US 11,889,796 B2
Irrigation system including electronic independent observer integration with fertigation system
Russell Sanders, Minnetonka, MN (US); Jeremie Pavelski, Wisconsin Rapids, WI (US); and Robert Buchberger, Plainfield, WI (US)
Assigned to HEARTLAND AG TECH, INC., Hancock, WI (US)
Filed by Heartland Ag Tech, Inc., Hancock, WI (US)
Filed on Mar. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/127,985.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/325,798, filed on Mar. 31, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0309472 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A01G 25/16 (2006.01); G05B 19/042 (2006.01); A01G 25/09 (2006.01); A01C 23/04 (2006.01)
CPC A01G 25/167 (2013.01) [A01C 23/042 (2013.01); A01G 25/092 (2013.01); G05B 19/042 (2013.01); G05B 2219/2625 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A monitoring system for an irrigation system operatively coupled to a water source, the irrigation system including at least one nozzle and a product source that supports a product for mixing with water from the water source for forming an irrigation fluid, the monitoring system comprising:
a sensor configured to generate a first electrical signal indicative of a travel speed of at least a portion of the irrigation system or a travel direction of at least a portion of the irrigation system;
a fluid pressure sensor configured to generate a second electrical signal indicative of a flow rate of the irrigation fluid through the at least one nozzle;
at least one of a variable speed pump or a valve operatively coupled to the product source to enable the product to be dispensed from the product source;
a processor; and
a memory, including instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the monitoring system to:
receive the first and second generated electrical signals;
determine an applied rate of the irrigation fluid over a predetermined irrigation area based on the first and second electrical signals;
adjust the flow rate of the irrigation fluid through the at least one nozzle by at least one of:
actuating the valve; or
changing the speed of the variable speed pump based on the determined applied rate;
determine an angular rate of the at least one nozzle and a time the at least one nozzle spent going forward and/or reverse based on the first electrical signal;
determine that the at least one nozzle pivots more than a predetermined number of degrees without the at least one nozzle dispensing the irrigation fluid; and
provide an indication to a user that a location in the predetermined irrigation area was not fertilized with the product based on the determination.