Irrigation Span End Segments for Uniform Receptacle Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural irrigation systems often create water distribution 'dead zones' due to non-uniform spacing of receptacles along the pipeline, leading to uneven water distribution across fields.
Innovation Solution
The irrigation system employs spans with variable overall lengths and end segments that are shorter than the fluid delivery conduits, coupled with a trussing system maintaining uniform receptacle spacing, ensuring consistent water distribution across connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple spans are connected to cover large fields, then the irrigation system can cover larger areas, but water distribution dead zones appear due to non-uniform receptacle spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The span is divided into multiple conduit segments (first conduit segment, second conduit segment, third conduit segment) with specific length relationships. The first and second conduit segments have lengths that are integer multiples of the receptacle spacing distance, while the third conduit segment has a length that is not an integer multiple, creating a transition zone that maintains uniform spacing across span connections.
Solution Approach 2:
Different conduit segments have different length properties tailored to their specific functions. The first and second segments use lengths that are integer multiples of spacing for regular intervals, while the third segment uses a non-integer multiple length to bridge connections between spans, ensuring uniform receptacle spacing is maintained at connection points.
2Device complexity
If end segments have the same length as fluid delivery conduits, then the structure is simpler, but dead zones are created where water distribution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The end segments (first and second conduit segments) are given specific length properties that differ from standard conduit segments. Their lengths are defined as integer multiples of the receptacle spacing distance, creating a specialized local structure that ensures uniform water distribution at the span ends and eliminates dead zones.
3Manufacturing precision
If receptacles are spaced uniformly across the entire pipeline, then water distribution is even, but the end segments cannot be simple extensions of the main conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit system is segmented into multiple sections with deliberately different length characteristics. The first conduit segment has a length that is an integer multiple of receptacle spacing, the second conduit segment also has an integer multiple length, and the third conduit segment has a non-integer multiple length. This segmentation allows uniform receptacle spacing to be maintained while accommodating connection requirements between spans.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit segment lengths are parameterized as integer or non-integer multiples of the receptacle spacing distance. This parameter relationship ensures that receptacles remain uniformly spaced throughout the system, including at connection points between spans, while allowing the end segments to have different structural configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation system having spans of a variable overall length is provided. Each span has a plurality of fluid delivery conduits coupled end to end to define the span with a first peripheral end and a second peripheral end. Each fluid delivery conduit has a plurality of receptacles uniformly spaced along its length. The first peripheral end has a first end segment and the second peripheral end has a second end segment. The lengths of the first and second end segments are less than half of the uniform distance by which each of the plurality of receptacles is spaced apart. Uniform spacing of receptacles is maintained across a connection of adjacent spans.