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Smart
Valve
How does SmartValve® work?
The SmartValve® has two compartments
- one open to the environment, the other forming a channel
through which water flows under certain conditions.
The two compartments are completely
separated by a pressure transmitting membrane. A precisely
engineered smart actuator disc is
incorporated in the "open" compartment. It is this
disc which senses the need for watering and allows it to be
delivered as and when required.
Figure 1: SmartValve®
in dry state
When the SmartValve®
is appropriately connected to a
water reservoir, the actuator detects the humidity and water
availablity in the environment of the plant roots and responds
by opening or closing the water flow.
If the humidity is less than 70% the valve actuator will remain
in its dry, un-swollen state (Figure 1) and water will flow
through valve into the soil at the plant roots.
Figure 2: SmartValve®
in swollen state.
Water continues to flow until the SmartValve® actuator senses that
local humidity exceeds 70%. It then swells, closing off the valve
and preventing the flow of water (Figure 2). It remains in this
swollen state until the humidity has returned to a lower level.
As humidity decreases, the disc shrinks back to its original
size and shape and the process starts over again.
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