Claims
- 1. An improved irrigation device, comprising:
- a body for connection to a water supply pipe and having a nozzle at one end thereof for discharge of a stream of irrigation water;
- a deflector element supported in a spaced relation with said nozzle for deflecting the stream in an outward direction;
- pressure regulation means supported by said deflector element and cooperating therewith to define a pressure-regulated chamber having a lower outlet and an upper open vent, said pressure regulation means being movable to open and close said lower outlet and being responsive to water pressure within said chamber at a predetermined pressure level to lift relative to said deflector element to open said lower outlet to permit outward passage of water from said chamber, said pressure regulation means remaining in a position closing said lower outlet when the pressure level within said chamber is below said predetermined pressure level; and
- said deflector element including means for dissipating a substantial portion of the flow energy of the water stream within said chamber whereby the water is discharged outwardly from said chamber through said lower outlet as a relatively thin bubble-like water film at a relatively low pressure.
- 2. The improved irrigation device of claim 1 further including means for connecting said body to a water supply pipe in a generally vertical orientation with said nozzle directed generally downwardly for discharge passage of the stream in a downstream direction.
- 3. The improved irrigation device of claim 2 wherein said connecting means comprises a drop tube.
- 4. The improved irrigation device of claim 2 wherein said connecting means comprises a flexible drop tube.
- 5. The improved irrigation device of claim 2 wherein said deflector element comprises a deflection surface for deflecting the stream in at least one direction, said deflection surface being positioned in vertical misalignment relative to a lower margin of said pressure regulation means.
- 6. The improved irrigation device of claim 2 wherein said pressure regulation means comprises a hollow flow regulator cover of generally truncated conical shape slidably carried about said body and having its larger diameter end thereof sized to seat upon said deflector element in a position circumscribing said chamber.
- 7. The improved irrigation device of claim 6 wherein said deflector element includes a deflection surface for deflecting the stream generally outwardly and in vertical misalignment relative to the larger diameter end of said cover.
- 8. The improved irrigation device of claim 7 wherein said deflector surface is positioned vertically below said larger diameter end of said cover.
- 9. The improved irrigation device of claim 7 wherein said deflection surface is positioned vertically above said larger diameter end of said cover.
- 10. An improved irrigation device, comprising:
- a body for connection to a water supply pipe and having a nozzle at one end thereof for discharge of a stream of irrigation water;
- a deflector element supported in a spaced relation with said nozzle for deflecting the stream in an outward direction; and
- pressure regulation means supported by said deflector element and cooperating therewith to define a pressure-regulated chamber, said pressure regulation means being responsive to water pressure within said chamber at a predetermined pressure level to lift relative to said deflector element to permit outward passage of water from said chamber, said pressure regulation means including a hollow flow regulator cover of generally truncated conical shape slidably carried about said body and having its larger diameter end thereof sized to seat upon said deflector element in a position circumscribing said chamber, said cover having its smaller diameter end open to atmosphere and sized for relatively free sliding movement about said body and to define an air vent between said body and said cover.
- 11. The improved irrigation device of claim 6 wherein said deflector element comprises a generally annular ring, means for supporting said ring relative to said nozzle whereby said ring defines an outer seat surface for supporting the larger diameter end of said cover, said ring having a generally centrally located opening therein for downward passage of the water stream discharged from said nozzle, and a cup member supported at the underside of said ring and including a bottom wall for deflecting the wall stream outwardly and a side wall for preventing outer water discharge from said cup member, whereby the water stream falls into and fills said cup member to spill upwardly through said central opening before outward passage between said ring outer seat surface and the larger diameter end of said cover.
- 12. The improved irrigation device of claim 11 wherein said central opening is generally circular in shape.
- 13. The improved irrigation device of claim 11 wherein said central opening is generally elliptical in shape.
- 14. The improved irrigation device of claim 13 wherein said support means comprises a pair of support posts connected between said body and said ring, said elliptical opening having its minor axis generally aligned with said posts.
- 15. The improved irrigation device of claim 6 wherein said deflector element comprises a deflector plate defining an outer seat surface for supporting the larger diameter end of said cover, and a deflector platform supported on said plate at a position vertically above said larger diameter end of said cover.
- 16. An improved irrigation device for receiving a supply of water from a water supply pipe and for discharging the water at a relatively low pressure, said device comprising:
- a generally cylindrical body having one end for receiving the supply of water and an opposite end including a nozzle for discharge passage of a stream of water;
- a deflector element supported in a position generally spaced from and disposed generally coaxially with said nozzle, said deflector element having a diametric size greater than the diametric size of said body;
- a flow regulator cover of generally truncated conical shape carried about said body and having its larger diameter end sized to seat upon said reflector element and its smaller diameter end relatively freely slidable about said body, said smaller diameter end being open to atmosphere and cooperating with said body to define an air vent; and
- energy dissipation means within a pressure-regulated chamber defined cooperatively by said cover and said deflector element for dissipating a substantial portion of the water stream flow energy within said chamber by deflecting the water stream at a position vertically misaligned with the larger diameter end of said cover when said body is in a generally vertical orientation for downward stream discharge through the nozzle, said cover being responsive to water pressure within said chamber at a predetermined pressure level to lift relative to said deflector of a generally annular pattern of water as a relatively thin bubble-like water film at a regulated low pressure.
- 17. An improved irrigation device for connecting to a water supply tube, comprising:
- a generally cylindrical connector cap including means for connection to the supply tube;
- a generally cylindrical nozzle housing including means for connection to said connector cap at an end thereof generally opposite the supply tube;
- a generally cylindrical nozzle fitting having a nozzle passage formed therein for discharge passage of water from the supply tube, said nozzle housing and said connector cap cooperatively and removably supporting said nozzle fitting;
- said nozzle housing further including at least one support post projecting outwardly generally in parallel with said nozzle passage and a deflector element carried by said support post for deflecting water discharge through said nozzle passage; and
- a hollow flow regulator cover of generally truncated conical shape slidably carried about said connector cap and said nozzle housing and having a larger diameter end sized for seating upon said deflector and an opposite smaller diameter end open to atmosphere and sized for relatively free sliding motion about said connector cap and said nozzle housing and to define an air vent;
- said cover cooperating with said deflector element to define a pressure-regulated chamber for collecting water discharged through said nozzle passage, said deflector element including means for dissipating a substantial portion of the water stream flow energy within said chamber, said cover being responsive to water pressure within said chamber at a predetermined pressure level to lift relative to said deflector to permit outward passage from said chamber of a thin bubble-like water film.
- 18. The improved irrigation device of claim 17 wherein said deflector element comprises a generally annular ring, means for supporting said ring relative to said nozzle whereby said ring defines an outer seat surface for supporting the larger diameter end of said cover, said ring having a generally centrally located opening therein for downward passage of the water stream discharged from said nozzle, and a cup member supported at the underside of said ring and including a bottom wall for deflecting the wall stream outwardly and a side wall for preventing outer wall discharge from said cup member, whereby the water stream falls into and fills said cup member to spill upwardly through said central opening before outward passage between said ring outer seat surface and the larger diameter end of said cover.
- 19. The improved irrigation device of claim 18 wherein said central opening is generally circular in shape.
- 20. The improved irrigation device of claim 18 wherein said central opening is generally elliptical in shape.
- 21. The improved irrigation device of claim 17 wherein said deflector element comprises a deflector plate defining an outer seat surface for supporting the larger diameter end of said cover, and a deflector platform supported on said plate at a position vertically above said larger diameter end of said cover.
- 22. An improved irrigation device, comprising:
- a body for connection to a water supply pipe and having a nozzle at one end thereof for discharge of a stream of irrigation water;
- a deflector element supported in a spaced relation with said nozzle for deflecting the stream in at least an outward direction;
- pressure regulation means supported by said deflector element and cooperating therewith to define a pressure-regulated chamber, said pressure regulation means being responsive to water pressure within said chamber at a predetermined pressure level to lift relative to said deflector element to permit outward passage of water from said chamber;
- said deflector element including a generally annular ring, means for supporting said ring relative to said nozzle whereby said ring defines an outer seat surface for supporting said pressure regulation means, said ring having a generally centrally location opening therein for downward passage of the water stream discharged from said nozzle, and a cup member supported at the underside of said ring and including a bottom wall for deflecting the wall stream outwardly and a side wall for preventing outward water discharge from said cup member, said ring projecting radially inwardly relative to said side wall, whereby the water stream falls into and fills said cup member to spill upwardly through said central opening before outward passage between said ring outer seat surface and said pressure regulation means.
- 23. An irrigation device for distributing water at a relatively low pressure onto a surface to be irrigated from a relatively higher pressure source, said device comprising:
- a tubular conduit having an upper inlet end for attachment with the source, and a lower inlet end for discharge of water therefrom; and
- means defining a chamber adjacent said outlet end and into which water from said conduit is discharged and accumulated, said chamber defining means including a deflector element and means for supporting said deflector element in spaced relation below said outlet end, and means forming an open upper vent, said chamber defining means further including an upstanding, vertically movable wall responsive to the accumulation of water in said chamber to a predetermined level for lifting to form a lower opening in said chamber to discharge water therefrom with relatively low pressure onto the surface to be irrigated, said movable wall closing said lower opening when the accumulation of water in said chamber is below said predetermined level.
- 24. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 23 wherein said wall comprises a regulator cover of generally truncated conical shape with a larger diameter end extending below said outlet end and a smaller diameter end extending above said outlet end, said smaller diameter end being slidably supported about said conduit for vertical movement and said larger diameter end sized to seat upon said deflector element.
- 25. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 24 wherein said deflector element comprises a generally annular ring, means for supporting said ring relative to said outlet end whereby said ring defines an outer seat surface for supporting the larger diameter end of said cover, said ring having a generally centrally located opening therein for downward passage of the water stream discharged from said outlet end, and a cup member supported at the underside of said ring and including a bottom wall for deflecting the wall stream outwardly and a side wall for preventing outer water discharge from said cup member, whereby the water stream falls into and fills said cup member to spill upwardly through said central opening before outward passage between said ring outer seat surface and the larger diameter end of said cover.
- 26. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 24 wherein said deflector element comprises a deflector plate defining an outer seat surface for supporting the larger diameter end of said cover, and a deflector platform supported on said plate at a position vertically above said larger diameter end of said cover.
- 27. For use in a travelling irrigation system of the type having an elongated, generally horizontally disposed water supply pipe elevated above and supported for movement over a surface to be irrigated, at least one drop tube coupled with and projecting downwardly of the supply pipe for directing water from a supply pipe downwardly to a position in close proximity with the surface, and distributor means coupled with the lower end of each drop tube for distributing water therefrom onto the surface, the improvement wherein said distributor means comprises:
- means defining a chamber within which water is discharged and accumulated from said drop tube, said chamber defining means including a deflector element supported in space relation below the lower end of the drop tube, said chamber having an opening in the upper portion thereof for venting the chamber to atmosphere; and
- said chamber defining means further including means responsive to the accumulation of water to a predetermined level within said chamber for forming an opening in the lower portion thereof to release water therefrom at a controlled rate onto the surface, said means closing said opening when the accumulation of water within said chamber is below said predetermined level.
- 28. The improvement as set forth in claim 27 further including means within said chamber for dissipating the energy of water discharged into said chamber.
- 29. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 23 wherein said chamber means further includes means disposed within said chamber below said conduit outlet end for dissipating the energy of the water discharged from said outlet end.
- 30. An improved irrigation device for receiving a supply of water from a water supply pipe and for discharging the water at a relatively low pressure, said device comprising:
- a generally cylindrical body having one end for receiving the supply of water and an opposite end including a nozzle for discharge passage of a stream of water;
- a deflector supported in a position generally spaced from and disposed generally coaxially with said nozzle, said deflector having a diametric size greater than the diameter size of said body;
- a porous energy-absorbing element retained between said nozzle and said deflector; and
- a flow regulator cover of generally truncated conical shape carried about said body and having its larger diameter end sized to seat upon said deflector and its smaller diameter end relatively freely slidable about said body, said smaller diameter end being open to atmosphere and cooperating with said body to define an air vent;
- said energy-absorbing element being for passage of and reduction of the energy level of the stream discharged by said nozzle, said cover cooperating with said deflector when said body is in a generally vertical position with said nozzle opening downwardly to define a vented chamber circumscribing said element and into which water is discharged and accumulated from said nozzle, said cover being responsive to the accumulation of water to a predetermined level within said chamber to lift relative to said deflector to define therebetween a generally annular gap permitting discharge of a generally annular pattern of water as a relatively thin bubble-like water film at low pressure.
- 31. The improved irrigation device of claim 30 further including a drop tube for connecting said body to the water supply pipe.
- 32. The improved irrigation device of claim 30 wherein said porous energy-absorbing element is formed from a foam material.
- 33. The improved irrigation device of claim 30 wherein said porous energy-absorbing element is removable.
- 34. The improved irrigation device of claim 30 wherein said cover is formed from a lightweight plastic.
- 35. The improved irrigation device of claim 30 wherein said deflector has a chamber formed about the peripheral edge thereof presented toward said nozzle.
- 36. The improved irrigation device of claim 30 wherein said cylindrical body comprises a generally cylindrical housing and a pair of support posts formed integrally with said housing in positions projecting generally away from said nozzle, said deflector being formed integrally with said support posts and joined thereto near the periphery of said deflector.
- 37. An improved irrigation device for connecting to a water supply tube, comprising:
- a generally cylindrical connector cap including means for connecting to the supply tube;
- a generally cylindrical nozzle housing including means for connection to said connector cap at an end thereof generally opposite the supply tube;
- a generally cylindrical nozzle fitting having a nozzle passage formed therein for discharge passage of water from the supply tube, said nozzle housing and said connector cap cooperatively and removably supporting said nozzle fitting;
- said nozzle housing further including at least one support post projecting outwardly generally in parallel with said nozzle passage and a deflector carried by said support post for deflecting water discharge through said nozzle passage;
- a porous energy-absorbing element retained between said nozzle housing and said deflector for passage and diffusion of water discharged through said nozzle passage; and
- a hollow flow regulator cover of generally truncated conical shape slidably carried about said connector cap and said nozzle housing and having a larger diameter end sized for seating upon said deflector and an opposite smaller diameter end for relatively free sliding motion about said connector cap and said nozzle housing, said smaller diameter end of said cover being open to atmosphere and cooperating with said connector cap and said nozzle housing to define an air vent;
- said cover cooperating with said deflector to define a vented chamber with said energy-absorbing element therein and into which water discharged through said nozzle passage is accumulated, said cover being responsive to the accumulation of water to a predetermined level within said chamber to lift relative to said deflector to permit outward passage from said chamber of a thin bubble-like water film.
- 38. An irrigation device for distributing water at a relatively low pressure onto a surface to be irrigated from a relatively higher pressure source, said device comprising:
- a tubular conduit having an upper inlet end for attachment with the source, and a lower outlet end for discharge of water therefrom; and
- means defining a chamber vented to atmosphere adjacent said outlet end and into which water from said conduit is discharged and accumulated, said chamber means including an upstanding, vertically movable wall responsive to the accumulation of water therein to a predetermined level for lifting to form an opening in said chamber to discharge water therefrom with relatively low pressure onto the surface to be irrigated, said movable wall closing said opening when the accumulation of water in said chamber is below said predetermined level;
- said chamber means further including a porous energy-absorbing element disposed within said chamber below said conduit outlet end for diffusing the energy of the water discharged from said outlet end wherein said chamber defining means further includes a deflector and means for supporting said deflector in spaced relation below said outlet end, said porous energy-absorbing element being positioned between said deflector and said outlet end.
- 39. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 38 wherein said wall has a generally truncated conical shape with a larger diameter end extending below said outlet end and a smaller diameter end extending above said outlet end, said smaller diameter end being slidably supported about said conduit for vertical movement and said larger diameter end sized to seat upon said deflector.
- 40. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 39 wherein said smaller diameter end is open to atmosphere and sized relative to said conduit to form an air vent between said wall and said conduit.
- 41. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 40 wherein said outlet end includes a flow restricting nozzle.
- 42. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 40 wherein said wall is formed of plastic.
- 43. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 39 wherein said outlet end includes a nozzle.
- 44. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 43 wherein said nozzle is removably carried by said outlet end.
- 45. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 41 wherein said deflector is a generally circular disk and said supporting means comprises a pair of support posts connected between said conduit and said deflector at respective, generally diametrically opposed positions near the periphery of said deflector, said porous energy-absorbing element having a pair of upstanding grooves formed in the periphery thereof for receiving said support posts.
- 46. An irrigation device as set forth in claim 45 wherein said nozzle is removably carried by said outlet end.
- 47. An improved irrigation device, comprising:
- a body for connection to a water supply pipe having a nozzle at a lower end thereof for downward discharge of a stream of irrigation water;
- a deflector element supported in a spaced relation below said nozzle for deflecting the stream in at least an outward direction; and
- pressure regulation means including a vertically movable wall supported by said deflector element and cooperating therewith to define a pressure-regulated chamber having an upwardly open vent, said pressure regulation means being responsive to water pressure within said chamber at a predetermined pressure level to lift relative to said deflector element to permit outward passage of water from said chamber;
- said deflector element including a deflector plate defining an outer seat surface for supporting a lower end of said pressure regulation means, and a deflector platform supported on said plate and defining a deflection surface at a position vertically misaligned with respect to said outer seat surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is a continuation-in-part of copending and commonly assigned application Ser. No. 690,724, filed Jan. 21, 1985, now abandoned.
This invention relates generally to irrigation devices for delivering water to vegetation, such as agricultural crops and the like. More specifically, this invention relates to an improved irrigation device designed primarily for use with traveling agricultural irrigation systems to deliver water to row crops and the like with minimal evaporative and/or windage losses and with minimal soil erosion.
Irrigation devices of many different forms, sizes, and shapes are well known for use in delivering irrigation water to vegetation, such as crops and the like. Such devices have traditionally included a hollow body or housing adapted for connection to a supply of water under pressure and including a nozzle or orifice through which the water is discharged stream or spray is directed or otherwise swept over a prescribed terrain area to provide irrigation water to surrounding vegetation.
In some irrigation systems, particularly for use in an agricultural irrigation environment, the water supply pipe has been mounted on a movable frame for slow travel through an agricultural field, typically by rotation of the frame about a main center pivot or by linear progression as a unit from one side of the field to the other. The movable supply pipe carries a plurality of irrigation devices for delivering water to the crop within the field, thereby permitting irrigation of a large terrain area with a relatively small number of irrigation devices. In most traveling systems, however, the irrigation devices are designed to spray the irrigation water over the crop resulting in relatively high water pumping energy requirements and further resulting in relatively high evaporative losses and uneven water distribution due to windage factors. Other traveling systems have included irrigation devices suspended by drop tubes from the water supply pipe for releasing water near the ground, for example, for close range release into diked furrows between crop rows. While these latter irrigation systems have in some instances reduced evaporative losses and/or reduced undesirable windage effects, significant water pumping energies are still required. Moreover, the close range release of water into diked furrows has been substantially unregulated resulting in uneven water distribution and frequently causing relatively rapid destructive erosion of the water-confining dikes.
There exists, therefore, a significant need for an improved irrigation device for relatively low pressure and relatively precision regulated delivery of irrigation water, particularly at a flow rate accomodating the requirements of a traveling agricultural system. The present system fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.
In accordance with the invention, an improved irrigation device provides a relatively low pressure water discharge flow in the form of a thin and substantially bubble-like film or curtain for close range delivery into crop furrows or the like with minimal evaporative and/or windage losses and with little or no soil erosion. The improved irrigation device includes a nozzle through which a stream of water is discharged initially into a pressure regulated chamber. This chamber is shaped or otherwise includes means therein for dissipating or absorbing a substantial portion of the water flow energy prior to discharge from the chamber. The water thus collects within the chamber at low pressure and is subsequently discharged outwardly therefrom through a narrow substantially annular gap with a flow configuration in the form of the thin laminar bubble-like film at a predetermined relatively low pressure.
In one preferred form of the invention, the improved irrigation device is designed particularly for use in a traveling irrigation system of the type including a water supply pipe carried by a wheeled frame such as in a so-called center pivot or linear travel system or the like for movement through an agricultural field. The improved device comprises a generally cylindrical body for connection to the lower end of a drop tube suspended in turn from the water supply pipe, wherein the drop tube advantageously may be formed from a flexible tubing material for maintaining the irrigation device in a substantially vertical orientation. The cylindrical body has the nozzle at its lower end for discharge passage of a stream of water in a downward direction substantially directly into a porous energy-absorbing element supported within the chamber upon an underlying deflector. The drop tube supports the irrigation device with said deflector in close proximity, typically about four inches, from the ground.
A generally funnel-shaped regulator cover is slidable relatively freely about the cylindrical body and cooperates with the deflector to define the pressure-regulated chamber. More particularly, the regulator cover has a diametrically enlarged lower end portion surrounding the energy absorbing element and including a generally annular lower margin for engaging the deflector near the periphery thereof to confine the water discharged through the nozzle within the pressure-regulated chamber. A diametrically smaller upper end of the regulator cover is freely slidable about the cylindrical body at a position above the nozzle with sufficient clearance to define an air vent between the cover and said body.
In use, the water discharged through the nozzle collects within the pressure-regulated chamber to produce a pressure head sufficient to float the regulator cover above the deflector and form a narrow substantially annular gap through which the thin bubble-like water film is emitted at a relatively low pressure regulated in accordance with the shape and mass of the regualtor cover. A peripheral chamfer on the deflector plate can be provided to tailor the direction of water delivery into the crop furrow. Importantly, this bubble-like water film has a strong tendency as a result of fluid surface tension effects to maintain a dome-shaped or bubble-shaped integrity to deposit on the ground softly and without prior breaking up into droplets, thereby minimizing soil erosion and distribution variations due to windage. Moreover, the bubble-like film is achieved at extremely low water supply pressures to significantly reduce pumping energy requirements.
In accordance with further features of the improved irrigation device, the device can be placed in an alternative operational mode for spraying water in droplet form beyond a crop furrow as required, for example, during the germination period of agricultural crop seed. Such alternative operation is achieved by lifting the regulator cover relative to the cylindrical body to an out-of-the-way position above the nozzle with said cover nested upon a retainer tab formed on the cylindrical body. The porous element is then removed to permit water from the nozzle to impact the underlying deflector for spray outwardly in a generally annular pattern of droplets.
In further alternative preferred forms of the invention, the deflector of the irrigation device may be reconfigured to insure flow energy dissipation within the chamber but without requiring use of the porous element. More particulalry, the deflector can be designed to define an outer support seat for supporting the lower margin of the funnel-shaped surface positioned in vertical misalignment with the cover/support seat interface. Water discharged downwardly from the nozzle into the chamber initially strikes the deflector surface and is deflected outwardly therefrom to strike the interior of the regulator cover or other chamber-forming structures without direct passage to the cover-support seat interface. The water is thus required to undergo directional flow changes resulting in significant energy dissipation before discharge passage between the regulator cover and the support seat as a thin bubble-like film at low pressure. In accordance with the specific design, the deflector surface can be disposed vertically above or below the cover/support seat interface, and an inwardly radiating rim can be provided at a location between the deflector surface and the cover/support seat interface for further enhanced energy dissipation.
US Referenced Citations (12)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
| Number |
Date |
Country |
| 480845 |
Dec 1969 |
CHX |
| 673246 |
Jul 1979 |
SUX |
| 782766 |
Nov 1980 |
SUX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
| Parent |
690724 |
Jan 1985 |
|
Patent Grant
4771947
