Irrigation line with a flow reducer for transporting fluids containing suspended particles
The flow-reducing device with internal protrusions addresses clogging in irrigation lines by breaking larger particles and inducing turbulence, ensuring effective irrigation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BUSTAMANTE MEDINA JUAN ROBERTO
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing irrigation lines face clogging issues due to large particles becoming trapped at the fluid inlet, despite solutions like varying pipe diameters and labyrinth geometries, which do not effectively prevent clogging when carrying fluids with suspended solids.
A flow-reducing device with a cylindrical shape and internal geometric discontinuity between the inlet and outlet, creating protrusions that break apart larger particles and induce turbulence, reducing particle size and preventing clogging.
The device effectively reduces particle size and prevents clogging by breaking larger particles and inducing turbulence, ensuring proper irrigation by allowing smaller particles to pass through the irrigation line.
Smart Images
Figure CL2026050005_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] IRRIGATION LINE WITH FLOW REDUCER FOR TRANSPORTING FLUIDS WITH SUSPENDED PARTICLES
[0002] Technical field of the invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of water treatment devices, specifically for reducing the particle size in a liquid with suspended particles flowing through an irrigation line.
[0004] Background of the invention
[0005] Currently, the problem of clogged irrigation lines is solved by using different geometries and shapes in the drip emitter labyrinths through which the fluid flows. This allows the fluid, as it passes through these labyrinths, to avoid clumping and enables suspended solids to escape through the emitter outlet holes. However, if the fluid inlet to the emitter has a regular geometry, larger particles can become trapped there, ultimately clogging the entire irrigation line.
[0006] To overcome the aforementioned deficiency, patent CL69214, disclosed in the prior art, presents a solution that accelerates flow within the irrigation line by reducing the pipe diameter, thus preventing the emitters from becoming clogged. This solution provides one or more pipe diameter reductions spaced apart, using different shapes or variations, such as a central reduction encompassing the entire pipe circumference, a reduction encompassing part of the pipe circumference, an internal spiral pipe reduction, a pipe reduction including an internal tube, a pipe reduction arranged longitudinally along its lower portion, a pipe reduction comprising a settling angle, and longitudinally arranged pipe reductions.
[0007] However, there remains a need to find new devices that prevent the clogging of large particles within the pipe when the irrigation line carries fluids containing solids that must pass through the drippers to then irrigate surfaces where such fluids are required.
[0008] The present invention proposes a solution to the above problem.
[0009] Summary of the invention
[0010] A first object of the present invention is a flow-reducing device for reducing the particle size of a fluid with suspended particles, to be installed in an irrigation line, where the irrigation line carries a fluid, and in particular a liquid, with suspended particles. This device is characterized in that it comprises a cylindrical outer shape and an inner shape having an inlet and an outlet, where the outlet has a different shape from the inlet, and where at a point between the inlet and the outlet, a geometric discontinuity occurs in the inner shape of the flow-reducing device to produce a transition from the shape of the inlet to the shape of the outlet, resulting in a plurality of protrusions into the irrigation line.
[0011] Additionally, the present invention provides a second object of invention, which comprises an irrigation line that carries a liquid with suspended particles, and comprises the flow reducer previously described.
[0012] Brief description of the figures
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a flow reducer (10) allowing the outlet (102) of the flow reducer (10) to be seen.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an symmetrical view of a preferred embodiment of a flow reducer (10) allowing the inlet (101) of the flow reducer (10) to be seen.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the flow reducer (10) and two cross-sectional views thereof, wherein the cross-sectional view BB allows a plurality of protrusions (103) to be seen.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the flow reducer (10), which allows a plurality of protrusions (103) and inner walls (104) to be seen. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of an irrigation line (1).
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an symmetrical view of another preferred embodiment of a flow reducer (10) allowing the outlet (102) of the flow reducer (10) to be seen.
[0018] Detailed description of the invention
[0019] For the purpose of solving the technical problem described above, the following objects of invention are provided.
[0020] Essentially, the present invention provides a first object of invention, which comprises a flow-reducing device (10) for installation in an irrigation line, the purpose of which is to reduce the particle size of a liquid flowing through said irrigation line and containing suspended particles. This device is characterized by comprising a cylindrical outer shape and an inner shape having an inlet (101) and an outlet (102), where the outlet (102) has a different shape from the inlet (101), and where at a point between the inlet (101) and the outlet (102), a geometric discontinuity occurs in the inner shape of the flow reducer to produce a transition from the shape of the inlet (101) to the shape of the outlet (102), generating as a result of this transition a plurality of protrusions (103) that are arranged inside the irrigation line.which allow the particles that collide with them to break apart and pass through said outlet (102).,
[0021] Within the scope of the present invention, and without limiting it, a geometric discontinuity shall be understood as a sudden change or abrupt interruption in the continuity or smoothness of the shape, profile or surface of an object.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, without limiting it, the inlet (101) is circular and the outlet (102) is cross-shaped, wherein the plurality of protrusions (103) comprises four protrusions. This preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. A similar preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0023] Additionally, a second object of invention is provided, which comprises an irrigation line (1) that carries liquid with suspended particles, characterized in that it comprises the previously mentioned flow reducer (10), wherein the irrigation line has an outlet (11) and an inlet (12) (not visible in the figures).
[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, without limiting it, the irrigation line is further characterized by comprising a dripper (13), wherein the dripper (13) is located at the proximal end of the outlet (11) of the irrigation line (1), and wherein the flow reducer (10) is located downstream of the dripper (13) and at the distal end of the outlet (11) of the irrigation line (1). This preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0025] Within the scope of the present invention, without limiting it, it shall be understood that the internal shape of the reducer (10), in addition to having the inlet (101) and the outlet (102), comprises internal walls (104), as shown in FIG. 4.
[0026] The plurality of protrusions (103) formed by the unique structure of the reducing device of the invention produces a double technical effect: First, as already explained, it allows particles suspended in the liquid flowing through the irrigation line to impact against them, creating the possibility of breaking them into smaller particles, thereby increasing the likelihood that these smaller particles can pass through the outlet (102); and second, when the liquid flow impacts the geometric discontinuity (and consequently the plurality of protrusions (103)), there is a high probability of turbulence occurring, which, in addition to interrupting the laminar flow, increases the probability that suspended particles will collide with the plurality of protrusions or with the inner walls (104) of the reducer (1).
[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, if the irrigation line also includes a dripper at its proximal end, the reducing device of the invention will help ensure that the liquid or fluid coming out of the dripper holes contains particles of the appropriate size to adequately irrigate the surface for which the irrigation line is intended, thus preventing the possibility of its obstruction.
Claims
CLAIMS 1. A flow reducer (10) for installation in an irrigation line for reducing the particle size of a fluid with suspended particles flowing through the irrigation pipe, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a cylindrical outer shape, and an inner shape having an inlet (101) and an outlet (102), wherein the outlet (102) has a different shape from the inlet (101), and wherein at a point between the inlet (101) and the outlet (102), a geometric discontinuity occurs in the inner shape of the flow reducer to produce a transition from the shape of the inlet (101) to the shape of the outlet (102), generating as a result of the transition a plurality of protrusions (103) arranged inside the irrigation line.
2. The flow reducer (10) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the inlet (101) has a circular shape and the outlet (102) has a cross shape, wherein the plurality of protrusions (103) comprises four protrusions.
3. An irrigation line (1) that transports liquid with suspended particles, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a. the flow reducer (10) of any of claims 1 to 2; wherein the irrigation line has an outlet (11) and an inlet (12).
4. The irrigation line of claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a dripper, wherein the dripper is located at the proximal end to the outlet (11) of the irrigation line (1), and wherein the flow reducer (10) is located downstream of the dripper, and at the distal end of the outlet (11) of the irrigation line (1).