Telescoping Drain Riser Assembly for Flush Field Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tile drainage systems in agriculture face issues with risers extending above ground, causing navigation challenges, equipment damage, and debris entry, leading to increased costs and reduced crop yields.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping drain riser assembly that allows the top riser to be extended above ground during non-agricultural activities and retracted below ground during agricultural activities, using a main cap to fit flush with the ground, and incorporates a locking mechanism and a mechanism to lock the cylindrical member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the riser extends above ground to enable proper drainage function, then the drainage operation can function properly, but agricultural equipment must navigate around it causing damage risk and increased operational time
Solution Approach 1:
The riser is designed with telescoping capability, allowing it to dynamically change its position between extended (above ground) and retracted (below ground) states. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements: extending for drainage function and retracting for agricultural activities, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining drainage reliability and improving agricultural productivity
2Reliability
If the riser extends above ground for drainage operation, then water can be drained effectively, but the riser becomes invisible during harvest leading to equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The riser transitions from a static above-ground structure to a dynamic telescoping structure that can retract below ground level. During harvest operations, the riser is retracted into the borehole, making it invisible to agricultural equipment and eliminating collision risks, while still maintaining the capability to extend for water drainage when needed
3Ease of operation
If the riser is removed during agricultural activities to improve equipment maneuverability, then navigation becomes easier, but the underground tubing becomes exposed allowing debris entry and damage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing the riser entirely, the system uses a telescoping riser that can be retracted below ground level during agricultural activities. This maintains the protective covering over the underground tubing, preventing debris entry and damage, while still providing adequate clearance for equipment maneuverability
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping riser acts as an intermediary structure between the above-ground and below-ground environments. When retracted, it provides a protective interface that covers the underground tubing opening, preventing debris entry while allowing agricultural equipment to pass overhead without direct contact with the tubing
4Productivity
If larger agricultural equipment is used to service more rows, then productivity increases, but the equipment is less maneuverable around risers
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping riser provides a dynamic solution that adapts to the needs of large-scale agricultural equipment. By retracting below ground level, the riser creates clear passage for wide, less maneuverable equipment while maintaining its drainage function, enabling large equipment to service more rows without navigation challenges
Data Source
AI summary
A telescoping riser assembly and/or telescoping riser system can be used to drain water from an agricultural field without hindering agricultural activities performed on the agricultural field and without damaging any aspect(s) of the assembly. The telescoping drain riser assembly can include underground piping wherein a cylindrical member of the telescoping riser assembly is configured to selectively telescopically extend from and/or retract into the underground piping. The telescoping riser assembly can further comprise a vibration isolator, a snap cap, and a main cap. The vibration isolator can engage and/or be integrally formed with the underground piping and can slidingly interact with the cylindrical member to facilitate the telescopic extension and/or retraction. The main cap can be attached to an end of the cylindrical member via the snap cap. The main cap can fit firmly to the ground when the cylindrical member is fully retracted into the underground piping.