Mobile Irrigation System with Variable Water Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile irrigation systems face challenges when reversing direction, as they often create ruts in moistened soil and can become stuck, leading to inefficiencies and crop production issues due to insufficient water application and the need for frequent repairs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that use an automated controller to create an irrigation plan with varying water application levels, gradually decreasing water application as the system moves along a path, minimizing soil disturbance by applying more water at the start and less towards the end of the irrigation area, and reversing the pattern on the return trip to ensure firm soil support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the irrigation system reverses direction to complete the irrigation area, then the entire area can be irrigated, but the system creates ruts in moistened soil and may become stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different water amounts to different zones along the irrigation path. Zones closer to the reversal point receive less water, keeping the soil firmer, while zones farther from the reversal point receive full water application. This localized variation in water application prevents soil disturbance at critical reversal locations while maintaining overall irrigation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively reduces water application to zones that will be traversed during direction reversal, before the reversal occurs. This preliminary action prevents the soil from becoming too soft and muddy, thereby preventing ruts and stuck conditions before they can occur.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the system pauses operation to allow soil to dry before reversing direction, then soil disturbance is avoided, but water application becomes insufficient and affects crop production
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pausing the entire system, the controller selectively reduces water application only to specific zones near the reversal point while maintaining full water application to other zones. This allows continuous operation and sufficient overall water application while locally preventing soil disturbance where the system will reverse direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts water application rates based on the irrigation system's position and upcoming reversal points. The controller continuously modifies the water application amount in real-time, reducing it approach zones where reversal will occur and maintaining it in zones that will not be immediately traversed, enabling continuous operation without soil disturbance.
3Reliability
If continuous repair of ruts is performed, then system mobility is maintained, but user time and operational efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by reducing water application to potential problem zones before the system actually encounters soil disturbance issues. This preventive approach eliminates the need for subsequent repair operations, maintaining system mobility without requiring user intervention for rut repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation system serves itself by automatically adjusting water application to prevent soil disturbance, eliminating the need for external user intervention for repairs. The controller autonomously manages water distribution to maintain firm soil conditions in reversal zones, making the system self-maintaining regarding mobility issues.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a mobile irrigation system includes receiving water application amount and application pattern information from a user, automatically determining an irrigation plan using the amount information and the pattern information, and using an automated controller to operate the mobile irrigation system according to the irrigation plan. The irrigation system is operated by applying water at progressively decreasing levels as the irrigation system moves from a first position to a second position, and applying water at the same or similar progressively decreasing levels as the irrigation system is moved in a reverse direction from the second position back to the first position.