US3797738A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled water distribution system and methods
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-11-02
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-11-02
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are provided for sub-surface irrigation of areas of land of differing sizes, and in a manner in which small controlled amounts of water can be expelled more or less continuously into the soil over a relatively large area, along a supply line, for effective irrigation simultaneously with a substantial reduction in the total quantity of water used in comparison with prior arrangements for the same amount of land. The above is achieved by feeding through the supply line to one or more wick manifolds, which in turn continuously supply water distributors comprised essentially of a relatively hydrophillic substance which serve to absorb, hold and distribute the water supply in a slow, continuous manner to the soil being irrigated. In addition, provision is made for distributing a reasonably uniform quantity of water at a variety of points along the system, regardless of the terrain of the land being irrigated and in the absence of expensive land leveling procedures. The methods and apparatus herein are especially useful in relatively arid areas because the controlled distribution achieved limits the quantity of water needed for effective irrigation.
Inventors
- 👤 D Fitzhugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:41
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/06; E; E02; E02B; E02B13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water, a main supply line connected to said source, and a plurality of feeder lines in flow communication with said main supply line; the combination which comprises a wick manifold in flow communication with each of said plurality of feeder lines; a chamber in said manifold of gradually increasing cross-section from its respective feeder line; said manifold chamber being packed with a fibrous mass; a water distributor in flow communication with said wick manifold; said water distributor having a chamber containing hydrophilic means for receiving, storing and distributing water received from said wick manifold; and the walls of said water distributor being foraminous for the gradual transfer of water from said hydrophilic means through said walls.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water, a main supply line connected to said source, and a plurality of feeder lines in flow communication with said main supply line; the combination which comprises a wick manifold in flow communication with each of said plurality of feeder lines; a chamber in said manifold of gradually increasing cross-section from its respective feeder line; said manifold chamber being packed with a fibrous mass; a water distributor in flow communication with said wick manifold; said water distributor having a chamber containing hydrophilic means for receiving, storing and distributing water received from said wick manifold; and the walls of said water distributor being foraminous for the gradual transfer of water from said hydrophilic means through said walls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said hydrophillic means in said water distributor chamber is selected from the group consisting of natural sponge, synthetic sponge, Bentonite clay and hydrogel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which a pump is disposed between said source and said main supply line for enhancing the movement of water from said source to said plurality of wick means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 which also includes an air bleeder valve at the end of said main supply line opposite said source, said valve being operative under air pressure in said main supply line to open and under water pressure in said main supply line to close.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 in which said fibrous mass is Nylon fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water, a main supply line connected to said source, and a plurality of feeder lines in flow communication with said main supply line; the combination which comprises a wick manifold connected to each of said plurality of feeder lines; each of said manifolds defining a chamber of gradually increasing cross-section from its respective feeder line; a hydrophobic fibrous mass packed into each of said wick manifold chambers; and hydrophillic water distribution means connected to each of said wick manifold chambers at the end thereof opposite said feeder for the gradual transfer of water from said water distribution means to adjacent soil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
In apparatus for irrigating land and having a source of water, a main supply line connected to said source, and a plurality of feeder lines in flow communication with said main supply line; the combination which comprises a wick manifold connected to each of said plurality of feeder lines; each of said manifolds defining a chamber of gradually increasing cross-section from its respective feeder line; a hydrophobic fibrous mass packed into each of said wick manifold chambers; and hydrophillic water distribution means connected to each of said wick manifold chambers at the end thereof opposite said feeder for the gradual transfer of water from said water distribution means to adjacent soil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 6 which also includes a water distributor, the interior of which is in flow communication means with said wick manifold chamber; said hydrophillic water distribution means being disposed in said water distributor; and the walls of said water distributor being foraminous for the gradual transfer of water therethrough from said hydrophillic means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 7 in which said hydrophillic water distribution means is selected from the group consisting of natural sponge, synthetic sponge, Bentonite clay, and hydrogel.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for irrigating a plot of land; the steps which comprise placing a supply line over said land; filling said supply line with water; passing said water through a plurality of spaced apart masses of hydrophobic fibrous material; collecting water from each of said masses in a separate hydrophillic mass; and distributing the water collected from said collecting step incrementally to the adjacent soil of said plot surrounding each of said hydrophillic masses.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for irrigating a plot of land; the steps which comprise placing a supply line over said land; filling said supply line with water; passing said water through a plurality of spaced apart masses of hydrophobic fibrous material; collecting water from each of said masses in a separate hydrophillic mass; and distributing the water collected from said collecting step incrementally to the adjacent soil of said plot surrounding each of said hydrophillic masses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 9 in which said hydrophobic mass is selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 9 in which said hydrophillic mass is selected from the group consisting of natural sponge, synthetic sponge, Bentonite clay and hydrogel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |