GB1417427A - Sprinkler irrigation apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

1417427 Sprinkler irrigation apparatus L G ERICKSON 29 Oct 1972 45179/72 Heading A1F [Also in Division F2] Water or fertiliser is distributed over a land area by way of a mobile duct having a number of sprinkler heads each of which has a flow operated valve. The duct is connected to a liquid source and the valves are opened and closed sequentially such that at least one, but less than all of the sprinkler heads operate at any one given time. After distribution the supply is shut off from the duct which is then moved to a second land area requiring water or fertiliser. In one form, Fig. 1, the mobile duct is a side pipe 20 which can be removably secured to any one of the outlets 35 of a water main by flexible hose 32. A water deflector 84 can be fitted adjacent the outermost sprinkler head 28 to prevent water being lost on land areas 80 outside the fields being irrigated. The outlets 35 each may have a removable sprinkler head such that land area 42 can be irrigated whilst the land areas 62, 64, 66, 68, 82 are being irrigated. In another form, Fig. 10, the mobile duct comprises a pipe 20 which is connected to a well 232 via a self-emptying hose 230 for rotational movement about the well. The pipe 20 and hose 230 can be arranged relative to each other such that any one of the land areas 234, 236, 238, 240 is irrigated by the rotation. The self-emptying hose 230 comprises a low pressure gas filled annular space defined between inner and outer flexible hoses. When the supply pressure drops the gas compresses the inner, liquid filled hose to empty it. The sprinkler heads are each actuated by a hydro-mechanical arrangement mounted on the duct, Figs. 5-8 (not shown). The duct may comprise three sections supported on a carriage which has support jacks operated by the flow of liquid, Figs. 9, 9a-c (not shown).