Apparatus for adding fertilizer to water in an underground sprinkling system and fertilizer therefor
First Claim
1. Apparatus for injecting liquid fertilizer into a water flow line in a sprinkler system, comprising:
- an injector mechanism body having a water inlet and a water outlet adapted to be connected in the water flow line of the sprinkler system so that water flows through at least a mixing chamber in the body;
a liquid fertilizer reservoir;
a plunger chamber in one way flow communication with the liquid fertilizer reservoir to allow liquid fertilizer to flow from the reservoir to the plunger chamber, and in flow communication with the mixing chamber;
a plunger movably positioned in the plunger chamber;
a paddle wheel positioned to be rotated by water flowing through the injector mechanism body;
a plunger gear coupled to the paddle wheel and the plunger which rotates when the paddle wheel rotates; and
interacting camming surfaces, one of the interacting camming surfaces extending from the plunger gear, the other of the interacting camming surfaces being stationary during normal operation of the apparatus, whereby interaction of the camming surfaces as the plunger gear rotates causes movement of the plunger in the plunger chamber in at least one of two directions, movement of the plunger in one direction in the plunger chamber allowing flow of liquid fertilizer from the liquid fertilizer reservoir into the plunger chamber and movement of the plunger in the other direction in the plunger chamber causing flow of liquid fertilizer from the plunger chamber to the mixing chamber.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for adding liquid fertilizer to a water line of a sprinkler system includes a mechanical injector device powered by a paddle wheel turned by water flowing through the water line. The mechanical injector device includes a plunger that moves back and forth in the plunger chamber. Movement in one direction allows liquid fertilizer from a liquid fertilizer reservoir to flow into the plunger chamber and movement of the plunger in the opposite direction injects the liquid fertilizer from the plunger chamber into the water. The mechanical injector device is coupled to the paddle wheel which causes movement of the plunger in the plunger chamber in at least one direction. Spring bias can cause movement of the plunger in the other direction. The mechanical injector device can be disabled to stop fertilizer injection while still allowing rotation of the paddle wheel. The paddle wheel is coupled to the mechanical injector device through a plunger gear which rotates, and interacting camming surfaces which project from the plunger gear and from a ratchet. A preferred fertilizer for use in the apparatus includes a bio-stimulant.
16 Citations
30 Claims
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1. Apparatus for injecting liquid fertilizer into a water flow line in a sprinkler system, comprising:
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an injector mechanism body having a water inlet and a water outlet adapted to be connected in the water flow line of the sprinkler system so that water flows through at least a mixing chamber in the body; a liquid fertilizer reservoir; a plunger chamber in one way flow communication with the liquid fertilizer reservoir to allow liquid fertilizer to flow from the reservoir to the plunger chamber, and in flow communication with the mixing chamber; a plunger movably positioned in the plunger chamber; a paddle wheel positioned to be rotated by water flowing through the injector mechanism body; a plunger gear coupled to the paddle wheel and the plunger which rotates when the paddle wheel rotates; and interacting camming surfaces, one of the interacting camming surfaces extending from the plunger gear, the other of the interacting camming surfaces being stationary during normal operation of the apparatus, whereby interaction of the camming surfaces as the plunger gear rotates causes movement of the plunger in the plunger chamber in at least one of two directions, movement of the plunger in one direction in the plunger chamber allowing flow of liquid fertilizer from the liquid fertilizer reservoir into the plunger chamber and movement of the plunger in the other direction in the plunger chamber causing flow of liquid fertilizer from the plunger chamber to the mixing chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. Apparatus for injecting liquid fertilizer into a water flow line in a sprinkler system, comprising:
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an injector mechanism body having a water inlet and a water outlet adapted to be connected in the water flow line of the sprinkler system so that water flows through at least a mixing chamber in the body; a liquid fertilizer reservoir; a mechanical injector device in flow communication with the liquid fertilizer reservoir and the mixing chamber to inject liquid fertilizer from the reservoir into the mixing chamber; a paddle wheel positioned to be rotated by water flowing through the injector mechanism body and coupled to the mechanical injector device so that rotation of the paddle wheel causes mechanical operation of the mechanical injector device; and means to disable mechanical operation of the mechanical injector device when desired while still allowing rotation of the paddle wheel. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification