Rotating Deflector Nozzle for Variable Irrigation Spray Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation sprinklers lack the ability to customize fluid distribution patterns and throw distances in response to changing environmental conditions or fluid parameters, particularly in low-flow drip irrigation zones, resulting in inefficient water delivery and poor distribution uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle assembly with a control knob and deflectors that allows for selective fluid distribution patterns and throw distances by aligning different deflector configurations with the nozzle ports, combined with a secondary flow-control device to maintain a constant flow rate across varying pressures, minimizing leaks and ensuring efficient fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed nozzle design is used, then the device is simple and reliable, but it cannot adapt to different flow rates, pressures, or environmental conditions, resulting in poor distribution uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the nozzle system adjustable through rotation. The nozzle body can be rotated to different angular positions (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) to change the spray pattern and throw distance. This dynamic adjustment allows the same nozzle to adapt to varying flow rates and pressure conditions without requiring multiple fixed nozzle designs, thus improving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single nozzle assembly that can perform multiple functions through rotation. The same nozzle body serves different spray purposes (e.g., wide spread vs. focused stream) by changing its angular orientation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized nozzles, reducing device complexity while enhancing adaptability to different irrigation requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple nozzles are incorporated to provide different spray patterns, then adaptability improves, but the device becomes bulky and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of incorporating multiple physical nozzles, the patent uses a single nozzle that can dynamically change its effective spray pattern through rotation. By rotating the nozzle body to different angles, the same physical nozzle produces different spray characteristics (e.g., wide arc vs. narrow stream). This dynamic approach provides spray pattern selection capability without the weight and bulk of multiple nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the function of multiple nozzles into a single rotating nozzle assembly. Rather than having separate nozzles for different spray patterns, the design combines all spray pattern variations into one nozzle that can be oriented differently. This merging reduces the overall weight and size of the nozzle assembly while maintaining the ability to provide multiple spray patterns.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating disk with multiple orifices is used to vary flow and pressure, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases and low-flow performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by rotating the entire nozzle assembly to different angular positions to vary the spray characteristics. This rotational adjustment changes the effective flow direction and spray pattern without requiring complex internal flow control mechanisms like rotating disks with multiple orifices. The dynamic rotation provides adaptability while maintaining simpler structure and better low-flow performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the flow and pressure variation function from complex internal mechanisms (like rotating disks) and replaces it with external rotational adjustment of the nozzle orientation. By taking out the need for complex internal flow control, the design achieves adaptability through simpler means, improving low-flow performance and reducing device complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If protective hoods are added to house multiple nozzles, then device stability improves, but the hoods interfere with spray patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for protective hoods by using a single exposed nozzle design. Rather than housing multiple nozzles within protective structures that interfere with spray patterns, the design uses one nozzle that can be oriented to provide both structural stability and unobstructed spray performance. This eliminates the harmful interference while maintaining assembly stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic rotation of the nozzle assembly to achieve stability in different orientations without requiring fixed protective hoods. The nozzle can be rotated to stable positions that provide both structural support and optimal spray patterns, eliminating the need for static protective structures that would interfere with the spray.
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation sprinkler spray nozzle is provided that includes a first deflector surface defining a first configuration to project a fluid spray having a first distribution pattern, and a second deflector surface defining a second configuration to project a second fluid spray having a second, different distribution pattern. To select the fluid spray, the nozzle further includes a selector having a first position to select the first deflector surface and a second position to select the second deflector surface.