Tee Fitting Flow Control for Plant Container Drip Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drip ring systems for irrigating plants in containers have low flow rates, are prone to clogging, and are costly due to multiple flow control devices, with pressure-compensating drip emitters being expensive and inefficient for nursery irrigation applications.
Innovation Solution
A tubing ring system with a rigid tee fitting that includes two 180-degree opposed output ports, where the supply port's internal diameter determines the flow rate for a given pressure, independent of the tubing diameter or number of holes, ensuring consistent and high flow rates without clogging or excessive cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flow controlling emitters are used in tubing interiors to control flow rate, then flow rate is controlled, but the total flow rate becomes too low (3 gph) for nursery irrigation applications requiring 10-20 gph
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes flow controlling emitters from the tubing interior and relocates flow control to the exterior tee fitting. This extraction eliminates the clogging issue inside tubing while maintaining flow control capability through the larger-diameter tee fitting where contaminants are less problematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the location and size parameters of the flow control opening. Instead of small emitters (0.5 gph each) inside tubing, it uses a larger opening in the tee fitting (supply port internal diameter) that can handle higher flow rates (10-20 gph) while being less susceptible to clogging.
2Productivity
If multiple flow control devices are installed within each ring to control flow rate, then flow rate control is achieved, but system cost significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple flow control functions into a single tee fitting component. Instead of requiring multiple individual flow control devices distributed along the tubing, one tee fitting with an appropriately sized supply port controls the total flow rate for the entire ring, significantly reducing component count and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The tee fitting serves multiple functions: it provides flow control, distributes water to the tubing ring, and eliminates the need for multiple separate flow control devices. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining effective flow rate control.
3Productivity
If pressure-compensating drip emitters are used to regulate water flow, then flow rate regulation is achieved, but the system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow regulation function from complex pressure-compensating drip emitters and implements it through a simple tee fitting with an appropriately sized supply port. This eliminates the need for expensive PC drip emitters while achieving effective flow rate control through passive hydraulic principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex pressure-compensating drip emitters with a simpler, more cost-effective tee fitting solution. The tee fitting provides adequate flow control for nursery applications without the complexity and cost of PC emitters, making the system more economically viable.
4Productivity
If small diameter emitters are used to control flow rate, then flow rate is reduced, but they become easily clogged by water contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the size parameter of the flow control opening from small emitter diameters (0.5 gph capacity) to a larger supply port internal diameter in the tee fitting. This larger opening provides adequate flow rate control for nursery applications (10-20 gph) while being sufficiently large to resist clogging from water contaminants.
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 system achieves higher flow rates suitable for nursery irrigation, reduces clogging risks, and lowers costs by eliminating the need for multiple flow control devices, while maintaining system simplicity and ease of installation.
Implementation Method 1
The supply port has an internal diameter that, for a given supply pressure, determines a flow rate of water emitted from the holes of the tubing
Data Source
AI summary
A tee fitting for a tubing ring for irrigating a plant in a container, the tubing ring including tubing having a plurality of spaced holes configured to emit water, comprising one or more output ports configured to communicate with the tubing; a supply port configured to communicate with supply tubing, the supply port having an internal diameter configured to determine, for a given water supply pressure, a flow rate of water emitted from the plurality of spaced holes of the tubing.