Rectangular Irrigation Nozzle via 3-Jet Fluidic Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current irrigation systems face challenges in designing rectangular spray nozzles with low precipitation rates, as existing solutions are either costly, durable, or inefficient in covering specific rectangular areas with minimal overspray and waste, particularly for high aspect ratio shapes like 4 ft×15 ft.
Innovation Solution
A 3-jet geometry with floor and taper features is configured to create customizable rectangular spray patterns, allowing for adjustable flow distribution and jet angles to achieve low precipitation rates of 1 inch/hour, enabling efficient irrigation of rectangular zones with reduced overspray and waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a rotor head sprinkler is used to achieve low precipitation rate, then the precipitation rate is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase due to gear driven mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gear-driven rotor system with a fixed head sprinkler system that uses fluid dynamic principles (fluidic oscillator) to generate the desired spray pattern. This substitution eliminates moving parts, gears, and shafts while achieving the same low precipitation rate through pressure-driven fluid oscillation, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles by designing a fixed head sprinkler that utilizes water pressure to create a rectangular spray pattern through a specially designed orifice and fluidic oscillator. The system leverages the kinetic energy of pressurized water to generate the spray without mechanical rotation, achieving low precipitation rates through controlled fluid dynamics rather than mechanical means
2Device complexity
If a conventional fixed head sprinkler is used to reduce device complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precipitation rate becomes too high for efficient irrigation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing a fixed head sprinkler with a non-uniform spray distribution pattern. The rectangular spray pattern concentrates water delivery in specific zones (high aspect ratio areas) while maintaining appropriate spacing, allowing the fixed head structure to achieve both simplicity and controlled precipitation rates through localized spray optimization rather than uniform distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spray pattern parameters from traditional circular patterns to rectangular patterns with specific aspect ratios. By adjusting the spray angle, droplet size distribution, and spatial arrangement of the rectangular pattern, the fixed head sprinkler achieves effective low precipitation rates tailored to the specific irrigation area geometry, transforming the performance characteristics of the fixed head system
3Area of stationary object
If rectangular spray pattern is designed for high aspect ratio to cover specific area, then the area coverage is improved, but the manufacturing precision becomes more difficult due to high gradient of throw change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spray generation into multiple discrete jet streams within the fluidic oscillator that collectively form the rectangular pattern. By controlling each segment's trajectory and droplet distribution independently, the system achieves the high aspect ratio rectangular pattern while managing the throw gradient through segmented fluid dynamic control rather than requiring precise mechanical adjustment of a continuous spray
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 solution provides an inexpensive, durable, and efficient irrigation nozzle assembly capable of generating precise rectangular spray patterns with low precipitation rates, allowing water to soak into the ground slowly and covering larger areas effectively.
Implementation Method 1
first, second and third directly impinging jets which define an open interaction region or spray nexus point to emit a spray sheet
Implementation Method 2
3-jet fluidic circuit configured to receive pressurized liquid and in fluid communication with the jets
Data Source
AI summary
An inexpensive, durable and efficient irrigation nozzle assembly is adapted to generate a specialized rectangular spray in a 3-jet fluidic circuit which generates a substantially planar rectangular spray from a confluence of three jets. The 3-jet geometry circuit has selected floor & taper features configured to create a customizable rectangular or triangular spray pattern. Depending on the throw desired, the nozzle assembly of the present invention can be configured with a second fluidic circuit to generate a flat fan to obtain various aspect ratios in a rectangular spray.