HYDROWATCH

Abstract

The present invention relates to an IoT-based solution for automating the water refilling process in livestock farms. The hydrowatch system comprises an ESP8266 microcontroller that processes signals from the ultrasonic sensor to determine when to activate or deactivate the water motor, an ultrasonic sensor to measure the water level in the container, a relay module to control the DC water motor, and a DC water motor that pumps water into the container when triggered by the ESP8266. The system detects when the water level in a container fall below a predetermined threshold. Once detected, it automatically triggers the motor to refill the container, reducing manual labor and preventing water wastage. This system is designed to operate efficiently with minimal human intervention and can be a scalable solution for large-scale farms.

Specification

Description:Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water monitoring and control system, more particular to an IoT-based solution for automating the water refilling process in livestock farms.
Background of the Invention
The primary problem addressed by this IoT-based livestock watering system is the inefficiency and inconsistency of manually monitoring and refilling water containers for livestock. In traditional farm settings, farm workers must regularly check water levels and manually turn on taps or pumps to refill containers. This process is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to human error. Workers may forget to turn off the water, leading to wastage, or may not notice low water levels in time, causing animals to go without water. These inefficiencies can result in excessive labor costs and wastage of water-an increasingly scarce and valuable resource.
By automating the process, this invention ensures that water is refilled only when necessary and stops once the appropriate level is reached, reducing both human intervention and water wastage. This system is particularly useful in large-scale or remote farms where manual monitoring is difficult.
Following research papers and projects have focused on automating water management system.
Patent US6729264B2- A water supply is connected to a reservoir, a housing with a moveable door, and a valve system for watering livestock. The movable door and valve mechanism, which work together to guarantee a steady flow of water to the water reservoir, allow animals to receive fresh water that is maintained at a desirable level throughout the year.
Patent CN203575307U - The utility model discloses a water feeding device for dairy cow. The water feeding device comprises a pool, wherein a water inlet pipe is connected to one side of the pool, a solenoid valve is arranged in the water inlet pipe, a branch pipeline is arranged on the water inlet pipe and connected to the pool, a manual valve is arranged on the branch pipeline, a high liquid level sensor and a low liquid level sensor are arranged in sequence on the inner wall of the pool from top to bottom, a single-chip microcomputer controller is arranged on the outer wall of the pool, and the signal control end of the single-chip microcomputer controller is connected with the signal input end of the solenoid valve, the signal input end of the high liquid level sensor and the signal input end of the low liquid level sensor.
Patent GB272364A - Drinking appliances for animals. - A drinking bowl for cattle of the type automatically filled with water on the gravity system and provided with a non-return inlet valve. To clean the bowl the fitting is unscrewed and the water run out through the pipe to some outlet branch.
While several IoT-based systems exist for agriculture and water management, this project uniquely focuses on automating water replenishment specifically for livestock. Key differentiating factors include:
1. Targeted for Livestock Management: Many existing IoT solutions in agriculture focus on crop irrigation or urban water management, but this project addresses the distinct needs of livestock farming. The system ensures that water containers are refilled automatically, taking into account livestock's specific water requirements and behavior.
2. Simplicity and Cost-Effectiveness: The use of widely available components such as the ESP8266, ultrasonic sensor, and relay makes this solution more accessible and affordable compared to other IoT systems that may require complex infrastructure or cloud services.
3. Power Efficiency: Unlike many automated systems that rely on constant connectivity or power-hungry sensors, this system is designed to operate in power-limited environments (using a 9V battery). It can also be enhanced with solar panels for farms located in remote areas.
4. Scalability: This project is designed with the possibility of easy scaling. By adding more sensors or motors, multiple water containers can be monitored and refilled. It can also be integrated with centralized IoT dashboards for larger farms.
5. Minimization of Human Error: Unlike systems that still rely on manual intervention or complex monitoring, this system reduces human error by fully automating the refilling process based on real-time water level measurements. Additionally, it prevents water wastage by stopping the water motor when the container is full, addressing a common problem in traditional farming methods.
In conclusion, this project stands out by addressing a specific pain point in livestock farming with a solution that is both cost-effective and scalable. It combines simplicity with effective resource management to offer a viable solution for farms looking to optimize water usage and reduce labor dependency.
Drawings
Figure1: Flow of the HydroWatch
Figure2: Physical prototype model of the HydroWatch
Figure3: Code Snippet of the HydroWatch
Detailed Description of the Invention
The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
The primary problem addressed by this IoT-based livestock watering system is the inefficiency and inconsistency of manually monitoring and refilling water containers for livestock. The system comprises:
a) ESP8266 serves as the central controller, processing signals from the ultrasonic sensor to determine when to activate or deactivate the water motor;
b) ultrasonic Sensor to measure the water level in the container;
c) a relay module to control the DC water motor, ensuring that the motor is activated only when the water level falls below a predefined threshold;
d) DC Water Motor pumps water into the container when triggered by the ESP8266; and
e) a 9V battery, with provisions for solar power integration in remote locations.
The process of the system comprises the following steps:
• Step 1: The ultrasonic sensor continuously measures the distance between itself and the water surface in the container
• Step 2: the water level falls below a set point (indicating that the container needs refilling), the sensor sends a signal to the ESP8266;
• Step 3: ESP8266 processes this signal and activates the relay, which turns on the water motor; and
• Step 4: motor pumps water until the sensor detects that the container is full. At this point, the ESP8266 sends a signal to turn off the motor.
The system was tested in different environments to calibrate the ultrasonic sensor and determine the optimal distance thresholds for activating and deactivating the motor. Calibration ensured that the sensor accurately detected both low and high-water levels, preventing overflow and dry running of the motor. Various container sizes were tested to ensure the system's adaptability to different livestock water requirements.
In the preferred embodiment, the system successfully automated the process of refilling water containers without requiring human intervention. It accurately detected when water levels were low and triggered the water motor to refill the container. Once the container reached the required level, the motor turned off, effectively preventing overflow.
In the preferred embodiment, the system demonstrated significant water conservation by only activating the motor when needed. This reduced water wastage compared to manual methods, where taps or pumps might be left running longer than necessary. The ultrasonic sensor's accuracy in detecting water levels ensured that the motor ran for the optimal time, using only the amount of water needed.
In the preferred embodiment, the use of the ESP8266 and low-power components resulted in an energy-efficient system. The 9V battery lasted for several days of operation, and the system functioned reliably in remote locations without access to electricity. The option to integrate solar power made it even more sustainable and viable for off-grid farms.
The system proved scalable and flexible, easily adapting to different container sizes and livestock water needs. Multiple sensors and motors can be added to the system to manage more containers, making it suitable for larger farms. The ability to adjust the sensor's distance threshold allowed for customization based on the farm's specific requirements.
The system's components were affordable and widely available, making it a cost-effective solution for farmers. The initial setup costs were low, and the system required minimal maintenance, further reducing long-term expenses.
The IoT-based livestock watering system achieved the desired results of automating water refilling while conserving water and energy. It proved to be a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution, making it highly practical for farms of various sizes and in remote locations.
Advantages of the Invention
The IoT-based automated livestock watering system provides several key advantages, ranging from enhanced efficiency to resource conservation. The implementation of IoT technologies in this system solves practical challenges faced in livestock farming, while also offering innovative technical breakthroughs that simplify the process of water management. In this section, we will explore the various benefits this invention provides in terms of automation, labor savings, water conservation, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
1. Reduction in Human Labor
One of the most significant advantages of this invention is the minimization of human labor in managing livestock's water supplies. In traditional livestock farming, workers need to manually check the water levels in containers and refill them when they fall below the desired threshold. This can be a time-consuming task, especially on large-scale farms where multiple water containers are spread across a wide area.
With the integration of an IoT-based system using ESP8266 and ultrasonic sensors, the need for constant manual monitoring is eliminated. The system automatically detects when the water level drops and activates the water pump, ensuring that the container is refilled without any human intervention. This reduces the time and effort required by farm workers and allows them to focus on other important tasks, thereby improving overall farm productivity.
Furthermore, the system ensures that water is provided to the livestock in a timely manner, preventing animals from experiencing dehydration due to delayed refills. This can improve the well-being of the livestock, leading to healthier animals and potentially higher yields in terms of dairy, meat, or wool production.
2. Water Conservation
Another critical advantage of this invention is its ability to conserve water, which is a valuable resource in agriculture. Manual water management can lead to wastage due to overfilling or failure to turn off the water tap in time. Such inefficiencies can be particularly problematic in regions facing water scarcity, where every drop of water counts.
The ultrasonic sensor used in this system ensures that water is only supplied when the level falls below a specific point. The sensor continuously monitors the water level and automatically triggers the pump to turn off once the container is filled to the required level. This prevents water overflow and ensures that only the necessary amount of water is used, reducing wastage.
By automating the water refill process, this system offers a more controlled and efficient method of water management, which is especially important for farms looking to adopt sustainable practices. This conservation of water can have a long-term positive impact on both the environment and the farm's operating costs.
3. Energy Efficiency and Power Management
The system is designed to operate with low power consumption, making it an energy-efficient solution for livestock farms, especially those in remote areas where power supply is limited. The use of an ESP8266 microcontroller and a 9V battery ensures that the system can run for extended periods without the need for constant power sources.
Additionally, the system can be enhanced with solar panels to make it self-sustaining, further reducing reliance on external power. This is particularly useful for farms that are off-grid or located in regions where power outages are common. By leveraging solar energy, the system can operate autonomously, providing uninterrupted service to the livestock.
Energy efficiency also contributes to the cost-effectiveness of the system, as the farm does not need to invest heavily in power infrastructure or high-energy consumption devices. This low-energy requirement makes the system affordable to maintain over time.

4. Cost Advantage
This invention offers significant cost advantages over traditional livestock water management methods, as well as other more complex automated systems. The system's core components-ESP8266, ultrasonic sensors, relays, and a DC water motor-are relatively inexpensive and widely available. This makes the initial setup cost-effective for farmers, particularly those operating on a tight budget.
Compared to more sophisticated smart farming technologies that may require expensive infrastructure or cloud-based systems, this solution provides a low-cost alternative while still offering the benefits of automation. The reduced need for human labor also translates into lower operational costs, as farmers can save on wages and time that would otherwise be spent on manual water monitoring and refilling.
Additionally, the low maintenance requirements of the system further contribute to its cost advantage. The components are durable and do not require frequent servicing or replacement, keeping long-term costs low. This makes the system an attractive option for both small-scale farmers and larger operations looking for cost-efficient ways to optimize water management.
5. Scalability and Flexibility
The IoT-based livestock watering system is highly scalable, meaning that it can be easily expanded to suit the needs of larger farms or different types of livestock. By adding more ultrasonic sensors and motors, the system can monitor and refill multiple water containers simultaneously across various locations on the farm.
Furthermore, the system can be customized to accommodate the specific water requirements of different animals. For example, certain livestock may require more frequent refills or larger water containers, and the system can be adjusted accordingly by changing the sensor's threshold settings or the motor's flow rate.
The flexibility of this system allows it to be adapted to a variety of farm environments, including those with different terrains, weather conditions, or infrastructure limitations. This makes it a versatile solution that can be tailored to the specific needs of each farm, regardless of its size or location.
6. Technical Breakthroughs and Innovations
This invention represents a technical breakthrough by leveraging IoT technology in a simplified and cost-effective way. The integration of the ESP8266 microcontroller with an ultrasonic sensor for real-time water level detection is an innovative approach that simplifies the entire process of livestock water management.
Unlike traditional systems that rely on manual monitoring or basic timers, this system uses real-time data from the ultrasonic sensor to make decisions about when to activate the water pump. This provides more accurate control over water usage and eliminates the need for constant human supervision.
Another key technical innovation is the system's reliability in remote areas. By operating on a 9V battery and optionally using solar power, the system can function in locations where power is unreliable or unavailable. This is a significant advantage for farms in developing regions or areas that are off the grid, where access to electricity may be a limiting factor in adopting new technologies.
7. Surprising Results and Practical Impact
During the implementation and testing of this system, one surprising result was the precision and reliability of the ultrasonic sensor in measuring water levels. The sensor consistently provided accurate readings, allowing the system to efficiently control the water pump without the need for recalibration or manual adjustments.
The practical impact of this invention has also been greater than anticipated. Not only did it reduce water wastage and labor costs, but it also improved the overall health of the livestock by ensuring they had constant access to fresh water. This contributed to better productivity and a more sustainable farming operation.


, Claims:1. An IoT-based livestock watering system for livestock, comprises of:
a) ESP8266 serves as the central controller, processing signals from the ultrasonic sensor to determine when to activate or deactivate the water motor;
b) ultrasonic Sensor to measure the water level in the container;
c) a relay module to control the DC water motor, ensuring that the motor is activated only when the water level falls below a predefined threshold;
d) DC Water Motor pumps water into the container when triggered by the ESP8266; and
e) a 9V battery, with provisions for solar power integration in remote locations.
2. The IoT-based livestock watering system for livestock as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the process of the system comprises the following steps:
• Step 1: The ultrasonic sensor continuously measures the distance between itself and the water surface in the container
• Step 2: the water level falls below a set point (indicating that the container needs refilling), the sensor sends a signal to the ESP8266;
• Step 3: ESP8266 processes this signal and activates the relay, which turns on the water motor; and
• Step 4: motor pumps water until the sensor detects that the container is full. At this point, the ESP8266 sends a signal to turn off the motor.

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