Irrigation Impact Sprinkler Deflector with Bypass Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation sprinklers face challenges in adapting to different nozzle sizes and water stream volumes, as they often require a fixed amount of pressurized water to function effectively, limiting their versatility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a sprinkler system with a base, pressurized water inlet, and a nozzle that directs a water stream through a deflector with multiple vanes, allowing for adjustable water stream quantities. The deflector includes a first and second engagement surface, where the first surface directs a portion of the water stream to the second surface only if it exceeds a predetermined quantity, and uses bypass apertures to manage the water flow, enabling operation with various nozzle sizes and water volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed amount of pressurized water is required for the sprinkler to function effectively, then the sprinkler can maintain consistent performance, but it cannot adapt to different nozzle sizes and water volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The second engagement surface is segmented into multiple zones (first zone, second zone, third zone) with different functions. The first zone receives water stream for rotation, the second zone has bypass apertures for excess water, and the third zone provides additional engagement. This segmentation allows the sprinkler to handle variable water volumes while maintaining consistent rotational performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass apertures in the second zone allow excess water beyond the predetermined quantity to pass through without engaging the second engagement surface. This partial action approach ensures that only the necessary amount of water is used for rotation, while excess water is diverted, maintaining reliable performance across different water volumes.
2Power
If all of the pressurized water stream is directed onto the second engagement surface, then maximum rotational force is achieved, but the sprinkler cannot operate efficiently with larger nozzle sizes and water volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts water stream distribution based on the actual water volume. When water volume is low, all water engages the second surface for maximum rotation. When water volume exceeds the predetermined quantity, bypass apertures activate to divert excess water, preventing over-pressurization while maintaining adaptive operation across different nozzle sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass apertures act as intermediaries that mediate between the excess water stream and the second engagement surface. They provide a controlled path for excess water to pass through, preventing harmful pressure buildup while allowing the system to adapt to larger nozzle sizes and water volumes without compromising rotational force generation.
3Productivity
If the sprinkler is designed for a predetermined water stream quantity, then optimal performance is achieved at that quantity, but it cannot efficiently handle different water volumes from various nozzle sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The second engagement surface serves multiple functions across different water volumes: at predetermined quantity it provides optimal rotational engagement, at higher volumes it allows bypass through apertures to maintain efficiency, and it can accommodate various nozzle sizes. This multi-functionality enables the sprinkler to maintain efficiency across a wide range of operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters based on water volume. The bypass apertures open or close depending on whether water volume exceeds the predetermined quantity, dynamically adjusting the effective engagement area. This parameter change allows the sprinkler to maintain optimal efficiency whether operating at the predetermined quantity or adapting to different water volumes from various nozzle sizes.
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
This solution allows the sprinkler to efficiently operate with different nozzle sizes and water volumes by controlling the water stream distribution, ensuring consistent performance and adaptability, thereby enhancing its versatility and efficiency in irrigation systems.
Implementation Method 1
an irrigation sprinkler which is driven for rotation about a vertical axis by an output water stream which impacts on a sprinkler element
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
An irrigation impact sprinkler including a base defining an axis (154), a pressurized water inlet mounted onto the base, a nozzle (190), communicating with the inlet, and providing a pressurized water stream (1100) which is generally outwardly directed relative to the axis and a water stream deflector for engaging the pressurized water stream and deflecting at least part of the water stream azimuthally with respect to the axis, the deflector including a first pressurized water stream engagement surface (320) and a second pressurized water stream engagement surface (322) downstream of the first engagement surface, the first engagement surface having a pressurized water stream directing configuration arranged to direct a first portion (1102) of the stream impinging thereon, which does not exceed a predetermined quantity, onto the second surface (322) and to direct at least a second portion (1104,1106) of the stream impinging thereon, which at least a second portion exceeds the predetermined quantity, not onto the second engagement surface (322).