Pulsator Valve Device for Uniform Irrigation Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems face challenges in achieving a uniform distribution of liquid with small-area sprinklers, as they require expensive and complex electronic valves, and reducing nozzle cross-sections to lower precipitation rates complicates maintaining a defined spray pattern, especially due to manufacturing difficulties with narrow gap dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A pulsator valve device that generates a pulsed flow of liquid using a moveable valve element, actuator element, and resilient bellows, which compresses and decompresses to control the flow through a liquid exchange channel, allowing for hydraulic and resilient forces to manage the opening and closing of the valve, enabling a defined spray pattern with low precipitation rates without external power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If electronic valves and irrigation controls are used to operate sprinklers independently, then uniform distribution of liquid is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a pulsator valve that automatically opens and closes in periodic cycles to control liquid flow to sprinklers. This mechanical periodic action eliminates the need for electronic valves and complex control systems, achieving independent operation of sprinklers through purely mechanical means while maintaining uniform liquid distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulsator valve is designed to be self-actuating, using the liquid pressure itself to drive the diaphragm and control the valve opening and closing. This self-service mechanism eliminates external power sources and complex electronic controls, reducing device complexity while achieving the desired uniform liquid distribution through automatic periodic operation.
2Quantity of substance
If nozzle cross section is reduced to lower precipitation rate, then water consumption is reduced, but manufacturing precision and spray pattern definition become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing nozzle cross-section to lower precipitation rate, the patent uses periodic opening and closing of the valve to reduce the effective precipitation rate. The nozzle maintains its original cross-section and spray pattern definition, while the pulsator valve controls the timing and duration of liquid flow, achieving reduced water consumption without compromising spray pattern quality or manufacturing feasibility.
3Measurement precision
If pulsator valve operates with external power, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pulsator valve operates autonomously using the liquid pressure from the supply line to actuate the diaphragm and control valve opening and closing. This self-service operation eliminates external power requirements and associated complexity while maintaining precise flow control through the natural pressure differential and elastic restoration of the diaphragm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles by employing liquid pressure to actuate the diaphragm and control the valve. The pressure differential across the diaphragm, combined with the elastic properties of the diaphragm material, provides precise automatic control of the valve timing and duration without requiring external power sources or complex control systems.
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 pulsator valve device allows for efficient, low-cost, and dirt-resistant operation of small-area irrigation systems, reducing the amount of irrigation liquid needed and achieving a uniform spray pattern, while being compatible with large-area irrigation systems, without requiring external power, by utilizing hydraulic pressure to move parts.
Implementation Method 1
the first bellows, during at least part of the (closing) time or phase when the valve element is in the closed state and/or in at least a part of the opening movement of the valve element, is, in particular elastically, compressed by a hydraulic force being generated at the hydraulic surface of the actuator element due to the pressure difference between the liquid pressure and the internal pressure
Implementation Method 2
the first bellows, during at least part of the (closing) time or phase when the valve element is in the closed state and/or in at least a part of the opening movement of the valve element, is, in particular elastically, compressed by a hydraulic force
Implementation Method 3
the first bellows is provided with a liquid exchange channel for its inner space allowing for liquid to flow out of the inner space when the volume of the inner space is reduced during compression of the first bellows and allowing for liquid to flow into the inner space when the volume of the inner space is increased during decompression of the first bellows
Data Source
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AI summary
A pulsator valve device for generating a pulsed flow of a liquid (L) through an outlet (8B) of a passage (8) for the liquid (L) comprising a) at least one valve element (9) which is moveable in a repetitive movement comprising an opening movement from a closed state for closing the outlet (8B) to at least one opened state for opening the outlet (8B) and a closing movement from an opened state to the closed state, b) at least one actuator element (10) and c) at least one resilient first bellows (13) having folds (131) and an inner space (130) being confined in a liquid tight manner and being connected with the actuator element (10) and with the valve element (9), d) wherein the actuator element (10) has at least one hydraulic surface (A2) which can be put under the liquid pressure (P1) of the liquid (L) in the passage (8) on one side and under the internal pressure (P0) prevailing in the inner space (130) of the first bellows (13) on the other side, e) wherein the first bellows (13) is provided with a liquid exchange channel (22, 25, 14) for its inner space (130) allowing for liquid (L) to flow out of the inner space (130) when the volume of the inner space (130) is reduced during compression of the first bellows (13) and allowing for liquid (L) to flow into the inner space (130) when the volume of the inner space (130) is increased during decompression of the first bellows (13), and f) wherein the first bellows (13), during at least part of the time when the valve element (9) is in the closed state and/or in at least part of the opening movement of the valve element (9), is compressed by a hydraulic force being generated at the hydraulic surface of the actuator element (10) due to the pressure difference between the liquid pressure (P1) and the internal pressure (P0) and, in at least part of the closing movement of the valve element (9), is decompressed by a resilient force of the first bellows (13), when due to a flow of liquid (L) into the inner space (130) through said liquid exchange channel (22) said pressure difference and thus said hydraulic force is reduced or zero.