Irrigation Budget Control Using Real-Time Water Usage Forecasting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current irrigation control systems lack efficient methods to manage water usage within specified volumetric budgets, leading to potential overuse and increased costs, as they do not effectively adjust irrigation schedules based on real-time water usage data and predictive analytics.

Innovation Solution

The development of an irrigation controller system that receives water usage information, determines if a volumetric water budget will be met, and automatically adjusts irrigation schedules by signaling adjustments through a processor and memory configuration, utilizing communication devices to track and manage water usage across multiple zones and budget periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If traditional irrigation control systems are used, then irrigation operations can be performed, but water usage cannot be effectively managed within volumetric budgets leading to overuse and increased costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater usage efficiencyVSAvoidirrigation control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The irrigation control system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring water usage data from meters and comparing it against budget parameters. The system receives water usage information, determines whether volumetric water budgets will be met, and automatically adjusts irrigation schedules based on this feedback loop to prevent water overuse while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future water usage patterns and determining budget compliance before the budget period ends. It proactively adjusts irrigation schedules in advance to ensure water usage remains within volumetric budgets, preventing overuse rather than reacting after exceeding limits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If real-time water usage monitoring and automatic adjustments are implemented, then water conservation is optimized, but system complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater budget complianceVSAvoidcontroller system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The irrigation controller performs self-service by automatically determining whether water budgets will be met and autonomously adjusting irrigation schedules without requiring manual intervention. The system uses its own embedded processor and memory to execute control logic, monitor water usage, and make adjustments independently, ensuring reliable budget compliance while managing complexity through automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical irrigation control with electronic and computational mechanisms. The processor-based controller uses software algorithms to monitor water usage data, predict budget compliance, and automatically adjust irrigation schedules, substituting human-operated mechanical systems with automated electronic control to improve reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If predictive analytics are used to determine budget compliance, then water overuse is prevented, but data processing requirements and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to detect water budget issuesVSAvoidenergy consumption for data processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary computational analysis by evaluating water usage patterns and predicting future budget compliance before the budget period expires. It processes water usage data in advance to identify potential overuse scenarios and adjusts irrigation schedules proactively, reducing the time needed to detect and respond to budget issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial computational action by focusing data processing efforts on critical budget parameters and key irrigation zones. Rather than continuously processing all possible variables, it selectively analyzes water usage data relevant to volumetric budget compliance, reducing overall computational load and energy consumption while maintaining effective monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20240423143A1Volumetric budget based irrigation control

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 RAIN BIRD CORP

AI summary

The present embodiments provide systems, processes and/or methods of controlling irrigation. In some embodiments, methods are provided that receive (4112) water usage information corresponding to a first volumetric water usage at a site location having an irrigation controller (130), wherein the first volumetric water usage corresponds to volumetric water usage from a beginning of a budget period of time to a first time within the budget period of time; determine (4114) automatically whether a volumetric water budget at the site location will be met for the budget period of time based on at least the first volumetric water usage, the volumetric water budget corresponding to a specified volume of water for use during the budget period of time; determine (4116) automatically, in the event the volumetric water budget will not be met, an adjustment to the irrigation by the irrigation controller; and output (4118) signaling to effect the adjustment.