very low flows for use with agricultural sprayers is provided. The system may utilize two electronically controlled solenoid valves in series with a storage chamber in between. The flow may be a function of the PWM control of each of the valves, the phase relationship between the control signals, the storage chamber in between, the pressure difference across the metering device, and the fluid being metered.

Abstract: With the use of electromagnetic radiation sources, such as lasers emitting light, and corresponding detectors, spray patterns from spray nozzle assemblies can be sampled and compared to one or more calibration patterns to determine if nozzles of spray nozzle assemblies are worn out. A unique calibration pattern could be used to compare for each spray nozzle assembly, and/or a single calibration pattern could be used to compare for multiple spray assemblies. In one aspect, detectors can be arranged near sources to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by spray patterns. In another aspect, detectors can be arranged opposite of sources to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through a spray pattern.

Abstract: A system for metering liquids at very low flows for use with agricultural sprayers is provided. The system may utilize two electronically controlled solenoid valves in series with a storage chamber in between. The flow may be a function of the PWM control of each of the valves, the phase relationship between the control signals, the storage chamber in between, the pressure difference across the metering device, and the fluid being metered.

Abstract: By measuring chemical concentrations of a crop protection fluid based on light transmission through the fluid, chemical concentrations may be determined and more effectively maintained during spray applications. A closed loop control system may be implemented to adjust the amount of chemical being metered based on the amount of light transmitted through the fluid such that an effective concentration may be continuously maintained without operator intervention.

Abstract: A system for metering liquids at very low flows for use with agricultural sprayers is provided. The system may utilize two electronically controlled solenoid valves in series with a storage chamber in between. The flow may be a function of the PWM control of each of the valves, the phase relationship between the control signals, the storage chamber in between, the pressure difference across the metering device, and the fluid being metered.