Side-Load Nozzle Insert with Ball Valve for Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Center-pivot irrigation sprinklers face labor-intensive and costly nozzle changeover and flushing processes due to exposure to unfiltered water and the need for different orifice sizes, requiring frequent disassembly and shutdown of the machine.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional side-loading nozzle insert with a ball-type valve that is easily installed, removed, and rotated between 'ON', 'OFF', and 'FLUSH' operating positions, utilizing flexible spring arms for lock/release and alignment with the sprinkler body's flow passage, allowing for nozzle bore alignment in multiple positions without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional nozzle installation methods are used, then nozzle changeover requires disassembly and shutdown, but this increases labor time and operational downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into modular components: a nozzle body with integrated ball valve mechanism and a separate nozzle tip. This segmentation allows the nozzle tip to be quickly changed without disassembling the entire nozzle assembly, enabling rapid nozzle changeover while maintaining system pressure and flow
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle body is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple nozzle tip configurations and orifice sizes. The integrated ball valve mechanism provides multiple functions including flow control, nozzle changeover facilitation, and flushing capability, all through a single component design
2Ease of operation
If traditional flushing methods are used, then sprinkler cleaning requires disassembly, but this increases maintenance labor and time
Solution Approach 1:
The ball valve mechanism is pre-configured with a flush position that directs water flow through the nozzle bore to clear debris. This preliminary design of the flushing pathway allows operators to perform maintenance flushing without disassembling the nozzle, simply by rotating the valve to the flush position
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-flushing capability where water pressure alone can clear debris from the nozzle bore through the integrated flush pathway. The design allows the nozzle to clean itself during normal operation or maintenance intervals without requiring external disassembly or manual cleaning interventions
3Productivity
If different orifice sizes are installed along the truss span, then desired flow rates are achieved, but nozzle changeover becomes labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The universal nozzle body design with standardized mounting interfaces and integrated ball valve mechanism can accommodate multiple nozzle tip types and orifice sizes. This allows different flow rate configurations along the truss span while maintaining a consistent, easy-to-change nozzle assembly design throughout the system
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables easy changeover of nozzle parameters (orifice size, flow rate) by simply replacing the nozzle tip component while keeping the main nozzle body unchanged. The ball valve mechanism remains constant, allowing rapid adjustment of flow characteristics without reconfiguring the entire nozzle assembly
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
Facilitates efficient and cost-effective nozzle changeover and flushing operations, reducing labor and downtime by enabling easy installation, rotation, and maintenance without shutting down the machine, while maintaining a secure seal to prevent water leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a lock/release portion connected to the ball-valve portion including plural, flexible spring arms extending away from the ball-valve portion
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler and side-loading nozzle insert assembly includes a sprinkler body provided with a flow passage, a bearing housing in a side wall of the sprinkler body, and a nozzle insert received in an access opening formed in the side wall of the sprinkler body substantially opposite the bearing housing. The nozzle insert includes an insert body having a bearing portion received in the bearing housing, a ball-valve portion connected to the bearing portion and provided with a nozzle bore having an inlet and an outlet orifice, and a lock/release portion connected to the ball-valve portion, the lock/release portion including plural, flexible spring arms extending away from the ball-valve portion. The nozzle insert is rotatable to plural operating positions by manipulation of the spring arms.