Irrigation Control System Fault Detection and Water Conservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems are inefficient and often overwater areas, leading to suboptimal water conservation and maintenance of healthy landscapes due to outdated technology and lack of responsiveness to environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A computer network-based irrigation control system that generates and sends optimized irrigation protocols using real-time weather data, electronically actuated control valves, and user input to manage water flow efficiently across zoned areas, incorporating smart watering techniques and fault detection mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional irrigation systems are used, then simple operation is maintained, but water conservation efficiency deteriorates due to overwatering and lack of environmental responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system is divided into multiple independently controllable zones, each with its own control valve and sensors. This segmentation allows precise water delivery to specific areas based on their individual needs, improving water conservation efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect environmental conditions (soil moisture, weather data) and provide feedback to the controller. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust irrigation schedules and durations, significantly improving water conservation efficiency by delivering water only when and where needed, while the automated nature of this feedback process does not substantially increase operational complexity
2Productivity
If automated irrigation control is implemented, then water usage is optimized, but system complexity increases due to electronic components and network requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a multi-functional device that integrates weather data reception, soil moisture sensing, irrigation scheduling, and fault detection capabilities. By consolidating multiple functions into a single controller, the system achieves high irrigation efficiency through automated optimization while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors environmental conditions, adjusts irrigation parameters, and detects faults without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maximizes irrigation efficiency through continuous optimization while actually reducing operational complexity by eliminating the need for manual system management
3Reliability
If real-time monitoring is added to detect faults, then system reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The fault detection functionality is merged with the existing controller and sensor infrastructure rather than being implemented as a separate monitoring system. The controller simultaneously manages irrigation operations and monitors for faults, improving system reliability while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from duplicate or separate monitoring equipment
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure also extends to a system and method for the detection of faults or deviations from a baseline configuration in an irrigation system during operation in accordance with the disclosed methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops.