Apparatus, systems and methods for the application of water, fertilizers and herbicides to municipal plants, crop plants, indoor plants, nursery plants and the like. A self-powered mobile apparatus delivers a liquid agent. The apparatus has a reservoir for the agent and a dispenser, electronic plant identifier or geographic locator, and an electronic controller to control delivery of the agent based on an output of the electronic plant identifier or geographic locator, or an output of a remote electronic plant identifier or geographic locator.

The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing sensor data related to an irrigation system. According to a preferred embodiment, the system includes algorithms for analyzing real-time, near real-time and historical data acquired from sensors in communication with a mechanized irrigation machine. Further, the algorithms of the present invention system may analyze collected sensor data to determine if an event has occurred or is predicted to occur. Further, the algorithms of the present invention may provide commands to an irrigation machine and notifications to users. According to further aspects of the present invention, the algorithms of the present invention may preferably apply machine learning and other data analysis tools to detect maintenance patterns, geographic trends, environmental trends, and to provide predictive analysis for future events.

The present invention provides a solar power system for use with a mechanized irrigation system. According to a first preferred embodiment, the solar power system of the present includes solar panels which produce DC current which is used to power the irrigation system and to store water in an elevated storage tank. The systems of the present invention selectively use the water stored in the elevated storage tank to provide water pressure to the irrigation system. According to a further preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention preferably converts the power from the solar panels to AC current and uses AC current to power the movement of the irrigation system and other sub-systems.

An automated implement control system includes one or more distance sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural implement. The one or more distance sensors are configured to measure a ground distance and a canopy distance from the one or more sensors to the ground and crop canopy, respectively. An implement control module is in communication with the one or more distance sensors. The implement control module controls movement of the agricultural implement. The implement control module includes a confidence module configured to determine a ground confidence value based on the measured ground distance and a canopy confidence value based on the measured canopy distance. A target selection module of the implement control module is configured to select one of the measured ground or canopy distances as a control basis for controlling movement of the agricultural implement based on the comparison of confidence values.

An automated implement control system includes one or more distance sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural implement. The one or more distance sensors are configured to measure a ground distance and a canopy distance from the one or more sensors to the ground and crop canopy, respectively. An implement control module is in communication with the one or more distance sensors. The implement control module controls movement of the agricultural implement. The implement control module includes a confidence module configured to determine a ground confidence value based on the measured ground distance and a canopy confidence value based on the measured canopy distance. A target selection module of the implement control module is configured to select one of the measured ground or canopy distances as a control basis for controlling movement of the agricultural implement based on the comparison of confidence values.

An overcurrent protection system for a mobile irrigation system. The overcurrent protection system includes a number of control panels each including a controller configured to generate a motor control signal for activating one of the motors of the mobile irrigation system, transmit the motor control signal to the motor, determine a current magnitude of electrical current passing through a motor power branch line electrically connected to the motor, and restrict current to the motor if the current magnitude is above a current magnitude threshold. The controller is further configured to set the current magnitude threshold according to one of a plurality of motor operation stages. The current magnitude threshold can also be set remotely.

A travelling agricultural irrigation installation is provided having multiple generally horizontal irrigation sprinklers each being a length of pipe closed at each end and having multiple outlet orifice sets along the length thereof. Each orifice is in the form of a hole through the pipe wall having an orifice diameter selected to provide, in use, a jet of water that breaks up into droplets. Each orifice set comprises multiple orifices having axes extending in different angular directions relative to the pipe axis to provide a generally rectangular spray pattern. The length of each sprinkler pipe or the number of orifice sets is dependent on the speed at which the sprinkler is to move over the ground. Typically the installation is a centre pivot installation; the sprinkler pipes are all connected to a common radial main supply pipe; and the water delivery increases with increased distance from the centre pivot.

The present invention discloses a self-moving robot, comprising a self-moving module and at least one of a plurality of interchangeable working modules connected to the self-moving module; the working module further comprises a second energy unit, and the first energy unit comprises a chargeable battery, providing energy for the working module or the self-moving robot. The self-moving robot executes various types of working tasks in the working area in an unattended manner by disposing a self-moving module and an interchangeable working module, and by disposing the working module into an independent energy unit, the working module is sufficient in energy and long in durability.

An automated apparatus, method and system for projecting a control agent toward a recognised target for the purposes of agricultural cultivation or environmental management or various other applications; a source of the control agent adapted for use in connection with an environmental control function, an outlet incorporating at least one outlet orifice to direct the control agent emanating from the outlet orifice toward a target. An activation means is movable between an operative mode and an inoperative mode in which the outlet is effectively closed. A targeting mechanism movable on at least one independent control axis provided for selectively orienting the outlet orifice and thereby orienting the control agent in the operative mode. A first sensing system, a classification system, a control system in accordance with a predetermined control logic adapted to deliver doses of the control agent to the identified targets for the purposes of the environmental control function.

A center pivot irrigation system is described that includes a controller that makes use of a particular flow rate of input water to deliver differing or variable depths of irrigation to two or more user-defined areas under a pivot irrigator. The controller operates to pulse control valves for the nozzles/sprinkler heads on and off as the sprinkler arm rotates. The valve pattern along the span of the sprinkler arm is chosen during each operating cycle such that the total water flow through all the open valves matches the flow rate of the input or supply water to the pivot irrigator. To ensure the variable application depth, the speed may be changed during valve duty cycles. A farmer may define an irrigation plan that defines the variable rate irrigation (VRI) zones and also defines exclusion or no spray zones in which no irrigation should occur.