Concentric Tube Drip Emitter for Pressure Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation drip emitters require complex assembly, introduce turbulence, and are prone to grit buildup, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, while also lacking pressure compensation and being susceptible to vandalism and overspray issues.
Innovation Solution
A drip line and emitter design featuring concentric tubes with embossed emitter bodies and pressure-reducing flow channels, minimizing internal structure and using a pressure-compensating mechanism to maintain consistent fluid output, reducing turbulence and grit accumulation, and allowing for easier manufacturing and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional drip emitters are used, then fluid distribution is achieved, but complex assembly and multiple parts are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the emitter body, pressure-reducing flow channels, and tube structure into a single integrated concentric tube assembly. The emitter is formed as one piece with embedded flow channels, eliminating the need for separate emitter bodies, housings, and assembly steps. This merging of components directly reduces assembly complexity and the number of parts while maintaining fluid distribution functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentric tube structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the fluid conduit, contains the pressure-reducing flow channels, provides structural support, and forms the emitter outlet. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, thereby simplifying the overall device and reducing assembly requirements.
2Reliability
If conventional drip emitters are used, then fluid distribution is achieved, but turbulence and grit buildup occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the internal emitter structures that cause turbulence in conventional systems. By using a smooth-walled concentric tube without internal emitters or complex flow paths, the design removes the source of turbulence and grit accumulation while maintaining controlled fluid distribution through the embedded flow channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow parameters by using gradual, smooth transitions in the concentric tube design rather than sharp angles or abrupt changes. The flow channels are designed with optimized geometry that maintains laminar flow and reduces turbulence, thereby preventing grit buildup and ensuring reliable fluid distribution.
3Reliability
If conventional drip emitters are used, then fluid distribution is achieved, but pressure compensation is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The concentric tube design provides self-pressure compensation through its geometric configuration. The varying wall thickness and flow channel geometry automatically adjust to pressure changes without requiring external pressure compensation mechanisms. The system self-regulates fluid flow based on pressure variations, maintaining consistent distribution while avoiding complex pressure control devices.
4Productivity
If conventional drip emitters are used, then fluid distribution is achieved, but production time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tube wall thickness and flow channel geometry into distinct functional zones within the concentric structure. This segmentation allows for optimized manufacturing by enabling specialized production techniques for different portions of the tube, reducing overall production time and cost while maintaining high productivity.
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 design enhances efficiency, reduces production time and costs, ensures consistent fluid output, minimizes turbulence and grit buildup, and provides improved durability and vandal-resistance, while allowing for both above-ground and subsurface applications.
Implementation Method 1
The emitter normally includes a pressure reducing passageway, such as a zigzag labyrinth or passage, which reduces high pressure fluid entering the drip emitter into relatively low pressure fluid exiting the drip emitter
Implementation Method 2
many if not all of the above mentioned emitters can be manufactured with a pressure compensating mechanism that allows the emitters to adjust or compensate for fluctuations in the fluid pressure within the supply line
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation emitter and drip line, and methods relating to same, are provided for reducing the flow and pressure of fluid via an emitter or plurality of emitters defined by two concentric tubes. In one form, the first tube defines an emitter inlet and connected pressure-reducing flow channel and the second tube is extruded over the first tube to enclose the emitter inlet and flow channel and defines an outlet connected to an end of the flow channel opposite the inlet to create an emitter for converting fluid flowing at a high flow rate in the lumen and at the first end of the inlet to a fluid with a low flow rate at the outlet of the emitter. In another form, a drip line is provided having a plurality of such emitters. Various other forms and methods relating to the emitter and drip line are also disclosed.