Fertigation Pump Control With Volume Feedback Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fertigation systems are inaccurate in dispensing liquid fertilizers, leading to fluctuations in nutrient concentration and potential damage to crops due to incorrect fertilizer amounts, with counters often deviating by up to 40% from calibrated volumes.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a measurement device, counter, pump, and electronic liquid control unit that calculates a correction factor based on actual volume measurements to adjust pulse duration or number, ensuring precise delivery of fertilizer through the fertigation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a counter is used to control the amount of fertilizer pumped out, then the system can dispense fertilizer automatically, but the measurement precision deteriorates with up to 40% inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the actual volume of fertilizer dispensed is measured by a measurement device and compared against the target volume. The controller adjusts the pump operation based on this feedback to achieve accurate dispensing. This closed-loop control eliminates the inaccuracy of open-loop counter-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical counter-based measurement system with an electronic measurement device that directly measures the actual volume of fertilizer dispensed. This substitution of measurement methodology provides significantly higher precision and eliminates the accumulation of errors inherent in pulse-counting systems.
2Device complexity
If a counter with fixed pulse calibration is used, then the system structure remains simple, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to compensate for volume variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, fixed calibration approach to a dynamic, adaptive system. The controller continuously monitors actual dispensed volume and adjusts pump operation in real-time based on measured feedback. This dynamic adjustment compensates for variations in pump performance, viscosity changes, and other operational factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the pump based on measured feedback. The controller modifies pump speed, pulse duration, or other actuation parameters to ensure accurate fertilizer delivery despite variations in system conditions. This parameter adjustment maintains precision without requiring complex mechanical redesign.
3Ease of operation
If inaccurate fertilizer measurement is tolerated, then the system is easier to operate, but the reliability deteriorates causing crop damage or reduced yields
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-correction by automatically measuring actual fertilizer dispensed and adjusting subsequent operations without human intervention. The controller uses the measurement feedback to autonomously compensate for inaccuracies, eliminating the need for manual calibration or adjustment while ensuring reliable fertilizer delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism continuously monitors fertilizer delivery accuracy and enables the system to self-correct deviations from target volumes. This automated feedback loop maintains high reliability in crop nutrition delivery while keeping the system easy to operate, as no manual intervention is required for calibration or correction.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is of an apparatus for providing a precalculated amount of fertilizer to a fertigation system. The system features a fertilizer tank for storing a fertilizer, at least one counter for providing electric pulses associated with an amount of fertilizer expelled out of the tank, a pump for delivering an amount of the fertilizer out of the tank and a controller for commanding the pump to expel the fertilizer out of the tank. The apparatus includes at least one measurement device for measuring a volume of fertilizer in the tank and an electronic liquid control unit in communication with the measurement device. The electronic liquid control unit is configured to communicate with the counter and is further configured to communicate with the controller to actuate the pump for delivering a precise amount of fertilizer according to an output of the electronic liquid control unit.