HK1119998A - Irrigation system - Google Patents

Description

Irrigation system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to field irrigation equipment, and in particular, it relates to a drip irrigation system that supplies water substantially only to plants in a field while reducing the amount of water lost to evaporation.

Background

Irrigation is an important factor in increasing crop production in farms. By controlling irrigation, better growth conditions can be created and maintained to increase crop yield over a given area. Irrigation is not easy this requires irrigation equipment and water to be supplied to the irrigation equipment. In some parts of the world the water supply is tight and it is therefore beneficial to use the available water resources in the most cost effective and cautious manner possible.

Watering soil without directly supporting the growth of plants is a waste of water. Other forms of waste include evaporation, which varies according to climate, temperature and relative humidity. In arid areas, these wastes can be substantial, thus increasing the cost of irrigation and ultimately food.

Furthermore, in many parts of the world, if properly directed, the amount of coincidental moisture (rain) that occurs naturally, such as dew and rain, is sufficient for plant growth.

Therefore, there is a need for an irrigation system that supplies substantially only water to crops in a field, while reducing the amount of water lost to evaporation. It would be advantageous if the irrigation system collected and directed coincidental-moisture.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is an irrigation system that supplies water substantially only to plants in a field, while reducing the amount of water lost to evaporation.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, there is provided an irrigation device for use with a drip irrigation conduit for supplying water to individual plants planted in rows, the irrigation device comprising a water distribution element provided with at least one support structure for supporting the drip irrigation conduit and a plurality of water direction elements, wherein water emitted by the drip irrigation conduit is collected by the water distribution element and each of the plurality of water direction elements directs water to a different supply point.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, a conformable moisture collecting structure is provided.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the water distribution element is configured for deployment between rows of plants.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the at least one support structure for supporting a drip irrigation conduit is provided substantially as a water flow trough, the plurality of water directing units are provided as a plurality of downwardly sloping output channels extending laterally from the water flow trough, a bottom surface of the water flow trough is provided with a plurality of high points such that one of the plurality of high points is located between each of the plurality of output channels, the bottom surface of the water flow trough is provided with a plurality of low points, each corresponding to one of the output channels, such that any water distributed into the water flow trough between any two of the high points will be directed to one of the low points, and thus to one of the output channels located between the two high points.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, a conformable moisture collecting structure is configured as at least one downwardly sloping surface extending outwardly from the water flow channel.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the at least one downwardly sloping surface is provided with a raised lip on a peripheral edge of the downwardly sloping surface.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the at least one downwardly sloping surface is provided with a moisture collection trough adjacent a peripheral edge of the downwardly sloping surface.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, at least one upwardly sloping surface is provided extending outwardly from a peripheral edge of the downwardly sloping surface, whereby moisture collected on the upwardly sloping surface is directed toward the peripheral edge of the downwardly sloping surface.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the water distribution element is configured for deployment over at least one row of plants.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the plurality of water direction elements are arranged as a series of interconnected downwardly sloping funnels, one aperture of each funnel providing an opening through which a plant can pass.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the water distribution element is configured substantially as a floor covering having a plurality of openings to provide growing space for the individual plants.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the at least one support structure for supporting the drip irrigation conduit is configured substantially as a water flow trough and the plurality of water directing units are configured as a plurality of downwardly sloping output channels extending laterally from the water flow trough, the floor covering is configured with a plurality of sloping surfaces configured to direct water from the output channels to a plurality of open growing areas disposed on the floor covering to provide growing space for individual plants.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the ground cover is provided with three spaced apart rows of open planting areas, each row separated from an adjacent row by a water flow trough.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the ground cover extends beyond an outer one of the three spaced apart rows of open planting areas to include an inwardly sloping coincidental-moisture collection surface configured for directing coincidental-moisture toward the open planting areas.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the water distribution element is provided with a drip irrigation conduit integrally formed therewith.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, an irrigation system comprising: (a) a drip irrigation conduit operatively connected to a source of water supply for controlling the flow of water through said drip irrigation conduit; (b) a water distribution element configured with at least one support structure for supporting a drip irrigation conduit, said water distribution element configured to collect water emitted by said drip irrigation conduit; and (c) a plurality of water direction units provided on the water distribution unit, so that the water collected by the water distribution unit is directed to a different supply point by each of the plurality of water direction units, each supply point being close to one plant.

There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a method of irrigating crops planted in rows in a field, the method comprising: (a) providing a drip irrigation conduit operatively connected to a source of water supply for controlling the flow of water through said drip irrigation conduit; (b) providing a water distribution element having at least one support structure configured to support a drip irrigation conduit, the water distribution element configured to collect water released by the drip irrigation conduit; and (c) providing a plurality of water direction elements disposed on the water distribution element, the water collected by the water distribution element being directed by the plurality of water direction elements such that each of the plurality of water direction elements supplies water to one of a plurality of desired supply points, each supply point being proximate to a plant; and (d) operating the water supply source to provide a flow of water through the drip irrigation conduit.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, there is also provided collecting coincidental-moisture and directing the coincidental-moisture to the intended supply point.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, there is also provided deploying the water distribution element between two rows of crop.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, there is also provided deploying the water distribution element above the crop row.

According to a further teaching of the present invention, the water distribution element is implemented substantially as a floor covering.

Drawings

The invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a first variation of an irrigation system element constructed and operative in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a first variation of an irrigation system element constructed and operative in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 further including an alternative coincidental-moisture collection unit constructed and operative in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one-half of the width of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a segment of a third preferred embodiment of a first variation of an irrigation system element constructed and operative in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 taken in the direction 7-7;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a section of one preferred embodiment of a second variation of an irrigation system element constructed and operative in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 taken in the direction 9-9;

FIG. 10 is a top view of a section of one preferred embodiment of a third variation of an irrigation system element constructed and operative in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 taken along the direction 11-11; and

fig. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment of fig. 2 wherein the drip irrigation conduit is integrally formed with the bottom of the water distribution element.

Detailed Description

The present invention is an irrigation system that supplies water substantially only to plants in a field, while reducing the amount of water lost to evaporation.

The principles and operation of an irrigation system according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

By way of introduction, the irrigation system element of the present invention is configured for irrigation of a field to direct water emitted from a typical drip irrigation conduit, such as a pipe or hose, to an area proximate an individual plant, thereby using significantly less water than prior solutions, yet still providing the same amount of water to the plants being irrigated. In some parts of the world, if the naturally occurring coincidental-moisture, such as dew and rain, is properly directed, it may be sufficient for plant growth, and the irrigation unit of the present invention is also configured to collect and direct coincidental-moisture. During the growing season, the amount of coincidental-moisture is sufficient to sustain plant growth, and it may not be necessary to provide additional water through the drip irrigation conduit. Additional savings may be provided by reducing the amount of irrigation water used. In this sense, the irrigation unit of the present invention has great advantages over existing systems.

In the present invention, a device is provided for distributing water throughout the field that includes a structural arrangement for delivering water to where it is most needed, i.e., to the bottom of the plant near the plant roots. Preferably, irrigation may be carried out at night or other times when the soil can absorb the most water and evaporation losses are minimal. The drip outlet of the irrigation device is near the bottom of the plant. During this process, very little water is lost due to spraying, evaporation or in wet soil without plants. An added benefit of this arrangement is that weeds or other forms of plants that can damage or reduce nutrients in the soil are more difficult to grow because there is no water available between the plants being irrigated.

To provide a complete irrigation system, the irrigation system element of the present invention can be combined with essentially any drip irrigation conduit known in the art, and essentially any known flow control device can be incorporated into the irrigation system of the present invention to facilitate the start and stop of flow through the system. Alternatively, the irrigation system element of the present invention may be configured with an integrally formed drip irrigation conduit.

More specifically, there are at least three variations of the irrigation system element of the present invention. In a first variation described in connection with fig. 1-7 and 12, the water distribution element of the present invention is deployed between crop rows and is provided with at least one water flow channel and a plurality of output channels extending from the water flow channel at predetermined intervals (matching the intervals between plants) for directing water from the water flow channel to individual plants.

In a second variation, described in connection with fig. 8 and 9, the water distribution element of the present invention is deployed above the crop rows and is provided with a separate opening for each crop on which water is directed.

A third variation of the water distribution element of the present invention, described in connection with figures 10 and 11, is generally configured as a ground cover having a plurality of openings for providing growing space for individual crops.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first preferred embodiment of a first variation of the irrigation system element of the present invention, designated herein as 2, with the water distribution element deployed between the crop rows.

The water distribution element 2 is provided with a substantially flat bottom 30 and a top provided with two parallel water flow channels 4 and 6, said water flow channels 4 and 6 being separated by a central ridge 8. The water flow channels 4 and 6 act as water distribution elements in addition to supporting drip irrigation conduits (not shown). Extending outwardly from the water flow channels 4 and 6 are downwardly sloping surfaces 10 and 12, the downwardly sloping surfaces 10 and 12 being inwardly provided with a plurality of outlet channels 14. The output channels are spaced at a pitch corresponding to the distance between the rows of plants 50 on either side of the water distribution element 2, so that the feed point opening 66 of each output channel 14 is substantially close to one plant 50.

Water is supplied to the system through almost any drip irrigation pipe (not shown) known in the art. One drip tube is disposed in each of the water flow channels 4 and 6. Each water flow channel 4 and 6 is arranged such that the bottom surface 20 of the water flow channel 4 and 6 has a high point 22 between each output channel 14 and a low point 24 corresponding to each output channel 14. Thus, any water dripping from the drip tube into the water flow troughs 4 and 6 and located between any two high points 22 is directed to the low point 24 and, therefore, the output channel 14 is located between the same two high points 22. With this configuration, the location of the drain holes on the drip tube is not critical, and the same drip tube can be used with various configurations of the water distribution element of the present invention.

A second preferred embodiment of the first variation of the water distribution element of the present invention is shown in fig. 2-5 and is designated herein by the reference numeral 100. The structure of this embodiment is very similar to that of the embodiment of fig. 1, and corresponding components are accordingly labeled by increasing the number 100, and the middle ridge is labeled 8 in fig. 1 and 108 in fig. 2-4.

The embodiment of fig. 2-5 includes a conformable moisture collecting structure comprising downwardly sloping surfaces 110 and 112 and upstanding flanges 162 disposed on peripheral edges 160 of the downwardly sloping surfaces 110 and 112. The raised lip 162 is configured to capture and direct any coincidental-moisture, such as, but not limited to, dew and rain that falls or condenses on the downwardly sloping surfaces 110 and 112, along coincidental-moisture trough 164 toward a supply point opening 166 of the outlet channel 114.

Furthermore, an alternative conformable moisture collecting structure for this embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. Two coincidental-moisture collection units 170 and 172 are provided with inwardly sloping surfaces and are deployed to extend beyond the adjacent rows of crop and direct any collected coincidental-moisture to the plants within the rows. For example, these collection units may be deployed to direct coincidental-moisture against the outer edge of the raised flange 162, as coincidental-moisture collection unit 170. As shown by coincidental-moisture collection unit 172, an alternative deployment is to direct coincidental-moisture over the raised lip 162 and into coincidental-moisture trough 164 in order to direct coincidental-moisture to one of the supply point openings 166.

The embodiments shown in figures 6 and 7 are arranged to feed water to a single row of plants. Thus, the water dispensing unit 200 is provided with one water flow channel 206 with a plurality of outlet channels 214 (although only one is shown) extending from the water flow channel 206 that direct water to the delivery point openings 266 provided on the peripheral edge 260 of the water dispensing unit 200. This embodiment also shows an alternative conforming moisture collection structure. As seen therein, the downwardly sloping surface 212 includes a concave conforming moisture trough 264, the conforming moisture trough 264 directing conforming moisture to one of the plurality of output channels 214.

Figures 8 and 9 show a preferred embodiment of a second variation of the water distribution element of the present invention, wherein the water distribution element is deployed over a row of plants. In this embodiment, the water dispensing unit 300 is provided with a plurality of water guide units 310, and the water guide units 310 are provided as a series of interconnected downwardly inclined funnels. One aperture 320 of each funnel provides an opening through which plants can pass. The drip irrigation conduit 330 is supported by the support member 340 and conduit support grooves 352, the conduit support grooves 352 being disposed on ridges 350, the ridges 350 separating each funnel-shaped water direction element 310. So configured, any water that is emitted from the drip irrigation conduit 330 and falls onto one of the funnel-shaped water direction elements 310 is directed to the aperture 320, and thus to where the plant is growing.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a third variation of the water distribution element of the present invention configured substantially as a ground cover 400, the ground cover 400 having a plurality of openings 490 to provide growing space for individual crops. The non-limiting example of a floor covering 400 shown here is provided with three spaced apart rows of open planting areas 490, each row being separated from the adjacent rows by a water flow channel 404 supporting a drip irrigation conduit 492. A plurality of downwardly sloping outlet channels 414 extend laterally from the flume 404. The floor covering 400 is provided with a plurality of inclined surfaces 480a and 480b that are provided for directing water from the output channel 414 to a plurality of open planting areas 490. The floor covering 400 further includes conforming moisture collection structures, such as downwardly sloping surfaces 410 and 412, and conforming moisture collection units 470, the conforming moisture collection units 470 extending beyond the outer rows of the three spaced apart rows of open plant areas 490. The surfaces 410, 412 and 470 are configured to direct coincidental-moisture to the inclined surfaces 480a and 480b and/or the open plant area 490.

As described above, substantially any embodiment of the water distribution element of the present invention can be configured with integrally formed drip irrigation conduits, and thus, the water distribution element does not require the added expense and labor of deploying a separate drip irrigation conduit after deployment. As a non-limiting example, FIG. 12 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a water distribution element 500 of the present invention similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the water flow channels 104 and 106 have been replaced with drip irrigation conduits 504, the drip irrigation conduits 504 being integrally formed with the base 586 of the water distribution element 500. Drip irrigation nozzles 588 are provided on the drip irrigation conduit 504 corresponding to each of the output channels 514.

It will be readily understood that the water distribution element of the present invention may be provided as a unit that is interconnected with other like units, and thus, a single row of the water distribution system may be comprised of a plurality of water distribution elements of the present invention. Alternatively, the water dispensing element may be provided as a substantially continuous element that can be rolled up for storage and transport and unrolled for use in the field. In such a configuration, a single row of water distribution systems would consist of a single length of water distribution elements.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (21)

1. An irrigation device for use with a drip irrigation conduit for supplying water to individual plants planted in rows, the irrigation device comprising a water distribution element provided with at least one support structure for supporting the drip irrigation conduit and a plurality of water direction elements, wherein water emitted by the drip irrigation conduit is collected by the water distribution element and each of the plurality of water direction elements directs the water to a different delivery point.

2. The irrigation device of claim 1, further comprising a conformable moisture-collecting structure.

3. The irrigation device of claim 1, wherein the water distribution element is configured for deployment between rows of plants.

4. The irrigation device of claim 3, wherein said at least one support structure for supporting a drip irrigation conduit is configured substantially as a water flow trough, said plurality of water direction elements being configured as a plurality of downwardly sloping output channels extending laterally from said water flow trough, a bottom surface of said water flow trough being configured with a plurality of high points such that one of said plurality of high points is located between each of said plurality of output channels, said bottom surface of said water flow trough being configured with a plurality of low points, each corresponding to one of said output channels, whereby any water distributed into a water flow trough between any two of said high points will be directed to one of said low points and hence to one of said output channels located between said two high points.

5. The irrigation device of claim 3, wherein a conforming moisture collection structure is provided as at least one downwardly sloping surface extending outwardly from said water flow trough.

6. The irrigation device of claim 5, wherein said at least one downwardly sloping surface is provided with a raised lip located on a peripheral edge of said downwardly sloping surface.

7. The irrigation device of claim 5, wherein the at least one downwardly sloping surface is provided with a moisture collection trough adjacent a peripheral edge of the downwardly sloping surface.

8. The irrigation device of claim 5, further comprising at least one upwardly sloping surface extending outwardly from a peripheral edge of the downwardly sloping surface, whereby moisture collected on the upwardly sloping surface is directed toward the peripheral edge of the downwardly sloping surface.

9. The irrigation device of claim 1, wherein the water distribution element is configured for deployment over at least one row of plants.

10. The irrigation device of claim 8, wherein said plurality of water direction elements are arranged as a series of interconnected downwardly sloping funnels, one aperture of each funnel providing an opening through which a plant can pass.

11. The irrigation device of claim 1, wherein said water distribution element is configured substantially as a ground cover having a plurality of openings to provide growing space for individual plants.

12. The irrigation device of claim 11, wherein said at least one support structure for supporting drip irrigation conduits is configured substantially as a water flow trough and said plurality of water directing units are configured as a plurality of downwardly sloping output channels extending laterally from said water flow trough, said ground cover being configured with a plurality of sloping surfaces configured to direct water from said output channels to a plurality of open growing areas disposed on said ground cover to provide growing space for individual plants.

13. The irrigation device of claim 12, wherein said ground cover is provided with three spaced apart rows of open planting areas, each row separated from an adjacent row by one of said water flow troughs.

14. The irrigation device of claim 12, wherein said ground cover extends beyond the outer of said three spaced rows of open planting areas to include an inwardly sloping coincidental-moisture collection surface configured for directing coincidental-moisture toward said open planting areas.

15. The irrigation device of claim 1, wherein said water distribution element is provided with drip irrigation conduits integrally formed therewith.

16. An irrigation system comprising:

(a) a drip irrigation conduit operatively connected to a source of water supply for controlling the flow of water through said drip irrigation conduit;

(b) a water distribution element configured with at least one support structure for supporting a drip irrigation conduit, said water distribution element configured to collect water emitted by said drip irrigation conduit; and

(c) a plurality of water direction elements provided on the water distribution element, such that water collected by the water distribution element is directed by each of the plurality of water direction elements to a different supply point, each supply point being proximate to a plant.

17. A method of irrigating crops planted in rows in a field, the method comprising:

(a) providing a drip irrigation conduit operatively connected to a source of water supply for controlling the flow of water through said drip irrigation conduit;

(b) providing a water distribution element having at least one support structure configured to support a drip irrigation conduit, the water distribution element configured to collect water released by the drip irrigation conduit; and

(c) providing a plurality of water direction elements disposed on the water distribution element, the water collected by the water distribution element being directed by the plurality of water direction elements such that each of the plurality of water direction elements supplies water to one of a plurality of desired supply points, each supply point being proximate to a plant; and

(d) operating the water supply to provide a flow of water through the drip irrigation conduit.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising collecting coincidental-moisture and directing the coincidental-moisture to the intended supply point.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising deploying the water distribution element between two rows of crop.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising deploying the water distribution element over a row of crop.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said water distribution element is implemented substantially as a floor covering.