Double drip line variable rate water distribution

• US 10,251,348 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2014
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bermudez Rodriguez, Sergio A., Hinds, Nigel C. P., Klein, Levente, Marianno, Fernando J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganey, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US14/562,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20160157444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,583 Days
• Field of Search: 239542, 239569, 239515, 239547, 137 1, 137 8, 137 9, 137 13, 137803-842, 137 89, 137 98-10121
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/023 Dispensing fittings for drip irrigation, e.g. drippers
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/165 Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for a variable rate water distribution system. Embodiments of the present invention can afford users with the ability to variably deliver water to portions of the variable rate water distribution system. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide users with the ability to flush portions of the variable rate water distribution system.

Claims

1. A distribution system, comprising:

a plurality of distribution segments coupled to each other, each distribution segment comprising;

a supply line having a proximal end and a distal end;

an emitting line having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the emitting line includes a plurality of emitters disposed therein, and wherein the distal end of the emitting line is operatively coupled to a check valve configured to prevent liquid flow from a joint element to the emitting line;

a distribution valve comprising one input and two outputs, wherein one output of the distribution valve is operatively coupled to the proximal end of the supply line, and wherein one output of the distribution valve is operatively coupled to the proximal end of the emitting line, and wherein the distribution valve is configured to divert liquid flow through either the supply line or the emitting line;

the joint element comprising two inputs and one output, wherein one input of the joint element is coupled to the distal end of the supply line, and wherein one input of the joint element is coupled to the check valve;

a first distribution segment of the plurality of distribution segments operatively coupled to a second distribution segment of the plurality of distribution segments, wherein the output of the joint element of the first distribution segment is operatively coupled to the input of the distribution valve of the second distribution segment;

a sensor operatively connected to the first distribution segment and the second distribution segments, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor flow feedback information for the first distribution segment and the second distribution segments; and

a master computer system configured to execute a distribution schedule based on the flow feedback information monitored by the sensor, wherein the distribution valve of the first segment diverts liquid flow either through the supply line or the emitting line of the first distribution segment independent of liquid flow in the second distribution segment, and wherein the distribution valve of the second segment diverts liquid flow either through the supply line or emitting line of the second distribution segment independent of liquid flow in the first distribution segment, in accordance with the distribution schedule.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the input of the distribution valve of each distribution segment is coupled to either a liquid supply source or the output of a joint element of another distribution segment.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the output of the joint element of each distribution segment is coupled to either the input of the distribution valve of another distribution segment or an input of a flush valve.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of control nodes, wherein each control node is operatively connected to a distribution valve to control whether the distribution valve diverts liquid through the supply line or the emitting line to which the distribution valve is coupled, and wherein the plurality of control nodes receive flow feedback information from the sensor.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a plurality of gateway computer systems, wherein each gateway computer system is operatively connected to a control node to transmit instructions for actuating one or more distribution valves to which the control node is operatively connected.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the distribution schedule comprises one or more instructions that instruct each of a plurality of control nodes to actuate one or more distribution valves at one or more specified times and for one or more specified durations.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each distribution segment is configured to be independently activated or deactivated according to the distribution schedule.

8. A distribution system, comprising:

a plurality of distribution segments coupled to each other, each distribution segment configured to be independently activated or deactivated to deliver liquid to a target distribution area, each distribution segment comprising;

a supply line;

an emitting line having a plurality of emitters disposed therein;

a distribution valve configured to direct flow of liquid to the supply line or the emitting line;

a joint element configured to output liquid received from the emitting line or the supply line;

a first distribution segment of the plurality of distribution segments operatively coupled to a second distribution segment of the plurality of distribution segments, wherein the output of the joint element of the first distribution segment is operatively coupled to the input of the distribution valve of the second distribution segment;

a sensor configured to monitor flow feedback information for the target distribution area wherein the sensor is operatively connected to the first distribution segment and the second distribution segment; and

a master computer system configured to execute a distribution schedule based on the flow feedback information monitored by the sensor, wherein the distribution valve of the first segment diverts liquid flow either through the supply line or the emitting line of the first distribution segment independent of liquid flow in the second distribution segment, and wherein the distribution valve of the second segment diverts liquid flow either through the supply line or emitting line of the second distribution segment independent of liquid flow in the first distribution segment, in accordance with the distribution schedule.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein an input of the distribution valve of each distribution segment is coupled to either a liquid supply source or an output of a joint element of another distribution segment.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the output of the joint element of each distribution segment is coupled to either the input of the distribution valve of another distribution segment or an input of a flush valve.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein each distribution segment further comprises:

a check valve disposed between the emitting line and an input of the joint element.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of control nodes, wherein each control node is operatively connected to a distribution valve to control whether the distribution valve diverts liquid through the supply line or the emitting line to which the distribution valve is coupled.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a plurality of gateway computer systems, wherein each gateway computer system is operatively connected to a control node to transmit instructions for actuating one or more distribution valves to which the control node is operatively connected.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the distribution schedule comprises one or more instructions that instruct each of a plurality of control nodes to actuate one or more distribution valves at one or more specified times and for one or more specified durations.