Ancillary Span Path-Based Flow Adjustment for Uniform Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems with ancillary spans struggle to uniformly distribute water due to the ancillary span's ability to maneuver at different extension and retraction velocities, leading to under-watering or over-watering in field corners, and the orientation changes affecting water distribution uniformity.
Innovation Solution
Determine a path of travel for the ancillary span steering tower using position-based coordinates, define sectors and zones within the field, and calculate optimal water capacity for each section using the shoelace algorithm, adjusting sprinkler nozzle sizes and operation times based on area factors to ensure uniform water distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the ancillary span maneuvers at different extension and retraction velocities to cover field corners, then the irrigation coverage area is improved, but the water distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ancillary span is divided into multiple independently controllable sprinkler groups along its length. Each sprinkler group can be controlled separately to compensate for the varying velocities during extension and retraction, ensuring uniform water distribution across different sections of the covered area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of sprinkler groups based on the real-time position and velocity of the ancillary span. During extension and retraction phases, different sprinkler groups are activated or deactivated to maintain consistent water application rates despite the changing motion characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ancillary span extends and retracts to cover corner areas, then the adaptability to non-circular fields is improved, but the water capacity control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores the optimal operation parameters for each sprinkler group corresponding to different positions of the ancillary span during extension and retraction. This preliminary preparation simplifies the real-time control by allowing the system to simply retrieve and execute pre-determined control strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to detect the position and velocity of the ancillary span in real-time, and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust which sprinkler groups are active. This closed-loop control automatically adapts to the changing geometry without requiring complex manual intervention.
3Productivity
If sprinklers operate at maximum water capacity to ensure adequate irrigation, then the irrigation effectiveness is improved, but over-watering occurs in areas with smaller coverage
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the ancillary span are assigned different water application rates based on the local area characteristics. Sprinkler groups operating over larger coverage areas use higher water capacities, while those covering smaller areas use reduced capacities, ensuring each location receives appropriate water amounts without waste.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for determining optimal water capacity or distribution for each of a plurality of sections of a field to be irrigated by an ancillary span of an irrigation system are provided. A path is determined for a steering tower of the ancillary span that is comprised of a plurality of position-based coordinates. The position of the ancillary span steering tower (and thus the position of the ancillary span) relative to the determined path is always known and, accordingly, the optimal water capacity or distribution for the needs of its location can be readily determined based upon a calculated area factor percentage. A rate of flow of at least a portion of sprinkler nozzles along the ancillary span can be adjusted based, at least in part, upon the path of travel of the ancillary span.