A retrofitted flood irrigation valve apparatus, including a motor coupled to a stem of an existing flood irrigation valve, the motor to generate mechanical energy to rotate the stem of the existing flood irrigation valve and one or more rails coupled to a frame of the existing flood irrigation valve, wherein each of the one or more rails includes tracks along which the motor is configured to move as the stem of the existing flood irrigation valve opens and closes the valve.

A retrofitted flood irrigation valve apparatus, including a motor coupled to a stem of an existing flood irrigation valve, the motor to generate mechanical energy to rotate the stem of the existing flood irrigation valve and one or more rails coupled to a frame of the existing flood irrigation valve, wherein each of the one or more rails includes tracks along which the motor is configured to move as the stem of the existing flood irrigation valve opens and closes the valve.

A riser for a surface irrigation system has a housing and an outlet valve. The housing has an open upper portion and an outlet defining an orifice. The valve includes an upper closure, a valve member, and an actuating lever. The upper closure is securable to the riser. The valve member is coupled to the closure and mountable within a flow path of the fluid, the valve member operable for opening and closing the valve, and configured to seat against a valve seat of the housing, and on an upstream side of the orifice, whereby the pressure of fluid within the valve urges the valve member against the seat when the valve is closed. The pivotable actuating lever having one end extending through the orifice and coupled to the valve member, and an operable end for operating the valve member to open and close the valve.

A riser for a surface irrigation system has a housing and an outlet valve. The housing has an open upper portion and an outlet defining an orifice. The valve includes an upper closure, a valve member, and an actuating lever. The upper closure is securable to the riser. The valve member is coupled to the closure and mountable within a flow path of the fluid, the valve member operable for opening and closing the valve, and configured to seat against a valve seat of the housing, and on an upstream side of the orifice, whereby the pressure of fluid within the valve urges the valve member against the seat when the valve is closed. The pivotable actuating lever having one end extending through the orifice and coupled to the valve member, and an operable end for operating the valve member to open and close the valve.

Irrigation valves for channels and for irrigation tanks are of three types. All are activated by a pair of tilting float arms to which a pair of floats are attached. One type is a T-shaped duct with a cylindrical valve disposed at 90 degrees to the part that is connected to the incoming flow. The floats rotate the valve. The second type has the same construction as the first type, thereby giving flow control but additionally has a rise and fall gate in the duct part that is connected to the incoming flow. The gate acts as a stop valve. The third type has a cylindrical duct connectable to the incoming flow but no valve and provides both flow control and stop valve facilities through a rise and fall gate actuated by the tilting of the float arms.

Irrigation valves for channels and for irrigation tanks are of three types. All are activated by a pair of tilting float arms to which a pair of floats are attached. One type is a T-shaped duct with a cylindrical valve disposed at 90 degrees to the part that is connected to the incoming flow. The floats rotate the valve. The second type has the same construction as the first type, thereby giving flow control but additionally has a rise and fall gate in the duct part that is connected to the incoming flow. The gate acts as a stop valve. The third type has a cylindrical duct connectable to the incoming flow but no valve and provides both flow control and stop valve facilities through a rise and fall gate actuated by the tilting of the float arms.

The invention provides a cable drive device (10) including a linear drive member (12), and a cable drum (14) attached to a support bracket (30, 32) adapted to be affixed to a surface. The cable drum (14) has an axle (26) supported by the support bracket (30, 32) to allow rotation of the cable drum (14). The cable drum (14) has a cable (42) affixed at either end of said linear drive member (12) and tautly wrapped around the cable drum (14). The cable drum (14) is located between the ends of the linear drive member (12) to, in use, allow the linear drive member (12) to be guided through the bracket (30, 32) to move the linear drive member (12) longitudinally when the axle (26) is rotated.

The invention provides a cable drive device (10) including a linear drive member (12), and a cable drum (14) attached to a support bracket (30, 32) adapted to be affixed to a surface. The cable drum (14) has an axle (26) supported by the support bracket (30, 32) to allow rotation of the cable drum (14). The cable drum (14) has a cable (42) affixed at either end of said linear drive member (12) and tautly wrapped around the cable drum (14). The cable drum (14) is located between the ends of the linear drive member (12) to, in use, allow the linear drive member (12) to be guided through the bracket (30, 32) to move the linear drive member (12) longitudinally when the axle (26) is rotated.

An automated water control device comprises a rotatable housing that can be incrementally positioned to control flow of water over an upper or weir edge of the housing. The device is installed at a control point in an impoundment area, such as a settling pond. The housing is selectively rotated to raise and lower the height of the weir edge to a target gate height. Automatic control is provided for operation of the device by a controller communicating with an actuator. A system of the invention includes one or more water control devices and the controller. A method of the invention includes controlling flow of water from an impounded water source by use of the automated water control device. Manual or semi-automated embodiments are also disclosed.

A laterally sliding type opening/closing gate of a torsion structure of reasonable cost is implemented. The gate includes: the torsion structure having a closed cross-section consisting of a thin wall installed such that it may cross a sluice and be composed such that its cross-section may make an in-plane rotation around a restriction point on the cross-section and that a torsion moment generated by an applied load and reaction force on the restriction point is transmitted to its terminal due to its torsion rigidity; and a rail that is installed such that it may cross the sluice; and a plurality of axle type supports that has a function of a restriction point and moves along the rail.