Patent Application
20230211369
The present invention relates to the field of irrigation systems such as rotary and pop-up water sprinklers, and more particularly to a lawn or garden sprinkler having a tripod structure for irrigation purposes.
Background description includes information that will be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present arid land sprinkler is especially adapted for use in arid land. In US20110198420A1 the bubbler sprinkler head eliminates the destructive energy from sprayed irrigating water by mixing the water with air bubbles prior to the water hitting the ground in a drop line of a central irrigation system. Generally, wheeled line irrigation systems include a plurality of wheeled towers supporting a linear water conduit in a manner that the wheeled towers and water conduit can be moved through an agricultural field for changing the position of irrigation bubblers coupled to the water conduit. Run-off occurs when water is applied too fast, or in too great an amount.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,203 patent, a center pivot irrigation system includes an irrigation line supported by towers and rotatable about a central pivot. One tower thereof, for example the outermost tower, includes a drive motor energized in response to a signal from a pressure responsive control apparatus. The control apparatus is operable to sense the magnitude of the water pressure at a selected location in the line and therefore to sense decreases in such water pressure when the line travels uphill and increases in the pressure when the line travels downhill. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,993 patent, rotary sprinklers has plurality of jet driven arms for distributing water on a lawn or garden. U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,903 (entitled ‘Sprinkler’) discloses a contemporary rotary sprinkler having three arms, or ‘nozzle supports’, with each such arm having a rotatable nozzle head disposed on the distal end thereof. Each nozzle head is selectively rotatable between three independent positions, with a different number of nozzles placed in use in each position. The angular orientation of each nozzle head may also be independently adjusted, thereby controlling the rotational velocity of the arm assembly. The industry traditionally also has a rotary sprinkler of simplified design and operation, which provides a suitable variety of water distribution patterns and rotational velocities.
Further, a LEPA irrigation system (Low Energy Precision Application) is used in systems as seen in US20110198420A1 to reduce destructive forces of water, and to prevent damage and erosion to the furrow and adjacent crops. LEPA irrigation products generally bounce the water spray off different surfaces until the water is directed towards the ground. The water spray directed towards the ground in this manner has less energy but it still contains enough energy to erode furrows, wash out seeds and compact the soil. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,176A—a lawn-garden sprinkler having a tripod structure explains the elevated sprinkler head position and its advantages in that the length of the water spray and the overall width of the water spray are somewhat increased. This increase is due to a greater vertical distance for the water droplets to travel during the motion of the droplets away from the sprinkler head. The sprinkler head is mounted on an essentially vertical water supply pipe that is affixed to the upper end of a supporting tripod.
A pop-up sprinkler is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,812,977A, comprising a casing with a top portion adapted to be installed substantially with the lawn ground level. The casing has a bore and a water supply pipe connection at the lower end of bore, a tubular spray nozzle is mounted in the bore, the nozzle having a tubular spray head on the upper portion, at the level of the casing top portion in the retracted position of the nozzle, and a piston there below, responsive to the arrival of water under pressure to lift the spray head out of the casing. U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,897 discloses using insect guards for sprinklers. The insect guard for irrigation nozzles leads to blocking access to a nozzle. In overhead irrigation systems of the mechanical sprinkler type the ingress of insects to the orifice of the nozzle has presented problems. It has been discovered in the States of Florida and Hawaii, among other places, that mud daubers, hornets, and other insects are attracted to nozzle orifices. They pack foreign material into the nozzles so solidly and adhesively, eventually leading to removal only by boring or reaming the nozzle. This occurs during quiescent or off periods of the system when the equipment is standing idle. However, when a next system is activated, the blocked nozzle remains inoperable and the effectiveness of the system is reduced.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a sprinkler device or system, which overcomes the drawbacks faced by traditionally employed land sprinklers.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to develop a sprinkler device or system, which overcomes the drawbacks faced by traditionally employed land sprinklers.
There is disclosed an arid land sprinkler device, comprising a sprinkler head frame having a base connectable to a water supply source, at least one sprinkler arm extending from the sprinkler head frame, wherein the at least one sprinkler arm receives water from the water supply source, wherein water pushes a piston rod positioned within a pop-up box which consequentially pushes a shaft tube of the arid land sprinkler device also positioned within the pop-up box, causing the shaft tube to pop upwards and open outside of the pop-up box.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a turbine and gear arrangement are present in connection with the sprinkler head frame. This rotates the hydraulic arm having the aerator screens, which are small mesh screens that break up the flow of water into multiple small streams, adding air in between. By diluting the water stream with air, aerators significantly reduce the volume of water flowing from the faucet. They do this while maintaining the feeling of a high-pressure flow for showering water as raindrops in a downward directed shower of water.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the shaft tube is a collapsible shaft tube divided into a plurality of sections such as a first inner tube is lined by a pressure sheath, a second inner tube lined by the pressure sheath and an innermost connector tube also lined by pressure sheath to make it durable.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the shaft tube further comprises a bowl-shaped collection chamber lined by protective pressure sheath for distributing pressurized water to the hydraulic arm system and to the turbine and gear arrangement.
In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one hydraulic sprinkler arm receives water which pushes the small plunger which in turn pushes the big plunger to make the arm functional, when the shaft tube opens outside the pop-up box.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the aerator screen comprises a plurality of water outlet ports. Aerator screens are small mesh screens that break up the flow of water into multiple small streams, adding air in between.
In another embodiment of the present invention, pressure and flow of the water being showered from the at least one sprinkler arm is controlled by altering hole size of the plurality of water outlet ports located on the aerator screen.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a relationship between pressure (P), flow (Q), and K-factor (K) is Q=K√P.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one sprinkler arm is positioned within the pop-up box when not in operation, thereby preventing external damage.
In another embodiment of the present invention, each of the at least one sprinkler arm comprises a first plunger, in connection with a second plunger, which helps to magnify the force of water (like the concept of an injection syringe), then at least one sprinkler arm opens for operation, on receipt of water from the water supply source.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the turbine and gear arrangement enable the at least one sprinkler arm to rotate in a full circle movement (360°) or a half circle movement (180°), based on a particular requirement.
As another aspect of the present invention, a process for watering an area using an arid land sprinkler, the process comprising: allowing water from a water source supply to reach a sprinkler head frame; pushing a piston rod in connection with a collapsible shaft tube to open and emerge from inside a pop-up box, the pop-up box positioned at a base of the sprinkler head frame; allowing water to flow to a connector tube, the connector tube being a part of the collapsible shaft tube leading to the collection chamber; distributing pressurized water from the collection chamber to a turbine and gear arrangement positioned at a top portion of the sprinkler head frame; and also to the hydraulic arms to open, enabling rotation of a plurality of hydraulic sprinkler arms in connection with the sprinkler head frame, showering the water over the area to be watered.
In an embodiment of the present invention, water is showered as raindrops in a downward directed shower via an aerator screen of the hydraulic arm attached to the collection chamber, which is rotated by the turbine and gear arrangement, the aerator screen comprising plurality of water outlet ports. Aerator screens are small mesh screens that break up the flow of water into multiple small streams, adding air in between.
In another embodiment of the present invention, controlling the pressure and flow of the water being showered from the plurality of sprinkler arms is done by altering hole size of the plurality of water outlet ports located on the aerator screen.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the process further comprises enabling the plurality of sprinkler arms to rotate in a full circle movement(360°) or a half circle movement(180°) using the turbine and gear arrangement, based on a particular requirement, thereby preventing overwatering root zones, and overlapping wetting zones.
The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The aspects of the proposed arid land sprinkler, according to the present invention will be described in conjunction with
The present invention discloses an arid land sprinkler for use in an irrigation system. As depicted in
The present land sprinkler as depicted in
The proposed arid land sprinkler as depicted in
The gear arrangement 109 as depicted in
The hydraulic sprinkler arms 105 move inside the pop-up box 117, when not in use, and thereby the hydraulic sprinkler arms 105 are not prone to damages or attacks (especially when installed in public places like parks or gardens). Also, considering that the water being showered is not forced in an upwards direction—a high operating pressure is not required. Further, as the water shower is directed in a uniform and downward direction, the showered water does not lead to salts being concentrated near the plants' root zones (prevents salt build-up and facilitates deep watering which encourages deep rooting). The proposed sprinkler requires low maintenance operations and is relatively trouble free. The water being showered through the proposed land sprinkler does not wet the leaves of the plant as excessively as a continuous spray of water from a point source would. In addition, overall operation is simple, the sprinkler is easy to monitor, and water is delivered evenly where needed. This in turn improves growth of foliage and retains a fresh appearance of the plants.
As another aspect of the present invention, an irrigation system is proposed for arid land (watering lawns, gardens, and crop fields for irrigation purposes). During operation, the long and collapsible shaft tube 113 moves upwards and water is showered onto the plants or soil, like rainfall. Size of the water drops may be altered (increased or decreased) as per the need of the specific plant or crop species to be watered. Uniform wetting of the soil is achieved using the proposed sprinkler with no overlapping zones. Water pressure may also be altered to leach out salt with less water seaping away from the rooting zone as the water drops are directed downwards and a duration of the water showering spell may also be pre-scheduled. Wind and/or sun caused evaporation is less compared to traditional sprinkler nozzles which throw water upwards or sidewards, thereby saving water and energy. The long collapsible shaft 113 in accordance with the present invention has an adjustable height and moves upwards from the pop-up box 117 when required, pushing the plurality of hydraulic sprinkler arms 105 to open up, and commence functioning of the turbine 107 to rotate the arms to produce spells of rain showers—and subsequently moves back inside the pop-up box 117 (underground) when not in use. The collapsible shaft tube 113 is housed within grooves to enable folding in of at least two hydraulic sprinkler arms 105, thereby protecting the plurality of small holes of the hydraulic sprinkler arms 105 from dust, mud and/or insects. In another embodiment, the collapsible shaft tube 113 may also be fixed or planted permanently at a desired location (for example, in big fields permanently like streetlight poles fixed at certain required distances),In another embodiment, the irrigation arid land sprinkler in accordance with the present invention (as illustrated in
A turbine 107 and gear arrangement 109 is further attached to the sprinkler head frame 101—which is also in connection with the collection chamber 120 connected to the innermost connector tube 118. The said turbine 107 and gear arrangement 109 enables turning or rotating of the plurality of hydraulic sprinkler arms 105 for achieving an even wetting zone.
In another embodiment, the collapsible shaft tube 113 is formed of a first inner tube 114 with a pressure sheath, a second inner tube 116 with a pressure sheath and an innermost connector tube 118 also with a pressure sheath. The pressure sheath extends from a base 100 to a tip of the collapsible shaft tube 113, and makes the shaft tube 113 durable during the collapse operations. Owing to a pressure of the water supply through the main water supply 103 when shut off, the weight of the sprinkler causes it to drop under the force of gravity into its retracted position within the pop-up-box 117 which houses the sprinkler head frame 101 when not in use. In contrast, when the water supply 103 is turned on—the piston rod 115 pushes the sprinkler head frame 101 out of the pop-up box 117. The shaft tube 113 is collapsible under the force of external pressure which is greater than the formed internal pressure when the water is turned off. In another embodiment of the present invention, an upper portion of the collapsible shaft tube 118 leads to the bowl shaped collection chamber 120, having walls lined by pressure sheaths for durability as depicted in
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic arms 105 are attached to the collection chamber 120. Pascal invented the syringe and created the hydraulic press—an instrument based upon the principle that became known as Pascal's principle, wherein pressure applied to a confined liquid is transmitted undiminished through the liquid in all directions regardless of the area to which the pressure is applied.
An operation of the proposed arid land sprinkler is seen using
Based on the above explanations, it is clear that the proposed irrigation arid land sprinkler in accordance with the present invention is effective in producing showers of rainfall, which is fed with water through the connecter tube 118, which has output via a plurality of water outlet ports, and falls gently on the ground.
Complications faced by traditional land sprinklers are eradicated by the arid land sprinkler proposed in the present invention, wherein like bubblers, its not a spray of water—watering happens as showers of rainfall. In the traditional bubbler based sprinkler, water is forcefully sprayed from a point source, wets plant leaves and areas that need to be avoided, whereas in arid land sprinkler water falls like rainfall The proposed arid land sprinkler type is exactly like rainfall to make the land fertile, overwatering and wastage of water is not possible with this sprinkler type. As it can rise from below the ground, the elaborate irrigation system of wheeled line is not required. The proposed arid land sprinkler does not need any complicated arrangements as it can be planted or installed anywhere and is cheap to maintain. Pressure differences are also efficiently managed as the sprinkler owing to these features, does not require high water pressure for its functioning.
The arid land sprinkler arm rotates and generally has two arms to counterbalance the rainfall shower. It is not water spayed out from a point source, but like raindrops distributed evenly over a large area. The proposed structure is not expensive, and can be adjusted for a variety of water distribution patterns (depending on the hole size of the water ports of the hydraulic arms) and number of arms attached. Complicated rotational velocities are also not needed as in traditional sprinklers, as the only aim of the arid land sprinkler is to cover the area like rainfall. The arid land sprinkler mimics rainfall by providing uniform drop size and spray duration. This helps in plant growth, increases soil fertility, stops soil erosion, washing away of seeds, and also stop leakage of nutrients from soil (thereby being unavailable to plants and collection of run off in water bodies as pollutants).
The height elevation used in the proposed arid land sprinkler allows the shower of raindrops to reach the soil with uniform force and controls evaporation, in hot and arid areas. Further, in accordance with the present invention, the sprinkler is capable of being installed as per plant needs (there is no labor-intensive process of fixing a stand and removal of the same after every use). Further, in the arid land sprinkler, pushing of the piston and a pop-up mechanism is used, however with a benefit of the collapsible shaft emerging out and pushing the hydraulic arms to open. As the arms open, water is showered like rainfall and not sprayed from a point source. The said hydraulic arms are made of collapsible joints such that they are folded when not in use—thereby proving to be an advanced irrigation system in comparison with the traditional systems. Also, with the proposed land sprinkler, use of insect guards is not needed, as the arms 105 of the sprinkler head 101 are folded along the collapsible shaft 113. The proposed arid land sprinkler retreats in the pop up box 117 when not in use. The range of available or traditional sprinkler heads discharge water that makes a trajectory, where the water first rises against gravity and then falls. In contrast, the proposed land sprinkler saves both energy and water, as the discharge of water is towards gravity just like rainfall A traditional sprinkler system when in use has low efficiency as it irrigates from a point source—so twice the amount of water is needed to obtain an even coverage. Some spray irrigation systems emits water faster than soil can absorb and hence cause runoffs. The continuous water from traditional sprinklers wets the leaves/foliage and encourage more evaporation due to wind drift. In the proposed sprinkler device, aerator plates with holes of varying diameters and altered shaft heights can be selected for different crops and in different seasons—depending on the evaporation/transpiration rate in the particular area.
The proposed hydraulic arms open due to water pressure applied on the small plunger 119 and eventually on the big plunger 121. The shower eliminates the problem of overwatering root zones and overlapping wetting zones, thereby saving water and avoiding soil salinization in arid lands. In another embodiment, the arid land sprinkler for an irrigation sprinkler system in accordance with the present invention has feasibility for frequent and small water dosage applications to suit the special needs of germination, cooling and frost protection based on a dose requirement. Pressure and flow of the water being showered is controlled by altering hole size of the plurality of water outlet ports located on the aerator screen. Aerator screens are small mesh screens that break up the flow of water into multiple small streams, adding air in between. By diluting the water stream with air, aerators significantly reduce the volume of water flowing from the faucet. They do this while maintaining the feeling of a high-pressure flow.
A vast selection of emitters and water outlet port facilitates, matching the water application rate to the intake rate of the soil can be used. Uniform distribution of water in the field renders high water use efficiency. The sprinklers are spaced out in a zigzag manner so that an entire area is watered evenly, without having overlapping areas, overwatered zones or water wastage.
Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention, are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.
