With advancements in technology, the use of drones in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and urban management has become increasingly widespread. Among these, agricultural drones, specifically designed for tasks such as crop spraying, water and nutrient management, and pest control, have gradually emerged as essential tools in modern farming. These drones typically consist of a flight platform, navigation and control systems, and a liquid spraying system.

In practical applications, agricultural drones excel in spraying scenarios due to their large coverage area and flexible operation. However, as the usage scenarios continue to expand, users have raised higher demands for measuring the flow of pesticides during the spraying process.

Challenges in Flow Measurement for Drone Spraying Systems

Accurate measurement of pesticide spraying flow is crucial during agricultural drone operations. If the flow rate is too low, it may lead to incomplete coverage, failing to protect the crops effectively.

Conversely, excessive flow can result in crop damage and pesticide waste, reducing the efficiency of crop protection. Uneven spraying can also lead to pesticide residue and environmental pollution.

Currently, agricultural drones often utilize electromagnetic or turbine flow meters for real-time measurement of spraying flow to ensure accuracy. However, as these traditional mechanical flow meters age, their precision can be affected by various factors, leading to system failures.

1. Pesticide Residue

After prolonged use, traditional mechanical flow meters can retain viscous pesticide residues internally. If not cleaned promptly, this can impact the accuracy of flow measurement. Since electromagnetic and turbine flow meters are typically constructed as a single unit, they are difficult to disassemble and clean, resulting in measurement data deviations.

2. Pesticide Blockage

In turbine flow meters, if the flow wheel experiences wear or jamming, its output flow rate may significantly deviate from the normal range, adversely affecting the performance of the spraying system.

3. Liquid Corrosion

Corrosive components in the pesticide solution may damage the meter components, shortening their lifespan.

4. Connection Issues

The connection methods of traditional flow meters can lead to leakage problems during sudden increases in liquid flow or when the drone encounters significant turbulence.

XY-TEK Ultrasonic Flow Meters in Agricultural Drones

1. Monitoring Sprayer Pump Performance for Flow Control

When integrated with the spraying system, ultrasonic flow meters can continuously monitor pesticide flow, ensuring the stability of the spraying system and preventing over- or under-spraying, which reduces pesticide waste and enhances application effectiveness.

2. High Measurement Accuracy for Precise Spraying

The measurement accuracy of Xunyin ultrasonic flow meters can reach 2%, allowing for precise control of spraying flow. This significantly increases application efficiency, reduces pesticide usage, and minimizes environmental pollution.

3. Improving Accuracy of Pesticide Volume Calculations

The amount of pesticide already sprayed is a critical parameter in agricultural operations. Due to the limited accuracy of level gauges, pilots may struggle to estimate the area covered accurately. If the pesticide runs out and the ground staff is not alerted, the drone may waste resources by flying ineffectively. Ultrasonic flow meters can effectively enhance the accuracy of the calculated amount sprayed, optimizing operational workflows. 

Advantages of XY-TEK Ultrasonic Flow Meters

1. Lightweight Design, Space-Saving Installation

The weight and size of a drone directly affects its flight performance and operational efficiency. Compared to electromagnetic flow meters, ultrasonic flow meters are lighter and more compact, effectively saving installation space, reducing the drone's weight, and extending flight time and operational range.

2. No Moving Parts, No Blockage

Ultrasonic flow meters have no moving parts, making them less prone to blockage when measuring viscous or particulate-laden liquids compared to traditional mechanical flow meters like turbines, thereby enhancing safety during use.

3. Corrosion-resistant materials, Reliable and Durable

Ultrasonic flow meters can adapt to various liquid types, including corrosive pesticides, and possess strong corrosion resistance, ensuring stable long-term operation.

4. Stable Measurement Accuracy

Ultrasonic flow meters maintain stable measurement accuracy regardless of fluid conductivity, pressure, and other factors, ensuring consistent performance during drone operations.

5. Easy Installation and Low Maintenance Costs

Ultrasonic flow meters are simple to install and easy to disassemble, significantly reducing maintenance costs over time.

Contact XY-TEK : global@xy-tek.cn

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