Patent GB-196683-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in controlling devices for apparatus for watering areas of land
IPC: A01G25/16
Filed: 1922-01-25
Abstract: 196,683. Elder, D. Jan. 25, 1922. Valves actuated automatically; fluid-actuating mechanism.-Spraying-devices that are arranged to distribute water over definite areas of ground for adjustable periods of time are supplied through a controlling device that automatically causes the watering operations to be repeated a. desired number of times. The controlling device comprises a cock 4 on the main supply pipe 3 provided with a plate 8 having arms connected to rods 13 attached to pistons 15, 11 working in cylinders 6, 7. A tube 33 leads from the inlet side of the pipe 3 to a cock 34 and thence through a regulating cock 35 and a pipe 34<a> to a pipe 36 that communicates with the cylinder 6. The cock 34 is operated through a ratchet connection each time the cock 4 is opened, and it may be set to such a position that the water passage through the pipe 33 is entirely shut off after a desired number of operations of the cock 4. On the outlet side of the pipe 3 a cylinder 53 containing an adjustable spring-pressed piston is communicated with by a short pipe 53a, this cylinder also being in communication, through a cock 59, with a pipe 60 to the cylinder 7. Levers 40, 51 secured to the arms on the plate 8 operate cocks 38, 39 on the pipe 36 and an outlet therefrom and cocks 46, 47 on a pipe 45<a> leading from the pipe 3 into the pipe 60 and an outlet from the pipe 60 respectively: the cocks 38, 39 are so arranged that when one is opened the other closes, but the cocks 46, 4'7 open and close together. In operation, if the cock 4 is closed and the piston 15 is at the lower end of the cylinder, water flows through the pipe 33, cock 34, to the pipe 36 and cylinder 6 at a rate regulated by the cock 35; the piston 15 rises, compressing a spring until the pressure is sufficient to trip an adjustable spring catch and rock the plate 8 opening the cock 4, moving the lever 40 to close the cock 38 and to open the cock 39, and operating the lever 51 to close both cocks 46, 47. The ratchet connection between the cocks 4 and 34 moves the latter one division towards its closed position. Water flows through the main pipe 3 to the spraying devices for a period determined by the action of the regulator controlling these devices; when the regulator operates to shut off the spraying devices the pressure in the pipe 3 rises, causing the piston in the cylinder 53 to be pushed back and the cock 59 opened; water thus passes through the pipe 60 to the cylinder 7, pushing up the piston 11 and closing the cock 4. The water supply to the cylinder 6 is now opened again and the operation is repeated. The drain cocks 39, 47 permit the water in the cylinders to escape after the pistons reach their highest positions. The regulator, for controlling the length of time the spraying device operates, comprises a cylinder 68, Fig. 5, divided into three compartments by a fixed partition 72 and a plunger 76. The pipe 3 communicates with the lower compartment 71 and so with the pipe 77 that feeds the sprayer; the pressure of the water in the compartment 71 slowly forces up the plunger 76 against the pressure of a spring 75 and of water contained in the middle compartment 70 that escapes through an adjustable aperture in the partition 72 into the upper compartment 69. The plunger 76 carries screws 87 on which are fitted springs 89 holding sliding brackets 88 from which hang chains attached to pivoted arms 81. A flap-valve 84 that closes a pipe 79 is loosely mounted on the arms and carries a plug valve 86 adapted to enter the inlet of the pipe 77. When the plunger has risen sufficiently to extend the chains 90, the flap valve is lifted and the plug valve 86 operated to close its pipe; the water then passes through the compartment 71 to the regulator for a second sprayer and thence to others. The last regulator is not provided with a pipe 79, and when the valve 86 on this regulator is operated the water pressure in the whole system rises; movement cf the plunger in the piston 53 of the repeating device is thus caused, and so the operation of the cock 47, which permits water to escape through the pipe 45<a> and the plungers 76, and the valves in the regulators to resume their initial positions. The regulators are fitted with ball valves to permit the water to return from the top to the middle compartments quickly and with drain cocks 92 for emptying purposes.