Innovative irrigation system
Energy chains carry media in innovative solutions for irrigation and fertilizer supply.
The "Hummingbird" is a multitasking tool for the agricultural industry for irrigation and the supply of fertilizer in the fields. It replaces conventional single machines, can be equipped with a variety of sensors and can use a software that processes data related to temperature, nutrients or disease. The system can be easily installed on irrigation machines or on the structure of a greenhouse and used day and night. Depending on requirements, fibre optic cables, bus and control cables and hoses can be used. These are guided in an energy chain in a micro flizz®, a complete system in which the energy chains move in aluminium profiles.Profile
- What was needed: micro flizz® energy chains
- Requirements: Difficult environmental conditions due to the use of chemicals and outdoor use; 400m long cable strands
- Industry: Agricultural engineering
- Success for the customer: By the use of microflizz® energy chains, the Hummingbird is safely supplied with signals and energy; in this way, the system can reliably utilise its advantages (less water, chemical and energy consumption, lower costs, protection of the environment)
Problem
The Hummingbird is an innovative system that combines multiple applications that work at high speed and with high precision. The machine consists of several synchronised cable chains, 400m long, driven by a single servo motor. The technology can be used in irrigation systems, among other things. A wide variety of tools can be attached to the Hummingbird, e.g. nozzles or sensors that perform different tasks directly above the harvested crop. Depending on the crop, the system can be raised or lowered. In conjunction with the latest software, information can be transmitted in real time about the condition of the crop, such as temperature or nutrients. A simple plug-and-play concept also enables new cable strands to be added quickly.Previously, the various tasks related to harvesting were carried out using different methods, many of which were severely limited in their capabilities. E.g. there are agrochemical applications that feed chemical substances to the plants together with irrigation. Mixing chemicals and water led to poor results because the chemicals usually flowed through the foliage directly into the ground and eventually reached the groundwater. When using agricultural machinery for irrigation or for the addition of chemical substances, at least one driver was required to be exposed to toxic substances. In addition, it was not possible to time the addition of agrochemicals correctly, e.g. at night or immediately after irrigation.
Solution
The Hummingbird achieves a fundamental change for any irrigation installation in fields and greenhouses. The solution is based on an irrigation system that circulates over the crop. No additional machine is needed to treat the crop. With the machine, the work can be carried out automatically at any time of the day or night, e.g. directly after watering the plants and without a person being exposed to chemical substances. The machine is based on an exoskeleton, a structure that can be installed on an existing irrigation system, e.g. in a greenhouse. micro flizz® e-chains, which run in aluminium profiles, guide the various cables safely through the system. The movements within the system are driven by a single servo motor that operates with just five horsepower. When moving the entire irrigation system across the field, it never needs more than 15HP, which is significantly lower than alternative agricultural irrigation solutions and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Since the nozzles target the crop extremely precisely in the field and also adjust in height, only small amounts of chemical additives are needed. In short, the Hummingbird offers a number of distinct advantages, it uses less water, fewer chemicals, less energy, produces healthier crops at a lower cost of production, and is kinder to the environment.
