Subsurface Irrigation Mat Capillary Water Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional irrigation methods, such as sprinklers, often result in water loss due to runoff, evaporation, and wind dispersal, especially in contoured areas and rooftop gardens, and lack efficient water distribution to root zones.

Innovation Solution

A subsurface irrigation mat comprising perforated tubes surrounded by capillary textiles, where the casing is securely attached to a web to ensure uniform water distribution through capillary action, eliminating surface evaporation and runoff.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If sprinklers are used to water turf and landscaping, then water can be distributed over large areas, but substantial water loss occurs due to runoff, evaporation, and wind dispersal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater lossVSAvoidwater distribution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional sprinkler approach by delivering water from below ground rather than from above. The irrigation mat is buried in the soil with perforated tubes that release water into the root zone, eliminating exposure to wind, evaporation, and runoff while maintaining effective water distribution to turf and landscaping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If sprinklers are used on contoured areas, then water can reach the turf, but excessive runoff occurs on inclined surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater delivery to contoured areasVSAvoidwater runoff

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent delivers water from below ground upward into the root zone, bypassing the contoured surface entirely. This subsurface approach ensures water is delivered directly to plant roots regardless of surface inclination, eliminating runoff problems on slopes and contoured areas while maintaining reliable water delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If spikes with built-in nozzles are used to deliver water underground, then water can be delivered subsurface, but this is only appropriate for individual trees and shrubs, not turf

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability to different plant typesVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the irrigation system into multiple perforated tubes distributed across the turf area, with each tube serving a specific zone. This allows the system to cover large areas of turf effectively while maintaining subsurface water delivery, overcoming the limitation of individual spikes that can only serve isolated plants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The irrigation mat design serves multiple functions: it delivers water subsurface to turf, shrubs, and trees simultaneously, and can be configured for different landscape types. The system is versatile enough to handle both ground-based and rooftop applications, making it universally applicable to various landscaping needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If water is applied via sprinklers in high ambient temperatures, then turf can be watered, but substantial water is lost due to evaporation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of wateringVSAvoidevaporative water loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent delivers water from below ground into the root zone, keeping water away from the hot surface environment. This subsurface delivery method eliminates evaporative losses that occur with sprinklers in high temperatures while maintaining easy operation through automated irrigation control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

5Productivity

If above-ground sprinklers are used on roof-top gardens, then water can be delivered to plants, but wind blows a significant proportion of water away

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater delivery to rooftop plantsVSAvoidwind-blown water loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent delivers water from below ground upward into the root zone of rooftop plants, protecting the water delivery process from wind exposure. This subsurface approach ensures water reaches plants efficiently on rooftop gardens without being blown away, while maintaining productive water delivery to the vegetation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 provides efficient, uniform water distribution to the root zone, reducing water loss and enabling continuous irrigation without disrupting surface activities, while conserving water and reducing evaporation.

Implementation Method 1

a web made of a first capillary textile, and a casing made of a second capillary textile. Water leaving through the holes in the perforated tube can saturate the casing, seep into the web from the casing, and then be carried across the web by capillary action.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS9668432B2Subsurface irrigation mat

Publication Date: 2017.06.06 HUNTER INDUSTRIES INC

AI summary

A subsurface irrigation mat includes at least one perforated tube, a web made of a first capillary textile, and a casing made of a second capillary textile. The casing surrounds substantially an entire circumference of the perforated tube along at least a portion of a length of the tube. At least one attachment secures the casing to the web so that the casing extends across the web. Water leaving through the holes in the perforated tube can saturate the casing, seep into the web from the casing, and then be carried across the web by capillary action. The result is a substantially uniform discharge of water from the web into a root zone of plants growing in a layer of a growing medium located above the web.