Drip Emitter Flow Regulator with Deformable Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow regulators for drip irrigation emitters often fail to maintain a consistent discharge under varying fluid inlet pressures, which can be influenced by topography and pressure losses in irrigation systems, leading to unpredictable water distribution.
Innovation Solution
A flow regulator featuring a deformable membrane that approaches a smooth concave dome-shaped surface, with a channel defining a curved path and transverse baffles forming a labyrinth, progressively blocks a helical bypass passageway as pressure differential increases, maintaining a constant discharge by increasing resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional flow restrictor is used in the emitter, then the water pressure is reduced to enable drip irrigation, but the discharge becomes unpredictable under varying inlet pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deformable membrane that dynamically adjusts its position in response to varying inlet pressures. As pressure increases, the membrane deforms to block the bypass passageway progressively, maintaining constant discharge. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by automatically compensating for pressure variations without requiring complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and geometry of the membrane based on pressure conditions. The membrane transitions from a relaxed state allowing bypass flow to a deformed state blocking the bypass, thereby changing the flow path geometry in response to pressure variations. This parameter change enables consistent discharge across different operating conditions.
2Productivity
If a bypass passageway is provided between the inlet and outlet, then flow resistance is reduced, but discharge becomes sensitive to pressure differential variations
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable membrane acts as an intermediary element between the bypass passageway and the main flow path. It selectively blocks the bypass in response to pressure differential increases, mediating between the need for high flow rates (when bypass is open) and discharge consistency (when bypass is blocked). This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by dynamically controlling bypass flow based on operating conditions.
3Reliability
If the membrane is made highly deformable to respond to pressure changes, then discharge control improves, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a flexible membrane as the core pressure-responsive element. This thin film structure naturally provides the required deformability to respond to pressure changes while maintaining manufacturing feasibility. The membrane's flexibility is inherent to its material properties rather than requiring complex geometric features, thus resolving the contradiction between responsiveness and manufacturability.
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 solution ensures a consistent and predictable fluid discharge across a wide range of inlet pressures, independent of pressure variations, by adjusting the geometry of the channel and irregularities to control the flow resistance, thereby maintaining a fixed output over varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable membrane may be configured to deform and progressively block the helical bypass passageway in response to an increasing pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet.
Implementation Method 2
The deformable membrane may be biased to block backflow out the inlet. The deformable membrane may deform to approach a matching smooth concave dome shaped surface.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is supplied for a self adjusting regulator suited for an irrigation emitter. A curved flow channel is integrated into a concave dome shaped surface. A deformable member deforms to approach the surface to adjust the resistance to flow. The concave dome shaped surface may match a deformed shape of the membrane. Irregularities in the interface between the surface and the deformable member are configured to achieve a desired discharge under varying flow conditions. The deformable member may activate an inlet filter cleaner by pushing a ram and thereby unclogging the filter.