Irrigation Antimicrobial Dosing Control With Real-Time Residual Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current irrigation systems lack real-time monitoring and precise regulation of antimicrobial agents, leading to overuse or underuse, which impacts crop yield and food safety, and are difficult to scale for large-scale agricultural operations.
Innovation Solution
A system using amperometric sensors and water meters to automatically control dosing pumps based on real-time sensor data, maintaining antimicrobial levels within a predetermined range, with components communicating wirelessly or wired, and incorporating historical data analysis for trend identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual dipstick testing is used to measure antimicrobial levels, then labor requirements are reduced, but real-time monitoring capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical dipstick testing with an automated electronic sensor system that continuously measures antimicrobial levels in real-time, eliminating the need for manual operation while providing immediate monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring through automated sensors that continuously measure antimicrobial levels without human intervention, with the control system automatically processing data and adjusting dosing parameters
2Measurement precision
If automated sensor systems are deployed for real-time monitoring, then monitoring precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where sensors continuously measure antimicrobial levels and transmit data to a control system that automatically adjusts dosing pump parameters to maintain optimal levels, improving precision through automated regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The control system serves multiple functions including data reception from sensors, historical data storage, trend analysis, automated dosing control, and alarm generation, reducing overall system complexity by consolidating functions into a single multi-functional platform
3Stability of the object's composition
If dosing pumps are precisely controlled based on sensor data, then antimicrobial level consistency is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system receives real-time sensor data on antimicrobial levels and automatically adjusts dosing pump parameters to maintain consistent levels within target ranges, with feedback loops that continuously monitor and correct deviations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes dosing parameters such as pump speed, dosage rate, and injection timing based on real-time sensor readings and historical trends, allowing precise control of antimicrobial levels through parameter optimization
4Loss of information
If historical data is analyzed for trend identification, then predictive capability is improved, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously stores and analyzes historical sensor data to identify trends and patterns in antimicrobial level fluctuations, enabling predictive adjustments to dosing parameters before deviations occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual data analysis with automated digital data processing using sensors, memory storage, and computational algorithms that efficiently analyze historical trends with minimal energy consumption compared to manual methods
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
Ensures consistent antimicrobial levels throughout irrigation systems, improving crop safety and yield by maintaining desired ppm ranges and triggering alarms for deviations, scalable for large-scale agriculture.
Implementation Method 1
receiving sensor data from an amperometric sensor disposed at a location within an irrigation system, the amperometric sensor operable to indicate an antimicrobial residual of irrigation water
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide system and methods for treating irrigation water with antimicrobial agents that can automatically control one or more dosing pumps based on sensor data to maintain antimicrobial levels within a predetermined range using one or more sensors. Typically the sensor data is generated in real-time by amperometric sensors and/or a water meter disposed downstream of the base treatment system that can measure antimicrobial levels, water flow rate, etc. According to some embodiments, a control unit communicates wirelessly with the pumps and sensors and generates control signals based on configuration parameters (e.g., desired antimicrobial levels, scheduling, etc.) and sensor data (e.g., ppm, gpm, etc.) to control the dosing pumps. The antimicrobial level (residual) can be validated at various points throughout the irrigation system according to real-time sensor data.