Adjustably Weighted Riser Assembly for Sprinkler Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Riser assemblies for fluid dispensers, especially high output directional sprinklers, face challenges due to destabilizing fluid expulsion forces and environmental conditions, leading to complex, costly, and difficult installation, maintenance, and removal processes, often requiring concrete piers or burial, which are inefficient and damaging.
Innovation Solution
An adjustably weighted riser assembly with a reservoir for pressurized fluid and a conduit channel for signal carriers, providing stability and insulation, allowing for easy installation, maintenance, and reinstallation without permanent anchors or burial, using a container with a fluid inlet and outlet, and a conduit with a fluid-excluding intermediate portion for signal protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the riser assembly is buried in soil or encased in concrete pier to stabilize it against fluid expulsion forces, then stability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The riser assembly is divided into separable components: a riser body, a reservoir that can be detached, and a base portion. This segmentation allows the assembly to be installed without permanent anchoring structures, as components can be assembled and disassembled easily while maintaining stability during operation through the weighted reservoir configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes parameter changes in the reservoir's weight state - the reservoir is filled with fluid during operation to provide stability against fluid expulsion forces, and emptied during installation and removal to reduce weight and simplify handling. This dynamic parameter change eliminates the need for permanent anchoring structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the riser assembly is buried in soil or attached to permanent structures to prevent removal, then stability is improved, but ease of removal and transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The riser assembly transitions from a static, permanently anchored structure to a dynamic system where the reservoir can be filled or emptied. When the reservoir is emptied, the assembly becomes lightweight and easily movable; when filled, it achieves operational stability. This dynamic characteristic enables both stability during use and ease of removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The separable design with detachable reservoir and base portions allows the assembly to be taken apart for easy transport and reinstallation at different locations without damage, eliminating the need for permanent anchoring structures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional stabilization methods using concrete piers are used, then stability against fluid expulsion forces is improved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The weighted reservoir configuration provides self-stabilization of the riser assembly through its own weight when filled with fluid, eliminating the need for external concrete piers or anchoring structures. The system serves its own stabilization function, reducing installation time and complexity.
4Ease of operation
If signal carriers are exposed to environmental conditions, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability of signal processing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The signal carrier is nested within the reservoir, which provides protection from environmental conditions. The conduit circumscribing the channel further protects the signal carrier as it passes through the reservoir wall. This nested configuration shields the signal carrier from temperature variations, precipitation, and other environmental factors while maintaining reliable signal transmission.
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 riser assembly achieves stable and efficient operation with high output directional sprinklers, facilitating rapid and tool-minimal installation and removal, while maintaining system integrity and reducing environmental exposure of signal carriers, and is suitable for feedlot irrigation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a reservoir for containing a pressurized fluid
Implementation Method 2
the riser assembly... is rendered comparatively heavier and more stable during times of use when the reservoir is filled with fluid
Implementation Method 3
a conduit circumscribing a channel occupiable by a signal carrier, the conduit having a fluid excluding intermediate portion disposed within the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is riser assembly for use with a fluid dispenser particularly a sprinkler. The assembly includes: (1) a container partially circumscribing a reservoir for containing a pressurized fluid, the container having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed therethrough, and (2) a conduit circumscribing a channel occupiable by a signal carrier, the conduit including an intermediate conduit portion disposed within the reservoir, a first conduit portion disposed through the container to a signal carrier entry area outside the container and a second conduit portion disposed through the container to a signal carrier exit area outside the container. The assembly may include a cover connectable to the container, the cover having an aperture for containing the fluid dispenser disposed therethrough, a protective cavity being formed between the cover and the container.