Methods and Systems for Analyzing and Visualizing Spray Patterns

Abstract

Computer-implemented systems and methods predict behavior of sprays based on receiving a selection of one or more variables affecting spray. Relative amounts of the droplets forming the spray are grouped into various droplet size classes, where each droplet size class represents a range of droplet sizes. The relative amounts of the spray in the classes is visually depicted on a computer display according to a distribution of droplets, a volume of spray falling within the droplet size classes, a chart depicting relative amounts of the spray as a function of droplet size, or according to a spray quality based on environmental factors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for depicting a comparison of agricultural spray, the method comprising:
 using a computer processor configured to:
 receive at least two sets of selections, each set comprising:
 a selection of an agricultural spray; and 
 a selection of a spray parameter at which the agricultural spray is to be sprayed; 
 
 retrieve analyzed spray particulate data using the received at least two sets of selections, the retrieved data for each of the sets of selections comprising a distribution of relative amounts of agricultural spray droplets within droplet size classes where each class corresponds to a range of droplet sizes; and 
 transmit for graphical display relative amounts of the droplets in the droplet size classes for the sets of selections, the relative amounts being relative volumes of the droplets in the droplet size classes and displayed as a volumetric comparison of the sets of selections. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spray parameter comprises one or more of a spray rate, a spray pressure, or a nozzle type. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agricultural spray comprises one or more of an active ingredient or an adjuvant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two sets of selections further comprises a selection of an environmental parameter. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the environmental parameter comprises one or more of boom height or wind speed. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one selection of the agricultural spray or the environmental parameter differs among the two sets of selections. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computer processor uses the volumetric comparison to characterize the agricultural sprays as acceptable or unacceptable or ranks the agricultural sprays relative to one another. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric comparison of the sets of selections is displayed on a per volumetric unit basis. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the per volumetric unit basis is a per gallon basis. 
     
     
         10 . A computer-implemented method for depicting a comparison of agricultural spray, the method comprising:
 using a computer processor configured to:
 receive at least two sets of selections, each set comprising:
 a selection of an agricultural spray; and
 a selection of a spray parameter at which the agricultural spray is to be sprayed; 
 
 retrieve analyzed spray particulate data using the received at least two sets of selections, the retrieved data for each of the sets of selections comprising a distribution of relative amounts of agricultural spray droplets within droplet size classes where each class corresponds to a range of droplet sizes; and 
 transmit for graphical display relative amounts of the droplets in the droplet size classes for the sets of selections, wherein the relative amounts of the droplets within the droplet size classes for the sets of selections are simultaneously displayed as a cumulative distribution chart. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the spray parameter comprises one or more of a spray rate, a spray pressure, or a nozzle type. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the agricultural spray comprises one or more of an active ingredient or an adjuvant. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least two sets of selections further comprises a selection of an environmental parameter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the environmental parameter comprises one or more of boom height or wind speed. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least one selection of the agricultural spray or the environmental parameter differs among the two sets of selections.