Abstrict The present invention provides a flow meter comprising a microprocessor
that calculates an applied irrigation amount for a time period for
an area of an irrigated site. Additionally, the microprocessor determines
a calculated watering requirement and a mathematical relationship
between the calculated watering requirement and the applied irrigation
amount. The flow meter further comprises an output device that provides
information on the applied irrigation amount and the result of the
mathematical relationship to at least one of an irrigation user
and a third party. Preferably the calculated watering requirement
is at least partly derived from ETo data. It is further contemplated
that the microprocessor, disposed in the flow meter, will also detect,
record and display flow anomalies. The flow anomalies may be due
to power outages, flow meter malfunctions, and so forth.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A flow meter comprising a microprocessor that calculates an
applied irrigation amount for a time period for an area of an irrigated
site.
2. The flow meter of claim 1 communicatively coupled to at least
one of an irrigation user and a third party.
3. The flow meter of claim 2 further comprising an output device
that provides information on the applied irrigation amount to the
irrigation user and/or the third party.
4. The flow meter of claim 1 wherein the time period is at least
10 seconds.
5. The flow meter of claim 1 wherein the irrigated site is an
agricultural site.
6. The flow meter of claim 1 wherein the irrigated site is a horticultural
site.
7. The flow meter of claim 3 wherein the output device is a display
screen.
8. The flow meter of claim 3 wherein the output device is printed
material.
9. The flow meter of claim 1 wherein the calculation comprises
an amount of water that was applied to the irrigated site during
a prior irrigation event.
10. The flow meter of claim 1 wherein the calculation comprises
an amount of water that was applied to the irrigated site during
the previous seven days.
11. The flow meter of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor calculates
a watering requirement for the irrigated site.
12. The flow meter of claim 11 wherein the watering requirement
is at least partly derived from ETo data.
13. The flow meter of claim 11 wherein the watering requirement
is at least partly derived from a crop coefficient value.
14. The flow meter of claim 11 wherein the watering requirement
is at least partly derived from an irrigation efficiency value.
15. The flow meter of claim 11 wherein the microprocessor determines
a mathematical relationship between the watering requirement and
the applied irrigation amount.
16. The flow meter of claim 15 wherein an output device provides
a result of the mathematical relationship to at least one of an
irrigation user and a third party.
17. The flow meter of claim 16 wherein the result comprises a
ratio of the calculated watering requirement to the applied irrigation
amount.
18. The flow meter of claim 16 wherein the result comprises a
difference between the calculated watering requirement and the applied
irrigation amount.
19. The flow meter of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor uses
water pressure data in the calculation.
20. The flow meter of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor detects,
records and displays flow anomalies.
21. The flow meter of claim 20 wherein the flow anomaly is due
to a power outage.
22. The flow meter of claim 20 wherein the flow anomaly is due
to flow meter malfunctions.
23. The flow meter of claim 20 wherein the flow anomaly is due
to human intervention.
24. A method of collecting irrigation information, comprising:
providing a microprocessor, disposed in a flow meter; and the microprocessor
calculating an applied irrigation amount for a time period for an
irrigated site.
25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the microprocessor
calculating a watering requirement for the time period for the irrigated
site.
26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the microprocessor
determining a mathematical relationship between the watering requirement
and the applied irrigation amount.
Description [0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/852230 filed on May 08 2001 which claims
priority to U.S. provisional application number 60/209709 filed
Jun. 05 2000 both incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of the invention is irrigation systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In arid areas of the world water is becoming one of the
most precious natural resources. Meeting future water needs in these
arid areas may require aggressive conservation measures, including
efficient irrigation management systems. Efficient irrigation management
systems involve the irrigation of a plant based on the plant's actual
water requirements. A method for determining a plant's water requirements
is to determine the quantity of water that is removed from the soil
by evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration is the process by which
water is removed from the soil by direct evaporation from the soil
and plant and by transpiration from the plant surface. If the amount
of water that is removed by evapotranspiration (ETo) is replaced,
this generally meets the water requirements of the plants. Irrigation
controllers that derive all or part of an irrigation schedule from
ETo data (ET irrigation controllers) are discussed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5479339issued December 1995 to Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 5097861
issued March 1992 to Hopkins, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5023787 issued
June 1991and U.S. Pat. No. 5229937 issued July 1993 both to Evelyn-Veere,
U.S. Pat. No. 5208855 issued May 1993 to Marian, U.S. Pat. No.
5696671 issued December 1997 and U.S. Pat. No. 5870302 issued
February 1999 both to Oliver, U.S. Pat. No. 6102061 issued August
2000 and U.S. Pat. No. 6298285 both to Addink and U.S. Pat. No.
6453216 issued September 2002 to McCabe, et al.
[0004] Irrigation that is based on evapotranspiration generally
involves the irrigation user accessing some source from which to
obtain daily or weekly ETo data. Sources of ETo data can include
CIMIS (California Irrigation Management Information System, maintained
by the California Department of Water Resources), CoAgMet maintained
by Colorado State University-Atmospheric Sciences, AZMET maintained
by University of Arizona-Soils, Water and Environmental Science
Department, New Mexico State University-Agronomy and Horticulture,
and Texas A&M University-Agricultural Engineering Department
and many other governmental and non-governmental sources. The irrigation
user then develops an irrigation schedule based on the ETo data
received. The problem is that the irrigation user generally does
not have a reasonable and effective method to determine whether
or not he/she actually applied the right amount of water to replace
the water removed from the soil by evapotranspiration. Some use
the manufacturers'specification for their irrigation system but
this can vary substantially due to variation in water pressure and
other inherent variability in irrigation systems that will affect
the irrigation application rate. In crop production, some irrigation
users use personal computers in their offices or other computing
devices to which information on irrigation water usage is transmitted,
but this generally involves substantial expense and therefore few
producers invest in this technology.
[0005] Flow meters are used with some irrigation systems and are
discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4209131issued June 1980 to Barash,
U.S. Pat. No. 5176163issued January 1993 to Al-Hamlan, U.S. Pat.
No. 5241786issued September 1993 to Burns, et al., U.S. Pat.
No. 5971011 issued October 1999 to Price, U.S. Pat. No. 6343255B1
issued January 2002 to Peek et. al. and patents 5097861 5229937
6102061 6398385and 6453216mentioned above. Irrigation systems
discussed in patents 4209131 5176163 5229937 5241786and
6102061use the flow meter primarily to set limits to the quantity
of water that will be applied by the irrigation system. In patents
5097861 5971011and 6398385the flow meters are primarily used
for leak detection. Water flow meters marketed today generally provide
the flow rate and total flow, which is continuously accumulated.
The flow data is obtained from the flow meter and then used by a
separate device to calculate a quantity of water applied for a specific
time period for a specific area of land. It is important to recognize
that these calculations are done by microprocessors disposed in
devices separate from the flow meter. Few irrigation users determine
the actual water applied for a specific time period to a specific
area of land due to the substantial expense involved in installing
a system to obtain the flow data and then the additional expense
and time required to perform the calculations to arrive at the actual
water applied for a specific time period to a specific area of land.
[0006] The irrigation users will likely not change their irrigation
practices until they are made aware of how inefficient their watering
practices are. What is needed is reasonable and effective methods
and devices that will accurately determine the amount of water applied
for a specific time period to a specific area of land. Additionally,
the methods and devices must provide the irrigation user with information
on the amount of water that should have been applied to a specific
area of land and the amount of water that actually was applied to
the specific area of land.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A flow meter having a microprocessor that calculates an
applied irrigation amount for a time period for an area of an irrigated
site. Additionally, a flow meter can be coupled to an output device
that provides information on the applied irrigation amount to at
least one of an irrigation user and a third party.
[0008] It is generally contemplated that the time period for determining
the applied irrigation amount is at least 10 seconds.
[0009] The irrigated site may be an agricultural site, horticultural
site or any other irrigated site.
[0010] The output device may be a display screen, printed material,
an audible device, such as a telephone or any other type of output
device that communicates applied irrigation information to the irrigation
user and/or a third party.
[0011] Applied irrigation information preferably includes information
concerning the amount of water that was applied to the irrigated
area during an prior irrigation event, second to last irrigation
event and so forth. Additionally, applied irrigation information
may include an amount of water that was applied to the irrigated
area during the last seven days, last thirty days or any other appropriate
interval of time. In some embodiments, applied irrigation information
may include information received from other sensors such as a water
pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a rainfall sensor, a wind
sensor and so on.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a microprocessor,
disposed in the flow meter, also determines a calculated watering
requirement. Additionally, it is contemplated that the microprocessor
will determine a mathematical relationship between the calculated
watering requirement and the applied irrigation amount. The output
device can provide the result of the mathematical relationship to
at least one of an irrigation user and a third party.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the calculated watering requirement
is at least partly derived from ETo data. The ETo data may be potential
ETo data, estimated ETo data or historical ETo data. Furthermore,
the ETo data may be received from a device local to the irrigation
site or distal to the irrigation site. In other aspects, the calculated
watering requirement may be at least partly derived from a crop
coefficient value and an irrigation efficiency value. A ratio of
the watering requirement to the applied irrigation amount may be
calculated. Alternatively or additionally, a difference between
the calculated watering requirement and the applied irrigation amount
may be calculated. Other suitable mathematical calculations may
also be made using the calculated watering requirement and the applied
irrigation amount.
[0014] An additional application of the present invention, beside
the determination of the applied and calculated watering amounts,
is the detection, recording and displaying of flow anomalies to
irrigation users and/or third parties. Preferably, the microprocessor,
disposed in the flow meter, determines if a flow anomaly occurred,
records when the flow anomaly occurred and displays information
on the flow anomaly to at least one of an irrigation user and a
third party. A flow anomaly may be due to a power outage, a flow
meter malfunction, human intervention, a broken water line, a leaky
seal, and other factors that may cause a faulty calculation of applied
irrigation amount.
[0015] It is further contemplated that the microprocessor, disposed
in the flow meter, will determine, record and display data anomalies
from other devices, including pressure sensors, temperature sensors
and any other sensor or device that is connected to the flow meter.
[0016] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description that describes a preferred embodiment of the invention,
along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent
like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an irrigation system according
to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a flow meter as part of an irrigation
system.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of steps involved in determining
an applied irrigation amount.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of steps involved in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of steps involved in an embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 is an example of an irrigation system according to
the present invention. Controller 100 may be an automatic irrigation
controller, a manual input controller, a personal computer or any
other device that is appropriate for controlling an irrigation system.
The controller 100 operates one center pivot irrigation unit 160.
An agricultural center pivot 160 is shown but it can be appreciated
that the inventive concept could apply to linear moving lines, wheel
lines, underground sprinklers, and any other irrigation system.
Further, it will be understood that only one center pivot 160 is
shown but this is not to be interpreted as limiting the number or
configuration of center pivots or other irrigation units. Among
other things, the controller 100 starts a pump 180 (not used with
every irrigation system) and operates solenoids (not shown), which
open valve 150 to allow irrigation water to flow from a water source
170 to be applied through the center pivot 160. A flow meter is
generally positioned between a pump (a water source , if no pump
is present) and a valve. However, it is contemplated that a flow
meter may be positioned after a valve but before the sprinklers
in certain situations.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a water flow meter 200 according
to an aspect of the present invention that includes a microprocessor
220 an on-board memory 210 some manual input devices 230 through
232 (buttons and/or knobs), an input/output (I/O) circuitry 221
connected in a conventional manner, a display screen 250 a communications
port 240 a serial, parallel or other communications connection
241 coupling the flow meter to other devices, such as personal computers,
telephone lines, radio transmitters, etc., a water flow measurement
device 270 a flow sensor 275 a power supply 280 a rain detection
device 291 a wind sensor 292 a water pressure sensor 293 and a
temperature sensor 294. Each of these components by itself is well
known in the electronic industry, with the exception of the programming
of the microprocessor in accordance with the functionality set forth
herein. There are hundreds of suitable chips that can be used for
this purpose. At present, experimental versions have been made using
a generic Intel 80C54chip, and it is contemplated that such a chip
would be satisfactory for production models.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a water
flow meter has one or more common communication internal bus(es).
The bus can use a common or custom protocol to communicate between
devices. There are several suitable communication protocols, which
can be used for this purpose. At present, experimental versions
have been made using an I.sup.2C serial data communication, and
it is contemplated that this communication method would be satisfactory
for production models. This bus is used for internal data transfer
to and from the EEPROM memory, and is used for communication with
peripheral devices and measurement equipment including but not limited
to a rain detection device 291 a wind sensor 292 water pressure
sensor 293 and a temperature sensor 294.
[0025] A power supply 280 can be electricity, battery or any other
suitable power supply.
[0026] In FIG. 3 the first step in the determination of the applied
irrigation amount for a time period for an area of an irrigated
site is turning the irrigation system on and applying water to the
irrigated site 300. The flow measuring device is activated by the
flow of water through the pipe, which in the example in step 410
involves the revolving of a propeller due to the flow of water past
the propeller blades. Although, a preferred flow measuring device
is one that comprises a propeller flow meter, it can be appreciated
that a flow measuring device could comprise an ultra sonic flow
meter, an impeller type flow meter, or other suitable flow measuring
device. In step 310 a flow sensor detects the revolving of the propeller
and a signal, in proportion to the revolutions sensed, is transmitted
to the microprocessor via an input/output device (See FIG. 2 221).
[0027] In step 330 the microprocessor converts the signals into
appropriate units of water flow. The units of water flow may be
gallons per minute, acre inches, acre feet or any other suitable
water flow measurement unit. The microprocessor then determines
the applied irrigation amount for a time period for an area of the
irrigated site 360. The time period(s), for which information on
water flow is desired, may be inputted into the microprocessor at
the factory, by the irrigation user or at any other suitable time
by any appropriate means 340. The time periods generally relate
to a prior irrigation event and may include the last irrigation
event, the second to last irrigation event, up to the nth to last
irrigation event. Alternatively or additionally the time periods
may include the water applied during the last seven days, the last
thirty days or any other interval of time. An area of the irrigated
site is defined by the acres inputted in the microprocessor 350.
[0028] As mentioned above, the microprocessor determines the applied
irrigation amount for a time period for an area of the irrigated
site 360. Following is an example of a preferred calculation that
would be conducted in the microprocessor in the determination of
the applied irrigation amount for a time period for an area of an
irrigated site. Assume that one of the desired time periods that
was inputted into the microprocessor was the last irrigation event.
Further, assume that the last irrigation event started at 05:33
am on Sep. 3 2002 ended at 05:33 pm on Sep. 5 2002and a flow
measurement of 92.8 acre inches of water was determined to have
flowed through the flow meter during this interval of time. The
flow meter would date and time stamp when the last irrigation event
started and when it ended and the quantity of water that was applied
during this time period. If the acres inputted in the microprocessor
was 130 acres (This is frequently the number of acres irrigated
by a center pivot) then the microprocessor would automatically determine
that 0.71inches of water was applied to the 130 acres during the
60 hour period (92.8 acre inches divided by 130 acres). If no more
water is applied on Sep. 5 2002 the 0.71 inches would be the total
applied irrigation amount for the three day period from Sep. 3 to
Sep. 5 2002.
[0029] The output device provides information on the applied irrigation
amount to an irrigation user and/or third party 370. Additionally,
the output device may provide information obtained from other devices
or sensors, such as, a rain detection device (See FIG. 2 291),
a wind sensor 292 a water pressure sensor 293 and a temperature
sensor 294 or any other devices connected to the flow meter. The
output device may comprise visual or audible devices such as a display
screen, printed material, an e-mail message, a telephone, a pager,
or any other type of output device that effectively communicates
the information to the irrigation user and/or a third party. It
is further contemplated that the information maybe transmitted to
either a handheld computer (Personal Digital Assistant) or other
computer device that can be used to display the information directly
to the irrigation user and/or third party in the field. Additionally,
the personal digital assistant maybe used to transfer the data from
the flow meter to a personal computer. At the personal computer
the downloaded information can be graphed and/or displayed in other
appropriate format to the irrigation user and/or third party. The
personal computer can also be used for the storing of a large quantity
of flow data that could not be done by the flow meter or the personal
digital assistant.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a microprocessor
would also determine a calculated watering requirement. The microprocessor,
in the determination of the calculated watering requirement, may
receive ETo data from a distal source, such as from a weather station,
radio station or some other distal source via a telephone line,
radio, pager, two-way pager, internet, cable, or any other suitable
communication mechanism (FIG. 4 step 400). It is also contemplated
that the microprocessor may receive the ETo data or weather data
from which the ETo data is determined from a local source such as,
sensors at the irrigation site or other local sources. The ETo data,
from which the calculated watering requirement is derived, may advantageously
comprise current ETo data (i.e., within the last week, three days,
or most preferably within the last 24 hours). The current ETo data
may be potential ETo data that is calculated based on the following
four weather factors; solar radiation, temperature, wind, and relative
humidity. Alternatively, the current ETo data may be estimated ETo
data (as for example that described in pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. PCT/US00/18705) that is based upon a regression model using
one or more of the weather factors used in calculating the potential
ETo. The ETo data used in determining the calculated watering requirement
may also be historical ETo data.
[0031] In step 450 the microprocessor determines the calculated
watering requirement for a time period for an area to be irrigated
410. The area 410 corresponds to the area to which the irrigation
was applied (FIG. 3 Step 350). The area irrigated or to be irrigated
is preferably stored in the memory but may be inputted into the
microprocessor at any time prior to the determination of the applied
irrigation amount and/or the calculated watering requirement.
[0032] It is contemplated that, in addition to ETo data 400 and
an area to be irrigated 410 the calculated watering requirement
determination 450 may be based on other information stored in the
memory and or received by the microprocessor that would help in
the determination of the best estimate of the water requirements
for the plants grown at the irrigated site. Other information may
include such factors as, a crop coefficient value 420 an irrigation
efficiency value 430 rainfall data 440 and other meteorological,
geographical, soil, etc. information.
[0033] Preferably, the time period that the calculated watering
requirement is determined for is one day. Most ETo data that is
provided by government agencies, weather stations, and so forth
is based on one day periods of time. However, it may be a time period
other than one day. It is additionally contemplated that the calculated
watering requirement may be a plurality of periods of time, for
example, daily periods may be accumulated to arrive at a calculated
watering requirement for a seven day period, a thirty day period
and so forth.
[0034] In step 460 a mathematical relationship is determined between
the calculated watering requirement 450 and the applied irrigation
amount 360. The mathematical relationship may be a ratio of the
calculated watering requirement to the applied irrigation amount,
the difference between the calculated watering requirement and the
applied irrigation amount or any other suitable mathematical relationship
between the calculated watering requirement and the applied irrigation
amount.
[0035] The following calculations are based on the above information
on the last irrigation event that was started at 05:33 am on Sep.
3 2002and ended at 05:33 pm on Sep. 5 2002. Assume that the calculated
water requirement for Sep. 2 3 and 4 2002 was 0.19 0.21 and 0.17
inches, respectively. Preferably water is applied the following
day to replace the water that was removed by evapotranspiration
the previous day. The total calculated water requirement for the
three days would be 0.57 inches. It was determined above that the
applied irrigation amount for the three days was 0.71 inches or
there was an excess of 0.14 inches (0.71 inches-0.57 inches) of
water applied to the 130 acres during the three day period. Based
on the above information, the irrigation user would know that he
or she had over applied water to the irrigated site and could make
appropriate adjustments to future irrigation applications.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the results
from the determination of the mathematical relationship between
the calculated watering requirement and the applied irrigation amount
are provided to the irrigation user and/or third parties 470. The
results may be provided as a ratio, a difference, a graph, actual
values of the calculated watering requirement and the applied irrigation
amount, or any other suitable form that aids the irrigation user
and/or third party in the efficient management of the irrigation
system.
[0037] The output device may display the results to the irrigation
user and/or third parties. Displays can be any reasonable size,
shape, composition, and so forth. Display 210 in FIG. 2 is a few
inches on a side, and is an LED or liquid crystal type display.
Other displays may be located away from the flow meter such as in
a personal computer. It is also contemplated that the results may
be communicated to the irrigation user and/or third parties through
means other than liquid crystal type displays, such as through printed
material, audible messages, such as via a telephone system or any
other suitable means that would communicate the results to irrigation
users and/or third parties.
[0038] It is contemplated that the irrigation user is a human being
that uses the irrigation system locally, or is responsible for local
monitoring or controlling of the irrigation system at the property.
For a residential property, the irrigation user is usually the homeowner
or a renter. In a commercial or agricultural setting, the irrigation
user is usually an employee of the property owner, manager, leaser,
or renter. Formal title of irrigation users is not important, as
the irrigation user at a commercial property may be referred to
as an engineer, building supervisor, etc.
[0039] Third party is a legal person other than the irrigation
user that has an interest in the irrigating done by the irrigation
user. A third party need not be a physical person, and may well
be a water district or other government agency, or an individual
or company involved in the care or management of the property, but
not locally situated at the property.
[0040] Preferably, the irrigation user will use the results to
modify subsequent irrigation schedules with the expectation of improving
the efficiency of the irrigation system 480. For example, if the
calculated watering requirement is more than the applied irrigation
amount, subsequent irrigation times may be reduced, which will in
turn reduce the potential waste of water. If dry spots occur with
a reduction in the irrigation amount, but the applied irrigation
amount still exceeds the calculated watering requirement, the irrigation
system should be checked for distribution uniformity problems, since
some irrigated areas may be receiving excessive amounts of water
while other areas are turning brown, due to lack of water.
[0041] Using the relationship of a calculated watering requirement
to an applied irrigation amount may also be a tool that water districts
could use during a time when there is a water shortage to motivate
irrigation users to practice efficient irrigating of their landscapes
based on ETo data.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an additional application of the
present invention. This additional application involves the detection,
recording and displaying of flow anomalies to irrigation users and/or
third parties. It is contemplated that the microprocessor, disposed
in the flow meter, will determine if a flow anomaly occurred, record
when the flow anomaly occurred, and display information on the flow
anomaly to at least one of an irrigation user and a third party.
[0043] In step 500 water flows through an irrigation pipe. In
step 510 a flow sensor detects the flow of the water and transmits
a signal to the microprocessor, disposed in the flow meter. The
signal should be proportional to the flow of the substance but due
to flow meter malfunctions or for other reasons the signal may not
always be proportional to the flow.
[0044] In FIG. 5 step 520 the microprocessor converts the signals
to appropriate units of flow rate, including gallons per minute,
cubic feet per second, and so forth or to appropriate units of total
flow, including gallons, acre feet and so forth. The signals that
are converted to appropriate units of flow rate and total flow are
hereinafter, termed measured flow rate or measured total flow, respectively.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
microprocessor, disposed in the flow meter, is programmed to automatically
determine an expected flow of a substance 530. This can be an expected
flow rate and/or an expected total flow of the water during a specific
period of time. For example, assume the average flow rate for an
irrigation system is 600 gallons per minute. The microprocessor
is programmed to learn that 600 gallons per minute is the average
flow rate and the microprocessor will use this average flow rate
as the expected flow rate. The microprocessor may be programmed
to learn the flow rate and or total flow by making hourly checks
of the flow rate and/or total flow. Alternatively, the learning
may occur over a period of a day, a week or any other appropriate
length of time. Additionally, the microprocessor may be programmed
to learn the expected flow rate or expected total flow by taking
three successive samples of the flow rate or total flow and then
taking an average of the three samples. Alternatively, the microprocessor
may be programmed to learn the expected flow rate or total flows
by sampling less than or more than three successive times or intervals
of time, respectively.
[0046] It is further contemplated that instead of the microprocessor
being programmed to automatically determine the expected flow rate
and/or total flow, the expected flow, either flow rate or total
flow, will be inputted (e.g. manually)into the microprocessor by
the user at the site, at the factory, or by any other appropriate
means 530.
[0047] In FIG. 5 step 540 the microprocessor compares the measured
flow rate or measured total flow to the expected flow rate or expected
total flow, respectively. If the measured flow rate or measured
total flow differ by a certain percentage from the expected flow
rate or expected total flow, respectively, then the microprocessor
may determine that a flow anomaly has occurred. The term `flow anomaly`
as used herein, refers to a measured flow rate or measured total
flow that varies from the expected flow rate or expected total flow
by a predetermined percentage. The predetermined percentage can
vary based on the irrigation site, acceptable flow error and other
factors. The predetermined percentage can be inputted into the microprocessor
by the user at the site, at the factory, or by any other entity
and by any. appropriate means. It can be appreciated that the difference
between the measured flow and the expected flow may be something
other than a percentage, such as, a numeric value or any other appropriate
means used to define a difference between the measured flow and
the expected flow, but such difference may be converted into a percentage
for comparison purposes.
[0048] There are several factors that may cause a flow anomaly.
A flow anomaly may be due to the fact that no flow was detected
because there was a power outage and therefore no power was provided
to the flow meter to allow it to measure the flow. It may be due
to an error in the measurement of the flow rate because of excessive
flow meter wear due to the age of the flow meter. Additionally,
a foreign object in the flow stream may prevent the flow from being
measured correctly. For example, with a water propeller flow meter,
if some foreign debris would catch on the propeller this may prevent
the propeller from turning in proportion to the flow of the water
through the pipe and an inaccurate meter reading would be obtained.
In addition to the flow meter malfunctions listed above, there are
many other flow meter malfunctions that could cause a flow anomaly
to occur. Furthermore, pipe leakage, and other liquid transfer system
problems could cause flow anomalies.
[0049] It is further contemplated that there could be factors,
other than flow meter malfunctions or water transfer system problems
that could cause flow anomalies to occur. These could include human
interventions. Humans may effect the flow rate or total flow of
a substance by their actions,. For example, assume that the flow
rate that would allow for the most uniform distribution of the water
to an irrigated site is 600 gallons per minute. If an excessive
number of sprinklers were turned on, a flow rate of greater than
600 gallons would likely occur and the irrigation uniformity could
be negatively effected. Although, only one example of human intervention
causing a flow anomaly is listed above, it can be appreciated that
there are many other instances where the actions of humans may cause
differences to occur between the measured flow rate or measured
total flow and the expected flow rate or expected total flow, respectively.
[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the microprocessor
would record and save information on the flow anomaly FIG. 5 550
in non-volatile memory (see FIG. 1 210). The flow meter may have
a real time clock disposed in it and whenever the microprocessor
determines that a flow anomaly occurred, it may date and time stamp
the flow anomaly beginning and ending times. For example, when an
irrigation flow meter has a power outage, it is contemplated that
the microprocessor would have date and time stamped every day prior
to the power outage and therefore would not have date and time stamped
the days when the power outage occurred. As soon as power is restored
to the flow meter the microprocessor will again date and time stamp
each day. This data can be kept in non-volatile memory. The power
outage period is generally calculated as the time period during
which the power was out as indicated by the date and time stamps.
Additionally, it is contemplated that the microprocessor will have
kept daily records of the irrigation water usage prior to the power
outage as indicated earlier (FIG. 3). The information on the flow
anomaly and information related to the flow anomaly, such as, the
daily records on irrigation water usage, may be kept in non-volatile
memory for preferred periods of one month and even more preferred
periods of one year or longer.
[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, information
on the flow anomaly may be displayed to the user and/or third party
560. With the power outage example above, the information would
include the date of the day before the power outage occurred, the
date when the power outage ended and information on the daily irrigation
water usage prior to the time of the power outage. If the water
district had allocated to the irrigation user a specific amount
of water that could be used during the year for irrigation, the
water district can now use the recorded information to estimate
how much water was used during the period when the power outage
occurred and add that to the total flow data that was actually measured.
It is contemplated that the inventive concepts described above could
be used with any commodity including water, electricity or gas.
[0052] As flow meters age, they may no longer accurately measure
the flow of a substance due to excessive wear. Additionally, as
mentioned earlier, flow meters may be effected by foreign materials.
The foreign material may impede the operation of the flow meter
and cause a lower than actual flow rate to be detected by the flow
sensor. There is a problem is determining when a flow meter is no
longer accurately measuring the flow of a substance. The invention
described herein will aid in determining when a flow meter may be
malfunctioning and not providing an accurate measurement of the
actual flow of the substance. If the flow rate or total flow is
fairly constant during any period of a day, week or other time period,
the microprocessor, disposed in the flow meter, can learn the constant
flow rate or total flow and use these values as the expected flow
rate or expected total flow. These values can be compared to future
measured flow rates or measured total flows (FIG. 5 530 and 540).
If the difference exceeds a certain percent, the microprocessor
may determine that a flow anomaly occurred and will record (e.g.
by date and time stamp), when the flow anomaly occurred as well
as additional information related to the flow anomaly 550. Information
on the flow anomaly will advantageously be displayed to the user
and/or third party 560. The user and/or third party can then check
whether there is a problem with the flow meter and either repair
the flow meter or replace it with a new flow meter that accurately
measures the flow of the substance 570. If the flow data is used
for billing purposes or for allocation purposes then, as mentioned
above, with the power outage, the water district can use the date
and time stamped information stored in the non-volatile memory to
estimate the amount of commodity usage during the period when the
flow meter was malfunctioning.
[0053] An example of human intervention could be as simple as that
mentioned above where an employee turns on too many irrigation sprinklers
resulting in non-uniform distribution of the water because of the
high demand for water. The manager may input into the microprocessor,
disposed in the flow meter, on a daily, weekly or some other appropriate
time period the expected flow rate and/or expected total flow (FIG.
5 530). If the measured flow rate or total flow varies by a given
percent, from the inputted expected flow rate or total flow, respectively,
then the microprocessor will determine that a flow anomaly occurred
540. Information on the flow anomaly, as well as information related
to the flow anomaly, will be recorded and displayed to the manager
550-560. The manager can then take appropriate steps to make sure
their employees do not turn on excessive numbers of sprinklers in
the future 570.
[0054] It is anticipated that information related to the flow anomaly
may include the quantity of water that was applied during the last
irrigation, during the last seven day period or during any other
appropriate period of time as well as any additional information
that might help the manager to determine if an actual flow problem
exists. If a flow problem does exist, the manager can correct the
flow problem and/or prevent the flow problem from occurring in the
future. As far as a flow anomaly, it is contemplated that the microprocessor
will date and time stamp when the flow anomaly started, including
what the flow rate was at that time. The microprocessor will then
date and time stamp when the flow anomaly ended, including, again,
the flow rate when the flow anomaly ended. As far as monitoring
total flow for a day, a seven day period, and so forth, it is contemplated
that the microprocessor will date and time stamp the accumulated
total flow at the beginning of the period and the accumulated total
flow at the end of the period. The microprocessor will then preferably
subtract the beginning accumulated total flow from the ending accumulated
total flow to arrive at the total flow for the specified period
of time. The measured total flow can be compared to the expected
total flow and, if different by a predetermined percentage, then
a flow anomaly is determined to have occurred 540. Information on
the flow anomaly, whether flow rate and/or total flow can be displayed
to the manager through the output device 560. If there is a flow
anomaly, information on the flow anomaly and information related
to the flow anomaly can be specifically brought to the attention
of the manager. It is contemplated that this may be accomplished
by a flashing display, a warning or other means that would get the
attention of the manager (user) and/or third party. The warning
may be through any suitable means, including, for example, an audible
alarm, an alarm mechanism, and other warning means.
[0055] Information on the flow anomaly may be displayed as a ratio,
a difference, a graph, actual values of the measured flow and expected
flow or any other suitable form that aids the user and/or third
party toward taking appropriate action to correct the flow anomaly
and/or prevent the flow anomaly from occurring in the future.
[0056] As mentioned above, it is contemplated that a flashing display,
warning, or other means would be used to alert the user and/or third
party when the microprocessor determines that a flow anomaly has
occurred. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of the present
invention the microprocessor can be programmed to stop the flow
of the substance through the flow meter, if the difference between
the measured flow rate exceeded a set percentage. Preferably, this
percentage would be greater than the predetermined percentage used
by the microprocessor to determine when a flow anomaly occurred,
although, it could be the same percentage value. A condition that
may prompt stoppage of the flow is a break in the irrigation line.
If a break occurs, the measured flow rate may be significantly higher
than the expected flow rate.
[0057] In addition to the detection and recordation of flow anomalies,
it is contemplated that the microprocessor, disposed in the flow
meter, may also be used to detect, record and display other anomalies,
such as pressure anomalies, temperature anomalies, and so forth.
Pressure is an important factor in water flow and gas flow. With
irrigation systems, if the pressure is low, the distribution of
the water will be adversely effected. As with the flow of water,
so also with the measurement of pressure there will be an expected
pressure and a measured pressure and if they vary by a predetermined
percent then the microprocessor may determine that a pressure anomaly
occurred. The pressure anomaly will be recorded, by date and time
stamping the pressure anomaly event, along with other information
related to the pressure anomaly. This information can be displayed
to the user and/or a third party through the output device. The
user and/or third party can then take appropriate action based on
the information they receive.
[0058] Thus, specific embodiments and applications of methods and
apparatus of the present invention have been disclosed. It should
be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more
modifications besides those described are possible without departing
from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter,
therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended
claims. |