INFRASTRUCTURES FOR VARIABLE RATE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

• US 20160157443A1
• Filed: 12/08/2014
• Published: 06/09/2016
• 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., Hamann, Hendrik F., Klein, Levente, Marianno, Fernando J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,693,511 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/165 Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for deploying infrastructures for variable rate water distribution systems. Embodiments of the present invention can afford users with the ability to control water distribution as well as modify existing infrastructures to meet dynamic target water distribution area demands. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may be used to provide users with accessibility to components for expedited servicing, modification, etc.

Claims

1. An apparatus for distributing water, the apparatus comprising:

a first portion comprising;

a supply line operatively coupled to a liquid source;

a sub-supply line operatively coupled to the supply line; and

a branch line operatively coupled to the sub-supply line;

a second portion comprising;

an extension component coupled to the branch line and the sub-supply line, wherein the extension component comprises at least one conduit and at least one control element configured to regulate flow;

a rising line operatively coupled to the branch line; and

a drip line operatively coupled to the rising line; and

a communicative network operatively coupled to the at least one control element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one control element comprises:

a control node operatively coupled to a distribution valve to control whether the distribution valve allows or blocks flow of liquid through the sub-supply line or the branch line and the supply line to which the distribution valve is coupled.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the communicative network comprises:

a gateway computer system operatively coupled to the control node to transmit instructions for actuating the distribution valve.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the communicative network further comprises:

a master computer system operatively coupled to the gateway computer system to transmit a distribution schedule to the gateway computer system.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the distribution schedule comprises a specified amount of time that the distribution valve should be open.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion is disposed below a plane, and at least a portion of the second portion is disposed above the plane.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first portion is underground.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the supply line is disposed below the plane;

the sub-supply line is disposed below the plane;

the branch line is disposed below the plane;

a portion of the rising line is disposed below the plane, and another portion of the rising line is disposed above the plane;

a portion of the extension component is disposed below the plane, and another portion of the extension component is disposed above the plane; and

the drip line is disposed above the plane, wherein the plane is a surface of a physical barrier separating the first portion of infrastructure from the second portion of infrastructure.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein an extension component coupled to the branch line and the sub-supply line, wherein the first portion comprises a plurality of extension components, each of the plurality of extension components comprising a control node operatively coupled to a distribution valve to control whether the distribution valve allows or blocks flow of liquid through a sub-supply line or a branch line and the supply line to which the distribution valve is coupled, wherein each control node is configured to actuate a distribution valve in a sequential order to reduce pressure hammering effects in the apparatus.

10. A method comprising:

providing a first portion of an apparatus, comprising;

a supply line operatively coupled to a liquid source;

a sub-supply line operatively coupled to the supply line; and

a branch line operatively coupled to the sub-supply line;

providing a second portion of the apparatus, comprising;

an extension component coupled to the branch line and the sub-supply line, wherein the extension component comprises at least one conduit and at least one control element configured to regulate flow;

a rising line operatively coupled to the branch line; and

a drip line operatively coupled to the rising line;

providing a communicative network operatively coupled to the at least one control element; and

causing liquid to flow from the first portion to the second portion of the apparatus.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one control element comprises:

a control node operatively coupled to a distribution valve to control whether the distribution valve allows or blocks flow of liquid through the sub-supply line or the branch line and the supply line to which the distribution valve is coupled.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein causing liquid to flow from the first portion to the second portion of the apparatus comprises:

actuating, by one or computer processors, a distribution valve of the extension component to cause liquid to flow from the sub-supply line to the branch line through the at least one conduit of the extension component.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

causing liquid to flow from the branch line to the drip line through the rising line.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

disposing the first portion of the apparatus underground; and

disposing a portions of the extension component and a portion of the rising line underground.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

detaching the drip line from a joint element used to couple the drip line to the rising line; and

attaching a second drip line to the joint element.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

detaching the drip line from a joint element used to couple the drip line to the rising line; and

attaching a cap to the joint element, to contain any liquid flowing though the rising line.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein causing liquid to flow from the first portion to the second portion of the apparatus comprises:

receiving from a master computer of the communicative network an irrigation program indicating a water distribution area;

determining water availability in the liquid source;

determining a time required to distribute water to the indicated water distribution area;

transmitting a water distribution schedule to the at least one control element; and

actuating a distribution valve of the at least one control element to cause liquid to flow through the extension component and into the drip line for a specified period of time based on the water distribution schedule.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

responsive to determining that the water availability in the liquid source is not sufficient to deliver water to the indicated water distribution area, modifying the water distribution schedule, in accordance with the water availability in the liquid source.