CA1202180A - Punctualirrigation apparatus - Google Patents
Punctualirrigation apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1202180A CA1202180A CA000412801A CA412801A CA1202180A CA 1202180 A CA1202180 A CA 1202180A CA 000412801 A CA000412801 A CA 000412801A CA 412801 A CA412801 A CA 412801A CA 1202180 A CA1202180 A CA 1202180A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pipe
- branch
- hose
- flow
- tubular element
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Nozzles (AREA)
- Rigid Pipes And Flexible Pipes (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present invention relates to improvements in punctual irrigation apparatus, comprising an elastically deformable hose having longitudinal depressions of inwardly curved section so that the inflation of the hose consecutive to pressurization tends to seal the connection of the individual off-takes or branch connections (or the perforation left in said hose after such branch connections have been removed). Each branch connection comprises a tube having one end in the form of a trocar, and a flow regulator. The invention includes several variants.
The present invention relates to improvements in punctual irrigation apparatus, comprising an elastically deformable hose having longitudinal depressions of inwardly curved section so that the inflation of the hose consecutive to pressurization tends to seal the connection of the individual off-takes or branch connections (or the perforation left in said hose after such branch connections have been removed). Each branch connection comprises a tube having one end in the form of a trocar, and a flow regulator. The invention includes several variants.
Description
31) , The present invention relates to apparatus used for carrying out systems for irrigating the ground known under the names of "punctual irrigation", "localized irrigation" or "drip irrigation".
Contrary to conventional irrigation by aspersion which 5 seeks to reconstitute natural rain artificially, it is known that, in punctual irrigation systems, the water is brought to the precise point of use, i.e. in fact to the immediate vicinity of each plant;
this supply is effected in very small quantities and for a controlled lapse of time, in order to obtain adequate moistening of the cultiva-10 ted land over the strictly necessary surface, with minimum waterconsumption.
In practice, different apparatus for punctual irrigation have been proposed, but the known constructions are generally expensive and, further, they are difficult, if not impossible to 15 re-useO
In fact, it should be observed that, in principle, known apparatus comprise a supply pipe on which is branched a series of individual low-flow branch connections, each of said branch connections being provided at its free end with a "drip" device which 20 acts as pressure reducer and as drip dispenser. Of course, each of these drip devices must be disposed near each plant cultivated, so that the distance between the branch connections corresponds to that of the plants.
Under these conditions, it is readily appreciated that 25 a given apparatus can be suitable for only one well determined type of crops in lines, whether it be horticultural, market garden or arboricolous crops. In certain constructions, the drip devices fixed on a supply pipe made of rubber of synthetic material can be recovered, but, on the contrary, this main pipe, perforated 30 by the withdrawn drip devices, cannot be re-used with drip devices provided in a spaced apart relationship different from the original one.
It is this drawback which the present invention mainly intends to remedy, this with the aid of an improved apparatus 35 which in addition enables the rate of flow of each of the branch -~r~
~1~
V
connections to be regulated or even interrupted, particularly easily.
The apparatus according to the invention comprises, in combination, on the one hand a main suppIy pipe made of an elasti-cally deformable material and presenting in transverse section 5 at least one longitudinal part with inwardly curved section, and on the other hand a series of individual branch connections of which each is constituted by a small tubular element with end sharpened in the form of a trocar, adapted to be branched simply by being driven by force into the above-mentioned longitudinal 10 part of the main pipe.
It will be understood that the efforts exerted on the wall of this pipe when water passes therethrough under pressure tend to deform the longitudinal part of curved section towards the outside so that this deformation not only improves tigh-tness of the branch 15 connections, but also, and especially, it hermetically closes the perforations resulting from the withdrawal of the tubular elements which constitute said branch connections.
The invention will be more readily understood on reading the following description with reference to the accompanying dra-20 wings, in which:
Fig. I is a schematic section illustrating the arrangementof a punctual irrigation apparatus according to the invention.
Figs. 2 and 3 are transverse sections of the flow regular mounted on the branch connection shown in Fig. 1, along the planes 25 indicated respectively along 11-11 and 111-111 (Fig. 1).
Fig. 4 reproduces Fig. I after closure of the regulator and interruption of the circulation of water in the main pipe.
Fig. 5 illustrates a variant embodiment of the regulator.
Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of each of the branch 30 connections.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of an apparatus made accor-ding to another embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus illustrated in Figs. I to 4 comprises a flexible hose I made of rubber or synthe-35 tic material presenting a certain elasticity. Fig. 4 shows the section !
of this hose I at rest, ;.e. when it is subjected to no internal pres-sure, and it will be noted that this section is not perfectly circular, in that it comprises depressions 1~, three in the embodiment shown, of inwardly curved section, said depressions extending, of course, 5 over the whole length of the hose, which is preferably made by extrusion.
With this hose 1 are associated individual branch connections of which each is constituted by a small tubular element 2 of right-angled section, of which one end is bevelled to form a trocar, 10 as shown at 2a. It will be appreciated that this sharp end 2a allows each small tube 2 to be driven by force into the wall of the hose 1, it being noted that this penetration must be carried out in the central part of any one of the depressions or curved parts la.
It should be observed that the bent section of the tube 15 2 facilitates handling thereof when the branch connection envisaged is placed in position, at the same time as it limits penetration by avoiding any risk of accidental perforation of the hose 1. This right-angled section also enables the branch connection to self-orient freely in contact with the ground when the hose 1 is moved, this 20 freedom of orientation preventing the tubes 2 from being torn out when tractions are exerted on the hose.
It will be understood that, when the main hose 1 is supplied with water under pressure, its wall is subjected to an effect of inflation (shown schematically in Fig. 1 in the form of small arrows) 25 which tends to deform the longitudinal depressions la towards the outside. This effort obviously improves the tightness of the connec-tion around the wall of each bent tube 2. Furthermore, and in particular, if it is assumed that this tube 2 has been withdrawn from the hose I in order to change the mutual spaced apart relation-30 ship of the branch connections with a view to adapting the apparatusto another type of crop, the inflation due to the internal pressure closes the perforation made previously and prevents any untimely leakage, even in the case of the pressure of the water supplied in the main hose belng relatively high. This particular arrangement 35 facilitates re-use of the apparatus according to the invention.
The rate of flow of water which passes through each branch lX(?X~
connection may be very low by using tubes 2 of very small diameter, so that, without pressure reducer, an entirely satisfactory punctual or drip irrigation is obtained. However, when it is desired to change the rate of flow of each branch connection without affecting the 5 pressure of the water circulating in the main pipe, a regulator will advantageously be used, mounted on the free end of the bent tubes 2.
In Figs. I to 4, this regulator is constituted by a body 3 of substantially pyramidal section, pierced axially with a bore 10 3a (Fig. 2) of which the end facing the apex of the said section is of circular section, of radius slightly smaller than the outer radius of the tube 2; this bore 3a widens out to define four channels 3b (Fig. 3) separated from one another by partitions 3~, which form a free space sufficient for screwing, into the terminal edge 15 of said partitions, the tube 2 provided to this end with a helical thread 2b (Fig. 1).
It will be understood that9 when the body 3 is in a position such as the one illustrated in Fig. 1, the water which emerges from the end of the tube 2 may flow to the outside through the 20 channels 3b which in addition form an anti-splash nozzle. To regulate the rate of flow, it suffices to screw or unscrew the body 3 on the tube 2 in order to change the useful section revealed by the end of this tube in the said channels. In the position of Fig. 4, the flow is completely stopped, the terminal edge of the tube 25 2 being hermetically applied against the wall of the bore 3a.
In the variant of Fig. 5, it has been assumed that the body of the regulator, referenced 3', was arranged to comprise only two inner channels 3'b. Functioning remains identical.
For certain applications, it may prove advantageous to 30 provide the small tubular element which constitutes each branch connection with a flexible tube such as the one shown at 4 in Fig.
6, said flexible tube being connected by simple fitting. This flexible tube 4 thus ensures punctual irrigation of a plant located at a certain distance from the main hose 1, its end being retained in 35 place with the aid of any support.
In the embodiment envisaged in Fig. 6, each branch connec-f~:~L~) tion comprises a tubular element 6 of rectilinear section, fastwith a body 7 which allows easy manipulation of said element whilst limiting penetration thereof in the main hose 1. The ends of this element 6 project on either side of the body 7, the end 5 6a being provided to be bevelled whilst the opposite end 6b receives by fitting the above-mentioned flexible tube 4 or a regulator of the type illustrated in Figs. I to 4.
Fig. 7 shows another embodiment for at least certain of the individual branch connections. Each of them comprises a 10 plurality of straight metal tubes 8 ~ast with a single body 9 arranged so as to form a manifold for the same outlet orifice 9~? oriented parallel to the main hose 1. The rate of flow through orifice 9a obviously corresponds to the sum of the elementary rates of flow through each tube 8.
It must be understood that the preceding description has been given only by way of example and that it in no way limits the domain of the invention, the replacement of the details of execution described by any other equivalents not departing from the scope thereof. In particular, each tubular element may be 20 arranged to issue one or more jets instead of the drip flow as set forth hereinabove.
`:
Contrary to conventional irrigation by aspersion which 5 seeks to reconstitute natural rain artificially, it is known that, in punctual irrigation systems, the water is brought to the precise point of use, i.e. in fact to the immediate vicinity of each plant;
this supply is effected in very small quantities and for a controlled lapse of time, in order to obtain adequate moistening of the cultiva-10 ted land over the strictly necessary surface, with minimum waterconsumption.
In practice, different apparatus for punctual irrigation have been proposed, but the known constructions are generally expensive and, further, they are difficult, if not impossible to 15 re-useO
In fact, it should be observed that, in principle, known apparatus comprise a supply pipe on which is branched a series of individual low-flow branch connections, each of said branch connections being provided at its free end with a "drip" device which 20 acts as pressure reducer and as drip dispenser. Of course, each of these drip devices must be disposed near each plant cultivated, so that the distance between the branch connections corresponds to that of the plants.
Under these conditions, it is readily appreciated that 25 a given apparatus can be suitable for only one well determined type of crops in lines, whether it be horticultural, market garden or arboricolous crops. In certain constructions, the drip devices fixed on a supply pipe made of rubber of synthetic material can be recovered, but, on the contrary, this main pipe, perforated 30 by the withdrawn drip devices, cannot be re-used with drip devices provided in a spaced apart relationship different from the original one.
It is this drawback which the present invention mainly intends to remedy, this with the aid of an improved apparatus 35 which in addition enables the rate of flow of each of the branch -~r~
~1~
V
connections to be regulated or even interrupted, particularly easily.
The apparatus according to the invention comprises, in combination, on the one hand a main suppIy pipe made of an elasti-cally deformable material and presenting in transverse section 5 at least one longitudinal part with inwardly curved section, and on the other hand a series of individual branch connections of which each is constituted by a small tubular element with end sharpened in the form of a trocar, adapted to be branched simply by being driven by force into the above-mentioned longitudinal 10 part of the main pipe.
It will be understood that the efforts exerted on the wall of this pipe when water passes therethrough under pressure tend to deform the longitudinal part of curved section towards the outside so that this deformation not only improves tigh-tness of the branch 15 connections, but also, and especially, it hermetically closes the perforations resulting from the withdrawal of the tubular elements which constitute said branch connections.
The invention will be more readily understood on reading the following description with reference to the accompanying dra-20 wings, in which:
Fig. I is a schematic section illustrating the arrangementof a punctual irrigation apparatus according to the invention.
Figs. 2 and 3 are transverse sections of the flow regular mounted on the branch connection shown in Fig. 1, along the planes 25 indicated respectively along 11-11 and 111-111 (Fig. 1).
Fig. 4 reproduces Fig. I after closure of the regulator and interruption of the circulation of water in the main pipe.
Fig. 5 illustrates a variant embodiment of the regulator.
Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of each of the branch 30 connections.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of an apparatus made accor-ding to another embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus illustrated in Figs. I to 4 comprises a flexible hose I made of rubber or synthe-35 tic material presenting a certain elasticity. Fig. 4 shows the section !
of this hose I at rest, ;.e. when it is subjected to no internal pres-sure, and it will be noted that this section is not perfectly circular, in that it comprises depressions 1~, three in the embodiment shown, of inwardly curved section, said depressions extending, of course, 5 over the whole length of the hose, which is preferably made by extrusion.
With this hose 1 are associated individual branch connections of which each is constituted by a small tubular element 2 of right-angled section, of which one end is bevelled to form a trocar, 10 as shown at 2a. It will be appreciated that this sharp end 2a allows each small tube 2 to be driven by force into the wall of the hose 1, it being noted that this penetration must be carried out in the central part of any one of the depressions or curved parts la.
It should be observed that the bent section of the tube 15 2 facilitates handling thereof when the branch connection envisaged is placed in position, at the same time as it limits penetration by avoiding any risk of accidental perforation of the hose 1. This right-angled section also enables the branch connection to self-orient freely in contact with the ground when the hose 1 is moved, this 20 freedom of orientation preventing the tubes 2 from being torn out when tractions are exerted on the hose.
It will be understood that, when the main hose 1 is supplied with water under pressure, its wall is subjected to an effect of inflation (shown schematically in Fig. 1 in the form of small arrows) 25 which tends to deform the longitudinal depressions la towards the outside. This effort obviously improves the tightness of the connec-tion around the wall of each bent tube 2. Furthermore, and in particular, if it is assumed that this tube 2 has been withdrawn from the hose I in order to change the mutual spaced apart relation-30 ship of the branch connections with a view to adapting the apparatusto another type of crop, the inflation due to the internal pressure closes the perforation made previously and prevents any untimely leakage, even in the case of the pressure of the water supplied in the main hose belng relatively high. This particular arrangement 35 facilitates re-use of the apparatus according to the invention.
The rate of flow of water which passes through each branch lX(?X~
connection may be very low by using tubes 2 of very small diameter, so that, without pressure reducer, an entirely satisfactory punctual or drip irrigation is obtained. However, when it is desired to change the rate of flow of each branch connection without affecting the 5 pressure of the water circulating in the main pipe, a regulator will advantageously be used, mounted on the free end of the bent tubes 2.
In Figs. I to 4, this regulator is constituted by a body 3 of substantially pyramidal section, pierced axially with a bore 10 3a (Fig. 2) of which the end facing the apex of the said section is of circular section, of radius slightly smaller than the outer radius of the tube 2; this bore 3a widens out to define four channels 3b (Fig. 3) separated from one another by partitions 3~, which form a free space sufficient for screwing, into the terminal edge 15 of said partitions, the tube 2 provided to this end with a helical thread 2b (Fig. 1).
It will be understood that9 when the body 3 is in a position such as the one illustrated in Fig. 1, the water which emerges from the end of the tube 2 may flow to the outside through the 20 channels 3b which in addition form an anti-splash nozzle. To regulate the rate of flow, it suffices to screw or unscrew the body 3 on the tube 2 in order to change the useful section revealed by the end of this tube in the said channels. In the position of Fig. 4, the flow is completely stopped, the terminal edge of the tube 25 2 being hermetically applied against the wall of the bore 3a.
In the variant of Fig. 5, it has been assumed that the body of the regulator, referenced 3', was arranged to comprise only two inner channels 3'b. Functioning remains identical.
For certain applications, it may prove advantageous to 30 provide the small tubular element which constitutes each branch connection with a flexible tube such as the one shown at 4 in Fig.
6, said flexible tube being connected by simple fitting. This flexible tube 4 thus ensures punctual irrigation of a plant located at a certain distance from the main hose 1, its end being retained in 35 place with the aid of any support.
In the embodiment envisaged in Fig. 6, each branch connec-f~:~L~) tion comprises a tubular element 6 of rectilinear section, fastwith a body 7 which allows easy manipulation of said element whilst limiting penetration thereof in the main hose 1. The ends of this element 6 project on either side of the body 7, the end 5 6a being provided to be bevelled whilst the opposite end 6b receives by fitting the above-mentioned flexible tube 4 or a regulator of the type illustrated in Figs. I to 4.
Fig. 7 shows another embodiment for at least certain of the individual branch connections. Each of them comprises a 10 plurality of straight metal tubes 8 ~ast with a single body 9 arranged so as to form a manifold for the same outlet orifice 9~? oriented parallel to the main hose 1. The rate of flow through orifice 9a obviously corresponds to the sum of the elementary rates of flow through each tube 8.
It must be understood that the preceding description has been given only by way of example and that it in no way limits the domain of the invention, the replacement of the details of execution described by any other equivalents not departing from the scope thereof. In particular, each tubular element may be 20 arranged to issue one or more jets instead of the drip flow as set forth hereinabove.
`:
Claims (3)
1. In a punctual irrigation apparatus, of the type comprising a main pipe for supplying a series of branch connections with drip flow or the like, each of said branch connections comprising a small tubular element which is sharp in order to be branched onto the said pipe by being driven by force therein, the main pipe is constituted by a hose made of an elastically defor-mable material, presenting in transverse section at least one longitu-dinal depression of inwardly curved section, of type known per se, whilst each tubular element is formed as a trocar adapted to be driven into the said depression in the pipe, the deformation of said pipe by inflation under the effect of the water pressure provoking automatic obturation of the perforations previously made in this pipe by the tubular elements possibly withdrawn.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, of the type in which at least certain of the branch connections are provided with a flow regulator, wherein this regulator is constituted by a body screwed by a tapped bore on the free end, provided to be threaded to this end, of the tubular element envisaged, which bore widens to define channels opening into the open air so that, by screwing or unscrewing the body, the flow of the water through the branch connection may be changed and even interrupted.
3. Apparatus according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, wherein each branch connection comprises a series of parallel tubular elements which open out into a hollow part or manifold arranged in the single body which bears the above-mentioned ele-ments.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000412801A CA1202180A (en) | 1982-10-04 | 1982-10-04 | Punctualirrigation apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000412801A CA1202180A (en) | 1982-10-04 | 1982-10-04 | Punctualirrigation apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1202180A true CA1202180A (en) | 1986-03-25 |
Family
ID=4123719
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000412801A Expired CA1202180A (en) | 1982-10-04 | 1982-10-04 | Punctualirrigation apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1202180A (en) |
-
1982
- 1982-10-04 CA CA000412801A patent/CA1202180A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |