INJECTOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] Embodiments of the invention relate to an injector in particular for use in irrigation applications.

BACKGROUND

[002] In irrigation applications it is common to inject substances such as fertilizers, soil amendments, and other water-soluble products into liquid supplied by irrigation systems. One common method for injecting substances into an irrigation system may be by use of a venturi injector that utilizes pressure in the irrigation system to create a low pressure zone, or vacuum, at its entry port in order to draw substances into the pressurized water line in the system.

[003] Fig. 1 schematically shows a known venturi injector 10 coupled to an irrigation system, possibly to an upstream portion of the system. Injector 10 receives an incoming pressurized liquid stream from a liquid source 3 upstream. The pressurized liquid as indicated by dotted arrow 5 flows, possibly via an incoming conduit 13, towards and passed injector 10 sucking in substances 14 via an entry port 12 of the injector 10 to be joined to the liquid stream flowing downstream. The liquid stream exiting injector 10 marked by dotted arrow 7 flows, via a possibe conduit 15, to a downstream portion 9 of the irrigation system where it can be emitted to the ambient environment.

[004] A pressure drop over the venturi injector 10 is required in order to form the suitable low pressure zone or vacuum at the venturi's entry port 12. By way of an example, a given venturi injector having an incoming pressure Pi may exhibit an outgoing pressure Po equal e.g. to about 70% of Pi in order to start forming a low pressure zone or vacuum Ps at the venturi's entry port suitable for sucking substances into the liquid stream.

[005] Thus, in the designing of an irrigation system such pressure loss needs to be taken into consideration in determining the required incoming pressure of the system. For example, if the required outgoing pressure Po entering the downstream portion 9 of the system is about 1 bar for irrigation purposes; then following the above example, an appropriate incoming pressure Pi to injector 10 would need to be about 1.4 bar in order to form the low pressure zone or vacuum Ps at the venturi's entry port. Consequently, such system would require an irrigation pump capable of producing a higher incoming pressure to injector 10, which may increase the cost and/or energy consumption of the irrigation system.

SUMMARY

[006] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

[007] A main aspect of the invention relates to providing an injector or injector system/device suitable for inserting substances into fluid flowing through an irrigation system that exhibits relatively low pressure losses.

[008] In at least certain embodiments this may be provided by the injector/injector-system/injector-device two venturi members arranged to cooperate one with the other. In an example, an injector/injector-system/injector-device may include a main venturi member and an intake venturi member, wherein the main venturi is arranged to insert and communicate substances into the intake venturi.

[009] Each one of the main and intake venturi members typically comprises an inlet port for receiving fluid from upstream, an outlet port for communicating fluid downstream and an entry port for allowing fluid to join the fluid flowing

downstream via the outlet port, and the arrangement of entry of substances from the main venturi into the intake venturi is by arranging the outlet port of the intake venturi to be in fluid communication with the entry port of the main venturi.

[010] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[Oi l] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures, in which:

[012] Fig. 1 schematically shows a known venturi injector; and

[013] Figs. 2, 3 and 4 schematically show injectors according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[014] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated within the figures to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[015] Attention is drawn to Fig. 2 showing an injector 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention coupled to an irrigation system, possibly to an upstream portion of the system. Injector 100 includes main and intake venturi injectors 101, 102. A conduit leading pressurized liquid downstream from source 30 is split into incoming conduits 131, 132, as indicated by dotted arrow 50. Conduit 131 communicates pressurized liquid to an inlet of the main injector 101 and conduit 132 communicates pressurized liquid to an inlet of the intake injector 102. Thus an incoming pressure P of main venturi 101 is substantially similar to an incoming pressure PIT of intake venturi 102.

[016] In some cases the source 30 may be a fluid source supplying fluid downstream (rather than liquid or only liquid). Such fluid may be (or include) gas e.g. air. Nevertheless, throughout the description here below, liquid will be the example referred to.

[017] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, injector 100 is configured to form a low pressure zone or vacuum PST at entry port 122 of intake venturi 102 that is suitable for sucking a substance 140 into the liquid stream flowing passed intake venturi 102. Substance 140, in a non-binding example, may be at least one or more of fertilizers, soil amendments, a gaseous (e.g. air, co2), a solid (e.g. solid fertilizer), and other water-soluble products that may be added into liquid supplied by an irrigation system.

[018] Pressure PST at entry port 122 may be obtained by configuring intake venturi to exhibit a pressure drop resulting in an outgoing pressure POT substantially lower than its incoming pressure PIT. By way of an example, intake venturi 102 having an incoming pressure PIT may exhibit an outgoing pressure POT equal e.g. to about 70% of PIT in order to start forming a low pressure zone or vacuum PST at entry port 122 suitable for sucking substances into the liquid stream.

[019] In the shown embodiment, intake venturi 102 communicates at its outlet with an entry port 121 of main venturi 101 such that a pressure PSM at entry port 121 is substantially equal to the outgoing pressure POT of intake venturi 102. Liquid flowing passed intake venturi 102 joins liquid flowing passed main venturi 101 to flow therewith downstream via an outlet of main venturi 101 and an outgoing conduit 150 towards a downstream portion 90 of the irrigation system where it can be emitted to the ambient environment. The urging of liquid from intake venturi 102 into main venturi 101 is here not due to suction occurring at port 121 but rather due to pressure differentiation pushing liquid to be urged downstream via port 121 into main venturi 101.

[020] Since the main venturi's pressure PSM at entry port 121 is higher than a low pressure zone or vacuum required for suction (such as PST at entry port 122); an outgoing pressure POM of main venturi 101 may correspondingly be configured to be higher. Building on the example presented above, an outgoing pressure POM of main venturi, suitable for obtaining a pressure PSM at entry port 121 of about 70% of PIT (and consequently PM), may be configured e.g. to be about 90% of the incoming pressure P of main venturi 101.

[021] As a result, an irrigation system coupled to an injector according to an embodiment of the present invention such as injector 100, may exhibit relatively lower pressure losses than if coupled to known venturi injectors such as injector 10. For example, if the required outgoing pressure POM entering the downstream portion 90 of the system is about 1 bar for irrigation purposes; then following the above example, an appropriate incoming pressure PM to injector 100 would need to be about 1.1 bar in order to form the low pressure zone or vacuum PST at entry port 122 of the intake venturi 102. Consequently, such system would require e.g. a lower capacity irrigation pump for producing the incoming pressure to injector 100, in relation to that required in the case of a known venturi injector such as injector 10.

[022] Attention is drawn to Fig. 3 showing an injector 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention coupled to an irrigation system, possibly to an upstream portion of the system. Injector 1000 includes a main and two intake venturi injectors 101, 102. A conduit leading pressurized liquid downstream from source 30 is split into incoming conduits 131, 132, as indicated by dotted arrow 50. Conduit 131 communicates pressurized liquid to an inlet of the main injector 101 and each conduit 132 communicates pressurized liquid to an inlet of a respective one of the intake injectors 102. Thus an incoming pressure P of main venturi 101 is substantially similar to an incoming pressure PIT of each one of the intake Venturis 102.

[023] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, injector 1000 is configured to form a low pressure zone or vacuum PST at entry port 122 of each intake venturi 102 that is suitable for sucking a substance 140 into the liquid stream flowing passed each one of the intake Venturis 102. Substance 140, in a non-binding example, may be at least one or more of fertilizers, soil amendments, a gaseous (e.g. air, co2), a solid (e.g. solid fertilizer), and other water-soluble products that may be added into liquid supplied by an irrigation system.

[024] Pressure PST at each entry port 122 may be obtained by configuring intake venturi to exhibit a pressure drop resulting in an outgoing pressure POT substantially lower than its incoming pressure PIT. By way of an example, each one of the intake Venturis 102 having an incoming pressure PIT may exhibit an outgoing pressure POT equal e.g. to about 70% of PIT in order to start forming a low pressure zone or vacuum PST at its entry port 122 suitable for sucking substances into the liquid stream.

[025] In the shown embodiment, main venturi 101 is configured to include two entry ports 121 and each intake venturi 102 communicates at its outlet with a respective one of the entry ports 121 of main venturi 101 such that a pressure PSM at each entry port 121 is substantially equal to the outgoing pressure POT of each intake venturi 102. Liquid flowing passed the intake Venturis 102 joins liquid flowing passed main venturi 101 to flow therewith downstream via an outlet of main venturi 101 and an outgoing conduit 150 towards a downstream portion 90 of the irrigation system where it can be emitted to the ambient environment. The urging of liquid from each intake venturi 102 into main venturi 101 is here not due to suction occurring at ports 121 but rather due to pressure differentiation pushing liquid to be urged downstream via port 121 into main venturi 101.

[026] Since the main venturi's pressure PSM at entry port 121 is higher than a low pressure zone or vacuum required for suction (such as PST at each entry port 122); an outgoing pressure POM of main venturi 101 may correspondingly be configured to be higher. Building on the example presented above, an outgoing

pressure POM of main venturi, suitable for obtaining a pressure PSM at entry port 121 of about 70% of PIT (and consequently PM), may be configured e.g. to be about 90% of the incoming pressure P of main venturi 101.

[027] As a result, an irrigation system coupled to an injector according to an embodiment of the present invention such as injector 1000, may exhibit relatively lower pressure losses than if coupled to known venturi injectors such as injector 10. For example, if the required outgoing pressure POM entering the downstream portion 90 of the system is about 1 bar for irrigation purposes; then following the above example, an appropriate incoming pressure PM to injector 1000 would need to be about 1.1 bar in order to form the low pressure zone or vacuum PST at each entry port 122 of the intake venturi 102. Consequently, such system would require a lower capacity irrigation pump for producing the incoming pressure to injector 1000, in relation to that required in the case of a known venturi injector such as injector 10.

[028] In the embodiment of injector 1000 the liquid stream exiting towards the downstream portion 90 of the system may possibly include different substances 140 arriving from each one of the intake Venturis 102. It is understood that injectors (not shown) according to further embodiments of the present invention may include more than two intake Venturis 102 configured each to communicate at their respective outlet port with a corresponding entry port of a main venturi of such embodiments.

[029] Attention is drawn to Fig. 4 showing an injector 1010 according to an embodiment of the present invention coupled to an irrigation system, possibly to an upstream portion of the system. Injector 1010 includes a main venturi injector 101, an intake venturi injector 102 and an intermediate venturi 103 therebetween. A conduit leading pressurized liquid downstream from source 30 is split into incoming conduits 131, 132, 133 as indicated by dotted arrow 50. Conduit 131 communicates pressurized liquid to an inlet of the main injector 101, conduit 132 communicates pressurized liquid to an inlet of intake injector 102 and conduit 133 communicates pressurized liquid to an inlet of intermediate injector 103. Thus an incoming

pressure P of main venturi 101 is substantially similar to an incoming pressure Pii of intermediate venturi 103 and an incoming pressure PIT of intake venturi 102.

[030] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, injector 1010 is configured to form a low pressure zone or vacuum PST at entry port 122 of intake venturi 102 that is suitable for sucking a substance 140 into the liquid stream flowing passed the intake Venturis 102. Substance 140, in a non-binding example, may be at least one or more of fertilizers, soil amendments, a gaseous (e.g. air, co2), a solid (e.g. solid fertilizer), and other water-soluble products that may be added into liquid supplied by an irrigation system.

[031] Pressure PST at entry port 122 may be obtained by configuring intake venturi to exhibit a pressure drop resulting in an outgoing pressure POT substantially lower than its incoming pressure PIT. By way of an example, intake venturi 102 having an incoming pressure PIT may exhibit an outgoing pressure POT equal e.g. to about 70% of PIT in order to start forming a low pressure zone or vacuum PST at its entry port 122 suitable for sucking substances into the liquid stream.

[032] In the shown embodiment, intake venturi 102 communicates at its outlet with an entry port 123 of intermediate venturi 103 such that a pressure Psi at entry port 123 is substantially equal to the outgoing pressure POT of intake venturi 102. Liquid flowing passed the intake venturi 102 joins liquid flowing passed intermediate venturi 103 to flow therewith downstream to an outlet of intermediate venturi 103. The urging of liquid from intake venturi 102 into intermediate venturi 103 is here not due to suction occurring at entry port 123 but rather due to pressure differentiation pushing liquid to be urged downstream via port 123 into intermediate venturi 103.

[033] Since the intermediate venturi's pressure Psi at entry port 123 is higher than a low pressure zone or vacuum required for suction (such as PST at entry port 122); an outgoing pressure Poi of intermediate venturi 103 may correspondingly be configured to be higher. Building on the example presented above, an outgoing pressure Poi of intermediate venturi, suitable for obtaining a pressure Psi at entry port 123 of about 70% of Pn (and consequently PIT and P ), may be configured e.g. to be about 90% of the incoming pressure Pii of intermediate venturi 103.

[034] Intermediate venturi 103 communicates at its outlet with an entry port 121 of main venturi 101 such that a pressure PSM at entry port 121 is substantially equal to the outgoing pressure Poi of intermediate venturi 103. Liquid flowing passed intermediate venturi 103 joins liquid flowing passed main venturi 101 to flow therewith downstream via an outlet of main venturi 101 and an outgoing conduit 150 towards a downstream portion 90 of the irrigation system where it can be emitted to the ambient environment. The urging of liquid from intermediate venturi 103 into main venturi 101 is here not due to suction occurring at entry port

121 but rather due to pressure differentiation pushing liquid to be urged downstream via port 121 into main venturi 101.

[035] Building on the above presented example, the main venturi's pressure PSM at entry port 121 is substantially equal to the outgoing pressure POT of intake venturi 102, which is in this example 90% of PM (and consequently PII and PIT). Since PSM is here substantially higher than a low pressure zone or vacuum required for suction (such as PST at entry port 122); an outgoing pressure POM of main venturi 101 may correspondingly be configured to be higher, in this example possibly 95% of the incoming pressure P of main venturi 101.

[036] As a result, an irrigation system coupled to an injector according to an embodiment of the present invention such as injector 1010, may exhibit relatively lower pressure losses than if coupled to known venturi injectors such as injector 10. For example, if the required outgoing pressure POM entering the downstream portion 90 of the system is about 1 bar for irrigation purposes; then following the above example, an appropriate incoming pressure P to injector 1010 would need to be about 1.05 bar in order to form the low pressure zone or vacuum PST at entry port

122 of the intake venturi 102. Consequently, such system would require a lower capacity irrigation pump for producing the incoming pressure to injector 1010, in relation to that required in the case of a known venturi injector such as injector 10. [037] In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, "comprise" "include" and "have", and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

[038] Further more, while the present application or technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non-restrictive; the technology is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed technology, from a study of the drawings, the technology, and the appended claims.

[039] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures can not be used to advantage.

[040] The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here such terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc. are referred to in connection with terms such as "about, ca., substantially, generally, at least" etc. In other words, "about 3" shall also comprise "3" or "substantially perpendicular" shall also comprise "perpendicular". Any reference signs in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.

[041] Although the present embodiments have been described to a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

CLAIMS:

1. An injector for inserting substances into a fluid stream flowing downstream, the injector comprising a main venturi and an intake venturi each comprising an inlet port for receiving fluid from upstream, an outlet port for communicating fluid downstream and an entry port for allowing fluid to join the fluid flowing downstream via the outlet port, wherein the outlet port of the intake venturi is in fluid communication with the entry port of the main venturi for inserting the substances via the entry port of the intake venturi.

2. The injector of claim 1, wherein the inserting of substances is by suction. 3. The injector of claim 1 or 2, wherein fluid is urged from upstream to enter the entry port of the main veturi.

4. The injector of any one of claims 1 to 3 and comprising at least two intake venturi's each in fluid communication with the main venturi.

5. The injector of any one of claims 1 to 4 and comprising an intermediate venturi also comprising inlet, outlet and entry ports, wherein an outlet port of an intake venturi being in fluid communication with an entry port of the intermediate venturi and an outlet port of the intermediate venturi being in fluid communication with an entry port of a main venturi.

6. The injector of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the substances are at least one of: fertilizers, soil amendments, a gaseous (e.g. air, co2), a solid (e.g. solid fertilizer), and other water-soluble products that may be added into fluid supplied by an irrigation system.

7. The injector of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fluid stream flowing downstream is for irrigation, preferably agricultural irrigation, and/or preferably the fluid being a liquid.

8. A method for inserting substances into a fluid stream flowing downstream, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a main venturi and an intake venturi each comprising an inlet port for receiving fluid from upstream, an outlet port for communicating fluid

downstream and an entry port for allowing fluid to join the fluid flowing downstream via the outlet port, and

arranging the outlet port of the intake venturi to be in fluid communication with the entry port of the main venturi venturi for inserting the substances via the entry port of the intake venturi.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the inserting of substances is by suction.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein fluid is urged from upstream to enter the entry port of the main veturi.

11. The method of any one of claims 8 to 10 and comprising at least two intake venturi's each in fluid communication with the main venturi.

12. The method of any one of claims 8 to 11 and comprising an intermediate venturi also comprising inlet, outlet and entry ports, wherein an outlet port of an intake venturi being in fluid communication with an entry port of the intermediate venturi and an outlet port of the intermediate venturi being in fluid communication with an entry port of a main venturi.

13. The method of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the substances are at least one of: fertilizers, soil amendments, a gaseous (e.g. air, co2), a solid (e.g. solid fertilizer), and other water-soluble products that may be added into fluid supplied by an irrigation system.

14. The method of any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the fluid stream flowing downstream is for irrigation, preferably agricultural irrigation, and/or preferably the fluid being a liquid.