• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 1999

The one of basic functional conditions of suspended overhead sprayer, which is openly made use of irrigating on bedding plants in greenhouse, is to be kept the growing uniformity of bedding plants by making uniformly the spraying irrigation depending on the distribution of sprayed water. This study was performed to find out the optimum position of sector formed injection nozzle which is placed from the top of plant 0 the tip of the nozzle to keep spraying uniformity. The test of spraying distribution using a overhead sprayer, which was installed in a row of sector formed injection nozzles, was performed The measuring factor to represent spraying distribution was the water weight filled in each cup when the overhead sprayer was moving across the upside of the cups which were placed directly under the nozzles on keeping the distance from nozzle tip. The test results were as following , The standard mr of weights of each cup filled with spraying water was lower values at Position far from more than 60cm under nozzle tip. The driving speed variation of sprayer was not effected on spraying uniformity but the spraying water weight was inversely proportioned to the speed. To make best spraying uniformity, it was represented that the tip of the nozzle is positioned to keep the distance which the top of plants is placed at the second cross point of each injection sector of nozzles.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.31 no.6 s.119
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• pp.489-499
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• 2006

Since the application of chemicals in confined spaces under the canopy of an orchard is hazardous work, it is needed to develop an autonomous guidance system for an orchard sprayer. The autonomous guidance system developed in this research could steer the vehicle by tracking an overhead guidance rail, which was installed on an existing frame structure. The autonomous guidance system consisted of an 80196 kc microprocessor, an inclinometer, two interface circuits of actuators for steering and ground speed control, and a fuzzy control algorithm. In addition, overhead guidance rails for both straight and curved paths were devised, and a trolley was designed to move smoothly along the overhead guidance rails. Evaluation tests showed that the experimental vehicle could travel along the desired path at a ground speed of 30 $\sim$ 50 cm/s with a RMS error of 5 cm and maximum deviation of less than 12 cm. Even when the vehicle started with an initial offset or a deflected heading angle, it could move quickly to track the desired path after traveling 2 $\sim$ 3 m. The vehicle could also complete turns with a curvature of 1 m. However, at a ground speed of 50 cm/s, the vehicle tended to over-steer, resulting in a zigzag motion along the straight path, and tended to turn outward from the projected line of the guidance rail.