Sprinkler Flow Guard Valve for Missing Nozzle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sprinkler nozzles are prone to damage or removal, leading to ineffective irrigation, water waste, and potential flooding, as the absence of a nozzle is not immediately apparent, causing delayed detection and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler design with a valve assembly featuring a first port and a smaller, off-axis second port, where the second port remains open to indicate a missing nozzle by directing water into a small stream, conserving most of the water that would otherwise be wasted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a valve assembly seals the opening when the nozzle is missing, then water loss is minimized, but the user cannot immediately detect that the nozzle is missing
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple ports: a first port that can be sealed by the valve to conserve water, and a second port that remains open to provide visual indication. This segmentation allows simultaneous water conservation and detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The second port acts as an intermediary element that provides visual feedback about the nozzle status. It mediates between the sealed first port (water conservation) and the need for user awareness (detection), allowing users to see when the nozzle is missing without wasting water.
2Productivity
If the nozzle is missing, then water cannot be properly diverted into a spray, but water simply runs out to the surrounding area causing flooding and vegetation damage
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly proactively prevents the harmful effect of uncontrolled water discharge by sealing the first port when the nozzle is missing. This preliminary action stops water from flooding the surrounding area and damaging vegetation before the problem can cause harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback through the second port, which allows a small amount of water to escape visibly when the nozzle is missing. This feedback mechanism alerts users to the problem so they can replace the nozzle and restore proper irrigation functionality.
3Loss of energy
If a second smaller off-axis port is added to the valve assembly, then water conservation is maintained while providing visual indication of missing nozzle, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed with multi-functionality: the first port handles water conservation when sealed, the second port provides visual indication, and together they enable both detection and water conservation functions within a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The second port is designed with specific local characteristics (smaller size, off-axis position) that differentiate it from the first port. This local quality differentiation allows it to serve its specific function of visual indication while maintaining overall water conservation.
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 solution allows for immediate detection of a missing nozzle, reducing water waste and preventing damage to vegetation, while ensuring continued water conservation by diverting water through the second port when the nozzle is absent.
Implementation Method 1
the second port being always open to allow water to flow therethrough when water is supplied at a pressure to an inlet of the sprinkler
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation sprinkler can be provided with a flow guard feature configured to send an indicator stream into the air when a nozzle is missing, while still conserving most of the water that would have been wasted without the flow guard feature. The flow guard feature can include a valve assembly having a first port and a second off-axis port. The second port can be smaller than the first port. The second port can be non-parallel to the first port. The first port can be open when the nozzle is present and be sealed when the nozzle is missing. The second, off-axis port can be open even when the nozzle is missing to provide the indicator stream.