Irrigation Conduit Coupling With Rotational Interlock and Leak Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation pipe couplings suffer from water leakage and mechanical failure during towing, especially in drought-stricken areas, due to loose mechanical connections and gaskets that fail to prevent water loss when pressure is released.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically engaging coupling system with a female coupling featuring a cradle and interleaving fasteners, including a cylindrical section with a gasket for a tight fit and male couplings with flange-like structures that interlock by rotation, providing a watertight seal and resistance to axial tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a loose mechanical engagement with tabs and slots is used to allow flexing during towing, then the coupling can accommodate movement, but water leakage occurs when pressure is released
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into separate male and female portions with distinct functional zones: the male coupling has a tapered insertion end for engagement, while the female coupling has a cylindrical receiver for sealing. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function - the male for insertion and the female for creating a watertight seal.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the coupling have different mechanical properties. The male coupling features a tapered end with specific surface characteristics for insertion, while the female coupling has a cylindrical receiver with a gasket for sealing. The gasket material itself has local quality characteristics being compressible to create a seal while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If a large compressible gasket is used to compensate for the gap between the receiving port and male coupling, then the coupling can accommodate oblique insertion, but water drains out when pressure is released
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket's compression parameter is precisely controlled to create an optimal seal. The gasket is compressed to a specific degree during coupling engagement, transforming from a uncompressed state to a compressed sealing state. This parameter change ensures the gasket fills the gap sufficiently to prevent water loss while accommodating insertion variations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a thick and wide Chevron gasket is used to compensate for loose mechanical connection, then the mechanical connection is stabilized, but water leakage occurs through the coupling when pressure falls
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the mechanical connection structure and assigned to a dedicated gasket component. Instead of relying on the mechanical connection itself to prevent leakage, the gasket is specifically designed and positioned to provide the sealing function, while the mechanical connection focuses on providing structural stability and alignment.
4Reliability
If conventional replaceable rubber gaskets are used to prevent water loss under pressure, then water loss under pressure is reduced, but water drains out whenever the line is shut off and pressure is released
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling design creates an asymmetric sealing arrangement where the female coupling's cylindrical receiver provides a precise fit for the male coupling. The gasket is positioned asymmetrically within the receiver to optimize sealing in both pressurized and depressurized states, preventing water drainage when the line is shut off.
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 system ensures minimal water loss and secure connection during irrigation, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without disassembly, reducing labor and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The cylindrical section of the female coupling may include a gasket (e.g., an O-ring style gasket) for frictional engagement with the outer surface of the male coupling to prevent leakage of water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides improved couplings for conduit systems. A male coupling and a female coupling may be mechanically engaged by inserting the male coupling into a receiver in the female coupling until fastening structures are aligned, and then rotating one or both of the male and female couplings until the fastening structures are overlapping and in interfacial engagement. The male and female couplings provide an efficient coupling solution for end-to-end conduit connection and also addresses a leakage problem in conventional irrigation pipe couplers.