U.S. patent number 3,746,263 [Application Number 05/131,355] was granted by the patent office on 1973-07-17 for weeper assembly and method for use in a slow diffusion type irrigation system.
Invention is credited to Norman D. Batterson, Wilbur C. Reeder.
United States Patent |
3,746,263 |
Reeder , et al. |
July 17, 1973 |
WEEPER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR USE IN A SLOW DIFFUSION TYPE
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Abstract
A weeper assembly and method for use in a slow diffusion type
irrigation system comprising a tubular housing insertable at
intervals along a water supply line and having a captive valve
therein movable between a plurality of seats including a
sub-atmospheric pressure seat and a super-atmospheric pressure seat
limiting flow to a desired seepage rate adequate to support plant
life within a restricted area. The second seat may be detachably
supported at the outlet end of the assembly in different positions
to provide flow at different rates, each of said positions being
sufficiently close to the fixed seat that the valve seats thereon
and cuts off all flow when the second seat is either loosely
assembled or fully detached. The second seat is readily replaceable
by a sprinkler head having means for supporting the valve off its
fixed seat so long as the sprinkler head is in assembled
position.
Inventors: |
Reeder; Wilbur C. (Altadena,
CA), Batterson; Norman D. (Pasadena, CA) |
Family
ID: |
22449079 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/131,355 |
Filed: |
April 5, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/542; 137/270;
137/329.1; 137/513.5; 137/516.27; 137/533.15; 239/570; 137/329.01;
137/516; 137/519.5; 137/883 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K
15/04 (20130101); A01G 25/023 (20130101); Y10T
137/7873 (20150401); Y10T 137/7858 (20150401); Y10T
137/6164 (20150401); Y10T 137/7867 (20150401); Y10T
137/87877 (20150401); Y10T 137/7912 (20150401); Y10T
137/5196 (20150401); Y10T 137/6184 (20150401); Y10T
137/7848 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
A01G
25/02 (20060101); F16K 15/02 (20060101); F16K
15/04 (20060101); F16k 015/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;137/516.25,513.3,513.5,513.7,329.06,329.01,454.6,533.13,329.02,329.03,329.1
;239/571,570,542 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nilson; Robert G.
Claims
I claim:
1. In a weeper type irrigation system for bleeding a small quantity
of water into the ground over a prolonged period to support plant
life, that improvement which comprises a weeper outlet assembly
having means for connecting the same to a water supply line and
including a tubular housing having an inlet end connectable to said
supply line, first and second closely spaced aligned valve seat
means adjacent the outer end of said tubular housing each having
the seats thereof facing in the same direction, means adjacent said
inlet end holding a freely movable valve captive in said housing
between said water inlet and said first and second valve seat
means, said valve adapted to seat against either valve seat of said
first and second valve seat means, said second valve seat means
being shaped to permit a minute flow of water between said valve
and said second valve seat means, means holding said second valve
seat means detachably assembled to said housing and normally in
position to prevent said valve contacting said first valve seat
means, said second valve seat means being effective to seat said
valve while fully assembled to said housing and connected to a
source of pressurized water and said second valve seat means
permitting said valve to seat against said first valve seat means
when said second valve seat means is not fully assembled to said
housing.
2. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that
said means holding said valve captive in said tubular housing
comprises third valve seat means facing toward said second valve
seat means and being at a lower elevation than said second valve
seat means whereby said valve automatically returns by gravity and
assumes a position against said third valve seat means when the
pressure at the inlet end to said tubular passage is
subatmospheric.
3. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in the
provision of protective cap means assembled to the outlet end of
said tubular housing effective to prevent entry of foreign matter
to the area of said first and second valve seat means and having
flow passage means for the water escaping therepast.
4. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 3 characterized in the
provision of means for holding said protective cap means readily
detachably assembled to the outlet end of said weeper assembly.
5. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that
the water pressure at the inlet end of said tubular housing is
normally effective to hold said valve unseated from said first seat
means and seated against said second valve seat means.
6. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that
said second valve seat means is provided with at least one small
weeper passage along which seepage flow occurs when said valve is
seated thereon.
7. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that
said second valve seat means includes a detachable outer valve seat
ring having minute flow passage means crosswise of the valve
seating surface thereof along which said seepage flow occurs while
said valve is held seated thereon by the water pressure in said
supply line, and means for holding said second valve seat means
detachably assembled to the outlet end of said tubular housing.
8. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 7 characterized in the
provision of cap means threaded to the outer end of said tubular
housing and cooperating therewith when tightened to hold said
second valve seat means fully assembled to said housing, said cap
means being effective when partially loosened from said fully
assembled position to permit said valve to seat against said first
valve seat means and cut off all flow therepast.
9. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 7 characterized in that
said second valve seat means is of non-corrosive material and
notched at the inner rim edge thereof to provide weepage flow
passages.
10. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 9 characterized in that
said second valve seat means is notched on the opposite faces at
the inner rim edge thereof to provide weepage flow passages of
different size, and said second valve seat means being securable to
said tubular housing with either face thereof outermost depending
on the weepage flow rate desired.
11. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 7 characterized in that
said means for holding said second valve seat means in assembled
position comprises an inverted cup shaped cap fitting about the
outlet end of said tubular housing and having portions thereof
mateable with exterior portions of said tubular housing.
12. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that
said means for holding said second valve seat means in assembled
position is adjustable between a first position holding said second
valve seat means immovably assembled and operable to provide weeper
flow and a second position wherein said second valve means is held
captively and loosely assembled so that said valve seats on said
first valve seat to cut off all water flow.
13. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in the
provision of sprinkler head means detachably connectable to the
outlet end of said tubular housing and including a tubular water
flow passage means equipped with means extendable into the interior
of said tubular housing and effective to hold said valve depressed
away from the level of said second valve seat means whereby water
is free to flow into said sprinkler head means and to escape
therefrom.
14. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 13 characterized in that
said sprinkler head means includes a rotary water dispensing
sub-unit having a plurality of water jet outlets cooperating to
rotate said sub-unit by the reaction forces of pressurized water
issuing therefrom.
15. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in the
provision of protective cap means for the outlet end of said
tubular housing and effective to protect said minute flow means
against entry of foreign matter and cooperating with the outlet end
of said tubular housing to provide an escape passage for water, and
said sprinkler head means and said protective cap including means
for holding either one thereof selectively assembled to said
tubular housing.
16. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that
said assembly is formed essentially of non-metallic components.
17. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that
said second valve seat means and said means for holding the latter
detachably assembled to said tubular housing mutually cooperate to
control the water flow rate therepast.
18. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 17 characterized in that
said second valve seat means is selectively securable in assembled
relation on the outer end of said tubular housing in any of a
plurality of different positions each effective to permit water
flow therepast at a different rate.
19. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that
said means holding said second valve seat means captive comprises
cap means having means centrally of its interior to hold said
second valve seat means in fluid-tight relation to the outlet end
of said tubular housing and adjustable to a position retaining said
second valve seat means loosely captive with said valve free to
seat on said first valve seat means.
20. A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that
said tubular housing is T-shaped and hollow, and the T-head thereof
being open at its ends and connectable to a water supply line
passing therethrough.
21. In a weeper type irrigation system for bleeding a small
quantity of water into the ground to support plant life, that
improvement which comprises a weeper outlet assembly having means
for connecting the same into a water supply line intermediate the
opposite ends thereof, said assembly having a tubular housing
opening at one end laterally into said water supply line, means
holding a valve loosely captive in said tubular housing and
including first and second valve seat means adjacent the other end
of said housing, means for varying the relative positions of said
first and second valve seat means between first and second
positions in the first of which water discharges from said weeper
outlet assembly at a predetermined slow rate and in the second of
which positions said valve seats against said first valve seat
means to cut off all water flow from said weeper outlet
assembly.
22. The combination defined in claim 21 characterized in that said
second valve seat means comprises a member separable from said
tubular housing for servicing while said valve is held seated on
said first valve seat means to cut off all water flow.
23. The combination defined in claim 22 characterized in that said
means for holding said second valve seat means assembled to said
housing comprises cap means embracing the adjacent end of said
tubular housing and cooperaitng therewith to direct water escaping
past said second valve seat means to escape along the exterior
sidewall of said tubular housing.
Description
This invention relates to irrigation systems, and more particularly
to an improved weeper assembly connectable at intervals along a
water supply line and operable to permit a minute flow of water
into a plant or tree root system from a point closely beneath the
surface of the ground and including means for holding the valve
captive while servicing the weeper assembly or while converting
from weeper flow to sprinkler head operation.
Recently conducted experiments have demonstrated that very
substantial economies can be achieved in the use of irrigation
water by slow diffusion of a surprisingly small amount into the
plant root system on a prolonged or a continuous basis. Various
devices have been proposed for carrying out this general concept;
however, there are numerous problems for which satisfactory answers
have not been provided in the devices so far provided. The seepage
flow required at each outlet is extremely small and varies, from a
flow rate of one half to approximately 10 gallons per hour
depending upon the particular prevailing conditions and the size of
the root system being irrigated, a flow of 1 to 3 gallons per hour
being typical for watering a small tree such as a citrus tree under
typical Southern California conditions.
It is at once apparent that precision flow control equipment must
be employed and that it is subject to erratic behaviour due to
various causes not easily taken into account including pressure
variations in the line, the presence of foreign matter in the water
supply, and more particularly the presence in the water supply of
earth minerals and salts which tend to deposit on surfaces over
which the water flows slowly. Stoppage and variation in the rate of
flow are readily recognized as intolerable in an irrigation system
designed to supply bare minimum water requirements. Owing to the
need for outlets at frequent intervals and, in the case of larger
plants such as trees, close to each tap root, the cost of the
weeper assemblies and supply connections must be held to a
minimum.
Weeper assemblies as heretofore proposed have failed to meet the
foregoing and other critical requirements in various respects. For
example, they fail to include suitable provision for servicing the
individual assemblies without interrupting the operation of other
portions of the system. Another shortcoming is the lack of simple,
effective means built into each weeper assembly effective to cut
off the water flow through any outlet automatically as that outlet
is being opened for inspection and servicing. Prior devices also
lack a simple, inexpensive and easily manipulatable means for
adjusting the weeper flow rate in the field as well as provision
for preventing foreign matter entering the assembly while it is
being serviced. Nor do prior systems have provision for quickly and
inexpensively shifting from weeper operation to sprinkler
operation.
To meet the foregoing and other shortcomings of prior practice in
this art, there is provided by the present invention an exceedingly
simple, inexpensive, rugged irrigation flow control device and
method operable selectively at one or more weepage flow rates, or
as a sprinkler, at the user's option.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a weeper
irrigation assembly having a single valve held captively assembled
therein between two fixed seats and closing automatically under
either sub-atmospheric or super-atmospheric pressure
conditions.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a weeper
assembly having a single valve held captively assembled therein
while the separable weeper valve seat is detached or being
serviced.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a weeper
assembly having two valve seats closely spaced to one another at
the outlet end thereof, including a fixed valve seat and a
removable valve seat cooperating with an associated valve to
provide a desired weepage flow then held in assembled position and
the fixed seat cooperating with the valve to cut off all flow when
the removable seat is not held tightly in assembled position.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a weeper outlet
having an adjustable valve seat provided with a plurality of valve
seating surfaces each notched to provide a different weeper flow
rate when the flow control valve is seated thereon.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a convertible
weeper assembly having a fixed valve seat adjacent its outlet end
and a valve member adapted to be held seated thereon by water
pressure and which weeper assembly is convertible to sprinkler head
operation when a sprinkler head is attached thereto and having
means on its inlet end to hold the weeper valve open as an incident
to the connection of a sprinkler head to the weeper assembly.
These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the
following specification and claims and upon considering in
connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate.
Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the
invention is illustrated:
FIG. 1 is a generally schematic view showing the invention weeper
assembly installed in a water supply line with each assembly close
to the tap root of a tree irrigated thereby;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale through a
preferred embodiment of the weeper assembly with the valve seated
against the weeper inlet passage;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view taken along line 3--3 on FIG.
2 and showing the valve in use to control weepage flow;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing the
sprinkler head attached to the weeper;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a portion of
the lower end of the sprinkler head; and
FIG. 6 is a view on an enlarged scale of a typical weeper valve
seat.
Referring initially more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an
illustrative installation of the invention including a water supply
line 10 extending from any suitable pressurized source past a row
of trees to be irrigated. Installed at intervals and close to the
tap root of each tree is a unitary weeper assembly 11, the outlet
upper end of which being usually located just beneath the surface
of the ground and normally concealed and protected by an overlying
layer of dirt.
The structural details of assembly 11 are best shown in FIGS. 2 and
3. The assembly includes a T-shaped main body fitting 12 having a
tubular housing 13 bonded or otherwise suitably secured in its
T-stem. Housing 13 has a central bore 14 formed at its upper end
with an integral or fixed first valve seat 15 on which the ball
valve 16 can seat under certain conditions. Valve 16 is held
captively assembled within housing 13 by valve seat 15 and by a
lower or third valve seat here shown as formed by a short sleeve 18
and inserted from the lower or inlet end of housing 13 and held in
place by adhesive or other suitable means. The valve seats on 18
and safeguards against the entry of trash and air as the system is
cut off and water gravitates out from lower level ones of the
weeper outlets.
As is best shown in FIG. 3, the outlet or upper end of housing 13
is provided with a weeper flow control valve seat formed by a
second valve seat ring 20 of non-corrosive material and preferably
from smooth-surfaced stainless steel, brass or molded plastic. Ring
20 is formed with a cylindrical bore 21 of substantially smaller
diameter than the bore through valve seat 15. As is made clear by
FIG. 3, the inner end of passage 21 is sufficiently close to the
seating edge of valve seat 15 as to hold valve 16 unseated
therefrom so long as seating ring 20 is held firmly in its
assembled position by means which will now be described.
Valve seat ring 20 has a snug fit in a circular recess 23
concentrically of passage 14 through housing 13. Normally ring 20
is held in firmly and in fluid tight assembled position by the
cup-shaped cap 25 having threads mating with threads 26 encircling
the upper end of housing 13. Threads 26 are slotted crosswise
thereof and along at least one side of housing 13 as is indicated
at 27 thereby to provide a free flow channel through which the
water escapes into the ground, as is indicated by the arrow 28.
Seated in a well in the bottom of cap 25 is a resilient pressure
member 30 having a channel 31 along which the water flows before
entering the escape slot 27. As will be apparent from the
foregoing, the tightening of the cap 25 applies pressure through
member 30 to the valve seat ring 20 so that the latter is assured
of a fluid tight fit with the surfaces of recess 23. The semi-soft
character of pressure member 30 compensates for tolerance
variations in the parts and serves to apply and distribute pressure
to the ring 20 in a manner holding it firmly in seating contact
with recess 23 so long as cap 25 is tightened. If the cap is not
tightened, the water pressure interiorly of the assembly will act
on valve 16 forcing it upwardly until it seats against the fixed
valve seat 15.
As is best shown in FIG. 6, the weeper valve seat ring 20 may and
preferably does have one or more minute calibration type passages
or notches 35 across its inner rim edge at either end of passage
21. If there are such notches at both ends of passage 21, as there
preferably are, these notches may be and preferably are of
different size. This makes it a simple matter to change the seepage
flow rate by temporarily detaching cap 25 and inverting seat ring
20 to bring the alternate flow notches 35 into operating position
relative to valve 16. The cap is then replaced and tightened.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a unitary sprinkler head
assembly 40 having an elongated tubular main body 41 formed with a
threaded well 42 at its lower end mateable with the threads 26 of
the weeper housing 13. Freely and rotatably supported at the upper
end of housing 41 is a conventional type sprinkler head 44 the arms
of which radiate in the manner shown and terminating in
reaction-type water dispensing jets 45. The outlet openings of
these jets are directed outwardly and upwardly in opposite
directions in a manner well known to those familiar with sprinkler
heads designed for rotation by the reactive forces of the water
issuing from their tips.
Frictionally supported at the lower end of the water distributing
passage 47 of the sprinkler head is a tubular projection 48 the
constructional details of which are best shown in FIG. 5. The lower
end of this fitting has a deep V-shape notch 49 so shaped as to
have a minimum of contact points with ball valve 16. The exterior
diameter of fitting 48 is less than the outlet opening through the
fixed valve seat 15. Consequently the fitting is readily received
through this opening as the sprinkler head is threaded onto the
outer end of housing 13. During this assembly operation, fitting 48
projects downwardly through valve seat 15 so as to cam valve 16 off
from seat 15 and holding it clear of this seat so long as the
sprinkler head is in assembled position. Although not so shown it
will be understood that the inner end of the threaded well at the
inlet of the sprinkler head may be provided with a gasket avoiding
any possibility of leakage although it will be apparent from FIG. 4
that the flange 50 on member 48 seats against the bottom of recess
23 and provides a fluid tight seal for the sprinkler head.
The operation of the weeper assembly will be quite apparent from
the foregoing detailed description of the components and their
relationship to one another. Normally, the system is installed as
shown in FIG. 1 and the main water valve, not shown, is left in an
open position supplying pressurized water, as at 20-30 psi, to all
of the weeper assemblies 11,11. The main line pressure lifts valve
16 off the lower seat 18 and holds it firmly against the inner end
of passage 23 through the weeper seat ring 20. Water escapes
through the notches 35, passages 31, and passage 27 into the ground
and the adjacent root system being irrigated. In this manner the
root system is maintained moist by continual slow seepage of water
at the desired rate determined by the size of the calibrated
notches 35 in the outer valve seat ring 20.
Should the operator desire to either decrease or increase the
seepage rate, he merely brushes away the dirt covering the top of
cap 25 and removes the cap. Thereupon, the internal water pressure
raises ball 16 into seating engagement with the fixed seat 15 and,
in so doing, elevates the outer seat ring 20. If the operator
wishes to change the rate to that provided by the notches 35 at the
upper end of passage 21, he merely inverts the seating ring and
restores it to recess 23 and then reassembles cap 25 until it is
firmly tightened. As the cap approaches its tightened position,
ring 20 engages valve 16 and depresses it from seat 15 thereby
restoring the flow through the new set of weeper passages. If a
flow different from that provided by the notches at either end of
the ring is desired, the operator merely inserts a substitute valve
seat ring having notches of the proper size.
Under certain circumstances inspection of the tree being irrigated
may disclose the need for a larger and a more widely dispersed flow
of water. In this event, cap 25 is removed along with seating ring
20, and sprinkler head 40 is assembled to housing 13 and firmly
tightened. During this assembly operation, fitting 48 at the lower
end of the sprinkler head passes through valve seat 15 forcing
valve 16 off its seat so that water flows past the valve, through
fitting 48, and issues from water jets 45, the latter then being
effective to rotate the sprinkler head and disperse the jets of
water over a very considerable area. It will also be recognized
that if the operator wishes a larger volume flow without dispersing
it widely, he may detach one or both of the sprinkler head jets 45
or he may remove the rotating arms 44 temporarily. As is true of
servicing operations performed on weeper assembly 11, installation
and detachment of the sprinkler head can be performed without need
for shutting off the main water supply or interfering in any way
with the normal operation of all other weeper assemblies connected
to supply line 10. Nor is there any risk of foreign matter entering
the assembly while either cap 25 or the sprinkler head is detached
since the main line pressure is then effective to hold valve 16
firmly seated against seat 15. At that time, all exposed parts of
the assembly are readily viewed and inspected for the presence of
any dirt before the cap or the sprinkler is attached.
Another feature of the invention is the capability and ease with
which the outlet assembly can be flushed during a servicing
operation without need for cutting off the system or interfering
with the operation of any other outlet. The operator merely
detaches cap 25 allowing valve 16 to seat and, in so doing,
elevates seating ring 20. This ring is then lifted out permitting
the operator to use his finger tip or a smaller diameter plunger to
depress the valve thereby allowing a fast flowing stream to issue
adequate to thoroughly flush away any trash, debris or particles in
that portion of the line or that weeper assembly. Following this
flushing operation the parts are reassembled.
Although weeper notches 35 are preferably located in the separable
valve seat member 20, it will be recognized that they may be formed
in the valve seating edge of fixed seat 15 in which event the flow
rate of the assembly can be varied only by removing cap 25 and
substituting the sprinkler head assembly. Cap 25 serves as a
protective cover and safeguards against the entry of trash and
foreign matter.
While the particular weeper assembly and method for use in a slow
diffusion type irrigation system herein shown and disclosed in
detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the
advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is
merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the
invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of
construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *