Plant Trunk Conductance Sensing for Faster Hydric State Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for evaluating the hydric state of plants are not fast, reliable, or accurate enough, necessitating the development of alternative methods and systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising at least two electrodes inserted into the plant trunk to establish galvanic contact, a temperature sensor, an electronic unit for voltage measurement and temperature sensing, and a processing unit to calculate electrical conductance and infer the plant's hydric state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods (electrical resistance probes, temperature sensors, electrical conductivity measurements) are used to evaluate plant hydric state, then measurement capability is provided, but the system is slow, unreliable, and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrical resistance or electrical conductivity to electrical conductance. This parameter change enables faster response time and improved accuracy in detecting plant hydric state, as conductance measurements can be performed more rapidly and reliably than traditional resistance-based methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or thermal measurement systems (temperature sensors, electrical resistance probes) with an electrical conductance-based measurement system. This substitution allows for faster, more reliable, and accurate assessment of plant water content without the limitations of the previous methods.
2Productivity
If traditional measurement systems are used, then hydric state can be assessed, but the measurement speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from electrical resistance to electrical conductance measurements, the system achieves significantly faster response times. The conductance measurement method allows rapid assessment of plant hydric state without the time delays associated with traditional temperature-based or resistance-based methods.
3Measurement precision
If existing measurement approaches are used, then some measurement capability is achieved, but accuracy and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the measurement approach by focusing on electrical conductance rather than using complex multi-parameter systems. This single-parameter change enables both high accuracy and reduced system complexity compared to traditional multi-sensor approaches.
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 provides a faster, more reliable, and accurate assessment of the plant's hydric state by utilizing electrical conductance values and temperature measurements to infer the plant's water content.
Implementation Method 1
calculates an electrical conductance value from the applied electrical voltage and the resulting measured voltage values
Implementation Method 2
The temperature sensor of the electrodes, at the same time as said measurement, measures the temperature of the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for the evaluation of the hydric state of a plant is proposed. The system comprises: two electrodes separated a certain distance, and adapted for insertion, in the trunk of a plant to establish galvanic contact; a temperature sensor; an electronic unit including a voltage measurement module configured to apply, during a first interval, an electrical voltage, with a given polarity, on the electrodes; to invert, sequentially, during a second interval, the given polarity; and to measure, simultaneously, the temperature of the electrodes and the voltage resulting from the application of electrical voltage in both polarities. A processing unit calculates an electrical conductance value from the applied electrical voltage and the resulting measured voltage and infers the hydric state of the plant from the calculated conductance value and the measured electrode temperature.