Ground Penetration Radar for Center Pivot Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current center pivot irrigation systems lack the ability to automatically manage water and fertilizer application based on real-time climatic conditions and soil moisture levels, leading to inefficient use of resources and potential crop stress.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a ground penetration radar (GPR) with center pivot irrigation machines to scan soil moisture, combined with optical imaging and data processing to create precise irrigation plans, allowing for real-time adjustment of water and fertilizer application based on soil conditions and crop needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If center pivot irrigation systems operate without real-time soil moisture sensing, then the system structure remains simple and cost-effective, but water and fertilizer application efficiency deteriorates leading to resource waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical irrigation control with electromagnetic sensing (ground penetration radar) and automated digital control systems. The GPR technology uses electromagnetic waves to detect soil moisture content, plant water status, and root zone conditions, substituting physical soil sampling and visual assessment with non-contact electronic sensing that provides real-time data for automated irrigation decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by continuously monitoring soil moisture levels, plant water status, and environmental conditions through integrated sensors. The system automatically adjusts irrigation timing, duration, and amount based on real-time feedback from the ground penetration radar and other sensors, eliminating the need for constant manual intervention and optimization
2Reliability
If irrigation scheduling is based on fixed schedules rather than real-time conditions, then operational simplicity is maintained, but crop stress increases and plant health deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback loops where ground penetration radar and soil moisture sensors monitor plant water status and soil conditions in real-time. This data feeds back to the control system, which automatically adjusts irrigation schedules to match actual crop needs, ensuring reliable crop health maintenance while the automated feedback mechanism handles the operational complexity
3Measurement precision
If soil moisture monitoring is performed manually rather than with automated sensing, then equipment costs remain low, but measurement precision and timeliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ground penetration radar technology that uses electromagnetic radiation to penetrate soil and detect moisture content, plant water status, and root zone conditions without physical contact. This electronic sensing method provides continuous, high-precision measurements of soil moisture at multiple depths, replacing manual soil sampling and laboratory analysis with automated, real-time electronic detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors multiple parameters simultaneously including soil moisture content, volumetric water content, plant water status, and root zone conditions. The ground penetration radar measures dielectric properties of soil and plants, which change with moisture content, allowing precise quantification of water status through electromagnetic parameter detection rather than physical sampling
4Productivity
If irrigation systems apply uniform water distribution regardless of local soil conditions, then system operation remains simple, but water use efficiency deteriorates due to over-irrigation in some areas and under-irrigation in others
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements spatially variable irrigation control by using ground penetration radar to map soil moisture distribution across different field zones. The system identifies local variations in soil type, moisture content, and plant water status, then adjusts irrigation application rates and timing for each specific zone, ensuring optimal water delivery matched to local conditions rather than uniform distribution across the entire field
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
This solution enables optimized water and fertilizer use, reducing waste and improving crop health by ensuring that plants receive the right amounts at the right time, based on real-time data analysis and soil moisture monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
scanning said irrigated by said ground penetration radar at frequencies ranging between 20-2000 MHz and 20-1000 kHz
Data Source
AI summary
A method of automatically managing a center pivot irrigation machine comprising steps of: (a) providing at least one center pivot irrigation machine and positioning said center pivot irrigation machine such that said center pivot irrigation machine is movable within an irrigated plot around a center thereof; (b) providing a ground penetration radar; (c) mounting said ground penetration radar on said center pivot irrigation machine; (d) moving said center pivot irrigation machine about said center of said irrigated plot; (e) scanning said irrigated by said ground penetration radar at frequencies ranging between 200-1200 MHz; (f) calculating a distribution of soil moisture over a depth from a soil surface; and (g) creating an irrigation plan according to said distribution.