Irrigation Controller Pseudo Temperature Sensor Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Advanced irrigation controllers revert to standard watering mode when temperature sensors fail, leading to inefficient water usage and significant cost increases, especially in winter months, as manually entered run times are static and do not adjust dynamically with seasonal water needs.
Innovation Solution
The system generates pseudo temperature data from solar radiation values, allowing the irrigation controller to continue in auto adjust mode with accurate and efficient water distribution, even without real-time temperature data, and enables validation of temperature measurements to ensure data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the controller reverts to standard watering mode when temperature sensors fail, then the system maintains operational simplicity and avoids complex calculations with unreliable data, but water distribution efficiency deteriorates and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates pseudo temperature data that copies the essential characteristics and patterns of real temperature data without requiring actual temperature sensors. This copied data enables the evapotranspiration algorithm to continue functioning in auto adjust mode, maintaining efficient water distribution while avoiding the need to revert to less efficient standard watering mode
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces solar radiation data as an intermediary parameter that can be used to generate pseudo temperature values. This intermediary approach allows the system to bypass the failed temperature sensor while still providing the necessary input for the Hargraves evapotranspiration algorithm, thus maintaining system reliability and water distribution efficiency
2Device complexity
If the controller uses manually entered static run times in standard watering mode, then the system operates with simple control logic, but adaptability to changing weather conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the input parameters for the evapotranspiration algorithm by generating pseudo temperature values from solar radiation data. This allows the controller to maintain auto adjust watering mode with dynamic weather-based adjustments rather than static run times, improving adaptability while keeping control logic relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the solar radiation data serve multiple functions: it is used both for direct irrigation scheduling decisions and for generating pseudo temperature values to maintain the evapotranspiration algorithm. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain adaptability without requiring additional sensors or complex control logic
3Loss of energy
If the controller continues in auto adjust watering mode using pseudo temperature data, then water distribution efficiency is maintained, but system complexity increases due to data generation and validation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates pseudo temperature data by copying the statistical characteristics and diurnal patterns of historical temperature data rather than requiring complex real-time sensor measurements. This approach maintains water distribution efficiency while limiting complexity to straightforward data transformation and pattern replication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements validation mechanisms that use feedback from historical data patterns to verify the合理性 of generated pseudo temperature values. This feedback approach ensures data quality without requiring complex real-time sensing, balancing water distribution efficiency with manageable system complexity
4Measurement precision
If the controller validates temperature measurements against pseudo temperature data, then measurement accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial validation by comparing temperature measurements against pseudo temperature data only when necessary, rather than continuously validating all data points. This selective approach improves measurement accuracy when needed while minimizing processing time and computational load during normal operation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a system, method and software program product for detecting and counteracting a temperature sensor failure with an irrigation controller operating in auto adjust watering mode. A plurality of pseudo temperature data are created from solar radiation for a particular location using unique pseudo temperature conversions for each temperature parameter. The pseudo temperature values can be compared to corresponding measured temperature values from the sensor to validate the integrity of the measurement. These pseudo temperature values are used in place of the measured temperatures for calculating a potential evapotranspiration water deficit for the site. Furthermore, if some valid measured temperature data existed prior to the sensor failure, the measured temperature data is compared to the corresponding pseudo temperature data. Any differences detected between the two values can be used to correct the pseudo temperature toward the measure temperature. The accuracy of the potential evapotranspiration water deficit using the corrected pseudo temperature values approach that of using measured temperature values.