Custom Patterned Sprinkler Head for Irregular Area Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems struggle to provide uniform water coverage for irregularly shaped areas, often resulting in uneven water distribution and wastage, as they typically use circular or arcuate patterns that require multiple sprinkler heads and cannot adapt to varying terrain and obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A custom water sprinkler system that uses topological data to create custom plates for each sprinkler head, allowing for precise water distribution based on compass angles, slopes, and water pressure, with fewer sprinkler heads needed, and incorporates a speed control mechanism to ensure uniform coverage by adjusting water throw distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional circular or arcuate sprinkler patterns are used, then the system can cover areas with standard sprinkler heads, but the water distribution becomes uneven with some portions receiving four times the water of other portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by customizing the spray pattern for each specific irrigation zone based on its unique geometry and requirements. Each sprinkler head is configured with a custom plate that defines a spray pattern matching the exact shape and boundaries of its designated zone, ensuring uniform water distribution tailored to local area characteristics rather than using universal circular patterns.
2Area of stationary object
If many sprinkler heads are installed to cover irregular areas, then coverage can be achieved, but installation costs increase and the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamics by making the spray pattern adaptable and configurable for each sprinkler head based on the specific zone requirements. The system dynamically adjusts the spray pattern geometry to match irregular area shapes, allowing fewer sprinkler heads to cover complex areas efficiently compared to static circular patterns that require overlapping coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard sprinkler heads are used for irregular areas, then installation is simpler, but the spray pattern cannot adapt to varying terrain, slopes, and obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-configuring the custom spray pattern plates before installation. The system uses survey data and zone geometry information to determine the optimal spray pattern for each sprinkler head in advance, allowing the plates to be manufactured and installed ready-to-use, which simplifies the overall installation process despite the custom nature of each component.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional sprinkler systems are used, then standard installation procedures can be followed, but uniform water coverage for irregularly shaped areas cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating a digital or physical model of the irregular irrigation zone geometry and using this copy to generate the custom spray pattern. The survey data and area boundaries are replicated into the spray pattern design, ensuring that the physical spray configuration accurately reproduces the desired coverage area shape, thereby achieving uniform water distribution.
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
This solution reduces installation costs and water wastage, providing efficient and uniform irrigation coverage while minimizing the number of sprinkler heads required, leading to cost savings and environmental benefits.
Implementation Method 1
inputs of water pressure and volume flow available
Implementation Method 2
incorporates a speed control mechanism to ensure uniform coverage by adjusting water throw distances
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler system for lawns and landscaping is custom-fitted to each particular lot or area to be irrigated. Each in-ground, pop-up, rotating sprinkler head has a pattern defining plate fitted therein having a central opening made therein, as by laser cutting, solid particle deposition, or the like, the opening being congruent with the area to be watered, as adjusted for any sloped portions of the area. A pattern sampling aperture aligned with spray nozzles of the sprinkler rotates about the opening in the defining plate, feeding an amount of water to each radial line of the area about the sprinkler sufficient to reach from the sprinkler position out to the periphery. A speed control comprising a spring-biased cam and an opposing turbine wheel in the water flow slows spray head rotation at arc portions of longer water throw and speeds rotation where the throw is shorter, thus to obtain substantially uniform water coverage over all parts of the area served by each sprinkler head.