Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Conduit or nozzle attached irrigation-type decelerator
Patent
1999-12-06
2000-09-12
Morris, Lesley D.
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Conduit or nozzle attached irrigation-type decelerator
138 42, B05B 1500
Patent
active
061165239
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to drip irrigation, and more particularly to a drip irrigation hose with pressure compensation and a method for its manufacture.
Drip irrigation systems have come into widespread use in the agricultural area. Drip irrigation systems supply water at a slow, controlled rate to the root zone of the particular plants being irrigated. Typically, drip irrigation is accomplished by providing a low volume water outlet at each plant that permits a limited dripping of water directly to the root zone of the particular plant. Because evaporation, runoff, overwatering, and watering beyond the root zone are eliminated, substantial water and nutrient savings are realized. In addition, drip irrigation reduces contaminants to the water table by enabling the farmer to supply only enough water and fertilizer to reach the plants, reducing excess water that would run off and contaminate the water table below.
Drip irrigation hoses tend to be relatively long to be able to extend across a field. As the water travels along the hose away from the water source, the pressure of the water decreases. Thus, the water pressure at the beginning of the hose (near the water source) is greater than that at the far end of the hose. Because the drip rate of the hose is a function of the water pressure, the drip rate at the beginning of the hose tends to be greater than at the end of the hose. Thus, it is desirable to incorporate pressure-compensating designs into the hoses to reduce the effect of the pressure difference over the length of the hose on the drip rate along the length of the hose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a pressure-compensating drip irrigation hose having a water supply passage and a flow regulating channel smaller than the water supply passage. The flow regulating channel comprises at least one inlet section, at least one outlet section, and at least one nozzle section between an inlet section and an outlet section. The inlet section comprises one or more openings connecting the water supply passage to the flow regulating channel. The outlet section comprises one or more openings connecting the flow regulating channel to the exterior of the hose. Preferably the flow regulating channel further comprises at least one turbulent flow section between an inlet section and an outlet section. The nozzle section is preferably between an inlet section and a turbulent flow section.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to pressure-compensating drip irrigation hose having a water supply passage and a flow regulating channel smaller than the water supply passage. The flow regulating channel comprises one inlet section, one outlet section, two turbulent flow regions, and two nozzle sections. The inlet section comprises a plurality of pillars with a plurality of openings between the pillars. The outlet section comprises a slit outlet. The two turbulent flow sections are between the inlet section and the outlet section. Each turbulent flow section comprises a series of upstream-facing, nonoverlapping, interlaced chevrons, and the two turbulent flows are approximately equal in length. The two nozzle sections each comprise a fin. One nozzle section is between the inlet section and one of the turbulent flow sections and the second nozzle section is between the two turbulent flow sections.
Another embodiment of the invention is a drip irrigation hose having a water supply passage and a flow regulating channel smaller than the water supply passage. The flow regulating channel comprises an inlet section, an outlet section, and a turbulent flow region between the inlet section and outlet section. The turbulent flow region comprises a series of resistance features that are nonoverlapping. Preferably the resistance features are interlaced, upstream-facing chevrons.
The invention is also directed to a method for making a pressure-compensating drip irrigation hose at an assembly station. The method comprises continuously transporting thr
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patent: 5732887 (1998-03-01), Roberts
Cabahug Jaime
DeFrank Michael
Teegardin David
Tran Que
Morris Lesley D.
T-Systems International, Inc.
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