Adaptive Irrigation Zone Control for Pressure and Flow Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems face challenges in efficiently controlling water distribution, leading to issues such as water hammer, poor water distribution, and extended watering times due to inadequate adaptive control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic control system that monitors pressure and flow rate, and adaptively controls irrigation zones by predicting valve behavior, adjusting valve positions, and optimizing water usage to maintain pressure and flow within target operational ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional irrigation control methods are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but water distribution efficiency deteriorates and water hammer damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors pressure and flow rate measurements from sensors installed in the irrigation system. The controller receives real-time data about system conditions and automatically adjusts valve positions to maintain optimal pressure and flow rates, thereby improving water distribution efficiency while preventing water hammer damage through closed-loop control
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future pressure and flow rate conditions based on current measurements and system characteristics. The controller proactively adjusts valve positions before water hammer conditions can develop or before pressure/flow rates deviate from optimal ranges, preventing problems rather than merely reacting to them
2Reliability
If valve operations are adjusted to prevent water hammer, then system reliability improves, but watering time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic valve control where valve positions are continuously adjusted based on real-time pressure and flow rate measurements. Rather than using fixed, conservative valve operation schedules that extend watering time, the system dynamically optimizes valve positions to maintain reliable operation while minimizing watering duration through adaptive control
3Loss of energy
If pressure and flow rate are monitored and controlled, then water usage efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own pressure and flow rate conditions through integrated sensors and controllers. The system self-regulates valve operations based on measured conditions without requiring external intervention or complex external monitoring infrastructure, thereby improving water usage efficiency while keeping the overall system complexity manageable
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive hydraulic control system controls irrigation system zones using predicted valve behavior, measured pressure, recovery time, and measured flow. A pressure sensor can measure a pressure in a water line and a flow meter can measure a flow rate in the water line. The adaptive hydraulic control system monitors the pressure and the flow rate, and determines when the pressure and the flow rate are above and below target operational thresholds. When the pressure is determined to be below a minimum target threshold or the flow rate is determined to be above a maximum target threshold, the adaptive hydraulic control system identifies one or more valves in an opened position of the plurality of valves that when closed would cause the pressure and the flow rate to return within the target operational thresholds. The adaptive hydraulic control system provides instructions to change a position of the one or more identified valves.