Surge Valve Assembly With Dual-Zone Cutback Irrigation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surge irrigation systems face low adoption due to user understanding issues, difficulty in setting advance times, power interruptions, and changing flow rates over time, leading to inefficiencies and inadequate water application.
Innovation Solution
A surge irrigation system with independently controlled valves and flow meters, allowing for true cutback irrigation, automatic adjustment of advance times, and wireless communication for parameter monitoring and control, enabling efficient water distribution without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a single surge valve with programmable controller is used to control water distribution, then the valve can automatically oscillate between pipes to provide surge irrigation, but the system lacks flexibility to independently control different irrigation zones and cannot真正实现 cutback irrigation
Solution Approach 1:
The single surge valve is divided into two independently controlled valves (first surge valve and second surge valve), each controlling a separate pipe arm and irrigation zone. This segmentation allows independent control of different field zones while maintaining automated surge irrigation functionality in each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed programmable controller to a dynamic control system where valve positions and flow rates can be continuously adjusted based on real-time flow meter feedback. This enables adaptive control that responds to changing field conditions and achieves true cutback irrigation.
2Ease of operation
If advance time is manually observed and adjusted during irrigation, then the irrigation can be adapted to field conditions, but the process requires continuous user intervention and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Flow meters are installed in each pipe arm to provide real-time feedback on water flow rates. The controller receives this feedback and automatically adjusts valve positions and advance times, eliminating the need for manual observation and adjustment while maintaining adaptation to field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation system performs self-adjustment through automated control algorithms that use flow meter data to optimize advance times and valve positions. The system serves itself by automatically adapting to changing conditions without requiring user intervention.
3Device complexity
If surge irrigation is implemented with a single valve system, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot provide true cutback irrigation and lacks independence in controlling multiple zones
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses two independently controlled surge valves instead of one, with each valve controlling a separate pipe arm. This segmentation enables true cutback irrigation where each zone can be independently managed, while the overall system structure remains relatively simple and modular.
4Device complexity
If the irrigation system operates without flow measurement, then the system is simpler and cheaper, but it cannot automatically adapt to changing flow rates and maintain irrigation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Flow meters provide continuous feedback on actual flow rates in each pipe arm. The controller uses this feedback to automatically adjust advance times and valve positions, ensuring optimal irrigation efficiency even when flow rates change due to well drawdown or seasonal variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters (advance times, valve positions, flow rates) based on real-time flow meter measurements. This allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain high irrigation efficiency throughout the irrigation season.
Data Source
AI summary
A surge irrigation system includes a main inlet pipe configured to be coupled to a source of pressurized water. The main inlet pipe is coupled to a flow meter for the purpose of improving furrow irrigation. The system further includes two independent, valve-actuated and controlled pipe arm segments extending from the main inlet pipe. One of the pipe arm segments extends toward a first irrigation zone in a field, and the second pipe arm segment extends toward the second irrigation zone in the field. The system further includes water advance sensors for the purpose of improving a surge irrigation program for an improved autonomous and parameter-setting operation. Additionally the controller, sensor and interface use radio communication.