Sprinkler Irrigation Filter with Manual Debris Purging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water filtration systems for sprinkler irrigation systems are not compatible with different nozzle sizes and do not effectively prevent water-borne debris from clogging spray nozzles, nor do they provide adequate storage for accumulated debris, leading to uneven water application and frequent maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A manually-flushed filter with a hollow cylindrical body, a tubular screen element, and a plunger mechanism that allows for the separation of clean water from debris, enabling the accumulation of debris until manual purging, and accommodating particles up to ⅜ inch in size, is designed for compatibility with various nozzle sizes and reduces maintenance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is designed to prevent water-borne debris from reaching nozzles, then nozzle clogging is reduced, but the filter requires frequent manual servicing and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The filter employs a self-cleaning mechanism where water pressure automatically flushes accumulated debris through a debris outlet during system operation. The plunger mechanism opens automatically when debris accumulates, allowing the filter to clean itself without manual intervention, thus maintaining reliability while reducing servicing frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The filter design includes a debris outlet and plunger system that automatically discards accumulated debris from the filtration chamber. By continuously removing debris during operation rather than requiring periodic manual emptying, the system maintains filtering effectiveness while minimizing maintenance requirements
2Duration of action of moving object
If a filter provides storage space for accumulated debris, then continuous operation is enabled, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter chamber is integrated within the existing irrigation system infrastructure, nesting the debris storage function within the available space of the irrigation pipeline. This allows debris accumulation capacity without adding external complexity or significantly increasing overall system size
Solution Approach 2:
The debris outlet and plunger mechanism extract the debris removal function from manual intervention and integrate it into the automated water flow system. This separates the filtration function from the debris handling function, allowing continuous operation while keeping the added complexity minimal through automated operation
3Quantity of substance
If a filter allows passage of larger particles of debris, then debris storage capacity is increased, but filtration effectiveness for smaller particles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system segments debris handling into two pathways: small particles are filtered by the screen mesh, while larger particles are allowed to pass through the debris outlet when the plunger opens. This segmentation allows the system to handle both fine and coarse debris effectively, increasing overall debris capacity without sacrificing fine particle filtration
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger mechanism dynamically adjusts the debris outlet opening based on accumulated debris volume and water pressure. When debris accumulates, the plunger automatically opens to allow larger particles through, then closes again when pressure equalizes. This dynamic adjustment allows variable particle size passage to maintain both storage capacity and filtration precision
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 filter ensures efficient and reliable water filtration, reduces maintenance needs, and allows for continuous operation by preventing nozzle clogging and storing debris until manual purging, maintaining even water application and extending system operation time.
Implementation Method 1
The screen element has a clean water outlet at its lower end for connection to the spray nozzle. The water is then forced through the perforations of the screen, the clean water outlet, and the spray nozzle. Unable to pass through the perforations, the water-borne debris is held within the storage space provided by the filter's hollow body.
Implementation Method 2
Manual release of the plunger allows the plunger to move downward to seat against the floor of the body sealing off the debris outlet. The pressure required to seat the plunger is significantly lower than the system operating pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter for use with overhead sprinkler irrigation systems is disclosed. The filter includes a hollow cylindrical body, a removable screen, and a manually-actuated plunger adjacent the screen. The plunger is positioned for reciprocal movement through a debris outlet between an open, debris-discharging position, and a closed filtering position. The plunger defaults to the closed filtering position by pressurized water flowing through the body. The water is simultaneously filtered through the screen and passes out a clean water outlet while debris accumulates within the body. The plunger may be manually retracted to the open, debris-discharging position at any time, whereby accumulated debris is flushed out of the body through the debris outlet by residual water flowing therethrough.