阅读说明：本技术 具有切断机构的减压阀 (Pressure reducing valve with cut-off mechanism ) 是由 巴尔·盖兹特 加德·皮莱格 于 2020-04-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于调节灌溉系统的一部分内的压力的压力调节器也可以用于响应于经由输入端口到达调节器中的输入命令,切断进入灌溉系统的一部分中的下游流。(A pressure regulator for regulating pressure within a portion of the irrigation system may also be used to shut off downstream flow into a portion of the irrigation system in response to an input command into the regulator via the input port.)

1. A pressure and/or flow regulating valve for regulating pressure within a portion of an irrigation system, wherein the valve is arranged to shut off downstream flow into the portion of the irrigation system also in response to an input command into the valve via an input port.

2. The valve according to claim 1, and located on an upstream side of said portion of said irrigation system.

3. A valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said part of the irrigation system is an irrigation pipe, possibly a collapsible irrigation pipe.

4. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input command is a pressure command.

5. The valve of claim 4, wherein the input command is from a portion of the irrigation system upstream of the valve.

6. The valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input port is exposed to the ambient environment during a pressure regulation phase of the valve.

7. A valve according to any preceding claim and comprising a movable plug member, and the input command is arranged to bias the plug member from a home condition to an operating condition in which the plug member shuts off the downstream flow.

8. The valve according to claim 7, and comprising a flow valve stem movable in an upstream direction and a downstream direction for regulating pressure downstream of said valve, wherein upstream and downstream movement of said flow valve stem changes a passage formed between said flow valve stem and said plug.

9. The valve of claim 8, wherein an increase and decrease in the passage affects an increase and decrease, respectively, in a downstream pressure of the valve.

10. A method for influencing the flow and/or pressure within a part of an irrigation system, comprising the steps of:

providing a valve for regulating pressure and/or flow downstream within said portion of the irrigation system, and

upon receiving an input pressure command, causing the valve to shut off downstream flow into the portion of the irrigation system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the valve is located on an upstream side of the portion of the irrigation system.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said part of the irrigation system is an irrigation pipe, possibly a collapsible irrigation pipe.

13. The method of any of claims 10-12, wherein the valve includes an input port for receiving the input pressure command.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the input command is from a portion of the irrigation system upstream of the valve.

15. The method of any of claims 10-14, wherein the input port is exposed to an ambient environment during a pressure regulation phase of the valve.

16. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, and comprising a movable plug member, and the input command is arranged to bias the plug member from an original condition to an operating condition in which the plug member shuts off the downstream flow.

17. The method according to claim 16, and comprising a flow valve stem movable in an upstream direction and a downstream direction to regulate pressure downstream of the regulator, wherein upstream and downstream movement of the flow valve stem changes a passage formed between the flow valve stem and the plug.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the increasing and decreasing of the passage affect an increase and decrease, respectively, of the pressure downstream of the valve.

19. A pressure and/or flow regulating valve comprising a pressure regulating mechanism for regulating the pressure within a part of an irrigation system, wherein the valve additionally comprises a shut-off mechanism arranged to override the pressure regulating mechanism in order to shut off the flow of liquid through the valve.

20. The valve according to claim 19, and comprising an outer housing, and said pressure adjustment mechanism and said shutoff mechanism and both are integrally formed within said housing.

21. A valve according to claim 19 or 20, wherein at least a part of the shut off mechanism, possibly a plug member of the shut off mechanism, interacts with the pressure regulating mechanism for assisting in regulating the pressure.

22. The valve of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein activating the shut-off mechanism to shut off liquid flow through the valve is accomplished via an input pressure command.

23. A valve according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein said part of the irrigation system is a main irrigation pipe, possibly a collapsible irrigation pipe.

24. The valve according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein said irrigation system further comprises a drip irrigation pipe branching off from said main irrigation pipe.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a pressure reducing and/or flow regulator and/or valve, in particular for agricultural irrigation applications.

Background

Pressure reducing and/or flow regulators may be used to regulate irrigation systems for providing a substantially constant output pressure or output flow for a wide range of input pressures. Such regulation may be useful in various irrigation applications, for example in relatively low pressure systems, as small changes in pressure may result in relatively large pressure changes, unlike irrigation systems that function at high pressures, for example.

US2011175009 is an example of a fluid pressure regulating unit comprising fluid inlet and outlet ports and a valve arrangement and a biasing arrangement. The biasing means urges the valve means in the direction of the open position and auxiliary valve biasing means are provided for biasing the valve means in the direction of the closed position.

Typically, shut-off of flow may also be required during use of the irrigation system, and it would be useful to combine pressure and/or flow regulation with valve type capabilities in a single device.

SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools, and methods, which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

In an embodiment, a pressure regulator for regulating pressure within a portion of an irrigation system is provided. The pressure regulator is arranged to shut off downstream flow into the portion of the irrigation system also in response to an input command into the regulator via the input port.

In an embodiment, the pressure regulator may be considered to provide dual uses of pressure regulation and valve functionality in a single device.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed description.

Brief Description of Drawings

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 schematically illustrates an irrigation system including an embodiment of a pressure and/or flow regulating valve of the present invention at an upstream end;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pressure and/or flow regulating valve of the present invention; and

3-5 schematically illustrate cross-sectional views of the regulator of FIG. 2 during different stages of pressure regulation;

it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate like elements.

Detailed Description

Turning first to fig. 1, fig. 1 illustrates a portion of an exemplary irrigation system 10, the irrigation system 10 including a pressure and/or flow regulating valve 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pressure and/or flow regulating valve 12 being adjacent an upstream side of the portion of the system. In the illustrated example, the irrigation system here includes a main irrigation pipe 14 and a drip irrigation pipe 16 in fluid communication with the main pipe 14, the drip irrigation pipe 16 branching off from the main pipe for irrigating a crop 18 in the field.

In certain embodiments, the main pipe 14 may be an irrigation pipe adapted to withstand pressures up to a certain given pressure threshold. For example, the primary tube 14 may be a collapsible tube having a tube wall that includes materials such as fabrics and laminate layers designed to withstand internal pressures within the tube up to a given pressure threshold. Collapsible tubes, sometimes referred to as lay-flat pipes, are typically arranged to expand and assume a generally more circular cross-sectional profile under internal liquid pressure, and a flatter profile as the internal liquid pressure drops.

In various embodiments thereof, the valve 12 may include an input port 20 located at an opposite upstream side of the regulator. The input port 20 may provide a path for an input pressure command to the valve. In the example of fig. 1, an external controller 17 (e.g., an electrically controlled valve) may be associated with valve 12 for controlling the transmission of an input pressure command into valve 12.

In this alternative example, the controller 17 may be in fluid communication with the pressurised liquid within the system 10 upstream of the valve 12, and may therefore be arranged to control the communication of pressure commands from upstream of the valve towards its interior. In other embodiments, the controller 17 may be arranged to control the communication of pressure into the valve 12 from other sources (i.e. not necessarily from other locations within the system, such as upstream of the valve in question).

With reference to fig. 2, a perspective view of an embodiment of the pressure and/or flow regulating valve 12 is illustrated, the pressure and/or flow regulating valve 12 being substantially similar to the pressure and/or flow regulating valve illustrated in fig. 1. In fig. 2 and subsequent fig. 3-5, a cross-sectional view of the valve 12 is illustrated, showing the upstream "U" side and the downstream "D" side of the valve.

The valve 12 in the illustrated example has an internal flow path 19 extending axially therethrough and opening out of the valve at its downstream and upstream sides. Along the flow path 19, the valve 12 comprises a flow valve stem 22 and a biasing device 24 (in this example a compression spring), which biasing device 24 is arranged to urge the flow valve stem in a downstream direction to press the flow valve stem against a stop 26 (here formed as an annular edge). The biasing means 24 is located in the space 9 formed between the outside of the flow valve stem 22 and the inside of the housing of the regulator.

Formed along the inner surface of the flow valve stem 22 is a flow straightener 28, here formed as an axially extending rib, the flow straightener 28 being arranged to enhance the laminar flow through the flow valve stem. The valve stem has an upstream entry port 23 and a downstream exit port 25, the downstream exit port 25 being in the form of a shoulder having a downstream facing shoulder surface 27.

The flow valve stem 22 at the inlet port 23 may be arranged to end in a generally sharp annular profile with a minimal upstream facing end face (facet). Upstream of the access port 23, the regulator comprises a plug 30, the plug 30 being shown here by way of example to comprise an optional biasing aid 32 located in the lumen of the plug. The biasing means 32 may be, for example, a tension spring arranged to pull the plug in the upstream direction. The inlet port 20 is arranged to communicate with the interior cavity of the plug.

In fig. 3 and 4, the plug 30 is shown in an inactive condition retracted in the upstream direction inside its seat. To assist in this state of the plug, the input port may be opened to communicate with atmospheric pressure at the ambient environment. A vent 34 may also be provided through the housing of the regulator for venting the ambient compartment 9 in which the biasing device 24 is located.

Such venting may substantially prevent or limit an unintended build-up of force (e.g., suction) that may be created within the compartment 9 by acting on the flow valve stem 22 as the flow valve stem 22 moves back and forth along the axis of the regulator during the pressure regulation action. A vent 24 may be formed at a relatively upstream portion of the gap 9 to ensure venting of the gap during situations where the flow valve stem 22 is in a relatively upstream position.

The flow of liquid into the valve from upstream is adapted to build up pressure and to transmit the pressure existing upstream of the valve to a location downstream along the valve. As the pressure downstream of the flow valve stem rises, it pushes against the shoulder surface 27 of the flow valve stem in the upstream direction.

Since the flow valve stem is designed to include a larger downstream facing surface (e.g., at the shoulder face) than the upstream facing surface (e.g., at the inlet of the flow valve stem), the balance of forces acting on the flow valve stem may urge the flow valve stem in the upstream direction toward the position illustrated in fig. 4 after overcoming the reaction force of the biasing device 24.

In a position intermediate to the positions shown in fig. 3 and 4, movement of the flow valve stem upstream is adapted to reduce the passage between the flow valve stem 22 and the plug 30, resulting in a reduction in pressure at a position downstream of the flow valve stem. This may cause the flow valve stem to slow its upstream movement and possibly also move back downstream. This axial fluctuation of the flow valve stem is adapted to regulate the flow rate through the valve such that the valve provides a substantially constant outlet pressure at its outlet for a range of inlet pressures for which the valve is designed to function.

In aspects of the invention, the valve 12 may be controlled to close off the flow of liquid flowing downstream through its flow path 19. Fig. 5 illustrates this closing of the downstream flow. A pressure signal entering the valve via the inlet port 20 may be arranged to push the inner cavity of the plug 30 and by means of the pressure signal cause the plug to press downstream against the inlet port 23 of the flow valve stem and/or against a portion of the regulator adjacent the inlet port 23.

In the description and claims of this application, the verbs "comprise," "include," "have," and "have" and their conjugates, are each used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of the members, components, elements, or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

Additionally, while the application or technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the present techniques are therefore not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed technology, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The technology is also to be understood as including the exact term, feature, value or range, etc., if such term, feature, value or range, etc., is referred to herein in connection with a term such as "about, approximately, substantially, approximately, at least," etc. In other words, "about 3" shall also include "3" or "substantially perpendicular" shall also include "perpendicular". Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.

Although the present embodiments have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.