Spray flow sensing with optical signature analysis

An optical flow rate sensor system for an agricultural spraver, the system comprising:

• a drum housing and a central passage housing together defining a first flow path comprising a first portion generally parallel to an axis and a second vortex portion around the axis:
• an optical sensor disposed facing the axis;
• an optical sensor window within a display housing and disposed between the axis and the optical sensor;
• and
• a projectile within the drum housing, wherein the projectile comprises a first section having a first optical absorption value and a second section having a second optical absorption value that is lower than the first optical absorption value;
• wherein the projectile is configured to revolve around the axis when fluid flows through the first flow path:
• wherein the drum housing comprises:
• an inner surface;
• and
• at least one interior wall which extends from the inner surface;
• wherein the interior wall extends circumferentially about a circumference of the inner surface and axially parallel to the axis such that the interior wall defines the second vortex portion of the first flow path.

A method of testing an optical flow rate sensor system for an agricultural sprayer, the method comprising:

• directing, with a drum housing and a central passage housing, a fluid along a vortex flow path within the drum housing and around an axis, wherein the drum housing and the central passage housing together define the vortex flow path outside the central passage housing;
• revolving a projectile within the drum housing and around the axis;
• emitting, with an optical sensor, a light beam through an optical sensor window, through the fluid, and toward the axis;
• reflecting a portion of the light beam off of the projectile;
• receiving, with the optical sensor, the portion of the light beam reflected off of the projectile;
• communicating, with the optical sensor, data about the reflected light to a controller;
• generating, with the controller, transmittance data and absorption data about the fluid and the projectile;
• and
• assessing, with the controller, a speed of the projectile about the axis to calculate a flow rate of the fluid along the vortex flow path.

An optical flow rate sensor system for an agricultural sprayer, the system comprising:

• a drum housing and a central passage housing together defining a first flow path comprising a first portion generally parallel to an axis and a second vortex portion around the axis:
• an optical sensor disposed facing the axis;
• an optical sensor window within a display housing and disposed between the axis and the optical sensor;
• and
• a projectile within the drum housing, wherein the projectile has an arc shape and comprises a first section having a first optical absorption value and a second section having a second optical absorption value that is lower than the first optical absorption value;
• wherein the projectile is configured to revolve around the axis when fluid flows through the first flow path and has a circumferential length approximately one eighth of a circumferential length of the second vortex portion of the drum housing.

A method of testing an optical flow rate sensor system for an agricultural sprayer, the method comprising:

• directing, with a drum housing and a central passage housing, a fluid along a vortex flow path within the drum housing and around an axis;
• revolving a projectile within the drum housing and around the axis;
• emitting, with an optical sensor, a light beam through an optical sensor window, through the fluid, and toward the axis:
• reflecting a portion of the light beam off of the projectile;
• receiving, with the optical sensor, the portion of the light beam reflected off of the projectile;
• communicating, with the optical sensor, data about the reflected light to a controller;
• generating, with the controller, transmittance data and absorption data about the fluid and the projectile:
• and
• assessing, with the controller, a speed of the projectile about the axis to calculate a flow rate of the fluid along the vortex flow path
• wherein directing, with the drum housing and central passage housing, the fluid along the vortex flow path and around the axis, comprises directing the fluid along the vortex flow path around the central passage housing and within the drum housing.