Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a sprinkler apparatus (5) and related methods for the distribution of fluid. The invention preferably includes a nozzle (10) rotably driven by a pressurized flow of fluid along a fluid path (15). The invention preferably includes a housing (50) separating a magnetic drag coupling assembly (55) from the fluid path (15). The coupling assembly (55) preferably includes spaced apart magnets (60, 65) configured to exert an attractive force on each other to rotate one magnet (65) in response to the rotation of the other magnet (60), and a resistive/drag force (66) to oppose the continuous rotation of the nozzle (10). Pressure offsetting structures (120, 75) minimize or even neutralize the upward/downward forces that the flowing fluid otherwise would exert on the rotating shaft assembly (32).
Abstract:
A multizone irrigation system (230A) includes a central control unit (300) having a central control system (60) interfaced with a central valve (302) and a central communication unit (e.g., a pressure sensor 304). The central valve regulates water flow for irrigation from a water source and can lower water pressure in the pipes using output (301). The central communication unit is constructed to transmit or receive pressure based communication signals providing irrigation information. Each zone includes a sprinkler control unit (2311, 2312 ...231N) including a sprinkler connected to a water pipe for irrigation. Each sprinkler control unit includes a local controller (235) interfaced with a local valve (250) for controlling water flow to the sprinkler. The sprinkler control unit also includes a local communication unit (e.g., a pressure sensor 239) constructed to receive communication signals from the central communication unit and provide received irrigation information to the local controller.
Abstract:
A water delivery device used, for example, for controlling moisture in a plant growing medium or for a water purification device; the device comprises a water vapor permeable non porous hydrophilic membrane of a polymer blend of one or more thermoplastic polyether-ester polymer(s) and a liquid crystalline thermotropic polyester; and wherein the membrane has a water vapor transmission rate of at least 400 g/m /24 hrs measured according to ASTM F-1249 -90 on a film 3 mils (76.2 microns) thick using air at 30°C and 100% relative humidity at a velocity of 3 m/s and the polymer blend has a linear expansion of less than 7% measured on a fully hydrated film of the polymer blend; whereby an aqueous liquid comprising water is placed in contact with the membrane and water passes through the membrane by pervaporation to, for example, a plant growing medium thereby controlling the moisture in the medium or water can be collected and used as purified water.
Abstract:
The invention discloses a hollow conduit including a cylindrical wall with protrusion portions, on which provided with a groove having through-hole for outflow, and a water-saving irrigating device comprised of the conduit and a baffle-piece, which is mounted in the groove. There is a gap between the baffle-piece and the groove. The conduit can be used to feed both water and gas. Water inside of the conduit can seepage and vaporize into the soil through the gap. The invention, which possess advantages of simple structure, easy to manufacture and lay out, high efficiency of irrigating and saving water, quantitative controlling of irrigating water, especially adapts to hot desert areas where lack of water.
Abstract:
A modular green roof system includes modular panels (10) providing a surrounded space suitable for supporting live plant and adapted for installing onto a roof deck in side-b-side positioning while allowing water flow on the roof thereunder. The panels are installed with growing medium and greenery, and are releasably connected in a non-progressive manner that permits removal of a surrounded panel without disturbing the adjacent panels. The panels are further adapted to be pre-seeded prior to delivery to the roof site, and delivered in either a preserved condition or a germinated condition; and are adapted for connection to an edge finishing/edge termination system (46) and support structure to enable provision of non-panel areas of the green roof, and above-panel structures.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an absorbent article such as a diaper, a training pant, an adult incontinence article, a bed mat, or the like which is capable of evenly storing urine in a first storage region and in a second storage region. In particular, the fraction of the amount of liquid stored in the first storage region to the amount of liquid stored in the second storage region remains relatively unchanged over a wide range of loadings of the article. The present invention further provides a process for handling urine in the absorbent article which comprises a step of storing liquid in a first storage region and of storing liquid in a second storage region such that the ratio of the amount of liquid stored in the first storage region to the amount of liquid stored in the second storage region remains relatively constant over a wide range of loadings of the article.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for handling body liquids comprising a step of transporting the body liquid by siphoning. The present invention also relates to devices which carry out such processes. The present invention further relates to devices for handling body liquids comprising a liquid transport member which is substantially geometrically saturated with liquid.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a liquid handling member that expands upon absorption of body liquid and contracts upon desorption of the body liquid. The liquid handling member of the present invention further exhibits an 80 percent absorption time of less than 2 seconds. The present invention further provides a device for handling body liquids which comprises the liquid handling member of the present invention.
Abstract:
A drainage and irrigation system (10) for draining and irrigating an athletic field (12) utilizes a plurality of underground sensors (42) which sense the water level (122) above a water impermeable barrier (52) which isolates the field (12) from the graded earth (50) located below. The system (10) cooperates with a flow network (14) located above the barrier (50) and within a sand fill layer (54) which in turn supports a natural turf surface (56) thereabove. The system (10) also cooperates with a gravity drainage subsystem (15), a vaccum-assisted drainage subsystem (27) and an irrigation subsystem (246). The drainage and irrigation system (10) includes a controller (46) operatively connected to the sensors (42) and the three subsystems (15, 27, 246) to activate one of the three subsystems, or none of the subsystems, depending on the sensed water level (122) with respect to the barrier (52). The system (10) coordinates operation of the subsystems (15, 27, 246) to maintain a desired level of water (122) in the fill layer (54) above the barrier (52).
Abstract:
A system and method is disclosed for distributing greywater to a soil bed without significant erosion of the soil bed. An interior tube (12) defining at least one aperture (18) is disposed within an exterior tube (20). The interior tube and the exterior tube are immersed in a soil bed (30) for aerobic decomposition of greywater (32) discharged from the greywater distribution apparatus (34) into the soil bed (30). The apertures (18) of the interior tube (12) are sealed from the soil bed when greywater is not being discharged into the soil bed. Directing greywater into the interior tube at a sufficient pressure causes greywater within the interior tube (12) to be directed through the apertures (18). The exterior tube (20) baffles the flow of greywater through the apertures, thereby diminishing the velocity of the greywater. The greywater then passes between the interior tube and the exterior tube and is discharged from the exterior tube through a slot (22) which extends along a substantial portion of the exterior tube (20). The greywater is thereby discharged from the greywater distributionapparatus at a velocity and a flow rate which is sufficiently slow to prevent significant erosion of the soil bed.