Rotor Sprinkler Intermittent Stream Diffuser for Low Precipitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotor-type sprinklers often apply water at a rate higher than the soil can absorb, leading to waste, especially in areas with slow water absorption or slopes, and existing low precipitation rate sprinklers have limited range, making them unsuitable for large areas.
Innovation Solution
A low precipitation rate pop-up rotor-type sprinkler with a diffuser mechanism that intermittently interrupts the water stream as the nozzle rotates, allowing selection between full-circle and oscillating modes, and featuring a gear train reduction and turbine-driven drive assembly for efficient water distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rotor-type sprinklers apply water at high application rate, then productivity of water delivery is improved, but water runs off the irrigated area and is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser mechanism intermittently interrupts the water stream in a periodic manner, creating alternating periods of stream interruption and normal flow. This periodic action reduces the average precipitation rate to match soil absorption capabilities while maintaining the structural integrity and rotational function of the sprinkler system.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser mechanism segments the continuous water stream into interrupted portions by selectively blocking parts of the stream during rotation. This segmentation of the water flow allows for controlled reduction of application rate while maintaining coverage area, preventing runoff on slopes and in slow-absorbing soils.
2Loss of substance
If low precipitation rate rotary-stream sprinklers are used, then water absorption by soil is improved, but range or radius is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sprinkler system dynamically adjusts its operation mode between full-circle rotation and oscillating motion through the drive assembly. This dynamic capability allows the system to cover larger areas by extending its operational pattern while the diffuser mechanism maintains low precipitation rates, thus achieving both wide coverage and effective water absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The sprinkler is designed with multi-functionality to operate in both full-circle and oscillating modes, making it adaptable to different irrigation needs. This universal design allows the same device to cover large areas when full-circle mode is needed while maintaining low precipitation rates for effective soil absorption when oscillating mode is used.
3Stability of the object's composition
If diffuser device interrupts stream during full circle mode, then water distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser mechanism is designed to be self-regulating through its interaction with the rotating nozzle and gear train reduction. The mechanism automatically interrupts the stream at appropriate intervals based on the rotation phase, eliminating the need for external control systems while achieving uniform water distribution through its inherent mechanical design.
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 sprinkler achieves a more uniform and efficient water distribution, reducing runoff and conserving water by adjusting the water application rate to match soil absorption capabilities, covering larger areas with reduced water usage.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine coupled to an input shaft of the gear train reduction and rotatable by water flowing through the riser
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation sprinkler includes a riser and a nozzle mounted at the top of the riser that can rotate and emit a stream of water. The sprinkler further includes a diffuser mechanism that can intermittently interrupt the stream of water as the nozzle rotates. A gear train reduction is mounted in the riser and a turbine is coupled to an input shaft of the gear train reduction and is rotatable by water flowing through the riser. A drive assembly couples the nozzle and the gear train reduction and is configured to allow a user to select between a full-circle mode of operation and an oscillating mode of operation.