Ferric Oxide LSR Membrane for Stable Drip Emitter Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) membranes used in drip irrigation emitters undergo changes such as swelling, opacity, and blister formation when exposed to water, especially in environments with chlorine, acid, or low pH, affecting their ability to control water flow independently of pressure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating Ferric oxide in a volumetric percentage ranging from 0.1% to 0.5% into the LSR material improves the resistance of silicone-based membranes, enhancing their durability and functionality in irrigation applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LSR membranes are used for controlling water flow in drip irrigation emitters, then flow rate control is achieved, but the membranes undergo changes such as swelling, opacity, and blister formation when exposed to water and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) with Ferric oxide particles to create a composite membrane material. This composite structure provides both the flow control functionality of LSR and the environmental stability of Ferric oxide, resolving the contradiction between reliability and compositional stability in water-exposed conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If LSR membranes are exposed to chlorine, acid, or low pH environments, then irrigation applications are enabled, but membrane degradation accelerates causing opacity and blister formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the membrane material through adding Ferric oxide. This changes the chemical resistance parameters of the membrane, enabling it to withstand chlorine, acid, and low pH environments without degradation, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental adaptability and chemical degradation
Data Source
AI summary
A drip irrigation emitter includes a cover member, a base member, and a silicone-based membrane containing ferric oxide, the membrane=e located between the two members. The membrane includes liquid silicone rubber (LSR) material and ferric oxide. The ferric oxide in volumetric percentage ranges from about 0.1% to about 0.5% of the overall volume of the LSR material.