Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1081~84
IMPROVED IRRIGATION PIPE GATE VALVE
This invention relates to an improved irrigation pipe gate valve,
and has for an object thereof the provision of a new and improved irrigation
pipe gate valve.
There have been various proposals for irrigation pipe gate valves
where the valves are mounted directly in the wall of the pipe. With the known
valves there is a tendency to produce either a high velocity cylindrical dis-
charge or considerable turbulence in the discharge, both of which promote soil
erosion.
According to the present invention there is provided in an irrigation
pipe gate valve, a substantially rigid, generally elliptical tubular slide
having shorter side portions and longer side portions with a plurality of
parallel, spaced, exterior circumferential ribs at the shorter side portions
thereof, an open outer end and a closed inner end and a plurality of generally
circular openings in each of the longer side poTtions thereof and directly
opposed to each other, the shorter side portions being imperforate, and a
generally elliptical sealing frame of elastomeric material fitting closely on
the slide and having an exterior circumferential groove, the frame having an
inner lip engaging the slide and forming detents with the ribs, the slide
being insertable edgewise through the frame, the slide having an outer flange
at its closed end serving as a stop and being adapted to be moved through the
frame only when the slide is edgewise to the frame.
With this arrangement, the elliptical tubular slide and the opposed
openings in the longer sides gives a smooth, high volume flow with its energy
dissipated, thus reducing erosion.
Preferably, the slide can be cocked at an angle relative to the
frame to divert water toward the center of the nearest furrow.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate exemplary embodiments
of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an irrigation pipe
having a plurality of improved gate valves forming one embodiment of the
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invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken
along line 2-2 of Figure l;
Figure 3 is an enlarged, fIagmentary, partially sectional, perspect-
ive view of one of the gate valves of Figure l;
Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal sectional view
taken along line 4-4 of Figure l; and
Figures 5-8 are sectional views of the pipe and one of the valves
being installed in the pipe.
Identical improved gate valves 10 forming specific embodiments of
the invention are mounted in cup-like, recessed or indented opening portions
12 in an irrigation pipe 14. Each valve includes a softly resilient rubber`or
neoprene grommet-like frame 16 and a rigid slide 18 of a tough plastic, such
as, for example, polyurethane. Each slide has a tubular body portion 20, which
is generally elliptical in transverse cross-section, with a flange or lip 22
forwardly tapered to facilitate insertion of the slide through the frame, rear
face of the flange 22 being abrupt to prevent accidentally pushing the slide
inwardly out of the frame. The slide has two pairs of large, diametrically
opposite circular inlet holes or ports 24, which admit water in opposed streams
to somewhat
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clissipate its energy to help prevent soil erosion. A
post-like handle 26 braces the elongated sides of the
body 20. An inner end plate or bottom 28 closing the
inner end o~ the slide has a somewhat wide flange 30,
which acts as a valve closure member and as a stop to
prevent outward movement of the slide out of the frame.
Longitudinally spaced pairs of ribs 32 act as detent-li~e
stops to hold the slide in selected position~ o~ adjustmen~
relative to the ~rame. The slide can be adjusted longi-
tudinally relative to the frame to any of a large numbero~ positions varying from fully open to fully closed.
Also, the slide may be adjusted between a center position
in which the slide is perpendicular to the frame and a cocked
position directing the water at an acute angle to the pipe,
as illustrated in Fig. 4, to direct the water toward the
nearest of furrows 34, 36 and 38.
The frame 16 has an endless or generally annular,
cup-shaped groove 40 fitting closely on and sealing to
planar lip portion 42 and curved transition portion 44 of
the indented opening 12. Bevelled lip portion 46 is pressed
by water pressure tightly and sealingly against the curved
transition portion 44. The frame has a planar inner face
46 and a narrow, thin sealing lip 48 fitting tightly on
the body portion 20 of the slide.
To install the valve, with the frame 16 out of
the opening 12, the lower edge of the ~lange 30 of the
slide 18 is inserted into the opening 12, as shown in Fig~
5. Then the slide is pivoted to insert the rest of the
flange into the opening and the slide is pushed fully into
the pipe with a wire hood 60 attached to the slide, as
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shown in Fig, 6. Then the frame 16 is installed, With
the components in the positions thereof shown in Fig. 7,
the slide is pulled up by the wire hook, is cocked, and is
partially drawn through the ~rame, as shown in F~g. 8.
Then the outer end of the slide is snapped ~ully through
the frame. The front locking edge 22 of the slide is wider
than the opening in the frame so that it is very difiicult
to move the edge 22 straight through the opening in the
~rame.
0 ThQ slide 18 will open under vacuum and prevent
iailure o~ the aluminum pipe due to a vacuum condition.
The slide cannot be displaced toward closing under pressure
due to the ribs 32 on the sides. The sealing lip 48
allows the slide to be opened easily, but is more dif$icult
to close, This is an advantage since the slide will not
"creep" to a closed position under gated pipe operating
pressures. The tapered front edge 22 of the slide aids
in easy installation. The slide has a wedg~ portion 29
adjacent ~he ilange 30 to wedge into the frame to com-
pletely clo~e the opening eve~ under low water pre~sure.
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