Electrostatic treatment of agricultural crops with an unmanned electric device

Abstract

One of the options for improving the efficiency of the machine and tractor unit in the field is the use of course indicators, thrusters, hydraulic autopilots and other equipment. However, these devices do not exclude environmental pollution by exhaust gases and the presence of significant operating costs for fuel and lubricants. In this regard, the paper proposes an electric-powered unmanned device (EPUD), which can perform the tasks with high accuracy (deviations from the set course average 16 cm) due to autonomous movement on GPS/GLONASS satellite radio navigation signals on agricultural lands. For the effective application of liquid agents to agricultural crops, a device is proposed that provides an electric charge of the introduced fine aerosol, which is installed on the EPUD and reduces the electrical energy consumed by 23.5% compared to existing analogues. All this, combined, will reduce operating costs up to 10%, as well as improve the environmental performance of crop spraying. Based on the conducted studies of the EPUD, its design was developed and a prototype with a software and hardware part was created. A device for the electric charge of the introduced aerosol, which makes it possible to increase the uniformity of the aerosol application on the plant, has been developed and investigated. The effectiveness of the developed technical solution had been proved by laboratory and field tests.