High Volume Dripping Hose with Segmented Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems, such as sprinkler hoses and drip irrigation lines, suffer from high water waste, non-uniform water distribution, clogging issues, and low water volume delivery, which are exacerbated by manufacturing complexities and uneven terrain.
Innovation Solution
A high volume dripping hose design featuring a center hose with longitudinally spaced metering holes enclosed by a corrugated outer hose, which includes drain holes on its crests to ensure uniform water distribution and resistance to clogging, utilizing a pressure regulator to maintain optimal pressure and flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If drip emitters are used to deliver water, then uniform water distribution is achieved, but the water volume per unit length is very low and watering time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The hose is divided into multiple sections along its length, with each section containing multiple drainage holes. This segmentation allows water to be delivered through multiple pathways simultaneously, increasing the total water volume per unit length while maintaining uniform distribution through the segmented hole pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point-source emission (single emitter per location) to distributed surface emission (multiple holes per section along the hose). By adding the dimensional aspect of having holes distributed along the hose length rather than at single points, the system achieves both uniform distribution and high water volume delivery.
2Productivity
If sprinkler hoses are used to supply high volumes of water, then water volume is high, but considerable waste in runoff occurs and water does not distribute uniformly at root zones
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts water from the flowing stream within the hose and delivers it directly to the ground through drainage holes along the hose length. This removes water from the high-velocity flow that would otherwise cause runoff, delivering it in controlled amounts directly where needed at the root zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose wall with its drainage holes acts as an intermediary between the high-volume water supply and the ground. It mediates the water delivery by allowing controlled extraction and distribution of water along the hose length, preventing both runoff waste and non-uniform distribution.
3Manufacturing precision
If drip emitters with complex flow paths are used, then desired dripping flow is produced, but they are subject to clogging and require special manufacturing equipment
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of forcing water through complex internal flow paths and restrictions (as in traditional emitters), the invention uses simple open drainage holes where water flows directly from the hose interior to the exterior. This inverted approach eliminates complex flow paths that cause clogging while still achieving controlled dripping flow through the simplicity of the hole structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow control parameter from complex internal geometry to simple hole dimensions. By controlling hole size, spacing, and distribution rather than using complex internal flow paths, the system achieves reliable dripping flow control with high resistance to clogging.
4Productivity
If soaker hoses operate at high pressure above 480 kPa, then higher flow rates are achieved, but thicker wall is required making hoses more rigid and requiring expensive fittings
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulator is installed upstream to pre-adjust the water pressure to the optimal level for the drainage hose. This preliminary pressure control allows the hose to operate at lower pressures with thin walls, eliminating the need for thick-walled rigid hoses and expensive high-pressure fittings while still achieving adequate flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating pressure parameter from high pressure (480 kPa+) to lower pressure operation. By using multiple drainage holes along the hose length, the system achieves high total flow rates at lower pressures, thereby allowing thin-walled flexible hoses and standard fittings to be used.
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 achieves uniform water distribution on uneven ground, reduces manufacturing complexity, increases water volume per unit length, and prevents clogging, making it easier to install and maintain while optimizing plant irrigation.
Implementation Method 1
The center hose sprays metered water in the outer hose
Implementation Method 2
The outer hose reduces the velocities of the water sprays, keeps the water streams separate, and drains the water in drips to ground uniformly along its length
Data Source
AI summary
A dripping hose having a center hose (12) and one or more segments of corrugated outer hose (10), with each segment of corrugated outer hose (10) enclosing a metering section of center hose (12). Each metering section of center hose (12) has a number of longitudinally and evenly spaced metering holes (18), or comprises a segment of porous soaker hose (28). The outer hose (10) has drain holes (16) on the underside crests of its corrugations. The dripping hose distributes high volume dripping streams uniformly along its length.