System and method for maintaining irrigation accuracy of an irrigation system
First Claim
1. An irrigation system for applying an irrigation fluid from a fluid source to an irrigation region, the irrigation system comprising:
- an irrigation unit that directs the irrigation fluid to a portion of the irrigation region, the irrigation unit including (i) a nozzle that is in fluid communication with the fluid source so that the irrigation fluid from the fluid source is transferred to the nozzle, (ii) a sensor that determines an orientation of a portion of the irrigation unit, and (iii) a unit control system that receives a signal from the sensor regarding the position of the portion of the irrigation unit to adjust one of a flow rate of irrigation fluid through the nozzle and a position of the nozzle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An irrigation system (10) includes one or more alignment guides (38) and an irrigation unit (20). The irrigation unit (20) directs irrigation fluid (19) to at least a portion of an irrigation region (30). The irrigation unit (20) includes a nozzle (220), a sensor (260) that senses a change in position of a portion of the irrigation unit (20) relative to the alignment guides (38), and a unit control system (240). The sensor (260) can be an infrared sensor. The unit control system (240) receives information from the sensor (260) regarding the change in position and adjusts a flow rate of irrigation fluid (19) through the nozzle (220) and/or a position of the nozzle (220) relative to the alignment guides (38). The alignment guides (38) can be formed from a heat absorbing material that is sensed by the sensor (260).
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. An irrigation system for applying an irrigation fluid from a fluid source to an irrigation region, the irrigation system comprising:
an irrigation unit that directs the irrigation fluid to a portion of the irrigation region, the irrigation unit including (i) a nozzle that is in fluid communication with the fluid source so that the irrigation fluid from the fluid source is transferred to the nozzle, (ii) a sensor that determines an orientation of a portion of the irrigation unit, and (iii) a unit control system that receives a signal from the sensor regarding the position of the portion of the irrigation unit to adjust one of a flow rate of irrigation fluid through the nozzle and a position of the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An irrigation system for applying an irrigation fluid from a fluid source to an irrigation region, the irrigation system comprising:
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a first alignment guide;
an irrigation unit positioned within the irrigation region, a portion of the irrigation unit having a first orientation relative to the first alignment guide, the irrigation unit including (i) a nozzle that is in fluid communication with the fluid source so that the irrigation fluid from the fluid source is transferred to the nozzle, (ii) a sensor that senses the position of the first alignment guide relative to the portion of the irrigation unit, and (iii) a unit control system that receives a signal from the sensor to determine if the portion of the irrigation unit has moved from the first orientation. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for increasing irrigation accuracy of an irrigation unit that is susceptible to unintended movement, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing a position of an alignment guide with a sensor that is coupled to a housing of an irrigation unit, the alignment guide being spaced apart from the irrigation unit;
locating the alignment guide with the sensor following movement of a portion of the irrigation unit relative to the alignment guide; and
adjusting one of a flow rate through a nozzle of the irrigation unit and a position of the nozzle based on the relative position of the alignment guide following the movement of the portion of the irrigation unit. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification