ES2696949B1 - Low flow irrigation device to be used in a fertigation system - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Low flow irrigation device to be used in a fertigation system.

Technical sector

The present invention is generally framed in the field of agriculture, specifically in the irrigation sector and especially in the fertigation sector.

Background of the invention

As is well known, fertigation involves the application of fertilizers, solids (diluted) or liquids, along with water in crops, usually through pressurized irrigation systems or drip irrigation. Its advantages are numerous, especially in the case of intensive crops.

Among the benefits of fertigation is the reduction in the costs of fertilizer application per hectare, since this is done together with irrigation in a single operation. Also, as the fertilizer is applied through the irrigation system, it is not necessary to use machinery for this, which reduces soil erosion and compaction, which favors root growth.

Fertigation systems also increase the efficiency of fertilizer use, since the same effect can be achieved with a smaller volume of them. This translates not only in a reduction in costs, but also in a decrease in crop contamination, which is especially relevant given the legal limitations on the use of chemicals in many countries.

Finally, the most important advantage of fertigation is that it allows for optimal daily fertilization depending on the rate of water absorption of the crop, the soil or substrate and for certain environmental conditions (supplying the water and the required nutritional balance).

It is for this reason that during the last decades much of the research in the agricultural sector has focused on optimizing the conditions and devices to be used in crop fertigation systems.

In this context, fertigation methods are based on the optimization of the following variables:

- the frequency of irrigation;

- the allocation of volume applied in each new irrigation;

- the rate of water consumption by the crop, which is determined based on the ab absorption of water and nutrients by the plants and the characteristics of the substrate used; Y,

- the fertigation elements used to supply the nutrient solution.

In the state of the art it is possible to find various devices designed to be used in fertigation systems, for example the document ES2143893 by Andrés Santos Lozano, which defines a probe for underground fertigation of high resistance against environmental factors, the probe consists in a hollow cup-shaped container, provided of a hollow stalk or longitudinal stake, with a pointed end at the bottom that allows it to be nailed to the ground, with a groove in the lateral mantle of the container where an irrigation microtube is connected, a float is also defined inside the vessel with a distinctive sign on whether the wave is delivering liquid or not.

There are emitters with low flow (2 to 8 l h-1) such as Xeri Bug (RAYN BIRD), however these emitters need other accessories to be able to distribute the final flow since they do not manage to slow down the flow optimally. Other emitters, such as the Arrow Dripper (NETAFIM ™) that, although they slow down their flow, their main objective is the homogenization of the emissions through the distributors that are coupled to them without achieving an optimal slowdown.

A large part of the fertigation devices are based on replenishing 10% of the readily available water absorbed by the crop in the culture unit plus a proportion of extra volume that is the wash fraction. The wash fraction usually varies between 15% and 25% depending on the quality of the water expressed by its salinity. The volume of water to be supplied, endowment, is equal to the water absorption plus the wash fraction. The time required to supply this volume, therefore, is variable (usually between 4 and 14 minutes). This value is preset in all fertigation and its frequency will be a function of crop demand. Increasing the application time of the supplied volume, passively, would increase the contact time of the root system with the available water and therefore decrease the energy needed for the absorption of water and nutrients.

The time required to supply the volume per unit area is variable (usually between 4 and 14 minutes) and will depend on the available fertirrigation system. On the other hand, the frequency of fertigation required in a given crop is variable throughout the day and between different days.

Finally, although fertigation systems have a number of advantages, among which those already explained previously stand out, the truth is that they also have certain disadvantages, especially related to the initial costs of installing the infrastructure, the clogging of drippers, between others.

For the reasons previously indicated, it is necessary to have low flow irrigation devices to be used in fertigation systems that, passively, allow to minimize the time spent for installation and use, but that allow, at the same time, to improve the conditions of irrigation, since with this the production is increased and, therefore, the profitability of the farmers, not existing in the irrigation market a piece or device that simultaneously meets these requirements.

Technical problem and objectives of the invention

The present invention intends to offer a low flow irrigation device to be used in fertigation systems of easy storage, transport, installation and use, which allows a further development of the radical system through the improvement of irrigation conditions.

Indeed, the invention improves the irrigation conditions, since, passively, it allows to increase the time in which a fertirrigation infrastructure supplies the volume of mixture per unit of cultivation by four times. Additionally, the present invention allows a better spatial distribution of fertigation.

By optimizing the variables described above, radical growth is improved and efficiency in the use of water, nutrients and fertilizers is also optimized, while reducing crop contamination.

Finally, from an operational point of view, the present invention allows solving problems related to the administration of fertigation devices, both in terms of storage, transport, installation and use.

As for the operational advantages, in the first place, the invention is easily stackable, which makes it possible to reduce the space required to store and transport a set of units of the invention.

Secondly, since each unit of the invention has four irrigation devices, when installing a unit of the present invention, four low flow irrigation devices are being introduced into the substrate at the same time, which reduces installation time, and it is highly advantageous especially in those cases where the crop extends along a large area.

Thirdly, the device is easily removable and is designed so that it does not obstruct with the growth of roots and weeds, which simplifies its use and maintenance.

Fourth, the present invention improves the conditions of irrigation, since it allows to increase in four times the time of supply of irrigation, of passive form.

Explanation of the invention.

Low flow irrigation device to be used in a fertigation system.

The low flow device for fertirrigation of the invention consists mainly of three parts: a reservoir consisting of a liquid container, which is open at its top and is formed by four lateral faces in the form of an isosceles trapezoid and a face of bottom that has four perforations; a lid that fits into the open top of the tank that has an insertion hole for a microtube, which allows the tank to be supplied with a chemical suitable for fertigation; and, finally, four stakes, each of which includes an irrigation slowdown system.

As for its operation, the reservoir receives the solution of water and nutrients, or another chemical suitable for fertigation, which from now on we will call a solution, by means of a microtube that connects it to the fertigation system. Once the solution is entered into the device, it accumulates and distributes evenly to the stakes that contain the slowdown systems, which ultimately lead the solution to the substrate.

Brief description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, where illustrative and non-limiting nature has been represented. next:

Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of the low flow fertigation device.

Figure 2.- Shows a plan view of the reservoir of the low flow fertigation device.

Figure 3.- Shows a front view of the low flow fertirrigation device, which is shown in its installation position in the substrate.

Figure 4.- It shows a front view in partial section of a stake of the low flow fertirrigation device tank, which is installed on the bottom face of the tank.

Figure 5.- Shows a sectional view of a stake in the reservoir of the low flow fertirrigation device.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

The present invention aims to offer a low-flow irrigation device (1) of fertirrigation of easy storage, transport, installation and use, which allows a greater development of the radical system, by means of the improvement of the irrigation conditions, which comprises:

A reservoir (3), which defines an open liquid container in its upper part, formed by four lateral faces (31) in the form of an isosceles trapezoid; a bottom face (32) having four perforations (33); a cover (4) that fits into the open upper part of the tank (3), which has an insertion hole (41) for a microtube that supplies the tank (3) with the solution; and four stakes with slowdown system (2).

As for the reservoir (3) that defines a container for the solution, all the lateral faces (31) thereof are isosceles trapezoids whose upper base is larger than the lower base. Thus, the upper bases of the side faces (31) are those that form the upper edge of the tank (3), on which the lid (4) is placed. On the other hand, the lower bases of the lateral faces (31) form the lower edge of the tank (3), edge to which the bottom face (32) of the same is attached.

Since all the lateral faces (31) of the tank (3) have an isosceles trapezoid shape, the tank (3) has a conical shape that allows stacking pluralities of them by means of successive fittings. The possibility of stacking pluralities of deposits (3) implies a series of operational advantages. First, it allows to optimize the storage space of the tanks (3). Secondly, it allows to optimize its transport since, for example, more tanks (3) can be loaded into a means of transport to be transported by the crop field. As more pluralities of the invention can be transported in a single trip, this decreases the number of trips that must be made which reduces costs and installation times.

The conical shape of the tank (3) also has a positive effect, since it allows to optimize the distribution of the liquid homogeneously in the four stakes with a slowing system (2) inserted in the bottom face (32) of the tank (3).

In a preferred application of the invention, the four perforations (33) located on the bottom face (32) of the reservoir (3) are located in each of the four corners of the bottom face (32). The foregoing has two main advantages. The first is that it allows a better use of the solution that could be stuck in the lower corners of the tank (3). The second is that it gives greater stability to the deposit (3) once it has been inserted into the substrate, in this way it is avoided that different external factors can tip the deposit (3), which would be negative because the Liquid would not be distributed evenly among the four stakes with a slowdown system (2).

In a preferred application of the invention, the reservoir (3) has a volume of between 200 ml and 1,200 ml. In another even more preferred application of the invention, the reservoir (3) has a volume of 650 ml.

The lid (4) that fits tightly on the open top of the tank (3) allows the solution to be covered, thus preventing the entry of foreign bodies that could affect negatively the solution or deteriorate different aspects of the invention, especially the stakes with slowing system (2). Both the tank (3) and the lid (4) are opaque, this allows to prevent light from entering the tank (3) and prevents, at the same time, the growth of any micro biota.

The insertion hole (41) included in the cover (4), allows the coupling of a microtube to the tank (3), allowing the solution to enter it, without entering any foreign element inside the referred tank (3) the solution.

In a preferred application of the invention, the hole of the lid (4) is included in the central part thereof.

As for the four stakes with a slowing system (2), each of them is inserted into each of the perforations (33) of the bottom face (32) under pressure or tightly. The fact that they fit under pressure is not trivial, since it is intended to simplify their use, since the time required to couple or uncouple the different parts of the invention is reduced, which also facilitates their maintenance.

The four stakes with slowdown system (2) allow the low flow irrigation device (1) to be nailed or buried in the substrate (5). The fact that there are four stakes (2) is relevant in that it gives the deposit (3) four points of support on the substrate, optimizing its stability, with the benefits that this entails.

On the other hand, since the stakes with a slowing system (2) include a slowing system, the invention is capable of distributing the solution from the tank (3) to the substrate (5) more slowly. In this context, since there are four stakes with a slowing system (2) used by the invention, the time in which a fertirrigation infrastructure supplies the volume per unit area is increased fourfold. Likewise, the distribution of the solution also improves, since it enters the substrate not by a single point, but by four, covering a larger area, which causes a greater bulb of wetting in the irrigated substrate (5).

As explained previously, in a preferred application of the invention, the perforations (33) of the bottom face (32) of the reservoir (3) are located in each of the four corners of the bottom face (32). In this context, when the stakes with a slowing system (2) are located in the corners of the bottom face (32), the distribution of fertigation is optimized, since the stakes with a slowing system (2) are located at a higher distance from each other.

In a preferred application of the invention, the slowed system of each stake with slowdown system (2) comprises a longitudinal cylindrical passage (24); a flexible microtube (22) with inner thread that is inserted in the longitudinal cylindrical passage (24); a headless adjustment screw (21) of the solution flow, to be screwed into the inner thread of the flexible microtube (22); and a transverse passage (23) that allows the solution to exit to the substrate (5).

The outer diameter of the flexible microtube (22) fits closely with the diameter of the longitudinal cylindrical passage (24).

The headless adjustment screw (21) has a diameter and a rose passage determined by the inner thread of the flexible microtube (22), so that its rose passage regulates the amount of solution flowing from the reservoir (3) to the substrate (5).

To prevent oxidation, the headless adjustment screw (21) must be made of plastic or some other stainless material. As for the tightening system of the headless adjustment screw (21), this can have any type of groove that allows its adjustment from its upper part, be it alien, Phillips, vane, among others. The more the headless adjustment screw (21) is inserted into the inner thread of the flexible microtube (22), the lower the solution flow entering the cross-pass (23) and, therefore, the lower the solution flow that will receive the substrate (5).

The transverse passage (23) allows the solution to exit to the substrate (5) and also prevents clogging of the low flow irrigation device (1) caused by the growth of weeds, roots or other elements.

In a preferred application of the invention, the flexible microtube (22) protrudes from the top of the stake with a slowdown system (2) forming a flange (25) that allows the insertion of the stakes with a slowdown system (2) in the perforations (33) of the bottom face (32), whose outer diameter corresponds and / or is slightly larger than the diameter of the perforations (33) of the bottom face (32), so that they fit tightly into said perforations (33).

For a more efficient operation of the invention, the flange (25) must be the same thickness as that of the bottom face (32), to prevent the mixture from being below the level of the flange (25).

Likewise, in order to prevent the stakes with slowing system (2) from clogging, the lower part of the flexible microtube (22) must be on the upper part of the transverse passage (23).

Finally, in a preferred application of the invention, each of the stakes with slowing system (2) has a tapered shape with a ribbed tip (26) in the body of the stake with slowing system (2) to facilitate the insertion of this in the substrate (5). Likewise, the slits make it possible to prevent the invention from moving, granting greater stability.

The use of the invention within a fertigation system is carried out as follows:

First, if the invention is disassembled, it must be assembled by pressing the four stakes with a slowing system (2) into the holes of the bottom face (32) of the tank (3).

If the stakes are used with a slowdown system (2), which includes a headless adjustment screw (21), the regulation can be carried out before or after the coupling of the stakes with the slowdown system (2) to the deposit (3). The regulation will depend on the rate of absorption of the solution and the photosynthetic characteristics of the crop, the soil or substrate, and the environmental conditions of the crop.

Once the stakes have been inserted with a slowdown system (2), the cover (4) will be attached to the tank (3) and the feed microtube to the insertion hole (41).

Subsequently, the invention is installed in the substrate (5), burying the four stakes with a slowdown system (2) so that the bottom face (32) of the tank (3) is as horizontal as possible in relation to the substrate (5 ). In the case that the stakes with slowdown system (2) previously described are used, the low flow irrigation device (1) must be buried until the stake or stabilizer is buried in the substrate (5), between the top of the the ribbed tip (26) and the lower part of the transverse passage (23).

After the installation of the low flow irrigation device (1) in the substrate (5), the filling of the tank (3) must be started, so that the solution is distributed by means of the slowdown systems that exist in each stake with slowdown system (2).

If the stake with the preferred slowdown system (2) is used, the solution will enter from the tank (3) to the stakes with the slowdown system (2) by means of the flexible microtube (22), so that it will flow through the cylindrical passage longitudinal (24) to the transverse passage (23), holes through which the solution will exit to the outside of the stakes with a slowdown system (2) and drain into the substrate (5).

The flow with which the solution flows from the reservoir (3) to the substrate (5) through the transverse passage (23), will depend on the penetration depth of the headless adjustment screw (21) in the flexible microtube (22) and the measure of its rosea passage.

It is understood that the above detailed description is given by way of illustration and that a person versed in the technical field can make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. Low flow irrigation device to be used in fertigation systems of easy storage, transport and use, which allows further development of the radical system, through the improvement of irrigation conditions, characterized by, comprising: - a reservoir (3), which defines an open liquid container in its upper part, formed by four lateral faces (31) in the form of an isosceles trapezoid with a bottom face (32) having four perforations (33). - a cover (4) that fits into the open upper part of the tank (3), which has an insertion hole (41) for a microtube that allows the tank (3) to be supplied with a solution of water and nutrients or any other substance suitable for fertigation. - four stakes with slowdown system (2). 2. Low flow irrigation device for use in fertigation systems according to claim 1 characterized in that the four perforations (33) are located in the four corners of the bottom face (32). 3. Low flow irrigation device for use in fertigation systems according to claim 1 characterized in that the tank (3) has a volume of between 200 ml and 1,200 ml. 4. Low flow irrigation device for use in fertigation systems according to claim 3 characterized in that the reservoir (3) has a volume of 650 ml. 5. Low flow irrigation device for use in fertigation systems according to claim 1 characterized in that the insertion hole (41) for the feed microtube is located in the central part of the cover (4). 6. Low flow irrigation device for use in fertigation systems according to claim 1, characterized in that the slowed system of each stake with slowdown system (2) comprises: - a longitudinal cylindrical passage (24). - a transverse passage (23) that allows the water-fertilizer solution or other chemical substance suitable for fertigation to leave the substrate (5). - a flexible microtube (22) with inner thread, whose outer diameter is adjusted to the diameter of the longitudinal cylindrical passage (24); Y. - a headless adjustment screw (21) that allows to regulate the flow of the water-fertilizer solution or another chemical suitable for fertigation, by means of the depth of penetration into the inner thread of the flexible microtube (22). 7. Low flow irrigation device for use in fertigation systems according to claim 6 characterized in that the flexible microtube (22) protrudes from the stake with a slowing system (2) forming a flange (25) that allows insertion of the stakes with slowing system (2) in the perforations (33) of the bottom face (32), whose outer diameter corresponds and / or is slightly larger 15 than the diameter of the perforations (33) of the bottom face (32), so that they fit tightly or tightly into said perforations (33). 8. Low flow irrigation device for use in fertigation systems according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the stakes with slowing system (2) has a tapered shape with a ribbed tip (26) in the body of the stake (2) to facilitate the insertion of this in the substrate.