Center Pivot Irrigation Corner Arm Uniformity Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Center pivot irrigation systems face challenges in providing uniform water application, particularly with corner sprinkler arms, due to varying speeds and nozzle positions, leading to non-uniform depth of water application across fields.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that pulses control valves for nozzles/sprinkler heads on both the main pivot and corner sprinkler arms, adjusting valve open/close patterns based on the pivot arm's bearing and location to ensure uniform water application, using a combination of GPS sensors and valve pulsing patterns to optimize water distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a corner sprinkler arm is used to extend irrigation coverage to field corners, then the irrigated area is increased, but the uniformity of water application depth deteriorates due to varying speeds and nozzle positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirrigated areaVSAvoiduniformity of water application depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operation of nozzles on the corner sprinkler arm based on real-time position and speed variations. The controller modifies nozzle activation patterns to compensate for the changing linear speed of the corner arm relative to the main pivot arm, maintaining uniform water application depth across the extended irrigated area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (nozzle activation timing and duration) based on the bearing and position of the pivot arm. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system compensates for speed variations in the corner arm and maintains consistent water application depth across different field zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If nozzle sizes are varied along the sprinkler arm to compensate for speed differences, then water application uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater application uniformityVSAvoidnozzle configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using different nozzle sizes, the system employs periodic activation of nozzles along the corner sprinkler arm. The controller pulses nozzles on and off in a coordinated sequence that compensates for speed variations, achieving uniform water application without requiring complex nozzle size variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical solution of varying nozzle sizes with a control system that uses electronic timing and valve actuation. This substitution simplifies the physical hardware while achieving the same uniformity goal through intelligent control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the corner sprinkler arm operates continuously to maintain coverage, then productivity is improved, but water application uniformity deteriorates due to speed variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirrigation coverage efficiencyVSAvoiddepth of water application uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic pulsing of nozzles on the corner sprinkler arm to achieve both continuous coverage and uniform water application. By strategically timing the on/off cycles of different nozzles, the system maintains productivity while compensating for speed variations that would otherwise cause non-uniform depth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller selectively activates only the necessary nozzles at any given time based on the current position and speed of the corner arm. This partial action approach maintains irrigation coverage while preventing over-application in areas where the corner arm moves slower, thus maintaining uniformity without sacrificing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10299445B2Center pivot irrigation system with uniformity of application of water under the corner arm

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 PTX TRIMBLE LLC

AI summary

A center pivot irrigation system adapted for more uniform application of water. The system includes a pivot sprinkler arm with a first set of spaced apart nozzles. The system includes a first set of control valves each provided on the pivot sprinkler arm upstream of a nozzle. The irrigation system includes a corner sprinkler arm pivotally coupled to an end of the pivot sprinkler arm. The corner sprinkler arm includes a second set of spaced apart nozzles and a second set of control valves each provided upstream of a nozzle. The irrigation system includes a controller transmitting control signals to the first and second sets of control valves to open and close in a pattern defined by a valve pulsing pattern for the pivot sprinkler arm and a valve pulsing pattern for the corner sprinkler arm, whereby input water is applied in a uniform manner under the corner sprinkler arm.