Irrigation Control Using Yield-Loss and Cost Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems fail to account for economic viability and often continue or stop irrigation unnecessarily, leading to potential yield losses and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An advanced irrigation system with a control system that calculates yield losses and costs, using sensors, motors, and communication elements to determine whether to terminate irrigation based on yield loss calculations and water usage data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If irrigation continues on a predetermined schedule, then crop yield is maintained, but irrigation costs increase when economic viability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors crop water usage, weather conditions, and economic parameters (crop price, irrigation cost) to dynamically adjust irrigation scheduling. Sensors provide real-time feedback on soil moisture and crop stress levels, allowing the system to optimize irrigation decisions based on current conditions rather than following a fixed schedule, thereby reducing unnecessary irrigation costs while maintaining adequate crop yield.
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation system transitions from static predetermined scheduling to dynamic adaptive scheduling. The control system adjusts irrigation timing and duration based on real-time measurements of crop water needs, weather forecasts, and economic viability calculations, enabling the system to respond flexibly to changing conditions and optimize the balance between yield maintenance and cost reduction.
2Loss of energy
If irrigation is terminated to reduce costs, then irrigation expenses decrease, but crop yield loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary calculations of yield loss and economic viability before making irrigation termination decisions. By forecasting potential yield losses and comparing them against irrigation costs and crop prices, the system proactively determines the optimal point to terminate or reduce irrigation, preventing both unnecessary spending and excessive yield loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters (irrigation timing, duration, intensity) based on calculated economic thresholds. When the cost of irrigation exceeds the value of potential yield loss, the system adjusts parameters to terminate irrigation; when economic conditions favor continued irrigation, parameters are adjusted to maintain or resume irrigation schedules.
3Ease of operation
If irrigation decisions are based solely on predetermined schedules, then system operation is simple, but economic viability is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The control system autonomously monitors multiple parameters (soil moisture, weather, crop price, irrigation cost) and automatically makes irrigation decisions without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system self-adjusts scheduling based on real-time data and economic calculations, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving economic efficiency through optimized irrigation timing and resource allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation system for providing irrigation to a crop comprising a plurality of mobile support towers, a conduit, a plurality of drive motors, a plurality of sensors, and a control system. The conduit carries fluid and is supported by the mobile support towers. The conduit includes a valve which can be opened to allow fluid flow through the conduit and closed to prevent fluid flow through the conduit. The drive motors propel the mobile support towers. The sensors generate data regarding the amount of fluid used to irrigate the crop. The control system controls the operation of the valve and the drive motors and is configured to calculate a price of forecasted yield loss, calculate a cost of irrigation, and terminate irrigation if the cost of irrigation is greater than the price of the forecasted yield loss.