Adaptive Irrigation Zone Control for Pressure and Flow Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation systems face inefficiencies and damage due to poorly controlled valve operations, leading to inadequate water distribution, prolonged watering times, and system damage from water hammer, as they fail to adapt to dynamic changes in pressure and flow rates caused by varying pipe diameters and unscheduled water usage by non-irrigation equipment.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic control system that monitors pressure and flow rates to adjust valve operations based on predicted behavior, maintaining these parameters within target operational ranges by identifying which valves to open or close to optimize water usage and prevent system damage, using a controller that interfaces with pressure sensors and flow meters to dynamically adjust valve states and account for recovery times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional irrigation systems operate valves without adaptive control, then the system structure remains simple, but water distribution becomes inadequate and system damage occurs from water hammer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors pressure and flow rate measurements from sensors and uses this information to dynamically adjust valve operations. The controller receives real-time data about system conditions and modifies valve states accordingly, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that prevents water hammer and ensures adequate water distribution while adapting to changing system conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by automatically monitoring its own operational parameters and making corrective valve adjustments without external intervention. The system identifies when pressure or flow rate deviates from optimal ranges and autonomously modifies valve positions to restore proper operation, enabling the system to service itself and maintain reliability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If valves are operated without considering recovery time and predicted behavior, then valve operations are simple and fast, but water hammer damage and prolonged watering times occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting valve behavior and recovery times before actually actuating valves. The controller calculates expected pressure and flow rate changes based on historical data and system characteristics, then schedules valve operations to occur at optimal times when system conditions will accommodate the changes without causing water hammer or excessive watering duration. This advance planning enables efficient sequencing of valve operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control by continuously adjusting valve operations based on real-time system conditions rather than following fixed schedules. The controller adapts valve timing, duration, and sequencing based on current pressure, flow rate, and predicted recovery times, allowing the system to optimize watering efficiency dynamically while preventing water hammer through adaptive response to changing conditions.
3Reliability
If the system does not monitor pressure and flow rate dynamically, then the control system remains simple, but water distribution becomes inadequate and system damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors pressure and flow rate measurements from sensors and uses this information to dynamically adjust valve operations. The controller receives real-time data about system conditions and modifies valve states accordingly, creating a closed-loop control mechanism that prevents water hammer and ensures adequate water distribution while adapting to changing system conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical pressure regulation methods with electronic sensing and control. Instead of using purely mechanical pressure-reducing valves or flow control devices, the patent employs electronic pressure sensors, flow meters, and programmable controllers that can precisely measure and respond to system conditions, enabling more accurate and adaptive control with better reliability.
4Loss of energy
If valve operations do not account for predicted pressure and flow rate changes, then control logic remains simple, but water hammer damage and inefficient water usage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting valve behavior and recovery times before actually actuating valves. The controller calculates expected pressure and flow rate changes based on historical data and system characteristics, then schedules valve operations to occur at optimal times when system conditions will accommodate the changes without causing water hammer or excessive watering duration. This advance planning enables efficient sequencing of valve operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter-based control by continuously monitoring and responding to changes in pressure, flow rate, and time parameters. The controller adjusts valve operations based on measured parameter values and predicted parameter trajectories, modifying control decisions dynamically as system parameters evolve. This parameter-driven approach optimizes water usage efficiency by ensuring valves operate only when system conditions support effective irrigation.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive hydraulic control system controls irrigation system zones using predicted valve behavior, measured pressure, recovery time, and measured flow. A pressure sensor can measure a pressure in a water line and a flow meter can measure a flow rate in the water line. The adaptive hydraulic control system monitors the pressure and the flow rate, and determines when the pressure and the flow rate are above and below target operational thresholds. When the pressure is determined to be below a minimum target threshold or the flow rate is determined to be above a maximum target threshold, the adaptive hydraulic control system identifies one or more valves in an opened position of the plurality of valves that when closed would cause the pressure and the flow rate to return within the target operational thresholds. The adaptive hydraulic control system provides instructions to change a position of the one or more identified valves.