Drainage device for agricultural area drainage

Abstract

The invention relates to a drainage device for agricultural land drainage, comprising a drainage pipe (2) and an outlet piece (1) connected thereto. The outlet piece (1) has a branch (3) to a first end section (4) and a second end section (5). The first end section (4) extends between the branch (3) and a closable first outlet (41). The second end section (5) extends between the branch (3) and a second outlet (51). The second end section (5) has a raised area (53) which, relative to the vertical direction, is positioned higher than the first end section (4) and the first outlet (41).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drainage device for agricultural land drainage according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] It is known to use agricultural drainage to eliminate waterlogging, which is detrimental to crops and soil cultivation. Agricultural drainage also improves soil aeration, allowing plant roots to access deeper soil layers and thus enabling better nutrient uptake. For agricultural drainage, it is known to lay drainage pipes in the ground with a gradient adapted to the soil level. These drainage pipes are slotted and / or perforated and designed to collect and drain excess water from the soil. Depending on the soil type, they may be encased in natural or synthetic filter materials.

[0003] Climate change is also presenting new challenges for agricultural water management. For example, prolonged periods without rainfall cause soil crusting and hardening, preventing water from penetrating to the depths of an existing drainage system, even during extended periods of heavy rain. In some cases, the soil below a drainage system is so hardened that the percolating water takes the easier route through the drainage system and is carried away, instead of seeping into deeper soil layers and raising the groundwater level.

[0004] According to DIN 1185, Annex A (2015 edition), a certain degree of water retention can be achieved using so-called drainage shafts by setting the water outlet from the drainage shaft at a higher level. This forces the water to rise within the drainage shaft before it flows into a trench via a collector pipe. This allows for a longer residence time of the water in the drainage pipe.

[0005] This, in turn, allows the drainage pipes to act as trickle pipes for a short time. The water thus has the opportunity to seep away for a certain period. When the water pressure is high enough to reach the height of the outlet pipe in the drainage shaft, the excess water is released.

[0006] Document JP H06 153715 A discloses a device for plant cultivation. The device aims to provide an efficient water management system. The basic principle involves an upper top layer of sand or other soil material and a lower, water-permeable layer. The device is designed as a box, formed by an impermeable side wall and a water-impermeable bottom. A drain is connected to the box, allowing water to flow out. The drain branches into a closable drain pipe and a siphon, which acts as an overflow protection device.

[0007] From RU 2 577 069 C1, a collector pipe for collecting water is known. The pipe has an outlet where it divides into an upper and a lower section. Furthermore, a lever mechanism is provided in which the outlets on the upper and lower sections are connected to a counterweight via levers. The counterweight has two chambers and a float. As the chambers fill and empty, the weight of the counterweight changes and controls the outlets on the collector pipe. The weight is designed to move back and forth between an upper and a lower position.

[0008] SU 1 366 596 A2 discloses a system for preventing frost damage in water drainage. The system comprises a drainage pipe with an outlet featuring two ends positioned at different heights, both ends being sealable with a plug. The document stipulates that, as far as possible, no water should freeze in the drainage pipe during winter. Accordingly, it is intended that in autumn the lower plug be removed so that water can drain out, and at the same time the upper end be fitted with a thermally insulating plug.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of providing a drainage device for agricultural land drainage that enables flexible agricultural water management of soils.

[0010] This problem is solved by a drainage device with the features of claim 1. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, it relates to a drainage device for agricultural land drainage, comprising a drainage pipe and an associated outlet. The outlet has a branch to form a first and a second end section. The first end section extends between the branch and a closable first outlet, and the second end section extends between the branch and a second outlet. The second end section has a raised area that is positioned higher than the first end section and the first outlet with respect to the vertical direction.

[0012] The first end section extends in a horizontal or slightly downward direction. In this way, when the first outlet is open, the water flows off directly.

[0013] The second outlet is positioned vertically below the raised section. Thus, the raised section in the second end piece forms the highest geodetic segment, creating a threshold over which the water level must rise in order for water to flow out through the second outlet.

[0014] The first and second outlets are arranged at the same or a similar elevation. A similar elevation is defined as a difference in height between the two outlets that is at least half the difference in height between the second outlet and the highest point of the second end section. The two outlets can also be at the same elevation, for example, by being positioned directly next to each other.

[0015] In operation, the water diverted via the drainage pipe flows either through the first or the second end section before flowing out through one of the two outlets, for example into a drainage ditch. The elevated section is situated higher than the entire first end section and the first outlet.

[0016] The invention is based on the idea of ​​influencing water retention by selectively directing the water through a raised section, causing it to initially back up in the direction of flow upstream of this section. Naturally, the water would generally take the most energy-efficient path and flow through the first outlet to the first outlet, instead of flowing through the raised section. However, by being able to close the first outlet, the water can be forced to flow through the second outlet, thereby passing through the raised section. The water must rise until it reaches the height of the raised section to allow water to be carried away from the drainage pipe. The water thus backs up in the drainage pipe, preventing any further water from the surrounding soil from entering it.The residence time of the water in the drainage pipe can be increased in this way, allowing the drainage pipe to act briefly as a percolation line. This allows the water to seep away until the water level reaches the height of the raised area.

[0017] The invention makes it easy to adjust the height the water must overcome to reach the outlet. It is not necessary to make adjustments in the ground, for example by means of a drainage shaft; instead, the first outlet can simply be closed.

[0018] The direction of gravitational acceleration is called the vertical direction.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the raised section is arc-shaped, with its highest point forming the upper apex of the second end section. The height of this apex defines how high the water must be dammed to flow out through the second outlet. The arc-shaped section can extend between the branch and the second outlet. Alternatively, the arc-shaped section is formed only in a portion of the second end section.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the first outlet can be closed by a plug, a flap, or a sliding mechanism. The closing mechanism can be provided manually or, alternatively, electrically. It can also be provided that a control system for closing the first outlet can be operated remotely, for example, via a radio or internet connection.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the second outlet can also be closed. This can be achieved analogously to the first outlet by means of a plug, a flap, or a sliding mechanism. If the second outlet is closeable, it can also be operated by an electrical control.

[0022] Another embodiment provides for the outlet piece to be manufactured in one piece. This one-piece construction can result from the entire outlet piece being produced in a single process. Alternatively, it can also result from the initial production of several sections of the outlet piece, which are then joined together using a material-bonded process.

[0023] Alternatively, the outlet piece consists of pipe sections that are pushed together or connected, for example, via couplings or flange connections. It can be designed so that the entire outlet piece can be connected to the drainage pipe in a pre-assembled state. For example, the outlet piece is formed by pipe sections, with the branching being a Y-shaped pipe section comprising a front section connected to the drainage pipe and connections to the two end sections.

[0024] In another embodiment, the outlet is laid directly in the ground. Alternatively, the outlet can be arranged in a protective housing located in the ground and surrounding it. In such a case, the protective housing can, for example, have an openable lid to allow access to the outlet.

[0025] The outlet piece is not perforated, meaning it has a solid wall. Therefore, unlike the drainage pipe, the outlet piece has no holes, slots, or other openings. This prevents excess water from seeping into the bank of a drainage ditch where the outlet piece terminates and thus softening the bank.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the outlet section has one or more additional end sections, each with raised areas extending from the branching point, the respective raised areas being of different heights. This has the advantage that, depending on which outlet is closed, different heights can be provided that the water must rise to overcome the end section.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures in the drawing, using several exemplary embodiments. These show: Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of an embodiment of a drainage device with an outlet piece, which has a first end piece with a first outlet and a second end piece with a second outlet and a raised area of ​​the second end piece; Fig. 2 the drainage device of the Figure 1 , with the first outlet open; Fig. 3 the drainage device of the Figure 1 , wherein the first outlet is closed; Fig. 4 schematically shows the drainage cone and the water level of a drainage pipe laid in the ground according to the prior art; Fig. 5 shows the drainage cone and the water level when using a drainage device according to the Figures 1 to 3 ; Fig. 6 a representation according to the Figure 4 in a longitudinal section; and Fig. 7 a representation corresponding to the Figure 5in a longitudinal section.

[0028] The Figure 1 , 2 and 3 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a drainage device comprising a drainage pipe 2 and an outlet piece 1. The drainage pipe 2 is a conventional drainage pipe 2, which has holes and / or slots along its length for collecting water. The drainage pipe 2 is laid in the ground 6 with a suitable gradient adapted to the ground level. The water 9 collected in the drainage pipe 2 flows through the outlet piece 1 into a drainage ditch 10.

[0029] The outlet piece 1 is connected to the end of the drainage pipe 2 via a schematically illustrated interface 8, for example, via connecting sleeves or push-fit connections (not shown). In the simplest case, the end of the outlet piece 1 is inserted into the drainage pipe 2, or vice versa. In some configurations, the connection to the drainage pipe 2 may also include a reducer if the diameter of the drainage pipe 2 differs from the diameter of the outlet piece 1.

[0030] The outlet piece comprises three main parts: a Y-pipe section forming a branch 3 and connected to the drainage pipe 2 via interface 8 with a front section 11, as well as a first end piece 4 and a second end piece 5, which connect to corresponding connections (not shown separately) of the Y-piece. Alternatively, the outlet piece 1 can be formed in one piece or comprise further pipe sections.

[0031] All sections are designed as pipe components. The inner diameter of the pipe components, for example, ranges between 50 mm and 300 mm.

[0032] The outlet piece 1 is laid in the ground 6 in such a way that the two end pieces 4, 5 end at the ditch wall 71 of a drainage ditch 7.

[0033] The first end piece 4 extends horizontally from the branch 3 to a first outlet 41. The second end piece 5 leads from the branch to a second outlet 51. The second end piece 5 is curved, similar to an inverted U, so that it has a raised section 53. This raised section 53 is higher than the first end piece 4 and the first outlet 41. The curved raised section 53 has an upper apex 530, which represents the highest point of the outlet 1. The second outlet 51 is adjacent and, in the illustrated embodiment, is located directly above the first outlet 41.

[0034] The first outlet 41 has a first closure 42, and the second outlet 51 has a second closure 52. In this embodiment, the closures 42 and 52 are implemented as flaps. However, other closures, such as a plug or a sliding mechanism, are also possible. The closures 42 and 52 can be operated manually or alternatively via a motor and a control unit (not shown). The control unit can be operated remotely, for example, via a radio or internet connection. In this way, it can be automatically controlled which outlet the water 9 can flow from.

[0035] The Figure 2 shows the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 1, in which the first outlet 41 is open through the open first closure 42. Water 9 collected in the drainage pipe 2 can flow directly out through the first end piece 4 and the first outlet 41. Water 9 does not accumulate in the drainage pipe 2. The second end piece 5 is not filled with water 9, as the water 9 always takes the more energy-efficient, lower path through the first end piece 4.

[0036] The Figure 3 shows the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 1 with a closed first closure 42. In contrast to the embodiment of the Figure 2The water 9 cannot exit through the first outlet 41, but must flow out of the drainage pipe 2 through the second end piece 5. In doing so, it must pass over the geodetically higher elevated area 53 before it flows out through the second outlet 5. The elevated area 53 forms a threshold up to which the water 9 must rise before it can flow away. In this way, the water 9 accumulates in the drainage pipe 2. As a result, no water 9 located in the soil 6 can enter the drainage pipe 2. The water 9 thus seeps into deeper soil layers 61.

[0037] Based on the Figures 4-7 The advantages associated with the drainage device according to the invention will be explained in more detail below.

[0038] Regarding the background of the invention, it should first be noted that, particularly in the years 2018-2020, Germany experienced extended periods of very low rainfall. These prolonged dry periods lead to a crusting of the topsoil. This crusting and hardening of the soil extends further into the lower soil layers. Even during prolonged periods of heavy rain, the water sometimes only penetrates to the depths of the existing drainage system and is then drained away.

[0039] Such a situation can be illustrated by the Figure 4This diagram shows a typical drainage cone 30, which forms above a drainage pipe 2. The depth of the drainage pipe 2 in the ground defines level 8, up to which groundwater or perched water is present, because higher-lying water within the drainage cone 30 is drained via the drainage pipe 2. A problem arises when the soil below level 8 is so hardened that seepage water takes the easier route via the drainage and is discharged instead of percolating into deeper soil layers and raising the groundwater level.

[0040] The Figure 6A longitudinal section shows the same situation. The drainage pipe 2 is laid in the ground with a slight gradient of 1–2 per mille (i.e., a gradient of 10 to 20 cm per 100 m). It opens into a trench 7 with trench walls 71. Due to the predetermined gradient of the drainage system, the water flows unhindered into the trench 7. At the end of the drainage pipe 2, an outlet piece with a flap valve is usually arranged, through which water accumulating in the drainage system exits into the trench 7. The flap valve prevents animals from entering the drainage system. Precipitation 91 seeps into the ground as seepage water 92 and is discharged within the drainage cone by the drainage pipe 2. The lower end of the drainage pipe 2, on the trench side, defines the level 8 up to which groundwater or perched water is present in the area of ​​the drainage pipe 2.

[0041] To prevent a further drop in the groundwater level, the drainage device according to the invention is used, which ensures that when the first outlet 41 is closed, the seepage water can infiltrate deeper into the ground beyond the drainage system. For this purpose, water absorption in the deeper soil layers is stimulated. The rainwater 91 thus has the opportunity to penetrate further into the lower soil layers towards the groundwater. This has the effect of stopping a further drop in the groundwater level or even raising it. However, this requires continuous moistening of the soil below the drainage system down to the groundwater level. Therefore, it is necessary to delay the rainwater 91 entering the topsoil from flowing away too quickly through the drainage system 2.

[0042] The Figures 5 and 7The cross-sectional and longitudinal sections show the situation that arises with the drainage device according to the invention. This is done according to the Figure 7 An outlet piece 1 (circled by a dashed line) is inserted. With the first outlet 42 (not shown) closed, this allows the level 8, up to which groundwater or stagnant water is present, to be raised to the level of the raised section 53 of the outlet piece 1. This is particularly important in the Figure 5It can be seen that the area of ​​waterlogging has been raised by the elevated section 53. The elevated section 53 forms a threshold over which the water level must rise. Therefore, in the upstream section, water 9 is dammed up over a certain length, depending on the installed gradient of the drainage pipe 2. The rainwater 91 to be drained remains in the drainage pipes 2 for a longer period. Hydraulic water pressure builds up in the drainage pipe 2, resulting in seepage. The retained water can percolate into the lower soil layers. By closing the first outlet 41 at the outlet piece 1, the soil is thus encouraged to absorb water, facilitated by the water pressure in the dammed drainage pipe 2.

[0043] It may be provided that in an area of ​​approximately 1 to 2 m adjoining outlet section 1, the drainage pipe 2 is not perforated. The exact length depends on the soil conditions and local circumstances. This prevents excess water from seeping into the bank of ditch 7 and softening the bank. plumb line

[0044] The farmer is responsible for adjusting which end piece (4, 5) the water should flow through and, consequently, to what level the water pressure must rise. This adjustment can be tailored to the specific needs of the soil conditions, weather, and crop being grown. The farmer can open or close the first shut-off valve to achieve this. If an expected downpour is not to be immediately drained through the drainage system, the farmer closes the first shut-off valve accordingly. The accumulated / retained water in the drainage pipes can then seep into the soil below the drainage system.

Claims

1. A drainage device for agricultural surface drainage, wherein the drainage device comprises a drainage pipe (2) and an outlet piece (1) connected thereto, wherein - the outlet piece (1) has a branch (3) to a first end section (4) and a second end section (5), - the first end section (4) extends between the branch (3) and a closable first outlet (41), and - the second end section (5) extends between the branch (3) and a second outlet (51), wherein the second end section (5) has a raised region (53) which, relative to the vertical direction, is arranged higher than the first end section (4) and the first outlet (41), - that the first end section (4) extends in a horizontal or slightly descending direction, characterised in that - the second outlet (52) is arranged lower than the raised region (53) relative to the vertical direction and - the first outlet (42) and the second outlet (52) are arranged at the same or a similar height.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the raised region (53) is arcuate in design, wherein the highest point of the raised region (53) forms an upper vertex of the second end section (5).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that the arcuate region (53) extends between the branch (3) and the second outlet (52).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outlet piece (1) consists of partial pipe pieces which are pushed together or connected to one another via coupling sleeves.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that the branch (3) is formed by a Y-pipe piece which comprises a front section (11) connected to the drainage pipe (2) and has connections to the two end sections (4, 5).

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the outlet piece (1) is formed in one piece.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first outlet (41) has a closure (42) which is manually or electrically operable.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outlet piece (1) is laid directly in the ground.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outlet piece (1) is non-perforated.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the drainage pipe (2) is designed to be laid with a gradient in the ground (6).

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outlets (41,51) of the first end section (4) and the second end section (5) are designed to terminate adjacent to a ditch (7).

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