US 2006/0131220 A1 · Pressure regulator and filter for irrigation systems

Abstract

A control device for use with irrigation systems includes one or more of a solenoid-actuated valve, a pressure regulating valve, and a self-cleaning filter assembly. For example, the solenoid-actuated valve commands a small stream of control water to set the on/off condition of the irrigation system and to control a wiper used to clean the surface of a filter. The filter assembly is upstream from the solenoid-actuated valve and any pressure regulating valve and filters the flow of water to both, removing debris and particulate matter from a source of irrigation water. When the irrigation system is turned on by opening the solenoid-actuated valve, a control chamber in the self-cleaning filter assembly becomes pressurized in response to a flow of control water from the solenoid-actuated valve. The pressure drives a shaft which causes the wiper to scrape across the filter surface. During the stroke of the shaft, one or more grooves in the shaft provide a pathway for unfiltered water to remove particulate matter from the filter assembly. When the system is turned off, the control chamber depressurizes and a spring drives the shaft upward, scraping the filter screen in the opposite direction. Filtered water flows from the filter assembly to a conventional pressure regulating valve. The pressure regulating valve includes a lockout chamber and piston. When the solenoid-actuated valve is closed, a flow of control water pressurizes the lockout chamber and causes a flow valve in the pressure regulating valve to close, shutting down the irrigation system.

Claims41

Dependent claims

An apparatus for use in controlling fluid flow comprising:

a pressure regulator defining a first inlet, a first outlet and a first passageway extending therebetween and having a first valve and a first valve seat in the first passageway, the first valve being moveable into engagement with the first valve seat to close the first passageway to prohibit fluid flow therethrough and various other positions spaced from the first valve seat to regulate flow through the first valve seat;
a filter assembly defining a second inlet, a second outlet and a second passageway extending therebetween, the second outlet is in fluid communication with the first inlet of the pressure regulator to filter the fluid entering the pressure regulator, and having a filter element and a wiper engaging the filter element to clean the filter element;
and
a control device being in communication with the pressure regulator and the filter assembly and having at least two settings, a first setting causing the first valve to engage the first valve seat to prohibit fluid flow through the pressure regulator and to cause the wiper of the filter to wipe across the filter element in a first direction to clean the filter element, and a second setting permitting the valve to move away from the valve seat to permit and regulate flow through the pressure regulator and to cause the wiper to wipe across the filter element in a second direction to clean the filter element.

1 more element

An apparatus for use in controlling fluid flow comprising:

a pressure regulator defining a first inlet, a first outlet and a first passageway extending therebetween and having a first valve and a first valve seat in the first passageway, the first valve being moveable into engagement with the first valve seat to close the first passageway to prohibit fluid flow therethrough and various other positions spaced from the first valve seat to regulate flow through the first valve seat;
and
a control device being in communication with the pressure regulator and having at least two settings, a first setting causing the first valve to engage the first valve seat to prohibit fluid flow through the pressure regulator, and a second setting permitting the valve to move away from the valve seat to permit and regulate flow through the pressure regulator.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pressure regulator and filter for irrigation systems

Life of this patent

Pressure regulator and filter for irrigation systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims41