Sprinkler Nozzle Assembly with Dynamic Range Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprinkler systems struggle to maintain uniform sprinkling density over irregularly shaped areas, as the range of the jet pattern varies, leading to uncontrolled spraying and uneven watering due to the interaction of individual jets and environmental factors like wind.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler device with a vertically rotatable nozzle arrangement uses an electronic control device and a regulating valve to adjust the water flow, ensuring that individual jets maintain a laminar and overlapping pattern, which broadens the water distribution for even radial coverage, with the ability to change the range of the jet pattern by a factor of at least 2, while keeping the jets essentially in the same plane to minimize disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the water flow through the nozzle assembly is increased to extend the spray range, then the range of the jet pattern is improved, but the spraying becomes uncontrolled and uniformity of irrigation density deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly is divided into multiple individual nozzles (at least 3, preferably 4-6) arranged to emit multiple jets. This segmentation allows the system to maintain controlled laminar flow from each nozzle while collectively covering a larger area, avoiding the uncontrolled spraying that occurs with a single high-flow nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the rotational speed of the nozzle assembly around the vertical axis based on the desired spray range. By controlling the rotation speed, the system can vary the effective spray pattern radius while maintaining uniform irrigation density through the coordinated interaction of multiple jets.
2Manufacturing precision
If the water flow through the nozzle assembly is decreased to maintain controlled spraying, then the uniformity of irrigation density is improved, but the spray range becomes limited and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nozzles emit multiple jets that collectively cover a larger area than a single nozzle could achieve at the same flow rate. This allows the system to maintain low, controlled flow rates per nozzle while extending the effective spray range through the combined coverage of all jets.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual jets are merged into a coordinated spray pattern that covers a larger area. The jets are arranged and timed to overlap and complement each other, creating an extended spray pattern that maintains uniform irrigation density while increasing the effective range and productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable nozzles are provided for different radii, then the adaptability to different area sizes is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to the inability to change radius during pivoting
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous dynamic adjustment of the spray radius by controlling the rotational speed of the nozzle assembly during operation, rather than requiring discrete nozzle changes. This allows the spray pattern to be adapted to different area sizes and shapes in real-time, improving ease of operation while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray radius is adjusted by changing the rotational speed parameter of the nozzle assembly rather than changing physical components. This parameter-based control allows continuous adjustment during operation, eliminating the need to stop and interchange nozzles while maintaining adaptability to different irrigation areas.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple individual jets are used to broaden water distribution, then the uniformity of radial distribution is improved, but the complexity of maintaining laminar flow and precise jet paths worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple jets naturally interact and overlap to create uniform distribution patterns without requiring complex external control mechanisms. The system utilizes the self-organizing behavior of the jets, where their natural dispersion and overlap automatically achieve uniform radial distribution, reducing the need for additional control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls jet characteristics through simple parameter adjustments (flow rate, nozzle orientation angles) rather than complex mechanical control mechanisms. By adjusting these parameters, the system maintains laminar flow and precise jet paths while achieving uniform distribution through the coordinated action of multiple jets.
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 ensures a uniform sprinkling density across a wide range of adjustments, reducing wind susceptibility and maintaining precise control over the jet pattern, achieving even radial distribution and efficient water application by intentionally overlapping jets to compensate for irregular surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the individual jets exiting their respective nozzles exhibit largely laminar flow, regardless of the range set via the regulating valve
Implementation Method 2
The overlapping of individual jets introduces a disturbance into the jet path at the points of intersection, leading to a broadening of the water distribution of each individual jet and thus to a more uniform radial distribution of the applied water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(A)~3(C)
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The apparatus has an electronic control device with a programmable memory that controls an adjusting unit depending on a rotational angular position of a nozzle arrangement (DU) during sprinkling operation. The nozzle arrangement has a set of individual nozzles for releasing individual streams of a streaming arrangement. The adjusting device adjusts operating ranges of the streaming arrangement by a regulating valve (RE) that is variably controlled depending on the angular position and is integrated in a housing of a rain gun. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a sprinkling apparatus.