Adjustable Speed Irrigation System with Real-Time Slippage Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current irrigation systems often experience reduced ground speed due to mud and tire slippage, leading to uneven application of fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides, resulting in field damage and economic inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable speed irrigation system that uses a control panel, position sensors, and a speed control unit to monitor and adjust the ground speed in real-time, ensuring the system reaches a user-defined end destination on time, maintaining the desired application rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the irrigation system operates at a fixed predetermined speed, then the application rate can be maintained under ideal conditions, but the actual ground speed becomes less than the predetermined speed due to mud and tire slippage, resulting in over-application of applicant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable speed control system that dynamically adjusts the irrigation system's operating speed based on real-time conditions. The control panel receives input from a speed sensor that monitors actual ground speed, and automatically adjusts the drive system to maintain the predetermined speed, transforming the fixed speed system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where a speed sensor continuously monitors the actual ground speed of the irrigation system and feeds this information back to the control panel. The control panel compares the actual speed with the predetermined speed and automatically adjusts the drive system to eliminate any deviation, ensuring consistent application rates despite variations in field conditions.
2Loss of time
If the irrigation system maintains a predetermined speed, then the application timing can be controlled, but tire slippage in muddy conditions causes the system to arrive later than the predetermined time, resulting in incomplete field coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static predetermined speed to a dynamic variable speed control that continuously adapts to actual operating conditions. The control panel adjusts the drive system in real-time to compensate for slippage and maintain the predetermined ground speed, ensuring the system reaches the end destination on time regardless of field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A speed sensor provides continuous feedback on actual ground speed to the control panel, which automatically adjusts the drive system to maintain the predetermined speed. This feedback loop ensures that variations in tire traction due to mud or other conditions do not cause deviations from the scheduled application time.
3Ease of operation
If the irrigation system uses a fixed speed setting, then the system operation is simple, but the control system cannot adapt to changing field conditions, requiring multiple applications and increasing operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system incorporates an automatic control feature where the control panel autonomously monitors actual ground speed via a speed sensor and self-adjusts the drive system to maintain predetermined speed. This eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex operator decisions, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions automatically while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic feedback control system continuously monitors actual ground speed and automatically adjusts the drive system to maintain the predetermined speed, enabling the system to adapt to changing field conditions without requiring complex manual operation or multiple application passes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is generally directed to an adjustable speed irrigation system having a control panel, at least one water conduit, at least one tower, and a position sensor. A user inputs a user-defined end destination at the user-defined arrival time into the control panel. The control panel receives a current position of the irrigation system from the position sensor. The control panel compares the current position to the user-defined end destination and calculates a new optimum ground speed required to reach the user-defined end destination at the user-defined time based on the current position of the irrigation system. The control panel then sends a signal to a speed control unit to adjust the speed of the irrigation system to match the new optimum ground speed.