Z-Fold Lateral Irrigation System for Irregular Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lateral irrigation systems struggle to effectively irrigate irregular-shaped fields and fields with non-parallel canal orientations, missing corner portions due to their fixed parallel movement and inability to adapt to diagonal orientations.
Innovation Solution
A lateral move irrigation system with pivotally connected support structures and a sensing device-controlled fluid delivery system that adjusts its configuration to navigate through tight spaces and cover irregular field shapes by pivoting support structures, allowing the system to shorten its effective length and reach all areas of the field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lateral irrigation system moves parallel to the canal, then the system structure is simple and easy to operate, but the system cannot fully irrigate fields when the canal is not parallel with a boundary of the field
Solution Approach 1:
The support structures are made pivotally connected rather than rigidly fixed, allowing the irrigation system to dynamically change its configuration. The support structures can pivot between a first position (lateral alignment) and a second position (diagonal alignment), enabling the system to adapt to different field orientations while maintaining operational simplicity through automated positioning
2Device complexity
If the lateral irrigation system uses a fixed parallel configuration, then the device complexity is low, but the system cannot fully irrigate irregular shaped fields or fields with portions that are too narrow for passage
Solution Approach 1:
The support structures are made pivotally connected rather than rigidly fixed, allowing the irrigation system to dynamically change its configuration. The support structures can pivot between a first position (lateral alignment) and a second position (diagonal alignment), enabling the system to adapt to different field orientations while maintaining operational simplicity through automated positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation system is divided into multiple independently controllable support structures that can be positioned and pivoted separately. This segmentation allows the system to navigate through narrow passages and adapt to irregular field shapes by adjusting individual support structure positions without requiring complete system redesign
3Area of stationary object
If the lateral irrigation system maintains a long effective length, then the irrigation coverage is maximized, but the system cannot pass through narrow passages or tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support structures can dynamically pivot to change the effective length of the irrigation system. When passing through narrow passages, the support structures pivot to reduce the effective length, allowing passage through tight spaces. Once past the narrow area, the support structures return to their extended position to maximize irrigation coverage area
Data Source
AI summary
A lateral irrigation system comprising a plurality of towers and a plurality of lateral structures extending between and connected to the towers. The support structures may comprise a first support structure, a second support structure pivotable relative to the first support structure, and a third support structure pivotable relative to the second support structure. The irrigation system may also comprise a fluid delivery system having conduits attached to or extending through the support structures and configured to output water from orifices formed therein. The irrigation system may further comprise joints at which the second and third support structures may pivot. The second and third support structures may be configured to pivot into a substantially zig-zag or “Z”-shaped configuration relative to the first support structure.