Aimable Sprinkler Yaw-Pitch Control for Precise Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems struggle to efficiently and accurately distribute water to specific areas of farmland due to limitations in the aiming mechanisms of long-range sprinklers, leading to uneven watering patterns and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The development of an aimable sprinkler system with adjustable pitch and yaw capabilities, utilizing actuators and a controller to align the nozzle assembly based on GPS coordinates and environmental data, ensuring precise water distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a fixed-direction long-range sprinkler is used, then the irrigation system can cover large areas, but the water distribution becomes uneven in specific target areas
Solution Approach 1:
The sprinkler system transitions from a fixed-direction nozzle to a dynamic aiming mechanism with pitch and yaw actuators that can continuously adjust the spray direction. This allows the sprinkler to maintain large-area coverage while precisely targeting specific regions by dynamically changing the spray angle based on GPS coordinates and environmental data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the sprinkler by adjusting the pitch angle and yaw angle of the nozzle assembly. These parameter changes enable the sprinkler to redirect water flow to different areas, achieving both extensive coverage and precise water distribution control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an impact type sprinkler with rotating mechanism is used, then the sprinkler can change water ejection direction, but the aiming precision and control accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical impact-type rotation mechanisms with an actuator-based control system. Electric or hydraulic actuators provide precise angular control of the pitch and yaw axes, enabling accurate positioning of the spray direction based on calculated GPS coordinates and environmental conditions, thereby significantly improving aiming precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring GPS position, water flow characteristics, and environmental data to dynamically adjust the spray direction. This closed-loop control ensures high aiming accuracy by compensating for deviations and maintaining precise targeting throughout operation.
3Ease of operation
If the sprinkler operates with fixed flow rate, then the system is simple to operate, but water distribution efficiency and coverage optimization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sprinkler system incorporates a variable flow rate mechanism that dynamically adjusts water discharge based on operational requirements. The controller modulates the flow rate to optimize water distribution efficiency for different target areas and environmental conditions, transforming the system from static to adaptive operation while maintaining ease of use through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter in response to varying irrigation needs, wind conditions, and target area characteristics. This parameter adjustment enables optimized water distribution efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention, as the controller automatically modifies flow based on pre-programmed parameters and real-time sensor data.
Data Source
AI summary
An aimable sprinkler is disclosed. The sprinkler can be mounting on an end of a traveling sprinkler system that moves in a linear direction or one that rotates about a center pivot tower. The sprinkler can include a base for connecting to the traveling sprinkler system and a turret coupled to the base so as to move in both yaw and pitch directions relative to the base. The sprinkler aims at discrete points within an irrigation area to achieve an even distribution of water.