Dynamic Aperture Assembly for Precise Subsurface Soil Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack the ability to perform targeted injections of soil amendments below the root zone and within specific sub-surface horizons with minimal surface disruption, which is crucial for optimizing irrigation and enhancing soil health and water retention.

Innovation Solution

An aperture assembly for a subsurface ejection vessel equipped with an electromagnet, dynamic apertures, encoders, limit switches, and AI control, allowing precise and controlled injection of constituents at desired depths and locations, including the use of living organisms like earthworms, to enhance soil porosity and resilience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional surface spreading and mechanical blending methods are used to apply soil amendments, then application coverage is achieved, but surface disruption increases and targeted injection at specific depths is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetargeted injection depth precisionVSAvoidsurface disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow shaft injection drill bit is segmented into multiple sections with multiple apertures at different depths, allowing targeted injection at specific soil horizons without requiring multiple separate operations or causing extensive surface disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical blending systems with an electromagnetic actuation system that uses electromagnetic fields to open and close apertures dynamically, enabling precise depth-controlled injection without mechanical surface disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If multiple targeted releases through injection at and below the root zone are implemented, then irrigation efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirrigation efficiencyVSAvoidaperture assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow shaft injection drill bit serves multiple functions: it drills into the soil, delivers water and soil amendments to targeted depths, and enables multiple injection events through dynamic aperture control, replacing the need for separate drilling and injection operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The aperture assembly incorporates dynamically controllable apertures that can open and close in response to electromagnetic actuation, allowing the same device to perform multiple targeted releases at different depths and times, enhancing irrigation efficiency without requiring multiple static injection points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If dynamic aperture control with electromagnetic actuation is used, then injection precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection depth control precisionVSAvoidelectromagnetic actuation energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic actuation system operates periodically, opening and closing apertures only when needed for injection events rather than remaining continuously active, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining precise depth control when actuation occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic actuation is applied locally at specific aperture locations rather than throughout the entire drill bit, energizing only the specific sections needed for current injection operations, thereby minimizing total energy consumption while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and targeted injection of soil amendments below the root zone, improving soil porosity, resilience, and yield by facilitating precise deployment of materials and organisms, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and drought resistance.

Implementation Method 1

An aperture assembly for a subsurface ejection vessel such as a hollow shaft injection drill bit including an electromagnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetism: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS12471511B2Aperture assembly for use with a subsurface ejection vessel

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 SUB MERGENT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An aperture assembly for use with a subsurface ejection vessel includes an electromagnet, a first dynamic aperture, a second dynamic aperture, a hollow shaft injection drill bit, a third dynamic aperture, collar perforations, and closed window apertures. The electromagnet actuates a closing of the first dynamic aperture. The electromagnet actuates an opening of the second dynamic aperture. The third dynamic aperture dynamically opens when triggered by a first pre-determined depth achievement counting by the encoder of the lead screw or distance traveled by a platform (505A) triggered by the limit switch that are communicated to the AI robot, the computer, and the PLC. The third dynamic aperture dynamically opens when the camera lens has a second pre-determined depth penetration of the hollow shaft injection drill bit and that the limit switch information is communicated to the computer, or the PLC.