System and method for end gun control and compensation

• US 10,721,881 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2018
• Issued: 07/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valmont Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Valmont Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Fischman, Kevin K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Connolly, Mark A
• Application Number:
  US16/039,642
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/092 movable around a pivot centre
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/02 Instruments for indicating weather conditions by measuring two or more variables, e.g. humidity, pressure, temperature, cloud cover or wind speed G01W1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/024 in which a parameter or coefficient is automatically adjusted to optimise the performance
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 13/62 characterised by the use of electric means, e.g. use of a tachometric dynamo, use of a transducer converting an electric value into a displacement electric motor control H02P
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/20 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method which combines field mapping and control software to effectively manage end gun parameters to adjust for changes in weather conditions and positional/terrain changes. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention preferably provides a system which monitors a mapped set of boundaries and preferably receives data regarding a variety of weather factors including wind monitoring (speed, direction, averages, and gusts) and preferably makes adjustments to the system to adjust and modify the shape of a desired distribution area based on the weather factors.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an irrigation system in response to detected conditions, wherein the method comprises:

receiving the mapped boundaries of a field to be irrigated;

receiving system data, wherein the system data comprises;

location data;

environmental data; and

irrigation machine condition data;

receiving route data;

receiving endgun parameter data;

analyzing the received system data, route data and endgun parameter data;

calculating the throw distances for the endgun based on the system data, route data and endgun parameter data;

comparing the calculated throw distances to the mapped field boundaries based on received route data to determine where the throw distances will exceed the mapped field boundaries;

adjusting one or more endgun parameters or at least one system parameter to lower the calculated throw distances so that the spray from the endgun lands substantially within the mapped field boundaries;

setting an initial set of endgun parameters;

executing an irrigation plan;

receiving and updating system, route and endgun parameter data while the irrigation plan is executed;

monitoring the execution of the irrigation plan and the location of the endgun during the execution of the irrigation plan; and

adjusting system and endgun parameters in response updated system, route and endgun parameter data to create a desired distribution pattern which falls within the mapped field boundaries.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters includes a parameter selected from the group of parameters comprising:

endgun parameters and system travel speed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters comprises a parameter selected from the group of parameters comprising:

applicant mixture, applicant type and direction of travel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the endgun parameters are selected from the group of parameters comprising:

nozzle droplet size, start/end angles, nozzle valve opening pressure, and nozzle settings.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the system calculates all endgun parameters for the entirety of the irrigation plan prior to irrigation.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the wherein the system continually receives environmental data, system condition data, and location data during irrigation operations.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the system dynamically changes endgun parameters as environmental data, system condition data, and location data are received during irrigation operations.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the environmental data is further comprised of data selected from the group of data comprising:

rate of rain fall, pH of rain fall, sunlight levels, and rates of temperature change.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the system increases water pressure based on a detected wind direction.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the location data comprises:

direction of travel, rate of travel, slope of field, and safety zones.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one endgun parameter is adjusted based on the detected slope of the field to be irrigated.