Variable Nozzle Control for Uniform Irrigation Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanized irrigation systems often leave areas of a field without access to water, fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides, resulting in sub-optimal crop health and growth due to limitations in water and nutrient distribution beyond the reach of the main irrigation structure.
Innovation Solution
A variable nozzle control assembly is integrated into the outer end of self-propelled mechanized irrigation systems, allowing dynamic adjustment of water flow, angle, trajectory, and pressure to ensure comprehensive irrigation coverage, including areas beyond the main structure through a combination of sensors, computer control panels, and automatic nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If water distribution is extended beyond the main irrigation structure, then irrigational coverage is improved, but water distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly is designed to dynamically change the angle, trajectory, pressure, and flow rate of water based on the irrigation system's location in the field. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain uniform water distribution across the entire field area, including regions beyond the main irrigation structure, by adapting water parameters to compensate for distance and position variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple water parameters simultaneously (angle, trajectory, pressure, GPM flow) to achieve uniform distribution. By varying these parameters as a function of location, the nozzle assembly compensates for the natural decrease in water pressure and coverage uniformity that occurs at greater distances from the main structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If variable nozzle control is implemented, then water distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly integrates multiple control functions (angle adjustment, trajectory control, pressure regulation, flow rate management) into a single multi-functional unit. This universal design allows one assembly to perform all necessary adjustments for uniform water distribution, reducing the need for separate control devices and thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If dynamic nozzle adjustment is used, then irrigational coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensors, computer control panels, and automatic nozzles into an integrated control system that operates as a unified entity. By merging these components into a single coordinated assembly, the system achieves comprehensive irrigational coverage while managing complexity through integration rather than through numerous separate devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation system is disclosed that includes a variable nozzle control assembly disposed or coupled to the outer-most end of the structure of a self-propelled mechanized irrigation system. The variable nozzle control assembly may be configured to control the output water/applicant as a function of the mechanized irrigation system's location in the field. As the mechanized irrigation system travels an irrigation path, the variable nozzle control assembly may dynamically change the angle, trajectory, pressure, gallons per minute (GPM) flow (flow capacity) of the water and/or applicant released from the outer most end of the mechanized irrigation structure to provide sufficient irrigational coverage to the land.