Automated flood irrigation system and method of using the same

Abstract

A method for flood irrigation includes releasing water from a riser valve for flooding a portion of a field through a control of a corresponding riser device of a plurality of riser devices, wherein the corresponding riser device is deployed at a location proximate to the riser valve, receiving a wireless signal from a corresponding sensor device of a plurality of sensor devices for a detection of a flood condition, wherein the corresponding sensor device is deployed at a location proximate to where the water from the riser valve is expected to flood; and stopping the release of the water from the riser valve.

1 . A riser assembly, comprising:
 a support structure;   an actuation mechanism coupled to the support structure for opening and closing a lid assembly, wherein the lid assembly impedes a flow of water from a riser valve in a closed position and releases the flow of water from the riser valve in an opened position; and   an electronic control for controlling the actuation mechanism to open and close the lid assembly, the electronic control comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a wireless communication interface; the wireless communication interface is configured to receive a signal from a corresponding sensor assembly when the corresponding sensor assembly senses a flood condition to control the actuation mechanism to close the lid assembly, 
   wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a compressed gas mechanism, and   wherein the compressed gas mechanism comprises a compressed gas vessel, a gas regulator, and an air spring, wherein the air spring compresses to open the lid assembly and decompresses to close the lid assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The riser assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The riser assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the air regulator includes a solenoid, the solenoid controlling a path of gas from the compressed gas vessel for compressing or decompressing the air spring. 
     
     
         6 . The riser assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electromechanical mechanism comprises one of a motor driven screw mechanism and a scissor jack mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . A flood irrigation system comprising the riser assembly of  claim 1  and the corresponding sensor assembly, wherein the riser assembly is deployed at a location proximate to the riser valve and the sensor assembly is deployed at a location proximate to where water from the riser valve is expected to flood. 
     
     
         8 . A flood irrigation system, comprising:
 a plurality of riser devices; and   a plurality of corresponding sensor devices each in wireless communication with one of the riser device, wherein   each of the riser device is deployed at a location proximate to a riser valve and configured to release water from the riser valve for flooding a portion of a field, wherein   the corresponding sensor device is deployed at a location proximate to where the water from the riser valve is expected to flood, wherein   the corresponding sensor device is configured to send a wireless signal to the riser device that the corresponding sensor device is in wireless communication with to stop releasing the water when the corresponding sensor device senses a flood condition, and wherein   at least one of the riser devices is in wireless communication with at least another one of the riser devices, and wherein the one riser device is configured to send a wireless signal to the another one riser device to release water from the riser valve corresponding to the another one riser device when the one riser device stops releasing the water.   
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The flood irrigation system of  claim 8 , wherein the another one riser device is in wireless communication with a second one of the riser devices, and wherein the another one riser device is configured to send a wireless signal to the second one riser device to release water from the riser valve corresponding to the second one riser device when the another one riser device stops releasing the water in accordance to a pre-determined pattern. 
     
     
         11 . The flood irrigation system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the riser devices comprises:
 a support structure;   an actuation mechanism coupled to the support structure for opening and closing a lid assembly, wherein the lid assembly impedes a flow of water from the riser valve corresponding to the riser device in a closed position and releases the flow of water from the riser valve in an opened position; and   an electronic control for controlling the actuation mechanism to open and close the lid assembly, the electronic control comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a wireless communication interface; the wireless communication interface is configured to receive the wireless signal from the corresponding sensor device. 
   
     
     
         12 . The flood irrigation system of  claim 11 , wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a compressed gas vessel, a gas regulator, and an air spring, wherein the air spring compresses to open the lid assembly and decompresses to close the lid assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The flood irrigation system of  claim 12 , wherein the gas regulator includes a solenoid, the solenoid controlling a path of gas from the compressed gas vessel for compressing or decompressing the air spring. 
     
     
         14 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The riser assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the solenoid comprises a 3-way normally open (3WNO) magnetic latching solenoid valve. 
     
     
         22 . The flood irrigation system of  claim 13 , wherein the solenoid comprises a 3-way normally open (3WNO) magnetic latching solenoid valve.