Irrigation Corner Assembly Flow Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems, particularly corner machines, face challenges in achieving uniform water application due to inaccurate control systems, leading to inefficiencies and increased water waste.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for managing and controlling sprinkler flow rates in an irrigation corner assembly by recording irrigation data, performing simulated passes, determining sprinkler areas and extension ratios, calculating duty cycles, and adjusting valve settings to match prescribed irrigation plans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If corner machines move faster to extend the irrigation coverage area, then the irrigated area increases, but water application uniformity deteriorates due to inaccurate control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the duty cycles of corner sprinklers based on real-time calculation of sprinkler area and extension ratio as the corner machine moves. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain uniform water application even when the corner machine moves at varying speeds to extend or retract the irrigation coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors the position and movement of the corner machine, calculates the current sprinkler area and extension ratio, and adjusts the duty cycles accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that water application uniformity is maintained throughout the irrigation process despite changes in coverage area.
2Manufacturing precision
If corner machines move slower to retract the irrigation coverage area, then water application uniformity improves, but the irrigated area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the duty cycles of corner sprinklers based on real-time calculation of sprinkler area and extension ratio as the corner machine moves. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain uniform water application even when the corner machine moves at varying speeds to extend or retract the irrigation coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters (duty cycles) of the sprinklers based on the extension ratio and sprinkler area calculations. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system maintains water application uniformity regardless of whether the corner machine is extending or retracting the irrigation coverage.
3Productivity
If sprinklers operate at maximum flow rate to increase irrigation productivity, then irrigation speed increases, but water application uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different duty cycles to different sprinklers based on their specific position and the calculated sprinkler area and extension ratio. This localized control ensures that each sprinkler operates at the appropriate flow rate for its specific conditions, maintaining water application uniformity while maximizing overall irrigation productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic duty cycles for the sprinklers, turning them on and off in controlled intervals rather than continuous operation. This periodic action allows the sprinklers to deliver water at maximum flow rate during active periods while maintaining uniform application across the irrigated area through precise timing control.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system and method for irrigation management and, more particularly, to a system and method for managing and controlling flow rate within an irrigation corner assembly. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention teaches a method comprising the steps of: recording irrigation system and irrigation field data; performing a simulated pass around a field and executing a simulated irrigation plan along a selected guidance path; determining the current and maximum sprinkler areas for at least one corner sprinkler at selected points/increments along the selected guidance path; determining the current and maximum extension ratios for the selected sprinklers at the selected increments; calculating the duty cycle for each sprinkler at each selected increment along the corner guidance path based on the determined sprinkler areas and extension ratios; recording calculated duty cycles in a look-up table for each corner sprinkler at each referenced pivot angle; executing the irrigation plan; and setting the valve duty cycles for each corner sprinkler to the tabulated values at each referenced pivot angle.