Ponding Detection in Irrigated Fields Using Sensor Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile irrigation systems lack effective real-time monitoring and prediction capabilities for ponding, leading to crop and field damage due to over-watering, as visual detection is time-consuming and inaccurate, and existing methods only detect ponding after damage has occurred, failing to predict future issues.
Innovation Solution
A ponding monitoring and detection system integrated into mobile irrigation systems, utilizing sensors such as LIDAR, RADAR, thermal imaging, and soil moisture sensors, along with location tracking, to detect and predict ponding in real-time, generating corrective action signals to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection methods (manual or image capture) are used to detect ponding, then ponding can be detected after it occurs, but the detection is time-consuming, inaccurate, and cannot predict future ponding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and image capture methods with automated sensor-based detection systems. Sensors mounted on the irrigation system continuously monitor soil moisture levels, enabling automatic detection of ponding conditions without human intervention or post-processing of images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of ponding conditions by continuously monitoring soil moisture before significant damage occurs. The real-time data allows operators to take corrective action during irrigation operations, preventing the ponding from worsening and causing crop damage.
2Productivity
If soil moisture sensors are used to determine irrigation timing, then irrigation scheduling can be optimized, but soil moisture alone does not always indicate or detect ponding conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where soil moisture sensor data is continuously monitored and fed back to the control system. When abnormal moisture patterns indicative of ponding are detected, the system can alert operators or automatically adjust irrigation operations to prevent further water application to affected areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The soil moisture sensors serve multiple functions: they optimize irrigation scheduling by detecting when fields need water, and simultaneously detect ponding conditions by identifying abnormal moisture accumulation patterns. This multi-functionality allows the same sensor system to support both productive irrigation and protective monitoring.
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
Enables real-time detection and prediction of ponding, allowing operators to take corrective action, minimizing crop and field damage, and optimizing water usage by identifying and addressing potential issues before they occur.
Implementation Method 1
The ponding sensors may be light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors that emit laser pulses and measure the time for the pulses to reflect off the ground or crop surface and return to the sensors
Implementation Method 2
The ponding sensors may be radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensors that exploit the different reflection and penetration properties of radio waves off standing water versus dry or moist soil
Implementation Method 3
The ponding sensors may be thermal image sensors that detect differences in temperature between standing water and surrounding soil
Data Source
AI summary
A ponding monitoring and detection system monitors, detects, and predicts ponding in an irrigated field in essentially real-time. The ponding monitoring and detection system also monitors and records locations of detected and predicted ponding.