Irrigation Controller Adjustment for Volumetric Water Budget Limits
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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 often rely on manual adjustments and lack real-time monitoring and adaptive control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The development of an irrigation control system that utilizes a processor and memory to receive water usage data, automatically determine if a volumetric water budget will be met, and adjust irrigation accordingly, incorporating features like wireless communication with valves and sensors to implement real-time adjustments and optimize water distribution based on budget constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If manual adjustments and traditional irrigation control methods are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but water usage efficiency deteriorates leading to overuse and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation controller automatically monitors water usage, compares it against the volumetric budget, and adjusts irrigation schedules without manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously making control decisions based on real-time data and budget constraints, eliminating the need for manual adjustments while optimizing water efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors actual water usage and provides feedback to the control algorithm, which then adjusts irrigation schedules based on the difference between planned and actual consumption. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic optimization of water usage efficiency while maintaining ease of operation.
2Loss of energy
If real-time monitoring and adaptive control mechanisms are implemented, then water usage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation controller performs multiple functions including water usage monitoring, budget tracking, predictive modeling, and automatic schedule adjustment within a single integrated device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex subsystems while achieving comprehensive water optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts irrigation parameters such as runtime, frequency, and zone allocation based on real-time water usage data and predictive models. By changing operational parameters automatically rather than requiring complex structural modifications, the system optimizes water consumption with manageable device complexity.
3Productivity
If automatic adjustments based on volumetric budgets are implemented, then productivity is improved through optimized water distribution, but device complexity increases due to real-time monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment methods with electronic monitoring and digital control mechanisms. Sensors and communication modules automatically track water usage and transmit data to the controller, which then digitally adjusts irrigation schedules, substituting complex mechanical systems with more manageable electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations and predictive modeling of water usage patterns before the budget period ends, allowing it to proactively adjust irrigation schedules to ensure budget compliance. This advance planning capability improves irrigation efficiency without requiring equally complex real-time response mechanisms throughout the entire system.
Data Source
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.