Inline Irrigation Valve Control With Low-Pressure Water Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current irrigation systems face challenges in efficiently controlling water flow and conducting in-line water quality testing, leading to increased operational costs and water waste, particularly in fertigation processes.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation management system positioned in-line with irrigation pipes, featuring a fluid control valve with a hydraulic actuator, a pressurized fertilizer holding tank, and a sample collection tank, equipped with sensors and a controller for automated fertigation and water quality monitoring, allowing for efficient fluid control and in-line testing without excessive power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If motor driven valves are used for automated irrigation control, then automation capability is improved, but power consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces motor-driven mechanical valves with a hydraulic actuator system that uses water pressure from the irrigation system itself to open and close valves. The hydraulic actuator captures potential energy from the water column and uses it to actuate the valve, eliminating the need for external electrical power while maintaining automated control capability through a control valve positioned downstream.
2Measurement precision
If specialized sensors are used for in-line water quality testing in high-pressure pipes, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary sampling system that diverts a portion of the high-pressure irrigation water through a sampling valve into a low-pressure sampling line leading to the water quality sensor. This intermediary sampling mechanism allows standard, cost-effective sensors to measure water quality parameters without being exposed to the high pressures (100-150 psi) in the main irrigation pipes, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Reliability
If manual flushing is performed after fertigation to ensure complete fertilizer removal, then fertilizer delivery completeness is improved, but water waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where water quality sensors continuously monitor the presence of fertilizer in the irrigation water downstream. After fertigation, the system automatically continues flushing until the sensors detect that fertilizer concentration has dropped below a threshold, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This eliminates the need for excessive manual flushing based on educated guessing, ensuring complete fertilizer removal while minimizing water waste.
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
The system enables cost-effective, automated control of water flow and fertigation, reducing water waste and operational costs by using low-power solenoid valves and sensors for real-time monitoring and fertigation control, ensuring precise fertilizer delivery and efficient water use.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic actuator in mechanical communication with the main valve for selectively moving the main valve between open and closed positions
Implementation Method 2
an at least one fluid sensor positioned within the sample collection tank and configured for measuring an electrical conductivity of the fluid flowing through the irrigation pipe
Implementation Method 3
low-power solenoid valves and sensors for real-time monitoring and fertigation control
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation management system is disclosed and positionable in-line with an irrigation pipe for monitoring and controlling a flow of fluid therethrough. In at least one embodiment, the system provides an inlet pipe and an opposing outlet pipe in serial fluid communication with the irrigation pipe. At least one fluid control valve is in serial fluid communication between the inlet pipe and outlet pipe for selectively controlling the flow of fluid therebetween. The fluid control valve provides a main valve and a hydraulic actuator for selectively moving the main valve between open and closed positions. The hydraulic actuator is also in serial fluid communication between a pair of actuator valves for moving the hydraulic actuator between open and closed positions. The system also provides at least one sample collection tank configured for temporarily storing a volume of fluid diverted from the irrigation pipe in order to be tested.