Enhanced sprinkler valving apparatus and method
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B05B-001/30
F16K-031/00
출원번호
US-0304283
(2002-11-26)
발명자
/ 주소
Wilson, Chadwick L.
Smith, Alan John
McAuley, Edwin
출원인 / 주소
Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Madson & Metcalf
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
25인용 특허 :
4
초록▼
A sprinkler valving apparatus and method are provided. An irrigation system has a plurality of valves designed to be electrically activated by a control unit. Each valve may have a first diaphragm that is flexible to control irrigation water flow through the valve. Each of the valves may have a sole
A sprinkler valving apparatus and method are provided. An irrigation system has a plurality of valves designed to be electrically activated by a control unit. Each valve may have a first diaphragm that is flexible to control irrigation water flow through the valve. Each of the valves may have a solenoid isolated from irrigation water within the valve by a second diaphragm. The first and second diaphragms are separated by an interior divider with an orifice that can be blocked or unblocked via flexure of the second diaphragm to trigger motion of the first diaphragm. The second diaphragm is actuated by a magnetically actuatable plunger of the solenoid, which extends through an aperture of an interior retainer to reach the second diaphragm. The second diaphragm has a peripheral ring to ensure that it is movable even when negative outlet pressure is applied to the valve.
대표청구항▼
1. A valve for controlling a flow of irrigation water, the valve having an open configuration that permits water flow to a water distribution unit and a closed configuration that substantially blocks water flow to the water distribution unit, the valve comprising: a first diaphragm that is flexibl
1. A valve for controlling a flow of irrigation water, the valve having an open configuration that permits water flow to a water distribution unit and a closed configuration that substantially blocks water flow to the water distribution unit, the valve comprising: a first diaphragm that is flexible to move the valve between the open configuration and the closed configuration; and a magnetically actuated plunger that triggers motion of the first; diaphragm by moving along an axis intersecting the first diaphragm, wherein the magnetically actuated plunger is substantially isolated from water. 2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the magnetically actuated plunger is a component part of a solenoid substantially isolated from water.3. The valve of claim 1, further comprising a second diaphragm disposed to be flexed by the magnetically actuated plunger to initiate motion of the first diaphragm.4. The valve of claim 3, further comprising an interior divider having an orifice, wherein the interior divider is disposed between the first and second diaphragms to form a first chamber defined at least in part by the first diaphragm and a second chamber defined at least in part by the second diaphragm such that the second diaphragm is flexible to abut the orifice to block water communication between the first and second chambers.5. The valve of claim 4, further comprising an interior retainer disposed between the second diaphragm and the magnetically actuated plunger, the interior retainer having an aperture through which the magnetically actuated plunger extends to contact the second diaphragm.6. The valve of claim 4, wherein the first diaphragm comprises a hole disposed to permit water entry into the first chamber in the open and closed configurations, wherein flexure of the second diaphragm to unblock the orifice releases water from the first chamber to decrease water pressure within the first chamber, thereby inducing flexure of the first diaphragm to move the valve to the open configuration.7. The valve of claim 6, wherein the second diaphragm comprises a central portion that abuts the orifice and a peripheral ring that presses against the interior divider to isolate the central portion from low outlet pressure.8. The valve of claim 4, wherein the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm, and the orifice are generally circular in shape, and wherein each of the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm, and the orifice has a center disposed on the axis.9. The valve of claim 1, further comprising: a conduit junction disposed to convey water to the water distribution unit; and a cap attached to the conduit junction to cover the magnetically actuated plunger and the first diaphragm. 10. A valve assembly for controlling a flow of irrigation water to at least one water distribution unit, the valve assembly comprising: an inlet conduit that receives water; an outlet conduit in communication with the water distribution unit; and a valve comprising a first diaphragm, a second diaphragm, and an interior divider having an orifice, wherein the first diaphragm is flexible to move the valve between an open configuration that permits water flow between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit and a closed configuration that substantially blocks water flow between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit, wherein the second diaphragm is flexible to abut the orifice to trigger flexure of the first diaphragm to move the valve to the closed configuration. 11. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the valve further comprises a solenoid substantially isolated from water, the solenoid having a magnetically actuated plunger disposed to drive flexure of the second diaphragm.12. The valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the valve further comprises an interior retainer disposed between the second diaphragm and the magnetically actuated plunger, the interior retainer having an aperture through which the magnetically actuated plunger extends to contact t he second diaphragm.13. The valve assembly of claim 12, wherein the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm, and the orifice are generally circular in shape, and wherein each of the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm, and the orifice has a center disposed on an axis along which the magnetically actuated plunger is movable.14. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the valve comprises a first chamber defined at least in part by the first diaphragm and a second chamber defined at least in part by the second diaphragm, wherein the second diaphragm is shaped such that abutting the orifice with the second diaphragm blocks water communication between the chambers.15. The valve assembly of claim 14, wherein the first diaphragm comprises a hole disposed to permit water entry into the first chamber in the open and closed configurations, wherein flexure of the second diaphragm to unblock the orifice releases water from the first chamber to decrease water pressure within the first chamber, thereby inducing flexure of the first diaphragm to move the valve to the open configuration.16. The valve assembly of claim 15, wherein the second diaphragm comprises a central portion that abuts the orifice and a peripheral ring that presses against the interior divider to isolate the central portion from low pressure within the outlet conduit.17. A manifold for controlling flows of irrigation water to at least two water distribution units, the manifold comprising: a feeder conduit that receives water from a main line; a plurality of inlet conduits, each of which is coupled to the feeder conduit to receive water from the feeder conduit; a plurality of outlet conduits; and a plurality of valves, each of which has an open configuration that permits water flow from one of the inlet conduits to one of the outlet conduits and a closed configuration that substantially blocks water flow from the inlet conduit to the outlet conduit, each valve comprising a first diaphragm, a second diaphragm, and an interior divider having an orifice, wherein in the open configuration the orifice is unobstructed to permit water communication between a first chamber defined at least in part by the first diaphragm and a second chamber defined at least in part by the second diaphragm, and wherein obstruction of the orifice initiates motion of the first diaphragm to move the valve to the closed configuration. 18. The manifold of claim 17, wherein each valve further comprises an a solenoid substantially isolated from water, the solenoid having a magnetically actuated plunger disposed to drive flexure of the second diaphragm.19. The manifold of claim 18, wherein each valve further comprises an interior retainer disposed between the second diaphragm and the magnetically actuated plunger, the interior retainer having an aperture through which the magnetically actuated plunger extends to contact the second diaphragm.20. The manifold of claim 19, wherein the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm, and the orifice are generally circular in shape, and wherein each of the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm, and the orifice has a center disposed on an axis along which the magnetically actuated plunger is movable.21. The manifold of claim 17, wherein the second diaphragm is disposed to abut the orifice to obstruct the orifice, thereby blocking water communication between the first and second chambers.22. The manifold of claim 21, wherein the first diaphragm comprises a hole disposed to permit water entry into the first chamber in the open and closed configurations, wherein flexure of the second diaphragm to unblock the orifice releases water from the first chamber to decrease water pressure within the first chamber, thereby inducing flexure of the first diaphragm to move the valve to the open configuration.23. The manifold of claim 22, wherein the second diaphragm comprises a central portion that abuts the orifice and a peripheral ring that presses against the interior divid er to isolate the central portion from low pressure within the outlet conduit.24. An irrigation system configured to irrigate an area, the irrigation system comprising: at least one water distribution unit that distributes water over at least a portion of the area; at least one distribution conduit, each distribution conduit conveying water to at least one water distribution unit; at least one valve comprising a first diaphragm that is flexible to move the valve between an open configuration that permits water flow into one of the distribution conduits and a closed configuration that substantially blocks water flow into the distribution conduit, wherein motion of the first diaphragm is triggered by motion of a magnetically actuated plunger along an axis intersecting the first diaphragm, wherein the magnetically actuated plunger is substantially isolated from water; and a control unit that transmits valve activation signals to initiate motion of the magnetically actuated plunger of each valve. 25. The irrigation system of claim 24, wherein the magnetically actuated plunger is a component part of a solenoid substantially isolated from water.26. The irrigation system of claim 24, wherein the valve further comprises a second diaphragm disposed to be flexed by the magnetically actuated plunger to initiate motion of the first diaphragm and an interior divider having an orifice, wherein the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm, and the orifice are generally circular in shape, and wherein each of the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm, and the orifice has a center disposed on the axis.27. An irrigation system configured to irrigate an area, the irrigation system comprising: at least one water distribution unit that distributes water over at least a portion of the area; at least one distribution conduit, each distribution conduit conveying water to at least one water distribution unit; at least one valve having an open configuration that permits water flow into one of the distribution conduits and a closed configuration that substantially blocks water flow into the distribution conduit, the valve comprising a first diaphragm, a second diaphragm, and an interior divider having an orifice, wherein in the open configuration the orifice is unobstructed to permit water communication between a first chamber defined at least in part by the first diaphragm and a second chamber defined at least in part by the second diaphragm, and wherein obstruction of the orifice initiates motion of the first diaphragm to move the valve to the closed configuration; and a control unit that transmits valve activation signals to initiate obstruction of the orifice of each valve. 28. The irrigation system of claim 27, wherein the valve further comprises an a solenoid substantially isolated from water, the solenoid having a magnetically actuated plunger disposed to drive flexure of the second diaphragm.29. The irrigation system of claim 27, wherein the second diaphragm is disposed to abut the orifice to obstruct the orifice, thereby blocking water communication between the first and second chambers.30. A method for assembling a valve for controlling irrigation water flow between an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, the valve having an open configuration that permits water flow between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit and a closed configuration that substantially blocks water flow between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit, the valve comprising a conduit junction disposed to convey water between the inlet and outlet conduits, a first diaphragm, and a second diaphragm, the method comprising: inserting the first diaphragm into engagement with the conduit junction such that the first diaphragm is flexible to move the valve between the open and closed configurations; and disposing the magnetically actuated plunger and the second diaphragm such that the magnetically actuated plunger is movable along an axis intersecting the first diaphragm to trigger motion of the first diaphragm via flexure of the second diaphragm. 31. The method of claim 30, further comprising positioning an interior divider to abut a peripheral flange of the first diaphragm such that the interior divider cooperates with the conduit junction to retain the first diaphragm.32. The method of claim 31, wherein disposing the magnetically actuated plunger and the second diaphragm comprises positioning the second diaphragm such that a peripheral flange of the second diaphragm abuts the interior divider.33. The method of claim 32, further comprising positioning an interior retainer to abut the peripheral flange of the second diaphragm such that the interior retainer cooperates with the interior divider to retain the second diaphragm.34. The method of claim 33, wherein the interior retainer comprises an aperture, the method further comprising disposing a solenoid such that a magnetically actuatable plunger of the solenoid extends into the aperture.35. The method of claim 34, further comprising attaching a cap to the conduit junction to keep the diaphragms, the interior divider, the interior retainer, and the solenoid in place.36. The method of claim 32, wherein the interior divider comprises an orifice, wherein the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm, and the orifice are generally circular in shape, wherein inserting the first diaphragm, positioning the interior divider, and positioning the second diaphragm comprises disposing centers of the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm, and the orifice on the axis.37. A method for moving a valve from an open configuration that permits water flow between an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit and a closed configuration that substantially blocks water flow between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit, the valve having a first diaphragm, a second diaphragm, and an interior divider having an orifice, the method comprising: flexing the second diaphragm to abut the orifice of the interior divider, thereby substantially blocking the orifice; and flexing the first diaphragm in response to blockage of the orifice to move the valve from the open configuration to the closed configuration. 38. The method of claim 37, further comprising moving a plunger of a solenoid to trigger flexure of the second diaphragm to abut the orifice.39. The method of claim 38, wherein moving the plunger comprises extending the plunger through a hole of an interior retainer disposed between the plunger and the second diaphragm.40. The method of claim 37, wherein the second diaphragm comprises a central portion that abuts the orifice and a peripheral ring, the method further comprises pressing the peripheral ring against the interior divider to isolate the central portion from low pressure within the outlet conduit.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
Ohmi Tadahiro,JPX ; Takahashi Migaku,JPX ; Yamaji Michio,JPX ; Tanikawa Tsuyoshi,JPX ; Ikeda Nobukazu,JPX ; Dohi Ryosuke,JPX ; Nishino Kouji,JPX ; Yasumoto Naofumi,JPX ; Fukuda Hiroyuki,JPX ; Uno Tom, Fluid control valve and fluid supply/exhaust system.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.