Irrigation Monitor Detecting Flow Anomalies for Fault Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation systems operate in an open-loop manner, lacking insight into actual water flow and delivery, leading to potential failures such as pipe breaks, valve malfunctions, and inefficient water usage, which can result in plant damage and excessive water bills without timely detection.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation-monitoring system that includes a flow sensor, an irrigation controller, and an irrigation monitor coupled to the controller and sensor, which detects faults such as stuck valves, leaks, and flow issues, and provides feedback to users through electronic communications and reports, enabling timely intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional open-loop irrigation systems operate on a scheduled basis, then the system is simple to operate and maintain, but the system lacks insight into actual water flow and delivery, leading to undetected failures and water waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a monitoring system that continuously measures actual water flow through the irrigation system and compares it against expected flow values. When deviations are detected (indicating potential failures such as leaks, clogged emitters, or stuck valves), the system generates alerts to notify users. This feedback mechanism transforms the open-loop system into a closed-loop system, providing real-time information about water delivery without requiring complex user intervention or manual inspections.
2Reliability
If irrigation systems operate without close attention or frequent inspections, then the system is easy to operate, but failures go undetected until plants are damaged or water bills are received
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system operates autonomously, continuously measuring flow and detecting failures without requiring user presence or manual inspection. The system self-monitors its own performance and automatically generates notifications when problems are detected, enabling reliable operation even when users are absent or unable to frequently inspect the system.
3Loss of time
If users wait for large water bills to discover irrigation leaks, then operational costs are reduced, but substantial water waste and repair delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of failures by continuously monitoring flow parameters and comparing them against expected values. By detecting leaks, clogs, or other failures early through flow anomalies, the system enables timely intervention before significant water waste occurs or plant damage happens, eliminating the need to wait for monthly or quarterly water bills.
4Productivity
If manual inspection of irrigation systems is performed to detect failures, then failure detection is possible, but the process is time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection processes with automated electronic flow sensing and data processing. Instead of requiring users to physically inspect zones, isolate valves, and trace leaks manually, the system uses flow meters, processors, and communication interfaces to automatically detect, locate, and diagnose failures, dramatically reducing the time and effort required for failure detection and resolution.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for monitoring an irrigation system is provided. The device includes a flow sensor and an irrigation controller comprising at least two outputs. The irrigation monitor is coupled to the irrigation controller and the flow sensor and performs an action in response to detecting a fault condition. The method includes steps of measuring flow through an irrigation feed, determining an intended state of an irrigation valve, associating the measured flow with the intended valve state, and detecting a fault condition. In some examples the irrigation monitor and irrigation controller use a single processor.