Irrigation Display Alignment Using Pivot and Tower Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current irrigation system display techniques fail to consistently align the view of an irrigation machine with its own orientation, limiting operators' ability to monitor and control the system effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that initializes a controller to detect the center pivot location, calculate relative orientations, record magnetic north, and transmit image display data to a device for alignment, allowing user-selected azimuth adjustments and real-time monitoring of orientation changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If images are displayed in alignment with true north or with the top of the image at the top of the viewer, then the display follows conventional orientation methods, but the irrigation operator cannot consistently view the irrigation machine from the orientation of the irrigation machine itself

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator's ability to monitor and control the systemVSAvoiddisplay alignment with machine orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display orientation is made dynamic by continuously updating the visual representation based on the detected machine orientation. The system calculates the angle between true north and the irrigation machine's current orientation, then rotates the displayed image accordingly, allowing the display to adapt dynamically as the machine moves and changes direction during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical/mechanical orientation reference (true north alignment) with an electronic/digital orientation system. Instead of mechanically aligning the display device with the machine, the system uses image processing and rotational transformation algorithms to virtually align the display with the machine's orientation, substituting mechanical alignment with computational geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the display is oriented according to true north, then the orientation is stable and consistent, but it does not allow operators to view the system from the machine's perspective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay orientation consistencyVSAvoidoperator control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary computational layer between the fixed true north reference and the display output. This intermediary calculates the rotational transformation required to align the display with the machine's orientation while maintaining the stability of the true north reference frame, effectively mediating between the stable reference and the dynamic display requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional display formats are used, then the implementation is simple, but the system lacks the capability to provide consistent machine-oriented viewing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay system implementationVSAvoidmachine orientation context

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the machine's orientation using sensors (such as GPS, compass, or inertial measurement units) before generating the display output. By detecting and calculating the orientation data in advance, the system prepares the rotational transformation parameters needed to align the display with the machine's current orientation, ensuring that no orientation context is lost in the final visualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables consistent and accurate alignment of irrigation system displays with the machine's orientation, enhancing operator control and monitoring capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

detecting and recording the position of magnetic north

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11832560B1System and method for detecting and aligning the orientation of an irrigation system within a display

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 VALMONT INDUSTRIES INC

AI summary

The present invention provides a system and method for detecting and aligning the orientation of a displayed irrigation system. According to first preferred embodiment, the method preferably may include the steps of: initializing a controller; polling sensors and initiating the detection of a center pivot location; detecting the position of an outer drive tower; calculating the relative orientation between the center pivot and the outer drive tower; detecting and recording the position of magnetic north; calculating image display data for the irrigation span; transmitting image display data to a display device; displaying the irrigation span at a user selected azimuth and displaying other displayed items at an angle offset from the user selected azimuth; monitoring changes to orientation; recalculating image display data if any orientation change is detected; and retransmitting the image display data.