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Irrigation sprinkler

technology Maturity 7-9 Next article →

An irrigation sprinkler is a clever tool used to water many things.

10 Sprinklers in vineyard - Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
10 Sprinklers in vineyard - Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

People use them for farm crops and green lawns. They also water golf courses and beautiful landscapes. Sometimes, they are used to cool things down. They can even help control dust in the air. These devices work by spraying water in a controlled way. This method mimics the way natural rain falls from the sky.

Many systems work using electric and hydraulic technology.

Impact Sprinkler Mechanism 2
Impact Sprinkler Mechanism 2

One way they work is through a solenoid valve. A solenoid is a part that uses electricity to move. When it turns on, it lifts a small metal plunger. This allows water to move past a rubber diaphragm. The water pressure then pushes the diaphragm up. The water flows through pipes made of PVC or polyethylene. Finally, it reaches the sprinkler heads at the end of the path.

Farmers have used different types of sprinklers for a long time.

Sprinkler Fun (13846184435)
Sprinkler Fun (13846184435)

In 1940, a farmer named Frank Zybach invented center-pivot irrigation. He lived in Strasburg, Colorado. Later, in the 1950s, a firm in Portland, Oregon, made a rolling pipe system. This system uses large wheels to move pipes across big fields. In the 1950s, a company called Nomad also made a special tractor sprinkler. This was used in Australia to water lawns slowly.

There are many different shapes and sizes of sprinklers.

Impact Sprinkler Mechanism 2
Impact Sprinkler Mechanism 2

Some are small and portable for a home garden. Others are large industrial rainguns that use very high pressure. These guns often have nozzles that are a certain size. Some sprinklers are even buried underground to stay out of sight. Some systems use timers to turn the water on and off. Modern systems can even change how much water they use based on the soil.

Sprinklers help us keep our world green and healthy.

10 Sprinklers in vineyard - Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
10 Sprinklers in vineyard - Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

You might see an oscillating sprinkler moving on a lawn. You might also see a small drip emitter for delicate flowers. These emitters release water one slow drop at a time. It is important to use them safely, too. Some studies show that garden hoses can create tiny water droplets. People should drain their hoses after use to keep things clean.

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File:Impact Sprinkler Mechanism 2.jpg
Impact Sprinkler Mechanism 2.jpg
File:10 Sprinklers in vineyard - Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy.jpg
10 Sprinklers in vineyard - Trentino-Alto...
File:Sprinkler Fun (13846184435).jpg
Sprinkler Fun (13846184435).jpg
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