Patent Publication Number: US-6220293-B1

Title: Multiple outlets self-actuated irrigation valve

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/850,476 , filed May 5, 1997, entitled Multiple Outlets Self-Actuated Irrigation Valve now U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,052, which is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Reduction in cost and simplicity in design along with water and energy conservation has long been an objective to produce a valve for use in domestic landscaping and agricultural and environmental irrigation. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of valves and more specifically to a multi-ported irrigation valve having an indexing mechanism which opens each port sequentially after energizing momentarily, a three way solenoid valve controlled by a battery operated programmable timer. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Although the present invention may be suitable for use in a variety of applications to process different flowable fluids, it is however, adapted to be used as an automatic irrigation valve to divert water to different branches of an irrigation circuit. It has long been practiced to install an automatic sprinkler system for irrigation of residential, commercial, public and private parks and gulf courses. These sprinkler valves are well-known art, despite differences in their construction, they virtually comprise of two major members called the solenoid operated valves and a programmable timer. Majority of these valves are of diaphragm-actuated type and the driving timers are of crystal display types which normally operate with a 115 V. 60 Hz. Power source. Most diaphragm-actuated valves operate by applying inlet pressure through a restricted orifice into a chamber on one side of the diaphragm which acts against the diaphragm and causes the closure of the valve. When the solenoid is energized, the pressurized chamber is connected to exhaust and the valve opens. In some prior art the use of a latching or double solenoid has been employed for momentary application of power to control the position of the diaphragm thereby making the use of a battery operated timer possible. The disadvantageous features of these conventional approach are presented by the following U.S. patents that are relevant to the present invention: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,591,126 Hauser 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,955 Gustav 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,419 Sturman et al. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,280 The ARO Corporation 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,591,126 to Hauser is directed to a diaphragm-actuated valve which operates by energizing a single solenoid. The disadvantages of this valve are it requires power to be maintained during the watering period and that each valve is capable of supplying water to a limited number of sprinkler heads only. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,955 to Gustav is directed to a single valve having two single solenoids, one opens and one closes the valve in tandem. This arrangement eliminates the requirements for continuous power supply and makes the use of battery operated timer possible, however, its disadvantages are that it requires two solenoids per valve and each valve can only supply flow to a limited number of sprinkler heads. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,419 to Struman et al is directed to a diaphragm-actuated valve which uses a battery operated controller to operate one or several valves in sequence. The disadvantages of this valve is that a group of similar valves are required to irrigate a large area and each of them must be wired in serial order to the previous valve. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,280 to The ARO Corporation is directed to a diaphragm-actuated valve which is normally closed due to the action of inlet pressure on one side of the diaphragm. When the solenoid or pilot operated exhaust is actuated, the valve opens and allows the fluid to flow. The disadvantages are that in an irrigation system, several of these valves are required to be assembled and wired to a timer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes all of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. The advantageous features of the present inventions can be summarized as follow: This valve incorporate several disk valves inside a single housing located in radial pattern. Each disk valve is independently operable both manually or automatically and can be adjusted for flow rate relative to one another from outside of the housing. Automatic operation is sequential and is controlled by a battery operated programmable timer which generates a square pulse signal in a predetermined time intervals to energize momentarily a three way solenoid valve. When energized, the solenoid valve allows hydraulic pressure to actuate an indexing mechanism which by its interference action with a valve arm causes each disk valve to slide open in sequential order. 
     The present invention also provides a clearly advantageous unitary irrigation valve using a single solenoid and a built-in programmable timer which eliminates further wiring and manifolding in the field. As a result, this unique valve substantially reduces the costs of installing an irrigation system as compared to prior art system. Furthermore, the present invention uses several of the identical parts and has less total parts count and uses established manufacturing methods to produce, thereby significantly reducing the complexity of the overall system for ease of manufacturing, installation and maintenance. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved multi-ported automatic valve primarily adapted for use in irrigation application which overcomes and significantly reduces the noted disadvantages of the prior art. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to house several disk valves located in a radial pattern into a single and common housing with each disk valve being fully independent of one another and operable in both, manual and automatic mode. 
     It is still an additional object of the present invention to use a 3 way solenoid valve, momentarily energized, to allow fluid to enter the piston end of a cylinder and utilize the main inlet fluid pressure to cause a predetermined linear stroke of the piston rod. 
     It is still an additional object of the present invention to convert the linear displacement of the piston rod into a predetermined degree of rotational movement of an indexing arm. 
     It is still an additional object of the present invention to utilize the rotational movement of the indexing arm to cause opening of several disk valves within the fluid housing in sequential order. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide adjustment to control flow rate and manually operate each valve external to valve housing. 
     It is still an additional object of the present invention to use a spring return mechanism to return the disk valve to its original position and to cover the opening for stoppage of fluid flow through the outlet port. 
     It is still an additional object of the present invention to provide an integrated, pre-wired, battery operated programmable timer to control the operation of the valve. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be more fully understood hereinafter as a result of a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric diagram of an prior art sprinkler system including valves, solenoids, timer, power regulation transformer and wiring; 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the present invention showing solar cells as alternate power supply; 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the present invention with programmable timer assembly opened; 
     FIG. 4 provides a view of the indexing mechanism with cut-away view of the disk valve assembly; 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 provide enlarged views of the disk valve in closed and open positions; 
     FIG. 7 provide an exploded view of assembling the indexing mechanism to the valve housing assembly; 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the valve housing and the indexing assembly; and 
     FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the valve housing and the indexing mechanism illustrating its operation; 
     FIG. 10 provide an exploded view of the valve housing assembly; and 
     FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the valve assembly; 
     FIG. 12 provide an exploded view of the disk valve cover assembly; and 
     FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the valve cover assembly; 
     FIGS. 14 through 16 provide exploded and assembly views of the disk valve; 
     FIGS. 17 and 18 are isometric and cross-sectional views of the indexing mechanism; 
     FIGS. 19 and 20 provide views of the path loop for a full index cycle. 
     FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the indexer; and 
     FIGS. 22 and 23 are isometric and cross-sectional views of indexer assembly; 
     FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly; 
     FIG. 25 provide a view of the plunger assembly; and 
     FIGS. 26 and 27 are isometric and cross-sectional views of the hydraulic cylinder assembly; 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Present Invention Drawing Reference Numerals 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Part Name 
                 Part Name 
                 Part Name 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 30 center boss 
                 74 clearance holes 
                 118 pin 
               
               
                 32 inlet port 
                 76 counter bore 
                 120 fork 
               
               
                 34 “O” rings 
                 78 cross hole 
                 122 hole 
               
               
                 36 cross cuts 
                 80 “O” rings 
                 124 grip 
               
               
                 38 tap holes 
                 82 retaining rings 
                 126 shaft 
               
               
                 40 counter bores 
                 84 “O” ring 
                 128 shaft base 
               
               
                 42 outlet ports 
                 86 Male thread 
                 130 slots 
               
               
                 44 inter outlets space 
                 88 solenoid 
                 132 groove 
               
               
                 46 lower housing 
                 90 vent port 
                 134 shaft shank 
               
               
                 48 clearance holes 
                 92 lead wires 
                 136 flats 
               
               
                 50 housing floor 
                 94 valve cover assembly 
                 138 thread 
               
               
                 52 seal surface 
                 96 Not Used 
                 140 “O” ring 
               
               
                 54 socket hole 
                 98 N/U 
                 142 plug 
               
               
                 56 screws 
                 100 valve housing assembly 
                 144 plug top surface 
               
               
                 58 “O” ring 
                 102 N/U 
                 146 hole 
               
               
                 60 housing cover 
                 104 N/U 
                 148 spring hole 
               
               
                 62 holes 
                 106 hook 
                 150 handle 
               
               
                 64 counter bores 
                 108 pin 
                 152 spring 
               
               
                 66 seal seats 
                 110 disk 
                 154 lower spring leg 
               
               
                 68 grooves 
                 112 seal 
                 156 upper spring leg 
               
               
                 70 solenoid cavity tap 
                 114 pin hole 
                 158 holding hole 
               
               
                 72 blind tap 
                 116 shaft 
                 160 valve arm 
               
               
                 162 wire hole 
                 206 vertical flank 
                 250 slot 
               
               
                 164 adjusting slot 
                 208 crown 
                 252 rod 
               
               
                 166 acorn nut 
                 210 tap hole 
                 254 spring 
               
               
                 168 screws 
                 212 indexer cover 
                 256 cylinder 
               
               
                 170 outlet connection 
                 214 notch 
                 258 hole 
               
               
                 172 inlet connection 
                 216 groove 
                 260 groove 
               
               
                 174 orifice 
                 218 clearance hole 
                 262 tap 
               
               
                 176 fluid chamber 
                 220 bearing balls 
                 264 tap 
               
               
                 178 tap 
                 222 thrust washer 
                 266 hole 
               
               
                 180 sgroove 
                 224 clearance notch 
                 268 pad 
               
               
                 182 plunger seal 
                 226 clearance hole 
                 270 flanged pins 
               
               
                 184 drain tube 
                 228 clearance hole 
                 272 indexer pin 
               
               
                 186 piston cavity 
                 230 indexing arm 
                 274 flange 
               
               
                 188 solenoid cavity 
                 232 clearance hole 
                 276 rod pin 
               
               
                 190 protective cover 
                 234 screw 
                 277 guide bracket 
               
               
                 192 screws 
                 236 indexer cross-section 
                 278 vertical walls 
               
               
                 194 flange 
                 238 indexer assembly 
                 279 guide loop 
               
               
                 196 Not Used 
                 240 retaining ring 
                 280 lower pin stop 
               
               
                 198 N/U 
                 242 seal ring 
                 282 lower guide ramp 
               
               
                 200 disk valve assembly 
                 244 piston 
                 284 return guide side 
               
               
                 202 indexer 
                 246 groove 
                 286 upper pin stop 
               
               
                 204 ramp 
                 248 spring seat 
                 288 upper guide ramp 
               
               
                 290 indexing guide side 
               
               
                 292 notch 
               
               
                 294 hole 
               
               
                 296 screws 
               
               
                 298 plunger assembly 
               
               
                 300 indexing mechanism 
               
               
                 302 set screw 
               
               
                 304 spring 
               
               
                 306 plunger 
               
               
                 308 counter bore 
               
               
                 310 lower bearing balls 
               
               
                 312 cylinder inside diameter 
               
               
                 314 groove 
               
               
                 316 cylinder cross-section view 
               
               
                 318 cylinder assembly view 
               
               
                 320 index mech. cross-sec. 
               
               
                 322 screw 
               
               
                 324 piston strokes 
               
               
                 326 index angle 
               
               
                 328 “O” ring 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIG.  1 . There is shown an exemplary installation of the prior art comprising a common inlet pipe  2  with several diaphragm actuated valves  4 , each operated by a solenoid  6  allowing flow through outlet  8  when controlled by a timer  10  and powered by a step-down transformer  12 . 
     In the present invention there are no exposed electrical connections and as shown in FIGS. 2,  3  and  4 , a plurality of disk valve assemblies  200 , are packaged in a unitary valve housing  100 , and a three-way solenoid  88  is connected to a timer  400  by lead wire  92 . These features of the valve provide substantial advantages over the prior art. 
     The present invention as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a valve-housing assembly  100 , a plurality of disk valve assemblies  200 , an indexing mechanism  300  and a timer assembly  400 . A protective cover  190  with the timer assembly  400  being hinged thereon is mounted to the valve-housing assembly  100  by screws  192 . It will be understood that the timer per se does not form a part of the present invention but is disclosed herein for purpose of fully describing the manner in which the present invention operates with such a timer. As seen in FIG. 4, the present invention comprises a hydraulically actuated indexing mechanism  300 , a plurality of disk valve assemblies  200 , a valve-housing assembly  100  and a three-way solenoid valve  88 . The indexing mechanism as shown in FIG. 7, is joined to the valve-housing assembly using screws  168  with an “O” ring seal  328  and is oriented so that under no operating condition, its indexing arm  230  is in “home position”. As shown in FIG.  8  and SECTION  1 — 1  in FIG. 9, the indexing mechanism as will be described in detail in a second embodiment disclosed herein, is mounted concentrically to the valve-housing assembly  100 . 
     Reference will now be made to FIG. 10 and 11 for a more detailed description of the various parts comprising the valve-housing assembly  100  as shown in FIG.  11 . More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, a lower housing  46  receives a valve cover assembly  94  with an “O” ring  58  and number of smaller “O” rings  34  to provide hydraulic seal between mating surfaces  52  and  40 . As seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, a number of appropriately sized screws  56  are threaded into an equal number of appropriately deepened taps  178  through clearance holes  48  to provide mechanical integration and hydraulic sealing as the “O” ring  58  fills the seal groove  180  and the “o” rings  34  seat in counter bores  40 . As seen further in FIG. 10, the lower housing  46  has a common inlet port  32  centrally located relative to a raised boss  30  having cross cuts  36  and blind tap holes  38  concentric with counter bores  40 . A plurality of outlet ports  42  equally spaced in a pre-determined radial pattern are machined through the floor and flushed smoothly to floor surface  50 . Furthermore, corresponding to each outlet port  42 , and in a specific relation to it, there is a blind counter bore  54  located on the surface floor  50  to receive a shaft base  128  shown in FIG. 14, when assembly  100  in FIG. 10 is made. 
     Referring now to FIG. 12 an exploded view is shown for a more detailed description of the components comprising the valve-cover assembly  94  as shown in FIG.  13 . As seen in FIG. 12 and 13, two of the principle components of the present invention are a disk valve assembly  200  and a three-way solenoid valve  88  that are assembled to a housing cover  60 . A plurality of equally spaced holes  62  concentric with counter bores  64  are machined in a predetermined radial pattern into a disk plate which makes the housing cover  60 . A′ the bottom of the counter bore  64 , a ledge or a seat  66  is formed between the counter bore diameter and hole  62 . A retaining ring groove  68  of predetermined size is machined on the inside diameter of counter bore. A solenoid cavity tap  70  receives an “O” ring  84  and male till thread  86  of solenoid  88 . The disk valve assembly  200 , in a pre-defined orientation, is placed into the counter bore, after an “O” ring  80  is placed on seal seat  66 . A retaining ring  82  then, secures the disk valve assembly by placing it into groove  68  and over lapping plug top surface  144 . An additional counter bore  76  and plurality of clearance holes  74  are provided for subsequent assembly of the indexing mechanism  300 . Tap holes  72  are provided to mount protective cover  190  as shown in FIG.  3 . Further more, referring simultaneously to FIGS. 9 and 12, a cross hole  78  connects a piston cavity  186  to a solenoid cavity  188  for bi-directional fluid flow each time the solenoid operates. 
     Reference will now be made to FIG. 14,  15  and  16  for a detailed description of components comprising the disk valve assembly  200 . By referring to the exploded view in FIG. 14, it will be observed that a disk  110  having a hole  114  through a shaft  116  and a round seal ring  112  as shown in a cut-away view in FIG.16, is assembled to a fork  120  through hole  122  using a pin  118 . Further more, shaft  126  having several features including a base  128 , slot cuts  130  on both sides, a groove  132 , a shank  134 , flats  136  on both sides and threaded end  138 , receives fork grabs  124  through slot cuts  130 . Shaft  126  is also adapted to receive an “O” ring  140  into groove  132  before it is inserted through hole  146  of plug  142 . In addition, the plug  142  has a finished top surface  144  a handle  150  with a hole  148  to receive lower leg  154  of a spring  152 . An upper leg  156  of the spring  152  is inserted into a hole  162  of valve arm  160 . The valve Arm has an elongated slot  164  to drop on shaft flats  136  which will be secured to the shaft by an acorn nut  166 . An additional hole  158  is provided to keep the disk valve assembly in open position during manual operation. Further observation of FIGS. 16 and 15 reveals that the disk valve assembly can easily be installed in a pre-determined orientation through the hole  62  of FIG. 12 with shaft base  128  placed in counter bore  54  in FIG.  10 . 
     A SECOND EMBODIMENT 
     Reference will now be made to FIG. 17 which illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention in which an indexing mechanism  300  is further comprised of an indexer assembly  238  as shown in FIG. 22 and a cylinder assembly  318  as shown in FIG. 26 joined by screws  322 . Further more, SECTION  2 — 2  in FIG. 18, shows indexing mechanism cross-section  320  comprising of indexer cross-section  236  as shown by section  3 — 3  of FIG.  23  and the cylinder assembly cross-section as shown in SECTION 
       4 — 4  in FIG.  27 . More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 the indexing mechanism converts a predefined linear motion  324  into a corresponding angular motion  326  of an actuating arm  230  as shown in FIG.  23 . 
     Referring now to the exploded view in FIG. 21, more detailed description of the components comprising the indexer assembly will be provided. 
     As seen in FIG. 21 the present invention comprises a cup shaped circular indexer  202  having a plurality of serration of a specific geometry with a ramp  204 , a vertical flank  206  a radiused crown  208  and tap holes  210  of specific orientation located on top. Further more, a hat shaped indexer cover  212  having similar grooves  216  on top and bottom sides of flange  194  to receive bearing balls  220 . In addition, a plurality of notches  214 , equally spaced, are made on the flange outside diameter and clearance holes  218  are located on top with the same orientation as tap holes  210  in the indexer  202 . As seen further in FIG. 21, a thrust washer  222  having an even number of clearance notches  224  and mounting holes  228  with a clearance hole  226  slides over the indexer cover resting on the bearing balls  220 . An indexing arm  230  having clearance holes  232  is aligned with tile indexer tap holes and is secured in place by screws  234 . FIGS. 22 and 23 provide an isometric view  238  and cross-sectional view  236  of the indexer assembly. 
     Reference will now be made to FIGS. 24 through 27 for a detailed description of tile components comprising cylinder assembly  316  of the invention. By referring to FIGS. 24 and 27 simultaneously, it can be observed that a cylinder  256  is fabricated having an inside diameter  312 , a counter bore  308 , a groove  314  on the inside diameter, an additional groove  260 , a clearance hole  258 , mounting tap holes  262  on mounting pad  268 , an even number of tap holes  264  and clearance holes  266  corresponding to the number of clearance notches  224  and holes  228  on thrust washer  222  shown in FIG. 21  . As also seen in FIG. 24, a piston  244  having a rod  252 , spring seat  248 , a groove  246  and slot  250  is adapted to fit inside cylinder  256  with a spring  254  placed around the rod  252  and after an “O” ring  242  is placed in groove  246 . A retaining ring  240  is placed into groove  314  provide a pre determined bias force on spring  254  and keeps slot  250  in a predetermined position relative to top of pad  268 . Further more, a guide bracket  277  having a clearance hole  294 , notche  292  at 180 degree apart, and two vertical walls  278  each having a guide loop  279  machined opposite of one another. Details of the guide loop  279  is further described as having a lower pin stop  280 , a lower ramp  282 , a return guide side  284 , an upper pin stop  286 , an upper ramp  288  and an indexing guide side  290 . As seen in FIGS. 24 and 27, The guide bracket  277  is mounted to cylinder pad  268  secured by screws  296 . At this position, the center of the lower pin stops  280  coincides with the centers of the elongated slot  250  in rod  252  and pins  276  of flanged pins  270  are inserted from both guide loops  279  in vertical walls  278  into rod slot  250 . The flanges  274  control insertion depth of pins  276  thereby preventing interference at the center of the rod slot. During subsequent assembly of indexer assembly  236  in FIG. 23 to cylinder assembly  316  in FIG. 27, pins  272  of flanged pins  270  will be located directly below the ramps  204  of indexer  202  in a specific way as shown in FIG.  19 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 25 there is shown a detail of an plunger assembly  298  comprising of a hallow set screw  302 , a spring  304  and a plunger  306 . As seen in FIG. 18, the plunger  306  engages the notch  214  of indexer cap  212  in FIG. 21, thus preventing free rotating of the indexer assembly  236 . 
     OPERATION OF INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the initial state of the indexing arm  230  is shown at home position and the disk  110  is in closed position covering outlet port  42 . As seen further in SECTION  1 — 1  of FIG. 9, pressurized fluid enters through inlet connection  172  filling fluid chamber  176  by passing through cross-cuts  36  in FIG. 10. a plunger seal  182  of the three-way solenoid valve  88  is spring biased against orifice  174  preventing flow of pressurized fluid while allowing piston cavity  186  to be vented through cross-hole  78  to solenoid cavity  188  passing further through a vent hole  90  into drain tube  184 . 
     Cycling starts by energizing solenoid valve  88  for a specific time period during which orifice  174  opens while vent hole  90  closes thus allowing pressurized fluid to enter piston cavity  186  via solenoid cavity  188  and cross hole  78 , developing sufficient force to cause linear displacement of the piston by a predetermined stroke  324  as shown in FIG.  19 . FIGS. 19 and 20 demonstrate further the dynamic sequencing of converting the linear stroke  324  into rotational index angle  326 . More specifically, as the piston rod  252  moves flanged pins  270  in vertical direction along the indexing guide side  290 , it will engage pins  272  with ramps  204  and causes the indexer  202  to rotate. Rotation continues as pins  270  follow upper ramps  288  while moving horizontally toward the center of the slot  250  until the radiused crown  208  of the indexer is aligned with the upper pin stop  286  of the loop guide  279  as shown in FIG.  20 . FIG. 20 illustrates return stroke path of the flanged pins  270  forced by the compression spring disk connected within said chamber, in an eccentric relation to said shaft, and external to said plug, an adjustable arm is attached to said shaft to provide sliding motion of said disk over said outlet  254  in FIG.  18 . This return is initiated when the solenoid  88  in FIG. 9 is deenergized, causing orifice  174  to close and allowing fluid from piston cavity  186  to be vented through the drain tube  184 . As seen in FIG. 20, pins are guided by return guide side  284  and vertical flank  206  of the indexer  202 . Pins are further guided by lower ramps  282  until they are returned to lower pin stop  280  thus completing an incremental index. This action is repeated each time the solenoid is energized and then de-energized within a specific time period. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, it will be seen that as the indexing arm  230  completes an incremental index, it causes mechanical interference with the valve arm  160  and causes the shaft  126  of disk valve assembly  200  in FIG. 16, to pivot in the counter bore hole  54  shown in FIG. 10, thereby rotating disk  110  over the housing floor  50  to the inter-outlets space  44  allowing full opening of the outlet port  42  for fluid flow through outlet connection  170  shown in FIG.  9 . As shown further in FIG. 6, an adjusting slot  164  in valve arm  160  allows the amount of interference with the indexing arm to be adjusted, thereby controlling the valve opening from zero to full position for variable flow rate. As seen in FIG. 6 Disk  110  remains in this condition until the next incremental index is initiated by the timer signal to the solenoid. Once the indexing arm  230  disengages valve arm  160 , a torsion spring  152  returns disk  110  to its original closed position as shown in FIG. 5 thereby stopping flow from flowing through port  42  and outlet connection  170 . Sequential operation of each disk valve proceeds in this manner until the indexing arm is returned to its home position and waits for the next cycle to be initiated. As seen in FIG. 16, at any time between or during cycles, a rotatable hook  106  can be placed around pin  108  to keep valve in open position thereby making manual operation of each valve possible. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION 
     In conclusion, the object of this invention is that by replacing the prior art with the present invention a more compact and energy efficient irrigation system which requires less manufactured parts and takes less time to assemble and install in the field. By maintaining its principle of operation while changing material of construction, this valve can be adapted for use in processing other liquid chemicals used in the fluid handling industry. In addition, the number of the valve outlets can vary from three to multitude of ports, with port size variation from fraction of an inch to several inches in diameter for large fluid handling projects. Additional safety features can be incorporated into this valve such as, adding another battery operated automatic shut-off valve to the main inlet line which opens at the beginning of each cycle and closes at the end of total cycle time. This valve will use the same timer circuitry but different batteries to operate it. Yet another option is to provide an anti siphoning valve at the main inlet port or provide individual ones at each outlet ports. 
     Although preferred embodiments and the best mode operation of of the present invention have been disclosed in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, it will now be understood that various modifications may be made to the specific configurations and components disclosed herein, but that all such changes are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention which is to be limited only by the appended claims: