Irrigation flow control apparatus

Abstract

A flow control apparatus including an elongate conduit extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening A one-way inlet valve is fitted to said inlet opening and configured to allow water to enter said conduit and flow through the conduit towards said outlet opening, and to prevent back flow of water therethrough and from the inlet opening; and an outlet valve is fitted to said outlet opening and selectively movable between an open state to allow flow therethrough and a closed state to seal the outlet. The apparatus is adapted to provide a siphonic non-linear flow path between a water source and said outlet opening wherein said water source is located at a higher elevation than said outlet opening. The outlet valve is configured to be remotely operated.

Description

IRRIGATION FLOW CONTROL APPARATUSFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for transferring liquids based on siphon principle and particularly to an apparatus for transferring water from a water source to a desired location.

[0002] The invention has been developed primarily as an irrigation apparatus for transferring water from a water source located at a higher elevation to desired location at a lower elevation and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

[0004] Syphonic irrigation systems are commonly used in agriculture and allow for the transfer of water over a barrier, such as the bank of a raised irrigation canal, using the siphon principle for delivery to a crop or other water distribution system. A main irrigation channel having channel banks enabling a water level in the channel above the field to be irrigated may be dug with earth moving machinery. Syphon tubes are set at spaced intervals along the channel to transfer water from the channel over its bank and into the field.

[0005] Syphonic irrigation systems allow for low capital, semi-permanent infrastructure to function as a satisfactory irrigation system. The channel can be dug, filled in and modified as required and the syphon tubes, commonly lengths of polyethylene pipe, are cheap, durable, light and easily moved as required and have no moving parts. Moreover, polyethylene pipe is normally delivered in large rolls meaning that lengths of the pipe are inherently arcuate and often naturally follow the contour of the channel bank.

[0006] In order to initiate transfer of water from the channel, each syphon tube needs to be charged and set. Charging involves filling each tube with water from the channel, sealing the outlet end with a hand and setting the outlet of the tube in the field to be lower than the inlet which is submersed in the channel. Removing the seal at the outlet will then initiate symphonic flow drawing water from the channel.

[0007] While there are significant advantages to syphonic irrigation systems, for large irrigation areas, the number of syphon tubes required can mean that initiating irrigation can be time consuming and labor intensive since each tube needs to be manually set. In addition, irrigation cannot be paused and restarted without recharging and resetting each syphon tube. Furthermore, there are limits to the length and diameter of syphon tubes which can be manually charged.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a flow control apparatus including: an elongate conduit extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening; a one-way inlet valve fitted at or adjacent the inlet opening and configured to allow water to enter the conduit and flow through the conduit towards the outlet opening, and to prevent back flow of water therethrough and from the inlet opening; and an outlet valve fitted to the outlet opening and selectively movable between an open state to allow flow therethrough and a closed state to seal the outlet; wherein the apparatus is adapted to provide a siphonic non-linear flow path between a water source and the outlet opening wherein the water source is located at a higher elevation than the outlet opening.

[0010] Preferably, the outlet valve is remotely operated. Preferably the inlet valve is adapted to be at least partially submerged in the water source, preferably wholly submerged.

[0011] Preferably, the outlet valve includes an actuator for moving a valve member of the valve between an open position corresponding to the open state and a closed position corresponding to the closed state.

[0012] Preferably, the actuator is an electrically operated actuator.

[0013] A flow control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the outlet valve includes a battery.

[0014] Preferably, the outlet valve is connectable to control unit enabling remote activation of the outlet valve.

[0015] Preferably, the outlet valve is connectable to the control unit by a wired connection.

[0016] Preferably, the outlet valve and control unit each include wireless communication modules enabling wireless connection such as via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

[0017] Preferably, the outlet valve is connectable to a network such as a linear, daisy chain, nodular or mesh network.

[0018] Preferably, the elongated conduit is a curved pipe.

[0019] Preferably, the elongated conduit is made up of polyethylene material, and more preferably, the elongated conduit is medium-density polyethylene (MDPE).

[0020] A flow control apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet valve includes a coupling for detachable connection to the conduit.

[0021] Preferably, the flow control apparatus is used in distributing water from the water source for irrigation.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a flow control system comprising a flow control apparatus according to the first aspect and a control unit connectable to each flow control apparatus and for remotely controlling the outlet valve thereof.

[0023] Preferably, the flow control system includes at least a second irrigation flow control apparatus and more preferably a plurality of flow control apparatus.

[0024] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a flow control system according used in distributing water from the water source for irrigation.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for distributing water from a water source for irrigation to a delivery location at a lower elevation than a water level of the water source including the steps of: providing a flow control apparatus; setting said flow control apparatus for syphonic flow from said water source to said delivery location adjacent said water source; selectively activating an outlet valve of the flow control apparatus to control the flow of water from said water source through said flow control apparatus.

[0026] Preferably, the step of setting said flow control apparatus for syphonic flow includes the steps of: charging said flow control apparatus by filling said flow control apparatus with water; positioning an inlet end of said flow control apparatus to be wholly submerged in the water source; positioning the outlet end of said flow control apparatus at the delivery location such that said outlet end is at a lower elevation than the water level of the water source; unsealing the outlet end of said flow control apparatus to initiate syphonic flow.

[0027] Preferably, the step of sealing an outlet end of the flow control apparatus is performed by moving the outlet valve to the closed state and the step of unsealing the outlet end of the flow control apparatus to initiate syphonic flow is performed by moving the outlet valve to the open state.

[0028] Preferably, wherein the step of selectively activating an outlet valve of the flow control apparatus to control the flow of water from the water source through the flow control apparatus includes connecting the flow control apparatus to a control unit for remotely controlling the outlet valve.

[0029] Preferably, the flow control apparatus is connected to the control unit by means of a wireless connection.

[0030] Preferably, the method includes providing a plurality of flow control apparatus and the steps of: setting each flow control apparatus for syphonic flow from a respective water source to a delivery location adjacent the respective water source; selectively activating an outlet valve of each flow control apparatus to control the flow of water from the respective water source through the respective flow control apparatus.

[0031] Advantageously in a preferred form, the invention may provide a flow control apparatus which allows the user to automatically initiate and control waterflow in apparatus.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an irrigation flow control apparatus in accordance with the invention ;

[0034] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the irrigation flow control apparatus of Figure 1 set for symphonic irrigation from an irrigation channel in an active siphoning state;

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the irrigation flow control apparatus of Figure 1 set for symphonic irrigation in dormant but charged state;

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a plurality of the irrigation flow control apparatus shown in Figure 1 connected in a network;

[0037] Figure 5 is a detail end schematic of the outlet opening and outlet valve of the irrigation flow control apparatus shown in Figure 1; and

[0038] Figure 6 is a detail end schematic of the inlet opening and inlet valve of the irrigation flow control apparatus shown in Figure 1.

[0039] In the drawings like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Referring to Figure 1, the irrigation flow control apparatus 10 includes an elongated conduit 12. The elongated conduit has an inlet opening 14 and an outlet opening 16 and respective opposite ends of the conduit 12. A one-way inlet valve 18 is fitted to the inlet opening of the conduit to allow water to flow in only one direction through the conduit. The inlet valve 18 allows water to enter the conduit 12 via the inlet opening 14, and flow through the conduit towards the outlet opening 16 whilst substantially preventing backward flow of water therethrough. The apparatus is adapted to provide a siphonic non-linear flow path between a water source such as an irrigation channel, waterway, ditch or pond, and the outlet opening wherein the water source is located at a higher elevation than the outlet opening

[0041] An outlet valve 20 is fitted to the outlet opening 16 of the elongated conduit 12. The outlet valve 20 is selectively movable between an open position to allow water to flow therethrough and a closed position to seal or close the outlet to hold water in the conduit.

[0042] The conduit is formed of a rigid or semi-rigid tube having sufficient hoop strength to prevent internal collapse under the negative pressure generated by syphoning. The tube is arcuate or includes a curved or bent section, or has sufficient flexibility in at least one section to allow it to traverse the barrier provided by a bank of the water source thereby to provide a siphonic non-linear flow path between the water source in this case the channel, and the outlet opening. In this embodiment the tube is formed of or includes medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) which is commonly used as piping in agricultural applications and known as “poly pipe”. In this embodiment the tube is between 25mm and 75 mm in diameter, however other sizes may be used.

[0043] Inlet valve 18 is a one-way valve which is also commonly known as check valve or nonreturn valve. Inlet valve 18 allows water to flow through the conduit 12 in one direction towardsthe outlet valve however is configured to automatically close under back pressure / flow to thereby prevent backward flow of water or any leakage of water stored in the conduit 12. The inlet valve can be a ball check valve as shown in Fig. 6, a diaphragm check valve, swing check valve, butterfly check valve, lift-check valve or any other one-way check valve known and used in the art. Preferably the inlet valve is adapted and positioned at or adjacent the inlet end to be submerged in the water source.

[0044] To prevent debris above a certain size from entering the conduit and interfering with the operation of the inlet valve 18 and outlet valve 20, as seen in Fig. 6 the inlet valve 18 may be spaced downstream of the inlet opening 14, for instance by 25mm to 150mm or more. In some embodiments a screen or filter 21 is provided upstream of the inlet valve 18 to filter water entering the inlet and inlet valve. In some embodiments, the screen may comprise a plurality of apertures in the wall of a length of conduit upstream of the inlet valve 18 as shown in Fig. 6.

[0045] In some embodiments the flow control apparatus 10 includes a float to raise the syphon inlet off the floor of the water source.

[0046] The outlet valve 20 fitted to the outlet opening 16 is selectively operable to control the flow of water through the outlet opening. The outlet valve may include a ball valve, rotary valve, butterfly valve, needle valve, diaphragm valve, plug valve or any other type of valve suitable for selectively sealing the outlet opening to prevent water flowing from the conduit via the outlet opening.

[0047] As best seen in Figure 5, the outlet valve 20 includes an actuator 22 for operating the valve to move it between open and closed positions. In this embodiment the actuator 22 is an electromechanical actuator employing a solenoid or electric motor to drive a mechanical valve member 24 within the valve. In other embodiments, the outlet valve 20 may be operated by pneumatics or hydraulics.

[0048] In this embodiment the outlet valve 20 further includes a control unit 26 comprising a wireless module 28 and a power supply 30. Preferably the wireless module 28 includes a wireless transmitter and receiver and the power supply includes an electrical energy storage device such as a battery or a capacitor providing electrical power to the wireless module and actuator. The wirelessmodule is configured for communication with a remote main control unit 40 which includes wireless a transmitter and receiver as displayed in Figure 4.

[0049] In embodiments the power supply 30 includes an electrical power generator for producing electricity to recharge the electrical energy storage device and / or directly power one or more of the actuator 22, control unit 26 and wireless module 28. In some embodiments the electrical power generator includes a photovoltaics (PV) panel and / or a water driven hydro-electric generator. The hydro-electric generator may be positioned in the irrigation channel or a micro hydro-electric generator may be positioned in the flow of the conduit 12.

[0050] In some embodiments multiple irrigation flow control apparatus 10 may share a common power supply 30 and / or share a common electrical generator.

[0051] Figure 4 further shows a flow control system comprising a plurality of flow control apparatuses 10 and a main control unit 40 connectable to each flow control apparatus 10 and for remotely controlling each respective outlet valve. Each flow control apparatus may be set individual, collectively or in predetermined groups by the main control unit 40 for syphonic flow from a water supply channel 102 to irrigate an irrigation area such as to a field 110, portion thereof or to transfer water to another delivery channel.

[0052] In operation the wireless module 28 of the outlet valve 20 and the main control unit operate as nodes of a network including other like outlet valves 20. Preferably the nodes are configured to form a mesh network in which each node may connect directly, dynamically and non-hierarchically to as many other nodes as possible and cooperate with one another to efficiently route data. However other network topology such as a daisy-chain network, linear network, star network etc. may also be used.

[0053] In other embodiments the outlet valve 20 may be configured for wired connection to a main control unit.

[0054] Referring again to Figure 1, in use the irrigation flow control apparatus 10 may be configured to provide a siphonic non-linear flow path between a water source 100 and the outlet opening 16 wherein said water source 100 has a water level located at a higher elevation than the outlet opening 16 as shown by height hi. As can be seen in Figure 2, the inlet opening 14 isinserted into a water source 100 which in this example is an irrigation channel 102 (shown in cross section). A channel bank 104 provides a barrier to contain the water in the channel 102. Taking advantage of the potential energy difference of the water in the channel 102, a syphon tube can be used to lift the water over the bank 104, shown by height I12, by holding the outlet opening 16 lower than the level of the water 106 in the channel 100 as shown by hi.

[0055] To initiate symphonic flow the tube must be charged to be substantially full of water, and the outlet sealed, then, with the inlet opening and preferably the inlet valve wholly submerged in the water in the channel 100, the tube may be set to pass over the channel bank 104 and such that the outlet opening 16 is set at an elevation lower that the water source, preferably where the delivery of water is required such as to a field 110 or delivery channel. Unblocking the outlet end allows water in the lower, outlet portion of the tube to fall or be pushed out of the tube outlet opening 16 at the same time drawing water from the water source into to the tube through the inlet opening 14.

[0056] It will be appreciated that when the conduit is charged with water, the outlet valve may be closed to provide a seal at the outlet opening, and placed in position for symphonic flow as shown. The outlet valve may be operated to the open position thereby initiating symphonic flow as can be seen in Figure 2 and represented by arrows 108. It is also possible to charge the conduit and then in the traditional manner place a hand over the outlet opening to seal the opening and releasing the hand once the conduit is positioned.

[0057] To stop flow the outlet valve may be moved to the closed position thereby sealing the outlet opening of the conduit and halting siphonic flow. At the inlet opening the inlet check valve 18 prevents water backflowing from the conduit from the inlet thereby holding the conduit charged full of water. Should, as shown in Figure 3, the water level in the channel fall below the level of the inlet opening due to the water supply to the channel being stopped or for any other reason the conduit will remain charged full of water. Restoration of water into the supply channel enables the outlet valve to be opened to once again initiate symphonic flow.

[0058] It will be appreciated that during irrigation, the irrigation flow control apparatus only needs to be charged and set in position once thereby obviating the need to reset and recharge the apparatus each time flow is stopped. In some embodiments the flow control valve may be operated remotely obviating the need to physically interact with the apparatus. Moreover, as seen in Figure4, the invention allows for control of multiple flow control apparatus remotely (by wireless or wired connection) obviating the need to manually reset, recharge and operate a plurality of flow control apparatus.

[0059] In some embodiments, the irrigation flow control apparatus 10 includes or is operatively connectable to a flow sensor for sensing when water is flowing through the conduit and passing related data to the control unit. In this way the control unit may determine when water is flowing through the conduit correctly and / or if attention, such as recharging or repositioning a particular syphon is required. In an array of syphons the user may identify that each syphon is operating correctly and which syphon, if any, requires attention without the need to visually inspect each in the array. The irrigation flow control apparatus 10 may include a flow meter operatively connected or connectable to the control unit for monitoring the velocity and / or volume of water flowing through the conduit. The flow meter allows the user to confirm that each part of an irrigated area, such as a field receives equivalent, or a desired volume of water. The flow meter may also be used to automatically stop flow, by means of the control unit and outlet valve, once a predetermined volume of water has been delivered through the conduit, within a predetermined time period.

[0060] In some embodiments, the main control unit 40 whether wireless, partially wireless or wired, is programmable to active and deactivate individual and / or predetermined groups of irrigation flow control apparatus 10 in response to pre-programmed schedules such as preprogrammed temporal schedules, and / or in response to other sensed inputs such as data from one or more flow sensors / meters, soil moisture sensors, weather monitoring sensors or weather forecasting information. For instance, based on a plurality of sensors placed at predetermined positions within or surrounding an area to be irrigated, the main control unit may active individual or groups of flow control apparatus to deliver water to areas as needed, say, to maintain predetermined moisture conditions.

[0061] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

[0062] Reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[0063] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0064] Also, future patent applications maybe filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of, or claiming priority from, the present application. It is to be understood that the following provisional claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to or omitted from the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A flow control apparatus including: an elongate conduit extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening; a one-way inlet valve fitted at or adjacent said inlet opening and configured to allow water to enter said conduit and flow through the conduit towards said outlet opening, and to prevent back flow of water therethrough and from the inlet opening; and an outlet valve fitted to said outlet opening and selectively movable between an open state to allow flow therethrough and a closed state to seal the outlet; wherein said apparatus is adapted to provide a siphonic non-linear flow path between a water source and said outlet opening wherein said water source is located at a higher elevation than said outlet opening.2 A flow control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outlet valve is remotely operated.3 A flow control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outlet valve includes an actuator for moving a valve member of said valve between an open position corresponding to the open state and a closed position corresponding to the closed state.4 A flow control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the actuator is an electrically operated actuator.5 A flow control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the outlet valve includes a battery.6 A flow control apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet valve is connectable to control unit enabling remote activation of the outlet valve.7 A flow control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the outlet valve is connectable to the control unit by a wired connection.8 A flow control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the outlet valve and control unit each include wireless communication modules enabling wireless connection such as via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

9. A flow control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the outlet valve is connectable to a network such as a linear, daisy chain, nodular or mesh network.

10. A flow control apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated conduit is a curved pipe.

11. A flow control apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated conduit is made up of polyethylene material.

12. A flow control apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated conduit is medium-density polyethylene (MDPE).

13. A flow control apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet valve includes a coupling for detachable connection to said conduit.

14. A flow control apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, used in distributing water from said water source for irrigation.

15. A flow control system comprising: a flow control apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and a control unit connectable to each flow control apparatus and for remotely controlling the outlet valve thereof.

16. A flow control system according to claim 14 further including a second irrigation flow control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 14.

17. A flow control system according to claim 15 or 16 used in distributing water from said water source for irrigation.

18. A method for distributing water from a water source for irrigation to a delivery location at a lower elevation than a water level of the water source including the steps of: providing a flow control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 14; setting said flow control apparatus for syphonic flow from said water source to said delivery location adjacent said water source;selectively activating an outlet valve of the flow control apparatus to control the flow of water from said water source through said flow control apparatus.

19. A method for distributing water from a water source for irrigation according to claim 18 wherein said step of setting said flow control apparatus for syphonic flow includes the steps of: charging said flow control apparatus by filling said flow control apparatus with water; positioning an inlet end of said flow control apparatus to be wholly submerged in the water source; positioning the outlet end of said flow control apparatus at the delivery location such that said outlet end is at a lower elevation than the water level of the water source; unsealing the outlet end of said flow control apparatus to initiate syphonic flow.

20. A method for distributing water from a water source for irrigation according to claim 19 wherein said step of sealing an outlet end of said flow control apparatus is performed by moving the outlet valve to the closed state and said step of unsealing the outlet end of said flow control apparatus to initiate syphonic flow is performed by moving the outlet valve to the open state.

21. A method for distributing water from a water source for irrigation according to any one of claims 18 - 20 wherein said step of selectively activating an outlet valve of the flow control apparatus to control the flow of water from said water source through said flow control apparatus includes connecting said flow control apparatus to a control unit for remotely controlling the outlet valve.

22. A method for distributing water from a water source for irrigation according to claim 21 wherein said flow control apparatus is connected to the control unit by means of a wireless connection.

23. A method for distributing water from a water source for irrigation according to any one of claims 18 - 22 including providing a plurality of flow control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 14: setting each flow control apparatus for syphonic flow from a respective water source to a delivery location adjacent said respective water source; selectively activating an outlet valve of each flow control apparatus to control the flow of water from said respective water source through said respective flow control apparatus.

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