GB2026827A

GB2026827A - Automative watering devices for greenhouses

Info

Publication number: GB2026827A
Application number: GB7831880A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-08-01
Filing date: 1978-08-01
Publication date: 1980-02-13

Abstract

A overhead spray line operates a at pre-set intervals. Water is supplied at a controlled rate from an inlet pipe J to a reservoir A until a level N is reached, whereupon a siphon B empties the reservoir. A float D controlled valve then closes the inlet pipe J to the reservoir and opens it to an overhead spray line E which also provides a restricted flow to the reservoir through an adjustable valve F. When the water reaches a level M, the float valve shuts off the spray line E and re-connects the inlet pipe to the reservoir. The water emptied from the reservoir may supply a soil level trickle pipe. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Semi-automatic watering cistern A watering device for domestic greenhouses, enabling plants to be watered by overhead spray line and ground level trickle line.

Operates on the principle of the automatic flushing cistern found in public toilets for flushing urinals.

This cistern differs from the above mentioned - in that a 'low pressure ball valve is incorporated in the cistern and only holds sufficient water to operate the float and syphon.

No electrical controls are required being suitable for inaccessible places where electric power is not practical or economical.

The cistern is not for "mist propagation" but as a watering and damping down spray.

Once set to required discharges - can be left indefinitely to operate from garden hose-pipe, or set periodically to suit weather conditions.

Holds approximately five pints of water which is flushed away before each spray discharge, - being either run to waste or channelled down to soil level for additional watering.

Simply constructed of standard plumbling materials with the minimum of mechanical parts to go wrong.

The cistern is of size to hold sufficient water to submerge the automtic syphon and ballvalve float.

As mentioned above - based upon the automatic flushing cistern, -waterfills it via a pet cock regulated to fill at a predetermined rate. When flushed of its contents, the ball valve opens discharging water up the spray line, simultaneously.

Filling the cistern via a second pet cock housed on the spray line inside the tank - resulting in shutting off the ballvalve. It then continues to fill again via the first pet cock until the next discharge.

Operation: 1. Tankfills via first pet cock.

2. Tankfilled-submerging syphon.

3. Tank flushes its contents.

4. Ballvalve opens - feeding spray line.

5. Second pet cock simulaneously back fills sufficient water to shut off ballvalve and spray line.

6. Tank continues to fill via first pet cock.

The second pet cock can be regulated to fill back fast or slow - hence a longer or shorter spray period.

The first pet cock can be regulated in the same manner to suit periods between sprays.

The above pet cocks have to be set to discharge water - manually by trial and error until the required time limits for spraying periods has been reached and reductions in mains water pressure have to be taken into account.

With a new ballvalve, enough "dribble" from it when operating is usually sufficient to back fill the cistern - and the second pet cock can be shut off.

Ballvalve float level is adjusted to rise and fall with minimum water level approximately two inches.

The syphon water level is maintained above ballvalve float level i.e. two levels as it were one above the other.

The flushed water from the cistern is fed down to an auxiliary tank at ground level which in turn feeds a trickle line along soil level - or if not required run to waste - see Figure 5.

Materials used are of waterworks approved standard (N.W.C.) for the cistern.

A - Cistern of polypropylene plastic 2 mm thick.

B - Automatic syphon of standard make as used for public urinals with 38" B.S.P. plastic thread outlet BSS 1876.

C - Ballvalve of low pressure "Portsmouth" type - in brass with 2t' B.S.P. parallel thread inlet.

D - Ballvalve float in plastic (sumline).

E - Spray line feed in 15 mm copper tube semi-hard temper- brazed or soldered to 15 mm brass elbow into ballvalve outlet. See Figure 3.

F - Pet cocks of standard type for urinals - brass with 38" B.S.P. parallel thread - BSS 1876. See Figure 4.

G - 15 mm unions in brass and copper. Figure 2 capillary soldered fitting as standard.

H - 15 mm B.S.P. parallel thread brass nipple with back nuts to suit - see Figure 2.

J - 15 mm copper tee junction - capillary solder.

K - 8-" B.S.P. nut x 15 mm. Bent union.

L -15 mmx 15 mmx 21 B.S.P. female iron, tee junction - bushed down to 8t B.S.P. all in brass capillary solder joints.

M - Bailvalve 'shut off' water level.

N - Automatic syphon - 'flushing' water level.

P - -" bore plastic tubing 'flushpipe' with 4 B.S.P. nut and lining, Figure 6 connected with 'jubillee' brand clip.

R - Nurrled end -to take hose-pipe and 'jubillee' brand clip.

The cistern is fixed at high level through two holes in the wall of the top edge the ballvalve is heavily greased before installation - petroleum jelly.

Auxiliary tank - if used - of similar make up to cistern i.e. plastic tank of five pints capacity fixed just above soil level.

Plastic pipe 'trickle line' connected to it by standard tank union.

Flushpipe from cistern kept well above water level in auxiliary tank.

Flushpipe end - always open to atmosphere to assist quick and efficient syphonage. See Figure 5.

1. A watering device - operated by the combination of actions between a ballvalve and an automatic flush-syphon housed together in one water tank resulting in operating a spray line on mains water supply - with pet cocks controlling its rates of discharge.

2. To be used whole for the periodic watering of plants in greenhouses-automatically without aids from electrical or thermostatic control. To be set manually and to operate from these settings.

3. To be a fixed time lapse - watering feed to spray lines. Wholey operated from cistern and mains water supply only.

New claims or amendments filed on 27th November, 1978 Superseded claims 1-3.

New or amended claims:

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Semi-automatic watering cistern A watering device for domestic greenhouses, enabling plants to be watered by overhead spray line and ground level trickle line. Operates on the principle of the automatic flushing cistern found in public toilets for flushing urinals. This cistern differs from the above mentioned - in that a 'low pressure ball valve is incorporated in the cistern and only holds sufficient water to operate the float and syphon. No electrical controls are required being suitable for inaccessible places where electric power is not practical or economical. The cistern is not for "mist propagation" but as a watering and damping down spray. Once set to required discharges - can be left indefinitely to operate from garden hose-pipe, or set periodically to suit weather conditions. Holds approximately five pints of water which is flushed away before each spray discharge, - being either run to waste or channelled down to soil level for additional watering. Simply constructed of standard plumbling materials with the minimum of mechanical parts to go wrong. The cistern is of size to hold sufficient water to submerge the automtic syphon and ballvalve float. As mentioned above - based upon the automatic flushing cistern, -waterfills it via a pet cock regulated to fill at a predetermined rate. When flushed of its contents, the ball valve opens discharging water up the spray line, simultaneously. Filling the cistern via a second pet cock housed on the spray line inside the tank - resulting in shutting off the ballvalve. It then continues to fill again via the first pet cock until the next discharge. Operation: 1. Tankfills via first pet cock. 2. Tankfilled-submerging syphon. 3. Tank flushes its contents. 4. Ballvalve opens - feeding spray line. 5. Second pet cock simulaneously back fills sufficient water to shut off ballvalve and spray line. 6. Tank continues to fill via first pet cock. The second pet cock can be regulated to fill back fast or slow - hence a longer or shorter spray period. The first pet cock can be regulated in the same manner to suit periods between sprays. The above pet cocks have to be set to discharge water - manually by trial and error until the required time limits for spraying periods has been reached and reductions in mains water pressure have to be taken into account. With a new ballvalve, enough "dribble" from it when operating is usually sufficient to back fill the cistern - and the second pet cock can be shut off. Ballvalve float level is adjusted to rise and fall with minimum water level approximately two inches. The syphon water level is maintained above ballvalve float level i.e. two levels as it were one above the other. The flushed water from the cistern is fed down to an auxiliary tank at ground level which in turn feeds a trickle line along soil level - or if not required run to waste - see Figure 5. Materials used are of waterworks approved standard (N.W.C.) for the cistern. A - Cistern of polypropylene plastic 2 mm thick. B - Automatic syphon of standard make as used for public urinals with 38" B.S.P. plastic thread outlet BSS 1876. C - Ballvalve of low pressure "Portsmouth" type - in brass with 2t' B.S.P. parallel thread inlet. D - Ballvalve float in plastic (sumline). E - Spray line feed in 15 mm copper tube semi-hard temper- brazed or soldered to 15 mm brass elbow into ballvalve outlet. See Figure 3. F - Pet cocks of standard type for urinals - brass with 38" B.S.P. parallel thread - BSS 1876. See Figure 4. G - 15 mm unions in brass and copper. Figure 2 capillary soldered fitting as standard. H - 15 mm B.S.P. parallel thread brass nipple with back nuts to suit - see Figure 2. J - 15 mm copper tee junction - capillary solder. K - 8-" B.S.P. nut x 15 mm. Bent union. L -15 mmx 15 mmx 21 B.S.P. female iron, tee junction - bushed down to 8t B.S.P. all in brass capillary solder joints. M - Bailvalve 'shut off' water level. N - Automatic syphon - 'flushing' water level. P - -" bore plastic tubing 'flushpipe' with 4 B.S.P. nut and lining, Figure 6 connected with 'jubillee' brand clip. R - Nurrled end -to take hose-pipe and 'jubillee' brand clip. The cistern is fixed at high level through two holes in the wall of the top edge the ballvalve is heavily greased before installation - petroleum jelly. Auxiliary tank - if used - of similar make up to cistern i.e. plastic tank of five pints capacity fixed just above soil level. Plastic pipe 'trickle line' connected to it by standard tank union. Flushpipe from cistern kept well above water level in auxiliary tank. Flushpipe end - always open to atmosphere to assist quick and efficient syphonage. See Figure 5. CLAIMS

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 - wherein a supply pipe from said bailvalve carried through said vessel and out the other side to terminate in a threaded union to facilitate connection to any said sprinklers - pipework or the like.

New claims or amendments filed on 27th November, 1978 Superseded claims 1-3.

New or amended claims:

1. Apparatus for regulating - that is supplying at set predetermined intervals to sprinklers or the like water or liquid by means of a water vessel having a ballvalve, syphon and two drip feed valves therein which when the level of a liquid in said vessel rises by discharge of liquid by said drip feed valve to the level of said syphon, automatically discharges its contents to waste, which action switches on said ballvalve discharging liquid to said sprinklers or the like at the same time outlet drip valve in said vessel attached to said ballvaive replenishes liquid level in said vessel to switch off said ball valve and hence said sprinklers after the period of time it takes to replenish level which is predetermined by said outlet drip valve - and said inlet drip valve continues to fill said vessel for next discharge.