Water-Powered Irrigation Control for Battery-Free Remote Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart irrigation systems face challenges in delivering electrical power to electronic control units due to large, remote agricultural land areas, making grid connection impractical and battery solutions like solar panels or buried batteries less ideal.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation system that harnesses pressurized water flow to generate electrical power using a power harvester, such as a water turbine, and stores it in an energy storage unit, with control circuitry managing valve operation based on generated voltage thresholds to optimize power generation and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If grid connection is used to provide power to electronic control units, then reliable electrical power supply is achieved, but it becomes impractical or impossible due to large, remote agricultural land areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service by harvesting power locally from the pressurized water flow that already passes through the irrigation system. The power harvester converts the kinetic energy of the water flow into electrical power, eliminating the need for external grid connection or manual battery replacement, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable power supply and feasibility in remote locations
Solution Approach 2:
The power harvester acts as an intermediary device that captures energy from the pressurized water flow and converts it into electrical power for the control units. This intermediary mechanism enables power generation in remote locations without requiring grid infrastructure or manual intervention
2Reliability
If solar panels are used to recharge batteries, then electrical power can be provided in remote locations, but solar panels may be stolen and require manual removal and recharging which is labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The power harvester enables the system to service itself by continuously harvesting power from the water flow to recharge the energy storage unit. This eliminates the need for manual battery removal and recharging, and removes the vulnerability of exposed solar panels, as the power harvesting is integrated within the protected irrigation system infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The solution extracts power directly from the pressurized water flow that is already present in the system, rather than relying on external solar panels or batteries. This extraction method integrates power generation into the existing water delivery infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate power generation components that are vulnerable to theft or require manual maintenance
3Reliability
If hidden or buried batteries are used, then theft is avoided, but manual removal and recharging off site is required which is labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The power harvester enables continuous automatic recharging of the energy storage unit from the pressurized water flow. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual removal and off-site recharging of batteries, as the system continuously replenishes its power supply automatically while operating
Solution Approach 2:
The power harvester operates continuously as long as pressurized water flows through the system, providing continuous power generation and recharging. This continuous operation eliminates the periodic manual intervention required for battery replacement, transforming maintenance from a discrete labor-intensive task into an ongoing automatic process
4Power
If the second controllable valve is opened to allow water flow through the power harvester, then electrical power is generated, but water flow to the irrigation area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial action by diverting only a portion of the pressurized water flow through the power harvester via the second controllable valve, while the majority of water continues to the irrigation area through the first controllable valve. This partial diversion generates sufficient power without significantly compromising water delivery to the fields
Solution Approach 2:
The pressurized water flow serves multiple functions: it delivers water to the irrigation area through the first valve and simultaneously generates electrical power by flowing through the power harvester via the second valve. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the water flow serve both irrigation and power generation purposes concurrently
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
Provides a self-sustaining power supply for irrigation control units, reducing maintenance needs and extending system lifespan by minimizing harvester operation, while ensuring efficient water distribution based on environmental sensors and commands.
Implementation Method 1
A power harvester has a harvester inlet coupled in fluid communication with the second valve outlet and having a harvester outlet coupled in fluid communication with a drain pipe, the power harvester configured to generate electrical power at a power output in response to pressurized water flowing therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation system includes a first valve fluidly-coupled between an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, and a second valve fluidly-coupled between the inlet pipe and a power harvester. The power harvester generates electrical power at a power output in response to fluid flowing therethrough. An energy storage unit is coupled to the power output to store generated voltage. Comparison circuitry compares the generated voltage to a threshold. Control circuitry causes the second valve to permit fluid to flow therethrough when the generated voltage is less than the threshold, causing generation of the electrical power by the power harvester when the generated voltage is less than the threshold. The comparison circuitry causes the second valve to prevent fluid flow when the generated voltage is at least equal to threshold, ceasing generation of the electrical power by the power harvester when the generated voltage is at least equal to the threshold.