Subsurface Injection Wings for Precise Soil Horizon Blending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack an efficient and cost-effective system for targeted subsurface injection and blending of soil amendments below the root zone, failing to address the need for optimal irrigation management and soil health enhancement.
Innovation Solution
A sub-surface injection system equipped with AI-controlled, deployable wings and sensors for precise soil amendment delivery, capable of cutting through impediments and blending materials at various depths, including features like industrial diamond blades and Lidar technology for navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If surface spreading and mechanical blending is used to apply soil amendments, then amendment distribution is achieved, but surface disruption occurs and blending depth is limited to 30 cm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the blending function from surface operations and relocates it to subsurface operations. The injection system delivers amendments directly to target depths (30-100 cm) below the surface, eliminating the need for surface spreading and mechanical blending that cause surface disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface spreading to three-dimensional subsurface injection. By injecting amendments at controlled depths and using radial dispensing through hollow shafts, the system achieves precise distribution in the vertical dimension without affecting the surface horizon.
2Productivity
If irrigation water is increased to maintain crop productivity, then crop yield is maintained, but water resource depletion increases and drought susceptibility rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting water-retention amendments (biochar, organic matter) into the root zone before drought conditions occur. These amendments pre-condition the soil to retain moisture, ensuring water availability during dry periods without requiring increased irrigation inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the soil by injecting organic and inorganic amendments that modify soil structure, increase porosity, and enhance water-holding capacity. This transforms the soil's ability to retain and supply water to crops, improving productivity while reducing water consumption.
3Manufacturing precision
If subsurface injection system with deployable wings is used, then targeted blending and horizon creation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the injection system into modular components: hollow shafts with lateral dispensing ports, deployable radial wings, and controllable injection mechanisms. Each segment performs a specific function (delivery, blending, distribution), allowing precise subsurface blending while managing complexity through modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic deployable wings that can be extended or retracted based on operational needs. The wings rotate and position themselves to create specific soil horizons or blend amendments radially, providing precise control over the blending process without requiring permanently complex mechanical structures.
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 targeted subsurface blending and horizon creation, enhancing soil health, improving yield, and increasing water retention, while minimizing surface disruption and promoting eco-colonization.
Implementation Method 1
The wings are actuated by an electromagnet
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of industrial diamonds or blades to cut through sub-surface impediments
Implementation Method 3
The wings integrate a plurality of sensors based on Lidar technology
Implementation Method 4
A sub-surface injection system...capable of cutting through impediments and blending materials at various depths
Implementation Method 5
blending materials at various depths...wings...to blend material within a smaller circumferential sub-surface soil horizon
Data Source
AI summary
A sub-surface injection system for subsurface blending and horizon creation includes wings (105B, 519A, 511C, 513C, 519C), partially actuated mixing wings (205B, 309A, 411C, 419C, 511A, 519A, 511B, 513B, and 521B), an electromagnet, AI robot (1107C), lens (1205), computer (111C), a PLC (1105C), encoder (1305B), limit switch (1409B), and a GPS (1113C). The wings (105B) are actuated by the electromagnet. The wings (105B) include blades (911B, 913B, and 915B), the partially actuated mixing wings (513B) during descension and/or ascension, and industrial diamonds or blades to cut through sub-surface impediments. The wings (105B, 519A, 511C, 513C, 519C) are controlled by the A1 robot (1107C), the lens (1205), the computer (1111C), the PLC (1105C), the encoder (1305B), the limit switch (1409B), and the sensor. The wings (511C, 513C, 519C) exist within a below portion or an above portion of a hollow shaft drilling array and are individually controlled by one or more of the AI robot (1107C), lens (1205), computer (1111C), PLC (1105C), encoder (1305B), limit switch (1409B)}, and the sensor. The wings (511C) include a secondary deployable blade to enhance cutting or reaming through an impediment comprising clays and rack. The wings (519A) integrate sensors based on Lidar technology. The sensors receive commands and signals from the Al robot (1107C), the lens (1205), computer (1111C), PLC (1105C), encoder (13058), and the limit switch (1409B). The wings (105B, 519A. 511C, 513C, 519C) are deploved based on the data about soil type and amendment prescription received from the GPS (1113C).