Wireless Gated Pipe Valve Control With Segmented Irrigation Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional gated pipe irrigation systems face complexity and high costs due to the need for extensive manual control and expensive wireless communication systems to manage numerous automated valves over large areas.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication module and system are integrated into the irrigation system, allowing a central processing system to control and manage individual automated gated pipe valves within each section of irrigation pipe, reducing the need for long cables and complex wireless networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If individual wireless communication devices are placed within each gated pipe valve, then wireless control capability is achieved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless control capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the irrigation network into segments with wireless communication modules installed at strategic points (valves, junctions, endpoints) rather than requiring every single valve to have full wireless capability. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining wireless control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Wireless communication modules act as intermediaries between the central controller and the valve assemblies. These modules relay control signals and data without requiring direct wireless communication between the central system and every individual valve, thereby reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If cellular and long-range wireless communication devices are installed in each valve, then remote control is enabled, but implementation cost and ongoing expenses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication modules are designed to perform multiple functions: control signal transmission, data collection, diagnostics, and system monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, lowering implementation and ongoing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses cost-effective wireless communication modules that can be deployed at multiple points throughout the irrigation network. These modules are designed to be relatively inexpensive compared to traditional cellular systems, reducing both initial implementation costs and ongoing subscription fees.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single wireless network supports all valves, then network expansion is simplified, but the network cannot easily scale to the required number of nodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork scalabilityVSAvoidnetwork complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless network is segmented into multiple local networks or zones, each managed by wireless communication modules at key locations. This allows the overall system to scale by adding more segments rather than requiring a single massive network, improving scalability while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a flat, single-layer wireless network to a hierarchical multi-layer architecture where wireless modules communicate locally and aggregate data to central controllers. This dimensional change in network architecture enables scalability to thousands of nodes without proportionally increasing network complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If long power and signal cables are used to connect valves, then wired control is achieved, but cable damage risk and cost increase in agricultural settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidcable damage susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical cable connections with wireless communication technology. This substitution eliminates the physical cables that are susceptible to damage from agricultural equipment, weather, and terrain, thereby improving reliability while removing the harmful factor of cable vulnerability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250072344A1Wireless communications module and system for controlling wireless automated gated pipe irrigation valves

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 RIES JAMES LEE

AI summary

An automated irrigation system includes a plurality of sections of irrigation pipe. A wireless communication module is coupled to one or more of the sections of irrigation pipe. A central processing system is in communication with the wireless communication module. A plurality of wireless automated gated pipe valve assemblies are coupled to the one or more of the sections of irrigation pipe. Each of the wireless automated gated pipe valve assemblies includes one or more gate valves. Operation of the one or more gate valves is controlled by the central processing system.