Irrigation Flow Regulator With Elastic Valve to Prevent Water Hammer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems face issues with inaccurate liquid flow regulation, mechanical wear, and sudden flow variations leading to water hammers, which reduce component lifespan and hinder precise irrigation control.
Innovation Solution
A system with continuous regulating valves and local electronic control units, using elastically yielding materials and BLDC motors to smoothly adjust flow rates, combined with sensors for detecting abnormal operations and preventing mechanical stress, ensuring precise and durable liquid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If solenoid valves are used to control liquid flow in irrigation systems, then flexible and accurate liquid distribution is achieved, but water hammers exert high stress on components reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces solenoid valves with a mechanical regulation device comprising a regulatable orifice in a pressure regulator. This mechanical system uses a movable closure element (needle valve) that can be precisely positioned to control flow rate, eliminating the abrupt opening/closing actions of solenoid valves that cause water hammers. The mechanical adjustment allows gradual flow modulation without sudden pressure changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from binary (open/close) to continuous (flow rate modulation). The pressure regulator with its movable closure element enables continuous adjustment of the orifice area, allowing precise control of liquid flow rate. This parameter change from discrete to continuous control eliminates water hammer effects while maintaining distribution flexibility.
2Measurement precision
If pressure regulators are installed with each solenoid valve to ascertain flow rate, then flow measurement is enabled, but the mechanical operation of control means exposes them to wear and malfunctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulator is designed to be self-regulating through a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically maintains set pressure. The movable closure element is positioned by spring force balancing against downstream pressure, eliminating the need for external solenoid actuators. This self-service mechanism reduces mechanical wear points while maintaining measurement capability through pressure sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the solenoid valve component from the system, retaining only the pressure regulation function. By removing the electromechanical solenoid actuator and keeping only the mechanical pressure-regulating elements, the system eliminates the wear-prone moving parts while preserving flow control and measurement capabilities through the orifice and pressure sensor.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical needle-operated control means are used to vary valve inner area, then flow rate adjustment is possible, but the mechanical operation leads to wear and malfunctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical needle adjustment with an automated electronic control system. A motorized actuator (such as a stepper motor or servo) replaces the manual needle valve mechanism, enabling precise flow rate adjustment through electronic signals. This substitution maintains ease of operation through programmable control while eliminating mechanical wear from manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic intermediary (control circuit board with microprocessor) between the user input and the physical valve adjustment. This intermediary translates electronic commands into precise motorized actuator movements, providing easy programmable operation while the motorized system replaces wear-prone manual mechanical threads and seals with more durable electromagnetic components.
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 provides intelligent, wear-resistant, and accurate liquid flow regulation, avoiding sudden variations and water hammers, enabling precise irrigation and facilitating preventive maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a pipe section (14) made of an elastically yielding material connected to the drop pipe (6) and a valve member (15) adapted to transversely interact with the pipe section (14) to deform it and vary its flow area
Data Source
AI summary
A system for intelligent regulation of the flow rate in an irrigation plant includes a pipeline feeding an irrigation liquid, a drop pipe connected to the pipeline, and a regulation device connected to the drop pipe and associated with a liquid distribution device having a continuous regulating valve and a local electronic control unit that varies pressure and flow rate of the liquid sent to a nozzle. The continuous regulating valve includes an elastically yielding pipe connected to the drop pipe and a valve member interacting with the pipe to deform it and vary its flow area. A program installed in the electronic control unit controls the movement of the valve member and changes flow rate downstream of the drop pipe, avoiding sudden variations and water hammers. The local electronic control unit is associated with a sensor that detects abnormal operation of the regulation device, enabling preventive maintenance.