Corner Irrigation Span GPS Control for Deflection Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current irrigation systems face limitations in detecting and managing deflection stresses caused by corner arm positioning, leading to high internal compression and tension loads, slippage, and restricted corner angles due to traditional control systems.
Innovation Solution
The system employs real-time kinematics-corrected GPS signals from last regular and steerable drive units to adjust the speed and steering angle of the corner span, ensuring loads and position are maintained within acceptable limits, thereby increasing the range of corner angles available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional span sensors or track and roller position sensors are used to detect deflection, then deflection can be measured, but the system becomes expensive and causes additional slippage and deep wheel tracks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical deflection sensors (span sensors and track and roller position sensors) with a GPS-based detection system. The system uses GPS receivers on the LRDU and SDU to calculate positions and determine deflection through coordinate geometry, eliminating the need for mechanical sensors that cause slippage and deep wheel tracks.
2Ease of operation
If steering angle is solely controlled by the guidance system and speed solely controlled by the span sensor or track and roller position sensor, then corner span position can be controlled, but the system is incapable of allowing a corner span to extend beyond a certain angle (typically above 170 degrees)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where GPS-based deflection detection continuously monitors corner span position and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller adjusts SDU speed based on this feedback to maintain acceptable deflection levels, enabling the system to operate across a wider range of corner angles beyond the traditional 170-degree limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters from traditional mechanical sensor-based speed control to GPS-based position control. By using RTK-corrected GPS signals and calculating deflection through coordinate geometry, the system can dynamically adjust to a broader range of corner angles while maintaining proper span tension and compression within acceptable limits.
3Productivity
If corner machine moves faster than main irrigation machine to extend effective length, then irrigation coverage increases, but significant tension and compression loads are imposed on the corner span
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed control of the SDU based on real-time GPS-based deflection detection. The controller continuously adjusts SDU speed to maintain corner span deflection within acceptable limits, allowing the corner machine to move at variable speeds relative to the main irrigation machine. This dynamic adjustment enables extended irrigation coverage while preventing excessive tension and compression loads on the corner span.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to a system and method for detecting and adjusting the position of an irrigation span. More particularly, the present invention provides a system and method for detecting and removing deflection stresses from irrigation spans caused by corner arm positioning.