WO2014174015A1 - Système de capteur pour la détection continue en temps réel de la teneur en eau de couches retenant l'humidité qui sont soumises à un séchage - Google Patents

Système de capteur pour la détection continue en temps réel de la teneur en eau de couches retenant l'humidité qui sont soumises à un séchage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014174015A1
WO2014174015A1 PCT/EP2014/058350 EP2014058350W WO2014174015A1 WO 2014174015 A1 WO2014174015 A1 WO 2014174015A1 EP 2014058350 W EP2014058350 W EP 2014058350W WO 2014174015 A1 WO2014174015 A1 WO 2014174015A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
moisture
water
measuring
carrying layer
carrying
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2014/058350
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ulrich Zimmermann
Wilhelm EHRENBERGER
Ronald FITZKE
Simon RÜGER
Original Assignee
Zim Plant Technology Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Zim Plant Technology Gmbh filed Critical Zim Plant Technology Gmbh
Publication of WO2014174015A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014174015A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/24—Earth materials
    • G01N33/246—Earth materials for water content
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G25/00—Watering gardens, fields, sports grounds or the like
    • A01G25/16—Control of watering
    • A01G25/167—Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sensor system for the detection of the water content in moisture-carrying layers.
  • effluent in turn is saline, is to be considered as being questionable in terms of health (e.g. concentration of coliform bacteria) and results in biological contamination of spring water.
  • health e.g. concentration of coliform bacteria
  • results in biological contamination of spring water e.g. concentration of coliform bacteria
  • soil salinity considerably impairs the quality of fruit and the crop yield and in the long term causes socio-economic and environmental problems.
  • Underground textile irrigation mats to which water is usually supplied by way of hoses comprising integrated woven materials, or other water-carrying layers are confronted with the same problems but provide an advantage in that the water delivery surface is very large when compared to that of hoses. For this reason they are primarily suitable for irrigating lawns.
  • tensiometers or electrically-based soil-moisture measuring devices are used to measure soil moisture.
  • the soil moisture is measured by way of the water tension that arises as the soil dries out. Measuring takes place by way of a water-filled, hermetically sealed, porous ceramic cell that is inserted into the ground and is filled with degasified water. As the soil dries out, just enough water is "sucked" from the ceramic cell that an equilibrium with the surrounding water in the soil is reached.
  • the negative pressure arising is electronically processed by means of a manometer or by means of a pressure sensor.
  • electrically-based soil moisture sensors the water content in the soil is measured capacitively or by means of the time/frequency domain method (i.e. measuring the changes in the dielectric constant).
  • Tensiometers and electrically-based soil-moisture measuring devices are not suitable for moisture-carrying layers, because these devices are too large and cannot be integrated in moisture-carrying layers, or cannot be placed therein so as to be stable over extended periods of time.
  • the electrical connection of a substantial number of sensors located in the soil is subject to various influences that can result in defects in the installed lines (chewing by animals, root growth, vehicles driving over the soil surface, soil cultivation measures ).
  • the electrical connection of sensors located in the soil takes place with the use of individual lines for each sensor, or in some cases also with the use of the series connection of several sensors. In either case any defect in a cable (either cable interruption or cable short circuit) results in failure of all the sensors, or at least the sensors arranged downstream of the defect.
  • the invention provides a device (for example a detector) suitable for the, in particular continuous, detection of the water content in a moisture- carrying layer.
  • the device comprises a housing with at least one water-permeable in- feed and a hygroscopic material that is arranged in the interior of the housing and by way of the water-permeable infeed can be made to be associated with the moisture- carrying layer.
  • the device comprises a sensor that cooperates with the hygroscopic material, which sensor is suitable for measuring any change in the hygroscopic material on the basis of a change in the water content of the moisture-carrying layer.
  • the housing can comprise a water-permeable membrane as a water-permeable infeed.
  • the water-permeable infeed can allow direct contact between the hygroscopic material and the moisture-carrying layer.
  • the housing can furthermore comprise a capsule form.
  • the device furthermore comprises an attachment element in order to attach the device to the moisture-carrying layer.
  • the attachment element can be a clamping element, wherein the clamping element can comprise at least one first clamping element and at least one second clamping element, and the first clamping element and the second clamping element are suitable for clamping the moisture-carrying layer between the two clamping elements.
  • the first and the second clamping elements comprise a magnetic material.
  • first or the second clamping element from a nonmagnetic material.
  • One of the two clamping elements can be firmly connected to the housing or can receive the housing in a lose connection.
  • the clamping element can also be a spring clip.
  • the hygroscopic material comprises a mixture of different hygroscopic substances with different water binding kinetics and water release kinetics.
  • the hygroscopic material can comprise a mixture of hygroscopic substances and the material from the moisture-carrying layer.
  • the device can, furthermore, comprise a measuring transducer.
  • the hygroscopic material is suitable, in a reversible process, for changing its volume due to a change in the water content of the moisture-carrying layer.
  • the senor can be a pressure sensor or a force sensor.
  • the invention provides a system suitable for the, in particular continuous, detection of the water content in a moisture-carrying layer.
  • the system comprises several of the devices described above.
  • the several devices are connected to at least one measurement signal processing device, wherein the measurement signal processing device is suitable for processing the measured signals.
  • the several devices are connected, by way of the signal- carrying lines, in star topology to the measurement signal processing device.
  • the signal-carrying lines can be connected e.g. by way of a branching flat-ribbon cable.
  • the measurement signal processing device can comprise a measuring transducer.
  • the several devices are serially connected to the measurement signal processing device by way of the signal-carrying lines.
  • the signal-carrying lines can, furthermore, be connected by way of a digital bus system.
  • an additional signal-carrying line is provided that establishes a cross- connection between two of the several devices.
  • system can comprise at least one fuse on at least one sensor, which fuse is suitable for disconnecting the affected line in the case of a fault.
  • a measuring mat with at least one device described above according to the first aspect, or with at least one system described above is provided.
  • the measuring mat can be used as a moisture-carrying layer.
  • the measuring mat in addition comprises at least one magnet that is firmly connected to the measuring mat and is suitable for attaching at least one device according to the first aspect or a system according to the invention to the measuring mat.
  • the at least one device or the system can be firmly integrated in the measuring mat.
  • the measuring mat comprises a non-woven material.
  • the measuring mat is made from a non-woven material.
  • a method for the, in particular continuous, detection of the water content in a moisture-carrying layer with the use of at least one of the previously described devices or with the use of at least one of the previously described systems or at least one of the previously described measuring mats is provided.
  • the method allows real-time detection.
  • the device, the system or the measuring mat can be used in hygiene articles. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the device, the system or the measuring mat can be used for the detection of mould or mildew in buildings.
  • the device, the system or the measuring mat can be used in agriculture.
  • the device, the system or the measuring mat can be used in underground water lines.
  • the invention thus provides a monitoring system for optimal irrigation, which system determines the water content of the mats in real time and over an extended period of time (years) so that the correct quantity of water can effectively be supplied to the mats at the correct point in time.
  • Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the detector of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of a further embodiment of the detector of the present invention
  • Fig. 3 shows a diagrammatic view of an alternative embodiment of the detector of the present invention
  • Fig. 4 shows an exemplary measurement curve of the swelling pressure as a function of time
  • Fig. 5 shows a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the system with several detectors of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 shows a diagrammatic view of a further embodiment of the system with several detectors of the present invention. Exemplary embodiments of the invention
  • FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment 10 of the present invention.
  • the diagram shows a water-carrying layer 16 (e.g. irrigation mat, soil or moist substrate) to which a device, e.g. a detector, according to the present invention has been affixed.
  • the device comprises a housing 15, a chamber with a hygroscopic material 12, a sensor 13, a cable 14 and a water-permeable membrane 11.
  • the housing 5 comprises a pressure sensor, force sensor, moisture sensor, strain gauge, or some similar sensor 13 that can absorb forces and that is enveloped or covered by hygroscopic material 12, wherein the material of the walls or delimitations of the capsules or miniature chambers 15 needs to be water-permeable, i.e. is of such a nature that the hygroscopic material 12 can hydrauli- cally communicate with the surroundings in the moisture-carrying layer 16.
  • the capsule or the miniature chamber 15 is of such a nature that either positive pressure builds up when the hygroscopic material 12 swells as a result of contact with water, or tensile stress (negative pressure) builds up when the hygroscopic material 12 shrinks as a result of contact with water.
  • the capsules or miniature chambers 15 can be closed.
  • the water exchange with the surroundings takes place by way of a water-permeable membrane 11 that is preferably integrated in the delimitation of the capsule.
  • the water-permeable membrane 11 can be used as a sheath of the capsule.
  • the capsules 15 can be integrated in the fabric of the moisture-carrying layer 16.
  • the moisture-carrying layer 16 is, for example, a measuring mat.
  • Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the already described components of Figure 1 , the diagram shows a first magnet 27 and a second magnet (ring magnet) 28.
  • the capsule or miniature chamber 25 can thus also hydraulically communicate with the material of the moisture-carrying layers 26, directly by way of the hygroscopic material 22 when the sensor 23 and the hygroscopic material 22 is held together by way of two magnets 27, 28 between which the moisture-carrying layer 26 is located, or by way of a spring.
  • This variant is associated with an advantage in that the hygroscopic material with the sensor is in direct contact with the moisture-carrying layer and remains in the same position even in case of displacement in the soil.
  • the moisture-carrying layer 26 is, for example, a measuring mat.
  • FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • the diagram in addition shows a box with an integrated measuring transducer and a sensor 39, wherein the box on one side comprises a first clamping element 38 (in the diagram a magnet or a metal plate).
  • a second clamping element 37 in the diagram a magnet or a metal plate
  • the sensor element 33 with a box with an integrated measuring transducer 39 is connected to an electrical data transmission system (e.g. a cable 34) so that after installation of the moisture-carrying layer 36 it is then only necessary to place the measuring transducer with the sensor element 39 and the data transmission system onto the magnet/metal plate.
  • the arrangement can also be the other way round. If in this arrangement the first clamping element is a magnet, the second clamping element can be a metal plate or vice versa.
  • any inorganic or organic materials can be used as hygroscopic materials 12, 22, 32, provided that the aforesaid either swell or shrink as a result of contact with water, and that these processes are reversible (e.g. chitosans, alginic acid, alginates that are cross-linked to multivalent cations, cross- linked organic or synthetic polymers, soil additives, swelling sealing agents e.g. Swell- seal Mastic or Rockmax Swelling 101).
  • measuring transducers are interconnected by way of cables; in order to improve failsafe performance additional cross-connections can be inserted if required • the system 40 can accommodate a quasi-unlimited number of sensors 43; cable lengths between measuring transducers 44 can vary.
  • This variant features in particular very long cable lengths (large fields) and high flexibility.
  • a mesh-like network comprising the above-mentioned elements.
  • an element can be provided which in the case of a fault (as a rule in the case of overcurrent) disconnects the affected line.
  • the fuses and sensors are grouped in a network node element.
  • at least one end point is provided that is designed as an electrical module for controlling and evaluating the sensors, or for supplying energy to the sensors and if applicable to the network node elements.
  • the sensors form part of a shared data bus.
  • the network node element (or its individual elements) assume a central role.
  • the network node element which in the simplest case, apart from implementing the electrical connection of several line paths, only comprises fuses in each feed line and data line, prevents influencing the remaining parts of the network as a result of the defective line. As a result of the corresponding cross-connections there are an adequate number of redundant transmission paths.
  • the line-bound mesh-like sensor network created in this way is capable of withstanding various cable defects (either cable interruption or cable short circuit).
  • the maximum extent of the network is limited only by voltage drop at the network elements, by adequate supply of energy for all the active network elements, and by time-related considerations in terms of the data regime. With the use of several end points it is possible, if required, to increase the maximum extent of the network and to improve its redundancy.
  • the system can accommodate a quasi-unlimited number of sensors; cable lengths between the network elements can vary.
  • the degree of redundancy provided can be influenced by the num- ber of cross sections.
  • this variant tends to be suitable for short cable lengths (small fields) because cable lengths are fixed and inflexible.
  • the invention also covers individual characteristics in the figures, even if there they have been shown in the context of other characteristics and/or if they have not been mentioned above.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Soil Sciences (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif et un procédé appropriés pour la détection, en particulier continue, de la teneur en eau dans une couche retenant l'humidité. Le dispositif comprend un boîtier comportant au moins un alimenteur perméable à l'eau et un matériau hygroscopique disposé à l'intérieur du boîtier et pouvant, au moyen de l'alimenteur perméable à l'eau, être associé à la couche retenant l'humidité. En outre, le dispositif comprend un capteur qui coopère avec le matériau hygroscopique, lequel capteur est approprié pour mesurer toute variation dans le matériau hygroscopique sur la base d'une variation dans la teneur en eau de la couche retenant l'humidité.
PCT/EP2014/058350 2013-04-24 2014-04-24 Système de capteur pour la détection continue en temps réel de la teneur en eau de couches retenant l'humidité qui sont soumises à un séchage WO2014174015A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102013007213.1 2013-04-24
DE102013007213 2013-04-24

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WO2014174015A1 true WO2014174015A1 (fr) 2014-10-30

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PCT/EP2014/058350 WO2014174015A1 (fr) 2013-04-24 2014-04-24 Système de capteur pour la détection continue en temps réel de la teneur en eau de couches retenant l'humidité qui sont soumises à un séchage

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AR (1) AR096076A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2014174015A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3477282A (en) * 1967-06-29 1969-11-11 Hygrodynamics Inc Ground moisture measuring apparatus
GB2178539A (en) * 1985-06-26 1987-02-11 Eps Group Limited Improvements in or relating to a humidity sensor
DE4312788A1 (de) * 1993-04-20 1994-10-27 Burghardt Hans Joachim Dr Feuchtesensor
DE102007036018A1 (de) * 2007-07-30 2009-02-05 Igg Internationale Geotextil Gmbh Bewässerungsmatte zur großflächigen Verteilung von Wasser

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3477282A (en) * 1967-06-29 1969-11-11 Hygrodynamics Inc Ground moisture measuring apparatus
GB2178539A (en) * 1985-06-26 1987-02-11 Eps Group Limited Improvements in or relating to a humidity sensor
DE4312788A1 (de) * 1993-04-20 1994-10-27 Burghardt Hans Joachim Dr Feuchtesensor
DE102007036018A1 (de) * 2007-07-30 2009-02-05 Igg Internationale Geotextil Gmbh Bewässerungsmatte zur großflächigen Verteilung von Wasser

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AR096076A1 (es) 2015-12-02

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