Integrated sap flow monitoring, data logging, automatic irrigation control scheduling system
First Claim
1. A closed-loop system operated by a user for performing sap flow monitoring and measurement, and for simultaneously performing data-logging thereof in a field having a first plurality of plants, and for simultaneously calculating sap flow attributes for said first plurality of plants based upon said logged sap flow data so that irrigation-water may be applied to replenish water consumed by transpiration of said first plurality of plants in said field;
- said system comprising;
a dedicated microprocessor for providing real-time automatic closed-loop irrigation control with a second plurality of sensors and devices disposed in said field;
said second plurality of sensors and devices including;
a third plurality of sap flow gauges adapted to be attached to and detached from said first plurality of plants, and for automatically monitoring of said sap flow in said first plurality of plants;
a water reservoir interconnected with a fourth plurality of pipes interconnected with a fifth plurality of valves, for automatically distributing said calculated quantity of said irrigation-water to said first plurality of plants in said field to irrigate said field; and
power means interconnected with said dedicated microprocessor and said fourth plurality of pipes interconnected with said fifth plurality of valves for automatically driving said closed-loop system and said quantity of said irrigation-water.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated system for monitoring sap flow and simultaneously performing data-logging and automatically scheduling irrigation in a field; comprising a plurality of in situ sap flow gauges that perform its comprehensive computer-controlled tasks in the field being irrigated. This plurality of sap flow gauge can be detached from and reattached to a like plurality of plant stems as appropriate. A scaling mechanism is used to calculate crop water usage in variously-sized fields. An integrated portable computer apparatus is programmed to perform a plurality of actions including sap flow monitoring via a controller and data-logger; data-logging and automatic irrigation scheduling; a plurality of sap flow gauges; an automatic rain gage; a water meter; an irrigation valve actuator; and any auxiliary and independent weather or soil monitoring sensors. The system is connected to a PC, mounted in a weatherproof enclosure, and powered by rechargeable battery, solar panel, or AC mains power with battery backup. Computerized monitoring and control procedures are initialized via a custom-developed graphical user interface. At any predetermined interval set by a user, the depth or volume of water required to balance transpiration losses is calculated and irrigation is then automatically triggered. The system affords closed loop control with water flow from soil through plant to atmosphere and from irrigation—and having the benefit of a feedback loop.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A closed-loop system operated by a user for performing sap flow monitoring and measurement, and for simultaneously performing data-logging thereof in a field having a first plurality of plants, and for simultaneously calculating sap flow attributes for said first plurality of plants based upon said logged sap flow data so that irrigation-water may be applied to replenish water consumed by transpiration of said first plurality of plants in said field;
- said system comprising;
a dedicated microprocessor for providing real-time automatic closed-loop irrigation control with a second plurality of sensors and devices disposed in said field; said second plurality of sensors and devices including; a third plurality of sap flow gauges adapted to be attached to and detached from said first plurality of plants, and for automatically monitoring of said sap flow in said first plurality of plants; a water reservoir interconnected with a fourth plurality of pipes interconnected with a fifth plurality of valves, for automatically distributing said calculated quantity of said irrigation-water to said first plurality of plants in said field to irrigate said field; and power means interconnected with said dedicated microprocessor and said fourth plurality of pipes interconnected with said fifth plurality of valves for automatically driving said closed-loop system and said quantity of said irrigation-water. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- said system comprising;
Specification