Rotary Sprinkler Run Time from User-Set Watering Passes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in determining the appropriate irrigation run time for rotary sprinklers to ensure the right number of watering passes, as different sprinklers have varying nozzle sizes, pressure ratings, and rotation speeds, and may not be set for a full 360-degree rotation, leading to either insufficient or excessive watering.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation control unit that allows users to input the desired number of watering passes, which calculates and determines the necessary run time based on the sprinkler's arc rotation data, ensuring accurate irrigation coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user inputs a fixed run time for irrigation, then the irrigation system can operate automatically, but the user cannot ensure the correct number of watering passes is achieved due to variations in sprinkler nozzle sizes, pressure ratings, and rotation speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the control parameter from fixed time-based irrigation to variable time irrigation calculated based on sprinkler-specific parameters (rotation speed, arc setting, nozzle characteristics). The controller dynamically adjusts the run time parameter to achieve the desired number of passes, accounting for each sprinkler's unique operational characteristics.
2Reliability
If the user increases the run time to ensure enough watering passes, then more water is applied, but the fertilizer may wash away due to excessive water application
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback by calculating the required run time based on actual sprinkler performance parameters (rotation speed, arc setting) and the desired number of passes. This closed-loop approach ensures the irrigation duration is precisely tailored to achieve the target number of passes without over-watering, thereby preventing fertilizer washaway while ensuring adequate coverage.
3Loss of substance
If the user decreases the run time to avoid excessive water application, then less water is applied, but the fertilizer may dry on the plant life due to insufficient watering passes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the required run time before irrigation begins, using stored sprinkler parameters (rotation speed, arc setting, nozzle characteristics) and the desired number of passes. This pre-calculation ensures the irrigation duration is optimized in advance to achieve exactly the needed number of passes, preventing both fertilizer drying and washaway.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the sprinkler rotates at different speeds or with different arc settings, then the coverage area varies, but the fixed run time cannot adapt to these variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed-time irrigation to dynamic irrigation control that adapts to each sprinkler's operational characteristics. The controller calculates and adjusts the run time dynamically based on the sprinkler's rotation speed, arc setting, and nozzle properties, ensuring precise coverage adaptation to varying configurations while maintaining the desired number of passes.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a system for controlling irrigation comprises an irrigation control unit comprising: an input configured to receive a user entered number of watering passes for a rotary sprinkler configured to repetitively rotate about an arc and irrigate an area of an irrigation site, wherein each rotation about the arc comprises a watering pass; a memory to store the number of watering passes and arc rotation data for the rotary sprinkler corresponding to a time duration for the rotary sprinkler to make the watering pass about the arc; and a control circuit configured to: receive the number of watering passes; receive the arc rotation data; determine a run time that will result in irrigation by the rotary sprinkler about the arc for the user entered number of passes; and store the run time.