TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] Embodiments of the invention relate to a flow regulator, in particular for use in irrigation application. BACKGROUND

[002] Flow regulators are commonly used for regulating liquid flow within irrigation systems. Such flow regulators can vary from simple orifices to more complex hydraulic networks that can compensate for changes in pressure.

[003] US2986157 for example describes a pilot valve that can be used for opening and closing valves in response to pressure. The pilot valve includes relative small passageways through which hydraulic pressure can be used for controlling the control valve.

[004] Flow regulators used in irrigation systems that channel relatively dirty water, should preferably include relative large passageways so that they will not clog easily and consequently function as designed for regulating flow.

SUMMARY

[005] 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.

[006] In an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a flow regulator for regulating a flow rate of water within at least a section of a water system, for example an irrigation system, the flow regulator comprising a base member and piston member that is movable relative to the base member, the piston member comprises at least one notch through which water can flow when passing through the flow regulator, wherein movement of the piston member towards and away from the base member is adapted to, respectively, decrease and increase an area of the notch through which water can flow.

[007] Preferably, the piston member comprises an opening upstream to the notch through which water first passes.

[008] Typically, water flowing through the flow regulator cannot bypass the at least one notch and/or opening into the piston member.

[009] Preferably, the at least one notch provides a passage therethrough that gradually decreases from a beginning where the notch is deeper to an end where the notch is shallower. Such gradual decrease may be defined as following a substantial helical route that spirals about at least a section of the piston member. [010] Preferably, the piston member comprises a generally cylindrical shape that is hollow along at least a portion of its axis thus forming a peripheral shroud, and the at least one notch is formed at a downstream side of the shroud.

[Oil] Preferably, movement of the piston member towards and away from the base member is affected by water pressure existing upstream and downstream to an entry into the piston member.

[012] Such movement actions within the flow regulator ignited by pressure existing upstream and downstream to the piston member, in particular an opening into the piston member, provides a so-called direct flow regulation that can be characterized as having relative high response rates suitable for relative short operation cycles and/or short stabilization times, typical to at least some irrigation actions such as filtration actions with which the flow regulation can be used.

[013] Preferably, the relative large water passages provided through the flow regulator provide relative high reliability of operation with dirty water, thus substantially reducing likelihood of blocking of the regulator during use. [014] Typically, the self-regulating movements provided in the flow regulator during operation permit substantially constant change of passage sizes through the regulator that assist in removal of debris/dirt that may get caught within water passages of the regulator.

[015] For example, dirt caught within a notch of the flow regulator, that may be defined as representing the smallest passage through the regulator, may be released from said position at the notch to flow downstream as downstream pressure rises and urges the piston member to move away from the base member.

[016] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[017] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. 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 figures, in which:

[018] Figs. 1A and IB schematically show, respectively, a filtration setup possibly at an upstream side of an irrigation system including flow regulators in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and an irrigation system, possibly for use in flood irrigation, utilizing flow regulators in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[019] Figs. 2 A and 3B schematically show an embodiment of a flow regulator in assembled and exploded states, respectively;

[020] Figs. 3A to 3C schematically show different views of a piston member of the flow regulator of Figs. 2;

[021] Figs. 4A and 4B schematically show different views of a base member of the flow regulator of Figs. 2; and [022] Figs. 5A and 5B schematically show cross sectional views of the flow regulator of Figs. 2 in different regulating states;

[023] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown 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 within the figures to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[024] Attention is first drawn to Fig. 1A illustrating a possible filtration setup 10 that may be located at an upstream side of an irrigation system. The filtration setup in this example includes a plurality of media filters 12. The filtering setup may be arranged in groups 14 (here three such groups) each including several media filters 12 (here five).

[025] Each group 14 within the filtration setup may include an incoming pipe 16, an outgoing pipe 18 and a flushing pipe 20. Each media filter 12 may be coupled at its upper side 5 via a three-way valve 22 to the incoming and flushing pipes 16, 20; and at its lower side 7 to the outgoing pipe 18.

[026] During a filtering cycle of a given filter, the three-way valve associated with the filter can be controlled to open a flow path for water arriving from the incoming pipe 16 to flow into the filter via its upper side 5 (while blocking a route to the flushing pipe 20). The water flowing downwards through the media within the filter can then be emitted out of the filter at its lower side 7 into the outgoing pipe 18 and from there possibly onwards downstream to irrigate a field (or the like). [027] During a flushing cycle of a given filter, the three-way valve associated with the filter can be controlled to open a flow path between the filter's upper side 5 and the flushing pipe 20 (while blocking a route to the incoming pipe 16). Pressurized water present within the outgoing pipe 18 can then flow upwards into the filter via its lower side 7 to flush dirt out of the media within the filter, and then flow out through the upper side 5 of the filter to flushing pipe 20 and from there onwards to a reservoir, the ambient environment or any other means suitable for receiving such relative dirty water.

[028] Pressurized water within the outgoing pipe 18 suitable for powering a flushing cycle of a media filter, may be obtained by controlling the three-way valves of all but one of the media filters to perform a filtering cycle - while a remaining one of the filters can be controlled via its three-way valve to perform a flushing cycle. Thus, the majority of the water being filtered by the media filters can used for their intended purpose (e.g. irrigation) while a small portion can be harnessed for flushing one of the media filters.

[029] In an aspect of the present invention, an embodiment of a flow regulator 24 may be fitted to a downstream side of each flushing pipe 20. The flow regulator 24 may be aimed at regulating the flow rate of water passing through the flushing pipe during a flushing cycle of a filter, to a suitable flow rate range that is substantially optimized for flushing dirt out of the media within the filter, while substantially avoiding or limiting loss of media particles from being flushed out of the filter together with the water passing therethrough.

[030] Attention is drawn to Fig. IB illustrating one other example of a system 100 where embodiments of flow regulator 24 may be fitted. In this example, system 100 is a flood irrigation system suitable for delivering water to a field via a pipe 101 so that the water simply flows over the ground through crops in the field.

[031] Attention is additionally drawn to Figs. 2A and 2B illustrating an embodiment of a flow regulator 24 of the present invention. The flow regulator has an upstream side 241 through which water enters the regulator and a downstream side 242 through which water exits the regulator. The flow regulator has an outer housing 26 formed in this example of upstream and downstream portions 261, 262. The outer housing encloses the following main elements: a piston member 28, an orifice member 30 and a base member 32.

[032] Attention is drawn to Figs. 3A to 3C for a closer view of the of the piston and orifice members 28, 30. The orifice member 30 includes a generally ring shaped substantially flat orifice face 301 and a through-going aperture 302 that passes through face 301. The orifice member 30 in addition includes coupling members 303, here at its lower downstream side, for coupling it to the piston member. The piston member 28 has a generally cylindrical shape, a flange 281 at a generally upstream side thereof that defines an opening 282, and a peripheral shroud 283 that includes a jagged lower side 282 formed of angular notches 2821. Each angular notch 2821 in this example gradually descends (here in a generally linear fashion) in a peripheral direction from a beginning 1 where the notch is deeper to an end 2 where the notch is shallower. Adjacent notches 2821 in this example are peripherally spaced apart by partitions 99. [033] The orifice member 30 can be fitted, possibly snap fitted via its coupling members 303, onto the piston member 28 (see Fig. 3B) to align its aperture 302 with opening 282. Thus, by fitting an orifice member 30 with a certain sized aperture 302 to a piston of a flow regulator, adjustment of a relative general purpose flow regulator may be performed so that it can regulate flow passing therethrough to a desired flow rate range suitable e.g. for flushing a certain media filter without substantially loosing media particles during such flushing action. As seen in Fig. 3C, the piston member 28 may include a plurality of bore members 283 at a lower downstream side of its flange 281.

[034] Attention is drawn to Figs. 4A and 4B for a closer view of base member 32. Base member 32 includes a generally cylindrical core 321 and a plurality of upwardly projecting rests 322 that rise above an upper side of the core. Each rest 322 includes at its upper side a rod 323 of smaller diameter that projects further upwards. The core at its periphery 324 follows a generally cone shape that diverges slightly downwards towards a peripheral rim 325, and the core is formed at its periphery 324 with a plurality of passages 326 that provide each a route that communicates between periphery 324 and a lower side of the base member.

[035] Attention is drawn to Figs. 5A and 5B providing cross sectional views of the flow regulator during different regulating states. In an assembled state of the flow regulator, the piston member 28 can be placed above the base member 32 with each rod 323 of the base member 32 interacting and being located within a respective bore member 283 of the piston.

[036] Several biasing members 40, here in form of compression springs, may be placed upon at least some of the rods 323 and their respective bore and rest members 283, 322 . Such biasing members 40 may thus be held in between a lower side of the piston's flange 281 and the base member's core 321.

[037] Piston member 28 may be placed above base member 32 with its shroud 283 generally adjacent its jagged lower side - generally surrounding periphery 324 of the base member's core. The piston and base members in the assembled state form a chamber 3 therebetween that can be exited at its downstream side via the notches 2821 and at its upstream side via aperture 302.

[038] Incoming water entering the flow regulator via its upstream side 241 flows via aperture 302, into chamber 3 and then via the notches 2821 and passages 326 - to exit the flow regulator at its downstream side 242. The pressure of water at the upstream side 241 of the flow regulator bears against orifice face 301 of the orifice member, to apply a force Fu that acts to bias piston member 28 towards base member 32.

[039] As the force Fu builds and exceeds e.g. the counter forces applied by the basing members 40, the piston member may moves towards the base member and by that gradually/proportionally decrease the area of the notches through which water can flow downstream (see Fig. 5B). As a result, the flow rate of water passing through the flow regulator decreases proportionally while building pressure at a downstream side of aperture 302 (i.e. at chamber 3 located in between aperture 302 and the notches 2821) that forms a combined force Fc (applied by the pressure and springs) that bears against the piston member in an upstream direction.

[040] As the force Fc downstream of aperture 302 overcomes force Fu, the piston member may move back upstream in a direction away from the base member and by that the area of the notches through which water can pass increases, thereby increasing the flow rate through the flow regulator. [041] The movement of the piston member may thus oscillate upstream and downstream due to pressure fluctuations upstream and downstream of the piston and by that regulate the flow rate of water passing through the flow regulator within a given flow rate range defined by dimensions of the flow regulator and the diameter 302 of the detachable orifice member. By this, an optimal flow rate range suitable for performing a flushing action of a media filter may be obtained.

[042] In an aspect of the present invention, a given flow regulator 24 may be adjusted for different working conditions by suitably choosing its biasing means and in particular the aperture size of its detachable orifice member. For example, a certain sized flow regulator used in a system generally exhibiting a first flow rate, may be equipped with biasing means having a first spring constant and an aperture 302 of a first diameter. A similar flow regulator however when used in different working conditions may be equipped with different type springs and a different aperture diameter.

[043] Further more, while the present 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 non- restrictive; the technology is thus 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 technology, and the appended claims.

[044] 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 can not be used to advantage.

[045] The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here such terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc. are referred to in connection with terms such as “about, ca., substantially, generally, at least” etc. In other words, “about 3” shall also comprise “3” or “substantially perpendicular” shall also comprise “perpendicular”. Any reference signs in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.

[046] Although the present embodiments have been described to 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.