Atmospheric Pressure Isolation for Irrigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing irrigation systems face significant water loss due to evaporation and inefficiencies in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in clay soils, and high energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

An irrigation system utilizing a drain cylinder with a water inlet-outlet hole, air pump, and perforated polyethylene mats to increase water pressure and activate surface tension, allowing for efficient water distribution and minimizing evaporation, combined with an isolation cylinder to manage air pressure and enhance soil penetration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If modern irrigation methods are used in arid regions, then water application is controlled, but water loss due to evaporation increases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater lossVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by using air pressure differential between the irrigation channel (pressurized by air pump) and isolation channel (at atmospheric pressure) to drive water movement through capillary action in the soil, eliminating the need for energy-consuming pumps to push water through the soil

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through evaporation at the soil surface, but controls this process by maintaining saturated air conditions in the isolation channel, allowing controlled water vapor exchange that prevents excessive evaporation loss while maintaining soil moisture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Productivity

If air pressure is applied to increase water penetration, then irrigation efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirrigation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the irrigation system into two separate channels: an irrigation channel for delivering water and an isolation channel for managing air pressure and preventing water loss, allowing each channel to perform its specific function independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air as an intermediary substance that mediates between the irrigation channel and the soil, using air pressure differential to drive water penetration without requiring direct mechanical pumping into the soil

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If isolation channel is used to prevent water loss, then water retention improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater retentionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation channel creates an inert atmosphere by maintaining saturated air conditions through continuous air supply from the air pump, preventing water evaporation and gas exchange with the external environment, thus retaining water in the soil profile

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively reduces water loss and ensures homogeneous irrigation in arid regions with low energy consumption by leveraging air pressure to enhance water penetration and retention in the soil.

Implementation Method 1

at least an air pump (12) which is connected to the irrigation pipe (5) coming out of the water pump (4) to increase the amount of the water transport

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

activating the force of the physical adsorption of agricultural soil by activating the force of surface tension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

at least a drain cylinder (6) on which the irrigation pipe (5) and a ventilation pipe (10) are attached

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 4

at least two perforated polyethylene (73) placed on either side of the gravel zone (71) to ensure that water passes into the ground

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 5

activating the capillary properties due to compacting of soil during runoff

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS11957081B2Atmospheric pressure isolation for irrigation applications

Publication Date: 2024.04.16 ALALI JEHAD

AI summary

An irrigation system includes at least one water source; at least one water pump-connected to the at least one water source with an irrigation pipe to transport water; at least one air pump connected to the irrigation pipe coming out of the at least one water pump to increase an amount of a water transport; at least one drain cylinder, wherein the irrigation pipe and a ventilation pipe are attached on the at least one drain cylinder; at least one main body; at least one water inlet-outlet hole, wherein the irrigation pipe is attached on the at least one water inlet-outlet hole and located on the at least one main body; at least one drain air hole, wherein the ventilation pipe is attached on the at least one drain air hole and located on the at least one main body.