Irrigation Pipe Leak Inspection Using Water Pressure Time Constants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water leak detection methods in agricultural water supply pipes are cumbersome as they require separate time zones for agricultural work and leak detection, making the process inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An inspection device that inspects water supply pipes by calculating a time constant based on water pressure changes during continuous irrigation and non-operation periods, allowing for simultaneous irrigation and inspection without additional workload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate time zones are used for agricultural work and leak detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines leak detection with irrigation operations by continuously monitoring water pressure during irrigation periods. The inspection unit calculates a time constant from pressure changes that occurs simultaneously with irrigation, merging the detection function with the existing irrigation operation rather than requiring separate detection time zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs continuous leak detection during irrigation operations by constantly monitoring water pressure. The inspection unit continuously calculates the time constant from pressure changes throughout the irrigation period, eliminating gaps between detection cycles and maintaining continuous surveillance without interrupting agricultural work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If continuous monitoring is performed during irrigation, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to operational interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the detection process to irrigation conditions by continuously calculating the time constant from real-time pressure changes. The inspection unit adjusts its analysis based on the actual pressure profile during irrigation, making the detection method responsive to varying operational conditions rather than using fixed thresholds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from absolute pressure values to the time constant derived from pressure changes. This parameter transformation allows the system to detect leaks by analyzing the rate and pattern of pressure changes rather than comparing against fixed pressure thresholds, making detection more robust during dynamic irrigation operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If time constant calculation is used for pipe inspection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex physical inspection methods with computational analysis. Instead of using sophisticated detection hardware or manual inspection procedures, the system uses a processor to calculate the time constant from pressure sensor data, substituting mechanical/physical complexity with algorithmic processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the existing irrigation infrastructure and water pressure variations to perform self-diagnosis. The inspection unit leverages the natural pressure changes that occur during normal irrigation operations to detect leaks, eliminating the need for separate testing equipment or external inspection resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 efficient detection of even minor pipe damage by analyzing water pressure changes, reducing operational burden and improving detection accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a water pressure sensor that detects a water pressure of the pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12560506B2Inspection device and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 DENSO CORP

AI summary

An inspection device includes an output unit, a storage unit, and an inspection unit. The output unit outputs a control signal for controlling a water supply valve to control supply and no supply of irrigation water from a water supply pipe in an open farm field, between an open state and a closed state. The storage unit stores water pressures of irrigation water as detected in a period from a state where the water supply valve becomes in the open state and irrigation water is supplied from the water supply pipe until an expected time elapses after the water supply valve becomes in the closed state and the water supply pipe is expected to be filled with irrigation water. The inspection unit calculates a time constant of water pressure based on the water pressures and inspects the water supply pipe based on the time constant.