• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils comprises a housing (1) and means for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils (2, 3), and is characterized in that said means for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils, they comprise at least a first sensor (2) that detects a first water parameter and at least a second sensor (3) that detects a second water parameter. It allows the use of very economical materials, the result being a reduced cost product. The fact that its production can significantly reduce the cost of the product, makes it accessible to the farmer and allows the use of the number of devices appropriate to the crop surface. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
    公开号:ES2735474A1
    申请号:ES201830592
    申请日:2018-06-18
    公开日:2019-12-18
    发明作者:Pueyo Fernando Sarría；Zarza Amaia Uriz；Santamaría María De La Caridad Prado；Vidal Aurora Alvarez；Bescós Miguel Angel Campo；Díaz Rafael Giménez
    申请人:Sarria Pueyo Fernando；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001]
    [0002] Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils
    [0003]
    [0004] The present invention relates to a device for estimating the moisture content and the availability of water in soils, which allows the need to irrigate a soil to be detected.
    [0005]
    [0006] Background of the invention
    [0007]
    [0008] The agricultural sector consumes 70% of the world's water resources, in Europe one third of the water reserves are consumed, although in the countries of southern Europe such as Spain, consumption increases up to 80% of water resources. Faced with growing demand and climate change, our water-dependent ecosystems run the risk of irreversible damage.
    [0009]
    [0010] Water is a scarce resource, excess water consumption is a waste of resources (water collection, storage, transport and distribution), increases energy consumption and water costs. To this we can add that the world population is increasing and resources are limited, so it is necessary to rationalize consumption.
    [0011]
    [0012] Farmers face the need to save water for mainly environmental, but also economic reasons. The current trend is the monitoring of crop fields by means of measuring tools, such as weather stations and soil characteristics sensors, among which humidity sensors stand out.
    [0013]
    [0014] However, these sensors are expensive, of complicated placement and maintenance, require periodic face-to-face monitoring by specialists and, being wired, the wiring causes problems, and they are also susceptible to theft.
    [0015]
    [0016] The excess of irrigation involves mainly environmental problems, such as: - Runoff: loss by drag of nutrients in the crop field, which are always found in the surface layers of the soil. Erosion and soil transport causing degradation of both agricultural land and the environment.
    [0017] - Percolation: increases the movement of fertilizers below the root zone, transports chemical particles (nitrates and phosphates) to the drainage channels.
    [0018] - Salinization: water and other components transport salt to the soil generating excess soluble salts that cause a loss of soil fertility.
    [0019] - Root asphyxiation: involvement of the plant due to excess water in the roots.
    [0020]
    [0021] The incorrect use of irrigation water, providing greater amounts of water than those strictly necessary for the development of crops, encourages diffuse pollution exerted by agriculture on water bodies, such as rivers, reservoirs and aquifers. Thus, it can happen that a contribution of sediments and nutrients in agricultural irrigation areas ends up reaching areas of reservoir water, accelerating the growth of microorganisms and flora that implies a degradation of water quality.
    [0022]
    [0023] In some areas of Europe, pollution caused by pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture is, in itself, one of the main causes of poor water quality.
    [0024]
    [0025] On the opposite side, insufficient irrigation reduces crop production.
    [0026]
    [0027] The market in recent decades has taken several methods that aim to help the farmer to apply correct agricultural practices and make rational use of water resources. However, the complexity of its handling and installation, as well as its high cost have kept them far from being popularized.
    [0028]
    [0029] But it is now when they begin to develop, technology allows for cost and development and have a strong boost from the European Union. The systems that seem to have a greater application are soil moisture sensors.
    [0030]
    [0031] For example, US2003015024A1 discloses a sensor that detects moisture in soils of any type by capacitance, by measuring changes in the dielectric constant of the material depending on the amount of water in the medium.
    [0032]
    [0033] For its part, US2009206853A1 discloses a cylindrical shaped matrix that houses silica sand as a moisture transfer material and contained by nonwoven fibrous fabric. The soil moisture crosses the silica sand until it reaches two spaced electrodes that give a reading that translates into pressure with which the soil retains water or, in other words, calculates the pressure with which the root can absorb water.
    [0034]
    [0035] Document US2017241973A1 discloses an objective indicator of measurement and in real time to calculate the distribution of water uniformity, salinity, conductivity or temperature in grass. This portable compact analysis device has one or more sensors and a Global Positioning System (GPS) module configured to collect location data and store it on a server. But in addition to being wired its cost is very high, it is designed for turf on golf courses.
    [0036]
    [0037] The current humidity sensors as a whole are limited mainly to farms with high economic margin and research. Likewise, the fact that they are connected by cable to a reader is a generality that makes it difficult to handle.
    [0038]
    [0039] Description of the invention
    [0040]
    [0041] With the estimation device of the invention, the aforementioned drawbacks are resolved, presenting other advantages that will be described below.
    [0042]
    [0043] The device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to the present invention comprises a housing and means for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils, and is characterized in that said means of Estimation of moisture content and water availability in soils comprises at least a first sensor that detects a first water parameter and at least a second sensor that detects a second water parameter.
    [0044]
    [0045] Advantageously, said at least one first sensor is disposed outside said housing, and is isolated from said housing by an impermeable barrier element.
    [0046]
    [0047] In addition, said at least one second sensor is advantageously arranged inside said housing.
    [0048]
    [0049] Preferably, said housing is made of a porous material capable of absorbing liquids by capillarity, for example, of red clay, such as cooked red clay, or of a similar material in terms of resistance, porosity and capillary.
    [0050] Furthermore, said housing is preferably hollow, defining an inner cavity, for example, spherical in shape, although it could be of any other suitable shape.
    [0051]
    [0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the first parameter that detects said at least a first sensor is the volume of water in a predetermined volume of the soil, and the second parameter that detects said at least a second sensor is the soil moisture tension which is the pressure-suction with which water is retained by the soil.
    [0053]
    [0054] In addition, the device for estimating moisture content in soils and water availability according to the present invention also preferably comprises an electronic circuit located inside said housing cavity, which advantageously comprises a wireless emitter.
    [0055]
    [0056] The device for estimating moisture content in soils and water availability in accordance with the present invention also advantageously comprises a battery located inside said housing cavity.
    [0057]
    [0058] Advantageously, said cavity is sealed, for example, by an epoxy resin or by a gel or sealing compound.
    [0059]
    [0060] The device according to the present invention provides at least the following advantages:
    [0061]
    [0062] - Economic: The simplicity of its design allows the use of very economical materials such as red clay and electronics, for example, in Arduino, the result being a product of reduced cost. The fact that its production can significantly reduce the cost of the product, makes it accessible to the farmer and allows the use of the number of devices appropriate to the crop surface.
    [0063] - Hydrophilic property: Red clay or similar materials, due to its porosity, capillarity and behavior of its properties, is a material that mimics the soil or roots of the plant in its ability to absorb water by capillarity, thus it follows that the grain Red clay thickness provides the porosity necessary to create a hydrophilic surface that meets the needs of the pressure sensor.
    [0064] - Material: The device housing is preferably formed of red clay, a porous material that perfectly imitates the absorption properties of the soil or the roots of the plant, since in itself it is the same material, but cooking it at 800 ° C loses its plastic property, making its shape irreversible on contact with water, giving it high durability. It may be formed by other materials of the necessary properties of resistance and absorption of water by capillarity.
    [0065] - The same material, preferably clay, has a triple function. It provides the necessary resistance to the probe, protects its interior elements, and emulates the behavior of the root of the plant.
    [0066] - No necessary elements are eliminated: The housing acts as a support for the first sensor and as a continent for the electronics that are housed inside the housing, but is itself an integral part of the second sensor.
    [0067] - Durability: The ceramic material cooked at high temperatures provides high durability properties that together with a rationed battery expense gives a life extension of at least 5 years and therefore does not require its extraction in each planting, they will be the needs of the crop itself that determine when the extraction is carried out.
    [0068] - Non-polluting: It is desired to avoid any contamination of the ground, so it is necessary to extract it after the end of the battery life and study the possibility of its replacement. However, the recovered material is biodegradable in approximately 2/3 and recyclable in the rest of its composition.
    [0069] - Design: The spherical design of the device is a concept that responds to the need for a simple and manageable installation, which adapts homogeneously to the ground to ensure perfect contact with the ground under study, avoiding the formation of air pockets that give readings wrong. The result is a small spherical device, which avoids cumbersome procedures.
    [0070] - Autonomy: An important objective is the elimination of cables for which a wireless signal has been used, for example, radio, thus achieving a high degree of autonomy. Cables, readers and batteries in sight are eliminated by means of the wireless radio signal, which besides being uncomfortable are susceptible to theft and cause of accidents.
    [0071] - Technological simplicity: The device programming, for example, in Arduino language, which is one of the simplest and most used, allows modifications in a simple way, but what makes the system accessible is the simplicity in reading the data in time real that can be done by simple graphics on the farmer's own device and thus allow him to make the decision to water to maintain the humidity level at appropriate parameters. They can also be connected to automation and alert systems or others that can be considered helpful for this purpose.
    [0072] - Accessibility: Due to the simplicity in the installation, control and management of the data and the need to move to the place to take readings as it happens with the sensors of the market, the need for qualified personnel in irrigated crops in general is eliminated and reduced in high yield farms.
    [0073] - Accuracy and reliability: It resembles the sensors currently used in the accuracy of data reading reproduction.
    [0074] - Versatility: The device can be installed easily by hand for intensive crops and less accurately at the time of sowing for extensive crops, thus ensuring that the devices are placed at the height of the roots where the data reading is more precise.
    [0075] - Production optimization: Monitoring of the water content in the soil is essential to help farmers, with adequate irrigation, high production yield can be achieved because not only the plant is given enough water, but that asphyxiation of the roots is avoided by excess of water. The optimal performance, depending on the variety, has a range of concrete water contribution values. The probe so designed provides this precision to achieve an optimum degree of production.
    [0076] - Lets find out the type of soil. By interpreting the relationship between the two measurements (amount of water in the soil and water pressure in the soil), called the moisture retention curve, it can be ascertained whether the soil is more clay or sandy, the first being the most it retains water, and the second one that gives it more easily.
    [0077]
    [0078] Brief description of the drawings
    [0079]
    [0080] For a better understanding of how much has been exposed, some drawings are attached in which, schematically and only by way of non-limiting example, a practical case of realization is represented.
    [0081]
    [0082] Figure 1 is an elevational view of the estimation device according to the present invention;
    [0083]
    [0084] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the estimation device according to the present invention; Y
    [0085]
    [0086] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the connection of the estimation device according to the present invention to a network, such as the Internet.
    [0087]
    [0088] Description of a preferred embodiment
    [0089] As shown in Figures 1, the estimation device according to the present invention comprises a housing 1 comprising first sensors 2 and second sensors 3, for example capacitance sensors, which measure two different parameters. For example, the first sensors 2 measure the volume or water content in arable soil and the second sensors 3 measure the water pressure in arable soil.
    [0090]
    [0091] As can be seen, the first sensors 2 are placed on the outside of the housing 1, while the second sensors 3 are placed inside the housing 1.
    [0092]
    [0093] The material of the housing 1 has been chosen based on two differentiated functions, on the one hand, it must be an integral part of the second sensors 3 and, on the other, it is the continent of each of the components.
    [0094]
    [0095] According to one embodiment, the material of the housing 1 is in this case red clay, which responds by its porosity, capillarity and behavior of its properties to a material suitable for this purpose.
    [0096]
    [0097] In addition, the red clay allows a spherical shell 1 to be made thanks to the plastic property of the red clay 1, which allows the shape to be molded in detail. By cooking at 800 ° C for 8 hours the clay loses its plastic property, making its shape irreversible on contact with water, granting high durability.
    [0098]
    [0099] Red clay behaves as a moisture transmission material, and its coarse grain has the appropriate caliber to mimic the ground in its ability to absorb water thus providing a hydrophilic material. Avoiding reaching 900 ° C in cooking prevents crystallization of the silicas that are in its composition and that waterproof the material. In this way, it is achieved that the second sensors 3, placed inside the housing 1, as seen in Figure 2, can detect the pressure of the water in the soil by the properties of the material of the housing 1.
    [0100]
    [0101] The thickness of the walls of the housing 1 is approximately between 2 and 2.5 cm according to data calculated according to the porous material of the housing 1, and that the second sensors 3, comprising two poles, preferably two poles, preferably in parallel position and with a separation of 0.9 cm, providing a reading of the presence of moisture infiltrated by capillarity inside the housing 1.
    [0102]
    [0103] The first sensors 2 are located outside the housing 1 and in direct contact with the cultivation soil. The first sensors 2 preferably comprise two conductive poles in parallel and separated position, for example, 0.9 cm, providing a reading of the presence of moisture on the outside of the housing 1.
    [0104]
    [0105] It should be noted that it is not desirable for the first sensors to read the water contained in the housing 1. Accordingly, in order to avoid contact of the first sensors 2 with the housing 1, it comprises an insulating and impermeable barrier 6 of the capacitance signal , for example, a water repellent resin. This barrier 6 also fulfills the purpose of the water circulating inside the housing 1, respecting the measures calculated for the correct operation of the second sensors 3.
    [0106]
    [0107] The first and second sensors 2, 3 are capable of measuring the dielectric constant of the soil, and thereby determine the volumetric humidity levels present at each instant. By means of electronic circuits 4 located in an internal cavity 5 of the housing 1 and powered by a battery 7, the analog signal supplied by the first and second sensors 2, 3 will be translated to the values corresponding to the magnitude to be measured. For the second sensors 3, which measure the pressure, the signal will be translated into centibars (cbar) of pressure, and for the first sensors 2 that measure the volume, the signal will be translated as a percentage (%) of volume.
    [0108]
    [0109] To completely isolate the electronic circuits 4 inside the housing 1 and protect them from moisture, corrosion, shock and vibration, the cavity 5 is filled with an encapsulating gel compound that guarantees sealing and sealing.
    [0110]
    [0111] As can be seen in Figure 2, the housing 1 is formed by a larger and a smaller segment joined together. After mounting each of the parts of the estimation device in the larger segment of the housing 1, it is sealed, placing the smaller segment and sealing both segments with a seal 8, for example, epoxy resin.
    [0112]
    [0113] The operation of the estimation device according to the present invention is very simple, since it simply requires its installation in the cultivation soil in which it is desired to detect the amount of water.
    [0114] The first and second sensors 2, 3 measure the parameters described above, volume and water pressure, and this information is sent wirelessly by electronic circuits 4 to external control means 9, for example, fed by solar energy.
    [0115]
    [0116] Said external control means 9 can be, for example, a computer, or gateway connected to the Internet 10, so that the person responsible for the cultivation land can consult the information provided by a plurality of detection devices in accordance with the present invention and make the necessary decisions regarding the need to irrigate or not the crop soil.
    [0117]
    [0118] Although reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is evident to one skilled in the art that the described estimation device is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all the mentioned details can be replaced by others technically equivalent, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (15)
    [1]
    1. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils, comprising a housing (1) and means for estimating moisture content in soils and water availability (2, 3), characterized in that said means for estimating moisture content in soils and water availability comprise at least a first sensor (2) that detects a first parameter of water and at least a second sensor (3) that detects a second parameter of water.
    [2]
    2. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to claim 1, wherein said at least one first sensor (2) is disposed outside said casing (1).
    [3]
    3. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one first sensor (2) is isolated from said housing (1) by means of a barrier element ( 6) waterproof.
    [4]
    4. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to claim 1, wherein said at least one second sensor (3) is disposed inside said housing (1).
    [5]
    5. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said housing (1) is made of a porous material.
    [6]
    6. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to claim 5, wherein said casing (1) is made of red clay.
    [7]
    7. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to claim 6, wherein said casing (1) is made of cooked red clay.
    [8]
    8. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said housing (1) is hollow, defining an interior cavity (5).
    [9]
    9. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in floors according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said housing (1) is spherical.
    [10]
    10. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to claim 1, wherein the first parameter detected by said at least one first sensor (2) is the volume of water in a predetermined volume of the soil .
    [11]
    11. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to claim 1, wherein the second parameter detected by said at least one second sensor (3) is the pressure exerted by the water on the soil.
    [12]
    12. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to claim 8, which also comprises an electronic circuit (4) located inside said cavity (5) of the housing (1).
    [13]
    13. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to claim 12, wherein said electronic circuit (4) comprises a wireless transmitter.
    [14]
    14. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to claim 8, which also comprises a battery (7) located inside said cavity (5) of the housing (1).
    [15]
    15. Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils according to claim 8, wherein said cavity (5) is sealed.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    ES2735474B2|2020-08-03|
    US20200011845A1|2020-01-09|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US6405588B1|2000-11-05|2002-06-18|Bechtel Bwxt Idaho, Llc|Monitoring well|
    法律状态:
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    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    ES201830592A|ES2735474B2|2018-06-18|2018-06-18|Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils|ES201830592A| ES2735474B2|2018-06-18|2018-06-18|Device for estimating moisture content and water availability in soils|
    US16/443,951| US20200011845A1|2018-06-18|2019-06-18|Device for estimating the moisture content and the availability of water in soils|
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