Oscillating Sprinkler Spray Bar With Adjustable Orifices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oscillating sprinklers lack the ability to provide variable water coverage, leading to inefficient water use and inaccurate watering, as they cannot selectively control the areas being watered.
Innovation Solution
An oscillating sprinkler spray bar with a moveable adjuster portion that can obscure or open outlet orifices, allowing for adjustable water distribution, combined with a hybrid structure of metallic and plastic tube portions for enhanced sealing and durability, and a water-powered motor with a flow switching arrangement for oscillating movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional oscillating sprinklers are used without adjustment capability, then the structure is simple, but water distribution efficiency is poor and coverage area cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The spray bar is divided into multiple modular tube portions (first tube portion, second tube portion, third tube portion) that can be independently adjusted. Each tube portion has adjustable outlet orifices that can be selectively opened or closed, allowing granular control over water distribution patterns and coverage areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray bar transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable one. The outlet orifices can be opened or closed during operation based on watering needs, and the entire spray bar can be repositioned along the oscillating path, enabling real-time adaptation to different coverage requirements.
2Reliability
If the spray bar uses a single material construction, then manufacturing is simple, but sealing performance and durability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spray bar employs a composite construction combining metallic tube portions (providing structural strength and durability) with plastic tube portions (providing ease of manufacturing and good sealing surfaces). This hybrid approach leverages the advantages of both materials to achieve reliable sealing performance while maintaining manufacturability.
3Ease of operation
If the adjuster portion is freely movable, then operation is simple, but axial misalignment may occur affecting water distribution accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The adjuster portion is pre-configured with engagement features that automatically maintain proper axial alignment with the outlet orifices during adjustment. The structure is designed beforehand to guide the adjuster into the correct position, preventing misalignment before it can occur during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary engagement mechanism (such as a guide feature or positioning element) is introduced between the adjuster portion and the tube portion to ensure precise axial alignment. This intermediary component facilitates smooth operation while maintaining the precision required for accurate water distribution.
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
Enables more efficient and accurate watering by allowing users to control the watered area, reduces the risk of leaks with improved sealing, and maintains adjuster portion alignment, ensuring effective water distribution and reduced operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a water-powered motor with a flow switching arrangement for oscillating movement
Data Source
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AI summary
An oscillating sprinkler spray bar for use in an oscillating sprinkler which comprises a base on which the spray bar is mountable for oscillating movement and a drive unit for driving oscillating movement of the spray bar relative to the base, the spray bar comprising an inlet for receiving water, a plurality of outlet orifices and carrying an adjuster portion which is moveable between a first position in which the adjuster portion obscures at least one of the outlet orifices against the outlet of water and a second position in which the adjuster portion leaves said at least one of the outlet orifices open for the outlet of water.