DESC:
[0020] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0021] The present invention discloses an effective apparatus and method for de-clogging the water emitters from debris and salts without the use of any chemical and in an environment friendly manner.
[0022] Accordingly, a novel green technology using the proprietary Reddy Tube, in which a strong blast of air is generated using a fast-acting valve which is directed in to the clogged water filled lateral pipes. This short duration pressure pulse travelling through the pipe exerts dynamic pressure on the walls of the irrigation pipes, which results in blowing out the salt deposits blocking the emitter holes.
[0023] Shock waves are a type of propagating disturbance that moves faster than the local speed of sound in the medium. Like an ordinary wave, a shock wave carries energy and can propagate through a medium but is characterized by an abrupt, nearly discontinuous, change in pressure, temperature, and density of the medium.
[0024] Drip irrigation is commonly used to supply irrigation to landscaping and crops. Drip irrigation emitters are generally known in the art for use in delivering irrigation water to a precise point at a predetermined and relatively low flow rate, thereby conserving water. The drip emitter taps a portion of the relatively high pressure irrigation water from a supply tube for flow through a typically long tortuous flow duct path to achieve a desired pressure drop prior to discharge at a target trickle or drip flow rate.
[0025] In a conventional system, a large number of drip emitters are mounted at selected positions along the length of the irrigation supply tube to deliver the irrigation water to a large number of specific points, such as directly to a plurality of individual plants. More specifically, a number of drip emitters are fitted into a conduit and spaced apart at appropriate distances depending on the desired amount of irrigation. Each emitter includes an inlet to receive water flowing through the conduit, an outlet to emit water from the conduit at a specific rate for irrigation, and a body member intermediate-the inlet and the outlet and that defines the flow duct path.
[0026] It has however ben observed that pressure compensating drip emitters may get clogged during operation when they are exposed to water with contaminants. Organic agents and grit, such as algae, also can clog up an emitter and cause the emitter to be unusable. Algae can accumulate in the emitter path both as a result of entering with the water and from growth inside the emitter. Thus, even if the flow path through the emitter is sufficient to pass grit along, it may not pass the grit if algae is present. With routine use, the emitters in the pipes get clogged due to gradual salt deposition. This necessitates the use of an acid, typically HCL, to clear the pipes, which is quite successful in clearing up the deposits on the outside of the emitter, but those on the inside remain clogged. This proposed invention aims to address this shortcoming and to eliminate the use of the environmentally unsafe acid cleaning procedure

[0027] FIG.1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the Automated Reddy Tube facility proposed for de-clogging of the emitters in the drip irrigation pipes according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to the embodiment, the proposed invention comprises of an automated Reddy tube embedding high speed valve (HSV) (101) separating the high pressure driver tube (102) from a short length of atmospheric pressure drip irrigation tube (103). After a length of about 500 mm the drip irrigation tube (103) is filled with water. Further, the driver tube (102) is filled with compressed air (104) from an air compressor. The fast acting valve or the high speed valve (HSV) (101) which opens in <2 ms is then actuated, leading to the generation of a blast wave travelling in to the water filled drip irrigation tube (103) with clogged emitters. A short duration pressure pulse following the blast wave now travels through the length of the pipe (103) and pushes the salt/scale deposits blocking the emitter holes.
[0028] FIG.2 illustrates a schematic diagram of electrically activated High Speed Valve (HSV) used for the generation of train of blast waves according to an embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the High Speed Valve (HSV) (101) when actuated, the movable part (201) shown in Figure 2 retracts quickly to create a blast of air in the drip irrigation pipe (102). The production of continuous train of blast waves is directed through the length of the pipe (102) which pushes out the salt/scale deposits blocking the emitter holes.
[0029] It is to be understood that the air blast will have a maximum pressure of 5 bar in the system. The fill pressure in the shock tube will be in the range of 5-20 bar. Hence the technique which involves use of air blast to de-clog the drip irrigation pipes comprises of:
a. Automated hand operated shock tube called Reddy Tube
b. A Fast acting valve
c. Production of continuous train of blast waves

[0030] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. ,CLAIMS:I/WE CLAIM:
1. A shock wave assisted drip pipe declogger, the device comprising:
a fast acting valve or a High Speed Valve (101),
high pressure driver tube (102) coupled to the High Speed Valve (101) on the receiving end,
the High Speed Valve (101) coupled in between the high pressure driver tube (102) at one end and the drip irrigation tube (102) on the other end;
wherein, the high pressure driver tube (102) coupled to the High Speed Valve (101) is filled with compressed air (103) and the High Speed Valve (101) is actuated to allow the open the High Speed Valve (101) for less than 2ms, which leads to the generation of blast wave travelling in to the water filled drip irrigation tube (103) with clogged emitters and the shock wave pressured water pushes out the salt/scale deposits blocking the emitter holes.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the High Speed Valve (101) is electrically activated to for the generation of train of blast waves.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the High Speed Valve (HSV) (101) when actuated, the movable part (201) retracts quickly to create a blast of air in the drip irrigation pipe (102).
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein blast of air generated does not exceed 5 bar.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein fill pressure in the shock tube will be in the range of 5-20 bar