U.S. patent application number 15/303706 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-02 for sprinkler apparatus and system for irrigation.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kristy COTE. Invention is credited to Cameron COTE.
Application Number | 20170028428 15/303706 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54323302 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170028428 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
COTE; Cameron |
February 2, 2017 |
SPRINKLER APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR IRRIGATION
Abstract
A sprinkler apparatus, a flow rate control valve assembly, and a
sprinkler irrigation system for providing an even distribution of
water across an asymmetrically shaped water receiving area. The
sprinkler apparatus comprises a pop-up sprinkler head with a base
housing for confiningly receiving a pressurized water flow that
actuates a nozzle housing slidingly and rotationally cooperating
with the base housing to pop-up into an operating position for
discharge of water through at least one pair of nozzle assemblies.
The pair of nozzle assemblies comprise an upper nozzle assembly and
a lower nozzle assembly near the top end of the nozzle housing. A
flow rate control valve assembly comprises a flow control valve
assembly that can be coupled to a pop-up sprinkler head to supply
the pressurized water flow.
Inventors: |
COTE; Cameron; (Cochrane,
Alberta, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
COTE; Kristy |
Cochrane |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
54323302 |
Appl. No.: |
15/303706 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
December 31, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA2014/051271 |
371 Date: |
October 12, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61979355 |
Apr 14, 2014 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G 25/16 20130101;
B05B 1/04 20130101; B05B 1/323 20130101; A01G 25/02 20130101; B05B
15/18 20180201; B05B 3/021 20130101; B05B 12/12 20130101; B05B
15/72 20180201; B05B 1/02 20130101; B05B 12/00 20130101; B05B
1/3026 20130101; B05B 1/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B05B 15/10 20060101
B05B015/10; A01G 25/02 20060101 A01G025/02; A01G 25/16 20060101
A01G025/16; B05B 1/02 20060101 B05B001/02 |
Claims
1. A sprinkler apparatus comprising: (a) a pop-up sprinkler head
comprising a base housing configured to confiningly receive a
pressurized water flow, the pressurized water flow actuating a
nozzle housing coupled to the base housing to pop-up into an
operating position for discharge of water through at least one
nozzle assembly disposed at a top end of the nozzle housing, the at
least one nozzle assembly achieving a substantially uniform spray
pattern; and (b) a flow control valve assembly fluidly coupled to
the pop-up sprinkler head to controllably supply the pressurized
water flow, the flow control valve assembly comprising a water
inlet fluidly coupled to a water supply and a water outlet fluidly
coupled to the base housing of the pop-up sprinkler head, the water
outlet cooperatively engaging with a rotary disc valve having a
tapered passage wherein sliding rotation of the rotary disc valve
incrementally adjusts the valve between an opened position and a
closed position to control the pressurized water flow through the
water outlet to the base housing.
2. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising
a valve drive mechanism comprising a motor driven transmission and
a drive train adapted for operatively rotating the rotary disc
valve relative to the water outlet.
3. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the valve
drive mechanism is operatively coupled to a programmable
controller.
4. A sprinkler apparatus comprising: (a) a pop-up sprinkler head
comprising a base housing configured to confiningly receive a
pressurized water flow, the pressurized water flow actuating a
nozzle housing coupled to the base housing to pop-up into an
operating position for discharge of water through at least one pair
of nozzle assemblies, the at least one pair of nozzle assemblies
comprising an upper nozzle assembly and a lower nozzle assembly at
a top end of the nozzle housing, wherein the upper nozzle assembly
responsive to the rate of pressurized water flow distends to vary
the wetted radius of discharged water, and wherein the lower nozzle
assembly comprises a vertical slit-shaped aperture through which
water is discharged in a curtain effect, the at least one pair of
nozzle assemblies together achieving a substantially uniform
elliptical spray pattern; and (b) a flow control valve assembly
fluidly coupled to the pop-up sprinkler head to controllably supply
the pressurized water flow.
5. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the upper
nozzle assembly comprises a rigid outer frame and a resilient inner
nozzle positioned therein, the diameter of the inner nozzle being
smaller than the rigid outer frame to provide space for the inner
nozzle to distend to a maximum orifice size determined by the
circumference of the outer frame, the resilient inner nozzle
responsive to the rate of pressurized water flow to distend up to
the maximum orifice size to vary the wetted radius of discharged
water from the upper nozzle assembly.
6. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
resilient inner nozzle is beveled to change the distribution of
water in the discharged spray.
7. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
distribution of water in the discharged spray is biased to the
outermost end of the spray.
8. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
resilient inner nozzle is distendable to allow a wetted radius
ranging from about 6 feet to about 125 feet.
9. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the lower
nozzle assembly is sized to allow a wetted radius ranging up to
about 20 feet.
10. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
nozzle housing is sized to slidingly couple with the base housing
to pop-up into the operating position or retract into a nested
position, the nozzle housing having a bottom end comprising a
plurality of orifices to allow passage of the pressurized water
flow through the nozzle housing to discharge from the nozzle
assemblies at the top end of the nozzle housing, wherein the
pressurized water flow received into the base housing is greater
than the pressurized water flow through the nozzle housing to
create a pressure differential that actuates the nozzle housing to
slidingly pop-up into the operating position.
11. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
nozzle housing is biased in a downward position to maintain the
nested position when inoperative.
12. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a drive mechanism coupled to the nozzle housing, the
drive mechanism comprising a motor driven transmission and a drive
train adapted for operatively rotating the nozzle housing within
the base housing.
13. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
drive mechanism is operatively coupled to a programmable
controller.
14. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the flow
control valve assembly comprises a water inlet fluidly coupled to a
water supply and a water outlet fluidly coupled to the pop-up
sprinkler head, the water outlet cooperatively engaging with a
rotary disc valve which slidingly rotates between an opened
position and a closed position to control the pressurized water
flow through the water outlet to the pop-up sprinkler head.
15. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the
rotary disc valve comprises a tapered passage extending from the
opened position to the closed position, whereby the pressurized
water flow can be incrementally adjusted between the opened and
closed positions.
16. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 14, further
comprising a valve drive mechanism comprising a motor driven
transmission and a drive train adapted for operatively rotating the
rotary disc valve relative to the water outlet.
17. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the
valve drive mechanism is operatively coupled to a programmable
controller.
18. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising an in-ground housing configured to receive and house the
pop-up sprinkler head, the in-ground housing comprising a tubular
body having a water inlet disposed along the body for connection to
the pop-up sprinkler head housed within, a removable lid with an
opening sized to allow the pop-up sprinkler head to pop-up
therethrough when in an operating position, and a power connection
means disposed at a bottom end of the tubular body for connection
to the pop-up sprinkler head housed within.
19. The sprinkler apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the
in-ground housing further comprises a self-draining valve to allow
water contained within the housing to be drained.
20. A sprinkler apparatus comprising: (a) a base housing configured
to confiningly receive a pressurized water flow; (b) a nozzle
housing coupled to the base housing, the nozzle housing sized to
slidingly couple with the base housing to pop-up into an operating
position or retract into a nested position; (c) an upper nozzle
assembly positioned at a top end of the nozzle housing, the upper
nozzle assembly comprising a rigid outer frame and a resilient
inner nozzle positioned therein, the diameter of the inner nozzle
being smaller than the rigid outer frame to provide space for the
inner nozzle to distend to a maximum orifice size determined by the
circumference of the outer frame, the resilient inner nozzle
responsive to the rate of pressurized water flow to distend up to
the maximum orifice size to vary the wetted radius of discharged
water from the upper nozzle assembly; (d) a lower nozzle assembly
positioned below the upper nozzle assembly at the top end of the
nozzle housing, the lower nozzle assembly comprising a vertical
slit-shaped aperture through which water is discharged in a curtain
effect; and (e) a flow control valve assembly fluidly coupled to
the base housing to controllably supply the pressurized water flow;
wherein the upper and lower nozzle assemblies together achieve a
substantially uniform elliptical spray pattern.
21.-48. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of water
sprinkler irrigation systems and, in particular, to in-ground water
sprinkler systems comprising one or more rotating pop-up heads
adapted for delivering a continuous but variable rate of water flow
during a rotation.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In-ground sprinkler systems for lawns, parklands, golf
courses, municipal green spaces and the like, typically comprise
multiple pop-up sprinkler heads installed in a grid pattern within
an area that requires watering on a frequent basis to maintain turf
colour and vigor. Typically, the watering management controls are
calibrated to provide delivery of a calculated precipitation rate
(measured in inches per hour) across the entire grid surface area.
By and large, most sprinkler heads intended for such irrigation
purposes are configured to sprinkle in a circular pattern, or at
least in patterns circumscribing circular arcs. For example,
in-ground sprinkler systems typically utilize one or both of pop-up
spray heads and/or rotary spray heads, both of which types are
limited to delivering water flows in circular or alternatively in
partially circular arc spray patterns under a constant pressure.
Distribution of water in circular patterns results in
indiscriminate watering. Specifically, the distribution of water in
circular patterns results in overlap in certain areas within the
grid pattern that receive excessive amounts of water and other
areas that receive significantly less or no water. Thus, excessive
amounts of water are delivered to achieve the target average water
distribution rates with some areas being overly saturated with
water and other areas receiving insufficient watering that exhibit
drought stress.
[0003] Current sprinkler system designs further tend to be complex
with multiple components for pressurized rotational directional
delivery of water from the sprinkler head. Such designs attempt to
improve water distribution by controlling the spray pattern of the
nozzle combined with precise spacing of the sprinklers to provide a
pre-calculated overlap to improve distribution of water over the
entire area. The problem becomes more acute, however, when the area
to be sprinkled is of a complex geometry (e.g., concave edges,
convex edges, straight edges, and non-parallel edges) and has an
asymmetric shape. Typically, in order to ensure sprinkler coverage
of such irregularly shaped areas requires placement of multiple
sprinkler heads over the area and complex piping to allow water to
flow to each of the heads. This can increase the spray pattern
overlap areas resulting in greatly reduced distribution uniformity
and add additional costs and complexity of an in-ground sprinkler
system. Accordingly, there remains an unmet need for a sprinkler
system having suitable features that would offer improved control
over watering patterns suitable to the geometry and irrigation
needs of a water receiving area to achieve uniform distribution of
water.
[0004] This background information is provided for the purpose of
making known information believed by the applicant to be of
possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is
necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the
preceding information constitutes prior art against the present
invention.
SUMMARY
[0005] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain
to sprinkler heads, valve assemblies, and programmable
instrumentation for precisely modulating the flow rates of a supply
of pressurized water for controllably irrigating a water receiving
area, in particular an asymmetrically shaped water receiving
area.
[0006] According to one aspect, the present disclosure pertains to
a pop-up type sprinkler apparatus comprising a base housing and a
nozzle housing that is retained within the base housing. The nozzle
housing slidingly extends outward from the base housing when a
supply of pressurized water is delivered to the sprinkler apparatus
and slidingly retracts back into the base housing when the supply
of pressurized water to the sprinkler apparatus is shut off. The
nozzle housing has at least one nozzle assembly positioned close to
or about its distal end, i.e., the end that is extendible outward
from the base housing, to provide a flow of water delivered from
immediately adjacent to the sprinkler apparatus to a selected
distance away from the sprinkler apparatus with a bias to the
outermost end. According to some embodiments, two or more nozzle
assemblies may be provided close to or about the distal end of the
nozzle housing. It is preferable to provide a pair of nozzle
assemblies positioned close to or about the distal end of the
nozzle housing. According to certain embodiments, one of the nozzle
assemblies provides an elliptical long-distance projection of
pressurized water, while the other nozzle assembly provides an
elliptical short-distance projection of pressurized water. In
operation when receiving a supply of pressurized water, the nozzle
housing rotates around its centre axis within the base housing, and
can be electronically manipulated to controllably and continuously
modulate the linear distance, i.e., wetted radius, the pressurized
water is projected from the nozzle assemblies.
[0007] According to certain embodiments, a sprinkler apparatus
comprises: (a) a pop-up sprinkler head comprising a base housing
configured to confiningly receive a pressurized water flow, the
pressurized water flow actuating a nozzle housing coupled to the
base housing to pop-up into an operating position for discharge of
water through at least one nozzle assembly disposed at a top end of
the nozzle housing, the at least one nozzle assembly achieving a
substantially uniform spray pattern; and (b) a flow control valve
assembly fluidly coupled to the pop-up sprinkler head to
controllably supply the pressurized water flow, the flow control
valve assembly comprising a water inlet fluidly coupled to a water
supply and a water outlet fluidly coupled to the base housing of
the pop-up sprinkler head, the water outlet cooperatively engaging
with a rotary disc valve having a tapered passage wherein sliding
rotation of the rotary disc valve incrementally adjusts the valve
between an opened position and a closed position to control the
pressurized water flow through the water outlet to the base
housing.
[0008] According to other embodiments, a sprinkler apparatus
comprises: (a) a pop-up sprinkler head comprising a base housing
configured to confiningly receive a pressurized water flow, the
pressurized water flow actuating a nozzle housing coupled to the
base housing to pop-up into an operating position for discharge of
water through at least one pair of nozzle assemblies, the at least
one pair of nozzle assemblies comprising an upper nozzle assembly
and a lower nozzle assembly at a top end of the nozzle housing,
wherein the upper nozzle assembly responsive to the rate of
pressurized water flow distends to vary the wetted radius of
discharged water, and wherein the lower nozzle assembly comprises a
vertical slit-shaped aperture through which water is discharged in
a curtain effect, the at least one pair of nozzle assemblies
together achieving a substantially uniform elliptical spray
pattern; and (b) a flow control valve assembly fluidly coupled to
the pop-up sprinkler head to controllably supply the pressurized
water flow.
[0009] According to further embodiments, a sprinkler apparatus
comprises: (a) a base housing configured to confiningly receive a
pressurized water flow; (b) a nozzle housing coupled to the base
housing, the nozzle housing sized to slidingly couple with the base
housing to pop-up into an operating position or retract into a
nested position; (c) an upper nozzle assembly positioned at a top
end of the nozzle housing, the upper nozzle assembly comprising a
rigid outer frame and a resilient inner nozzle positioned therein,
the diameter of the inner nozzle being smaller than the rigid outer
frame to provide space for the inner nozzle to distend to a maximum
orifice size determined by the circumference of the outer frame,
the resilient inner nozzle responsive to the rate of pressurized
water flow to distend up to the maximum orifice size to vary the
wetted radius of discharged water from the upper nozzle assembly;
(d) a lower nozzle assembly positioned below the upper nozzle
assembly at the top end of the nozzle housing, the lower nozzle
assembly comprising a vertical slit-shaped aperture through which
water is discharged in a curtain effect; and (e) a flow control
valve assembly fluidly coupled to the base housing to controllably
supply the pressurized water flow; wherein the upper and lower
nozzle assemblies together achieve a substantially uniform
elliptical spray pattern.
[0010] According to certain embodiments, a flow control valve
assembly, comprises: (a) a valve housing having a water inlet at a
base end for fluidly coupling a pressurized water supply, and a
water outlet disposed at a top end of the housing through which
water is delivered; and (b) a rotary disc valve situated within the
valve housing which slidingly rotates in cooperative engagement
with the water outlet between an opened position and a closed
position to control the pressurized water flow delivered through
the water outlet. According to further embodiments, the rotary disc
valve comprises a tapered passage extending from the opened
position to the closed position, whereby the pressurized water flow
can be incrementally adjusted between the opened and closed
positions by slidingly rotating the rotary disc valve relative to
the water outlet. According to other embodiments, the flow control
valve assembly further comprises a valve drive mechanism comprising
a motor driven transmission and a drive train adapted for
operatively rotating the rotary disc valve relative to the water
outlet.
[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a
pop-up sprinkler head comprising a base housing configured to
confiningly receive a pressurized water flow, the pressurized water
flow actuating a nozzle housing coupled to the base housing to
pop-up into an operating position for discharge of water through at
least one pair of nozzle assemblies, the at least one pair of
nozzle assemblies comprising an upper nozzle assembly and a lower
nozzle assembly at a top end of the nozzle housing, wherein the
upper nozzle assembly responsive to the rate of pressurized water
flow distends to vary the wetted radius of discharged water, and
wherein the lower nozzle assembly comprises a vertical slit-shaped
aperture through which water is discharged in a curtain effect, the
at least one pair of nozzle assemblies together achieving a
substantially uniform elliptical spray pattern.
[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a
controllable sprinkler system for irrigating a water receiving
area, comprising: (a) one or more sprinkler apparatus according to
any one of the embodiments disclosed herein; (b) a sprinkler
selection manifold in fluid communication with a water supply and
configured to receive and selectively divert the water supply to
any of the one or more sprinkler apparatus fluidly coupled to the
sprinkler selection manifold; and (c) a programmable controller
operatively coupled to the one or more sprinkler apparatus.
[0013] Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
pertains to a method for irrigating an irregularly shaped and/or an
asymmetrically shaped water receiving area. The method generally
comprises: (a) providing the sprinkler system disclosed herein; (b)
determining the geometry and irrigation needs of the water
receiving area; (c) selectively diverting the water supply to the
one or more sprinkler apparatus suitable to the geometry and
irrigation needs determined for the water receiving area; (d)
positioning the orientation of each of the one or more sprinkler
apparatus according to the geometry and irrigation needs determined
for the water receiving area; and (e) adjusting the pressurized
water flow to each of the one or more sprinkler apparatus according
to the geometry and irrigation needs determined for the water
receiving area. According to further embodiments, the step of
adjusting in step (e) comprises optimizing each of the one or more
sprinkler apparatus to create a sprinkler spray pattern that is
adjusted with sprinkler sweep to correct inconsistencies in the
uniformity of the spray pattern, said optimizing comprising: (a)
selecting a desired target level of precipitation density for the
water receiving area; (b) determining the number of sprinkler
sweeps needed to achieve the selected precipitation density; (c)
pairing the number of determined sprinkler sweeps with the selected
precipitation density to determine the amount to pull back on each
sweep; (d) determining a new flow rate based on the amount of pull
back determined; and (e) generating a spray pattern that applies
the pulled back flow rates at the calculated rates on each
sprinkler sweep to correct the inconsistencies in the uniformity of
the spray pattern.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other features of the invention will become more
apparent in the following detailed description in which reference
is made to the appended drawings.
[0015] FIGS. 1a and 1b are perspective views of a sprinkler
apparatus showing the pop-up sprinkler head in its nested
inoperative position and in its extended operative position,
respectively, housed within an in-ground housing, according to
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIGS. 1c and 1d illustrate a further embodiment of a
sprinkler apparatus having an automatic drain valve in the
in-ground housing; FIG. 1c is a perspective view of the sprinkler
apparatus showing the automatic drain valve in the water inlet of
the in-ground housing; FIG. 1d is a close-up side view of the drain
valve, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sprinkler apparatus shown
in FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIGS. 3a and 3b are perspective views of embodiments of the
pop-up sprinkler head shown in FIG. 1, according to embodiments of
the present disclosure;
[0019] FIGS. 4a and 4b are perspective views of the retractable
nozzle housing of the pop-up sprinkler head shown in FIG. 1, in a
nested position and in an extended position, respectively,
according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a nozzle housing having an
upper distending nozzle assembly and a lower slit nozzle assembly,
according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIGS. 6a and 6b are top views and perspective side views,
respectively, of the distending nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 5,
according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a nozzle housing having
three interchangeable nozzle assemblies, according to embodiments
of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the interchangeable nozzle
assemblies shown in FIG. 7, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inner chamber of the
base housing of the pop-up sprinkler head shown in FIG. 3 with a
drive mechanism installed, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism of the
pop-up sprinkler head shown in FIG. 3, according to embodiments of
the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the drive mechanism shown in
FIG. 10, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a flow control valve
assembly, according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the valve assembly having a
rotary disc valve, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 14a is a top view of the inner chamber of the flow
control valve assembly shown in FIG. 12, while FIG. 14b is a
close-up view of the inner chamber shown in FIG. 14a illustrating
the water inlet and outlet, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the rotary disc valve
assembly shown in FIG. 13, according to embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a plan view diagram depicting a sprinkler system
for irrigating an irregularly-shaped water receiving area,
according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a schematic flow chart illustrating an exemplary
programmed method for controlling the sprinkler systems disclosed
herein, according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0033] FIG. 18 is a schematic flow chart illustrating an exemplary
programmed method for creating a sprinkler spray pattern, according
to embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
[0035] As used herein, the term "about" refers to an approximately
+/-10% variation from a given value. It is to be understood that
such a variation is always included in any given value provided
herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.
[0036] The term "modulate" as used herein means to precisely
regulate and/or to precisely adjust a flow of water by a controlled
increase or decrease in the rate of the flow.
[0037] The term "wetted radius" as used herein means the distance
from a sprinkler to a point along the edge of the wetted perimeter.
Wetted radius is the distance the sprinkler throws water.
[0038] The term "wetted diameter" as used herein means the diagonal
distance from one side of a wetted perimeter through the point of
sprinkler rotation to the opposite side of the wetted perimeter.
Wetted diameter is twice the wetted radius.
[0039] The term "wetted area" as used herein means the area that
becomes wetted as a sprinkler rotates. It is the area within the
circle inscribed by the wetted radius.
[0040] The term "distribution uniformity" or "DU" as used herein is
a calculated value that shows how evenly water is distributed in a
sprinkler system to avoid excessively wet or dry areas in the
landscape. High distribution uniformity is obtained when an equal
amount of water is placed on all areas of the landscape.
[0041] The term "sprinkler spray pattern", "spray pattern", or
"wetting pattern" as used herein means the characteristic features
of the water spray being discharged from a sprinkler head,
including the shape, size, and uniformity of the spray.
[0042] The term "sweep" as used herein means a single pass of the
sprinkler spray from a first angle of the sprinkler's rotational
pattern to the final angle over the wetted area.
[0043] The sprinkler apparatus according to the present disclosure
broadly comprises a sprinkler head and a flow control valve
assembly. Each of these components of the sprinkler apparatus is
self-contained and, therefore, can be used independently or can be
used in combination in a sprinkler apparatus, as described in
exemplary embodiments herein for example. Each component is
designed to comprise a minimum number of parts that can be
discretely packaged as the sprinkler head and flow control valve
assembly, respectively. In this way, installation, maintenance, and
repair of each component and/or the sprinkler apparatus is
facilitated.
[0044] The sprinkler head, according to certain embodiments,
comprises a nozzle housing that is sized to slidingly couple with a
base housing. The top end of the nozzle housing comprises the
nozzle assemblies which are exposed to discharge water when in the
operating position. The nozzle housing has a bottom end that
comprises a plurality of orifices to allow passage of the
pressurized water flow through the nozzle housing to discharge from
the nozzle assemblies at the top end of the nozzle housing. The
pressurized water flow received through the water inlet into the
base housing is greater than the pressurized water flow through the
nozzle housing, and discharged from the nozzle assemblies, to
create a pressure differential that actuates the nozzle housing to
slidingly pop-up into the operating position.
[0045] The sprinkler head component can be fitted with nozzle
assemblies known in the art. According to some embodiments of the
present disclosure, the sprinkler head comprises at least one
nozzle assembly which provides a substantially uniform spray
pattern with a bias to the outermost end of the spray. According to
particular embodiments, the apparatus comprises at least one pair
of cooperating nozzle assemblies which together provide a
substantially uniform elliptical spray pattern with a bias to the
outermost end of the spray. According to such embodiments, an upper
nozzle assembly is configured to provide a long-throw spray. The
upper nozzle assembly comprises a rigid outer frame and a resilient
inner nozzle positioned therein. The diameter of the inner nozzle
is smaller in size than the rigid outer frame to provide space for
the inner nozzle to distend to a maximum orifice size that is
determined by the circumference of the outer frame. According to
certain embodiments, the inner nozzle has an inner diameter that
tapers towards the water discharging orifice to further provide
space for the inner nozzle to distend to the maximum orifice size.
According to such embodiments, the inner nozzle has an inner
diameter that tapers from the maximum orifice size at the water
receiving end towards the water discharging orifice having a
smaller diameter. The resilient inner nozzle, responsive to the
rate of pressurized water flow, can distend up to the maximum
orifice size and, in this way, the radial distance of water
discharged, i.e., wetted radius of the discharged water, from the
upper nozzle assembly can be controllably varied. A lower nozzle
assembly is positioned below the upper nozzle assembly to provide a
short-throw spray. In this way, the pair of nozzle assemblies
cooperate to cover the radial distance from the sprinkler head in a
substantially uniform spray with a bias to the outermost end of the
spray. It is optional if so desired, to provide a third nozzle
assembly interposed the upper nozzle assembly and the distal end of
the nozzle housing, with a more resilient inner nozzle to provide
an even farther throw of pressurized water.
[0046] According to certain embodiments, the wetting pattern of the
spray discharged from the sprinkler head can be modified by
adjusting the shape of the nozzle assembly. For example, according
to such embodiments, the resilient inner nozzle in the upper nozzle
assembly can be made to be biased or beveled to modify the
distribution of water in the discharged spray. By beveling the
nozzle, for example, the water distribution in the discharged spray
can be modified from being heaviest near the sprinkler head to
being heavier at the periphery of the wetted diameter, i.e., having
a bias to the outermost end of the spray. In this way, the
uniformity of water distributed in the spray is improved in order
to maximize the watering efficiency, uniformity, and watering
coverage of the wetted area. According to such embodiments, the
shape of the water spray is discharged in a fan-shape. In a further
embodiment, the lower nozzle assembly can comprise a vertical
slit-shaped aperture through which water is discharged in a curtain
effect. In this way, the nozzle assemblies cooperate to provide a
substantially uniform elliptical spray pattern with a bias to the
outermost end of the spray.
[0047] According to exemplary embodiments, the lower nozzle
assembly comprises a vertical slit-shaped aperture through which
water is discharged in a curtain effect. Together, the at least one
pair of nozzle assemblies provide a substantially uniform
elliptical spray pattern with a bias to the outermost end of the
spray projecting outward from the pop-up sprinkler head. When the
supply of pressurized water to the sprinkler apparatus is shut off,
the pop-up nozzle housing slidingly retracts back into the base
housing.
[0048] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the
flow control valve assembly, described herein, can be used in a
variety of applications in which fluid flow control is desired.
According to the present disclosure, the flow control valve
assembly is described, without limitation, in the context of being
fluidly coupled to one or more pop-up sprinkler heads to
controllably supply a pressurized water flow to the one or more
pop-up sprinkler heads. In general, the flow control valve assembly
is self-contained in design and comprises a minimum number of
parts. In this way, the flow control valve assembly described
herein can easily be used independent of the sprinkler head of the
present disclosure. The flow control valve assembly generally
comprises a valve housing to which is sealingly coupled a water
inlet about the base end of the valve housing, for sealingly
engaging a supply of pressurized water. A water outlet is sealingly
coupled to the other end of the valve housing. A pressurized flow
of water into the valve housing from a water supply cooperatively
engages a rotary disc valve within the valve housing which
slidingly rotates between an opened position and a closed position
to control the pressurized water flow delivered to the water
outlet. According to one aspect, the rotary disc valve is a disc
defining a tapered passage expanding from the closed position to a
fully opened position, whereby the rate of pressurized water flow
delivered to the water outlet can be incrementally adjusted between
the opened and closed positions.
[0049] According to an exemplary embodiment of a sprinkler
apparatus, the flow control valve assembly, in combination with a
sprinkler head of the present disclosure, comprises: (a) a base
housing configured to confiningly receive a pressurized water flow;
(b) a nozzle housing coupled to the base housing, the nozzle
housing sized to slidingly couple with the base housing to pop-up
into an operating position and to retract into a nested position;
(c) an upper nozzle assembly positioned at a top end i.e. distal
end of the nozzle housing; and (d) a lower nozzle assembly
positioned below the upper nozzle assembly at the top end of the
nozzle housing; and (e) a flow control valve assembly fluidly
coupled to the base housing to controllably supply the pressurized
water flow; wherein the upper and lower nozzle assemblies provide a
substantially uniform elliptical spray pattern with a bias to the
outermost end of the spray projecting outward from the pop-up
sprinkler head.
[0050] The sprinkler apparatus described herein can further be
incorporated into a controllable system for irrigating a water
receiving area. According to certain embodiments, the system offers
multiple sprinkler apparatus to be programmably controlled to
operate simultaneously and in a synchronized fashion to provide a
watering pattern that is suitable to the geometry and irrigation
needs for the particular water receiving area. In such embodiments,
the system comprises computer instrumentation programmed to create
and implement a spray pattern based on the geometry and irrigation
needs for the water receiving area. According to further
embodiments, the system comprises computer instrumentation
programmed to create and implement a spray pattern that will
compensate for inconsistencies in the uniformity of the spray
pattern that is based on the nozzle profile and target
precipitation density for the specific water receiving area.
[0051] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described
by reference to FIGS. 1 to 18, which show an exemplary
representation of a sprinkler apparatus and system for irrigation
of the present disclosure.
[0052] A sprinkler apparatus of the present disclosure generally
comprises a pop-up sprinkler head 1 and a flow control valve
assembly 200 fluidly coupled to the pop-up sprinkler head 1 to
controllably supply a pressurized water flow for discharge from the
sprinkler head 1.
Pop-Up Sprinkler Head--Uniform Elliptical Spray
[0053] A pop-up sprinkler head 1, according to embodiments of the
present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b, and
generally comprises a base housing 10 configured to confiningly
receive a pressurized water flow at a water inlet 15 disposed along
the body of the base housing 10 that is fluidly connected to a
pressurized water source. A nozzle housing 20 is secured to the
base housing 10 by a securing means such as a threaded collar 80.
The nozzle housing 20 is sized to slidingly fit within the base
housing 10 such that the nozzle housing 20 can be actuated by a
pop-up mechanism to pop-up into an operating position or retract
into a nested position.
[0054] As illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 4a, when not operative, the
nozzle housing 20 is normally biased in a downward, nested
position, so that the nozzle housing 20 is retracted in the base
housing. The nozzle housing 20 is normally biased downward by a
spring 70, for example. The spring 70 operatively biases the nozzle
housing 20 against pop-up movement, the nozzle housing 20 being
responsive to pressurized water flow through the nozzle housing 20.
Thus, when at rest, i.e., with no flow, the nozzle housing 20
remains nested within the base housing 10, as indicated in FIGS. 3a
and 4a. Then, in response to pressurized water flow through the
nozzle housing 20, the nozzle housing 20 rises upward into a pop-up
position (FIGS. 3b and 4b). The nozzle housing 20 is lifted to rise
upward out of the base housing 10 due to the greater pressure and
flow of water in the base housing compared to the flow rate of the
water being discharged through the nozzles.
[0055] In one embodiment, the spring 70 may be provided as a
coiled, generally helical spring around the circumference of the
external body of the nozzle housing 20. The nozzle housing 20 has a
nested position within the base housing 10 wherein the spring 70,
urged against the threaded collar 80, biases the nozzle housing 20
downward against pop-up movement. The position of the nozzle
housing 20 can be detected according to certain embodiments. As
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, for example, an embedded magnet (not
shown) 65 in cooperation with a sensor 50, in communication with a
microprocessor, is located on the drive mechanism 30 contained
within the inner chamber 25 of the base housing 10. According to
certain embodiments, the magnet can be sized to be embedded within
the drive mechanism. For example and without limitating the
foregoing, the magnet can have a diameter of 0.250'' and a
thickness of 0.125'' so as to be embedded within 65 of the drive
mechanism 30. In this way, a "home positioning" signal can be
detected when the nozzle housing 20 is in its nested position and
in contact with the magnet 65. Similarly, the nozzle housing 20 has
a pop-up operating position wherein the pressurized water flow
through the nozzle housing 20 actuates the nozzle housing 20 to
move upward to an operating position against an upper end stop 170,
as indicated in FIGS. 4a and 4b. The upper end stop 170 can
comprise a seal to prevent water leakage between the base housing
10 and nozzle housing 20 which could otherwise reduce the
pressurized water flow being applied.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 4a, the bottom surface 180 of the nozzle
housing 20 further comprises a plurality of orifices 150 to allow
passage of the pressurized water to flow into the nozzle housing 20
to ultimately discharge through at least one nozzle assembly
positioned at the top end of the nozzle housing 20. According to
certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the nozzle housing 20 can
comprise a plurality of nozzle assemblies at a top end of the
nozzle housing 20. The nozzle housing, according to embodiments,
can comprise one, or more than one nozzle assembly 95 arranged at
the top end of the nozzle housing 20. According to some
embodiments, the nozzle housing comprises up to five nozzle
assemblies arranged at the top end of the nozzle housing 20.
According to further embodiments, the nozzle assemblies are
linearly arranged about the top end of the nozzle housing 20.
According to particular embodiments, the nozzle assemblies can be
interchangeable to allow the spray pattern to be adjusted as
needed. Individual nozzle assemblies 95 can be interchangeably
connected to the nozzle housing by any connection means known in
the art. For example, according to some embodiments, the nozzle
assemblies can be interchangeably connected to the nozzle housing
by screw-type connectors 175 disposed at the top end of the nozzle
housing (FIG. 8), or according to alternative embodiments for
example can be slideably connected to the nozzle housing.
[0057] The sprinkler head 1 of the present disclosure can be
adapted to work with a variety of nozzle assemblies known in the
art, examples of which are shown in FIG. 8, and include without
limitation such commercial nozzles provided by Hunter Industries
(PGB, PGB Ultra, I 20, ST System Rotors), Toro Company (Mini 8, T5,
Super 800, TR50XT, T7, TR70XTP), and Rain Bird Corporation (3500,
5000/5000 Plus).
[0058] According to certain embodiments, however, as shown in FIG.
5, the nozzle housing 20 can comprise at least one pair of nozzle
assemblies having, an upper nozzle assembly 110 positioned at a top
end of the nozzle housing 20 below which is positioned a lower
nozzle assembly 100. According to certain embodiments, the pair of
nozzle assemblies 100, 110 cooperate to provide a substantially
uniform elliptical spray pattern with a water distribution that is
biased to the outermost end of the spray.
[0059] The upper nozzle assembly 110 is configured to provide a
long-throw spray. According to certain embodiments, the upper
nozzle assembly 110 is configured to provide a wetted radius
ranging from about 6 feet to about 125 feet. According to other
embodiments, the upper nozzle assembly 110 is configured to provide
a wetted radius ranging from about 10 feet to about 20 feet. In
further embodiments, the upper nozzle assembly 110 is configured to
provide a wetted radius ranging from about 20 feet to about 45
feet. According to further embodiments, the upper nozzle assembly
110 is configured to provide a wetted radius ranging from about 30
feet to about 80 feet. According to other embodiments, the upper
nozzle assembly 110 is configured to provide a wetted radius
ranging from about 50 feet to about 90 feet.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6a and 6b, the upper nozzle assembly
110 comprises a rigid outer frame 120 and a resilient inner nozzle
130 positioned therein. The diameter of the inner nozzle 130 is
smaller in size than the rigid outer frame 120 and, according to
certain embodiments, has a tapered inner diameter ranging from the
maximum orifice size at the water receiving end to a smaller
orifice size at the water discharge end, to provide space for the
inner nozzle 130 to distend to a maximum orifice size that is
determined by the circumference of the outer frame 120. The
resilient inner nozzle 130, responsive to the rate of pressurized
water flow, can distend up to the maximum orifice size and, in this
way, the wetted radius of water discharged from the upper nozzle
assembly 110 can be controllably varied. According to certain
embodiments the rigid outer frame 120 and the resilient inner
nozzle 130 are configured to provide a maximum upper nozzle orifice
size ranging from about 0.030'', 0.035'', 0.040'', 0.045'',
0.050'', 0.055'', 0.060'', 0.065'', 0.070'', 0.075'', 0.080'',
0.085'', 0.090'', 0.095'', 0.100'', 0.15'', 0.20'', 0.25'', 0.30'',
0.35'', 0.40'', 0.45'', 0.50'', 0.55'', 0.60'', 0.65'', 0.70'',
0.75'', and anywhere therebetween. The resilient inner nozzle 130
can comprise any inert material known in the art having good wear
resistance while providing sufficient deformability to allow the
inner nozzle 130 to respond to the pressurized water flow and to
distend. For example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, and the
like, may be considered suitable materials.
[0061] As is understood by those skilled in the art, the wetting
pattern from a rotary sprinkler is not very uniform. According to
some embodiments described herein, distribution of the water in the
discharged spray can be modified by adjusting the shape of the
resilient inner nozzle 130. By modifying the distribution of water
in the spray, the wetting pattern can be adjusted in order to be
more uniform. According to such embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6a
and 6b, the resilient inner nozzle 130 in the upper nozzle assembly
110 can be biased or beveled 135 to change the distribution of the
water in the discharged spray. In such embodiments, the discharged
water spray is heavier ended with more water being thrown further
out from the sprinkler than close to the sprinkler. According to
such embodiments, the distribution of the discharged water in the
spray can be adjusted to be more evenly distributed throughout the
discharged spray and, according to certain embodiments, cause water
to be discharged in a fan-shape.
[0062] According to further embodiments, the lower nozzle assembly
100 can be configured to provide a short-throw spray. According to
certain embodiments, the lower nozzle assembly 100 is configured to
provide a wetting radius ranging up to about 6 feet. In other
embodiments, the lower nozzle assembly 100 is configured to provide
a wetting radius ranging up to about 10 feet. In further
embodiments, the lower nozzle assembly 100 is configured to provide
a wetting radius ranging up to about 20 feet. In a further
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower nozzle assembly 100 can
comprise a vertical slit-shaped aperture 105 through which water is
discharged in a curtain effect. In combination, the upper and lower
nozzle assemblies 100, 110 cooperate to provide a substantially
uniform elliptical spray pattern to cover the wetting radius in a
substantially uniform spray pattern with a bias to the outermost
end of the spray.
[0063] In one embodiment, the sprinkler head 1 comprises a drive
mechanism 30 that is contained within the base housing 10 (FIGS. 2,
10, and 11). The drive mechanism 30 comprises a motor 60 that
drives rotation of a motor shaft 60 coupled to a transmission shaft
40 which in turn drives rotation of the nozzle housing 20 relative
to the base housing 10 (FIGS. 2 and 9). According to certain
embodiments, the sprinkler head 1 includes a controller (not shown)
that is contained within the base housing 10 to control the motor
60 of the drive mechanism 30 and the rotation of the nozzle housing
20. In a further embodiment, the sprinkler head 1 includes a sensor
50 and a magnet 65 that detects the rotational orientation of the
nozzle housing 20 relative to the base housing 10. The controller
can be configured to receive and process control signals from a
system controller located remotely from the sprinkler apparatus.
The control signals received from the system controller may be
provided either through a wired connection or wirelessly in
accordance with conventional techniques. In further embodiments,
the controller is programmable. Exemplary forms for the controller
include a microprocessor, a programmable logic circuit (or "PLC"),
an analog control circuit, and electronic components (e.g.,
transistors, resistors, diodes, etc.) on a circuit board.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, the drive mechanism 30 fits
within the base housing 10 within which the electronics of the
drive mechanism 30 can be housed.
In-Ground Housing--Installation and Maintenance
[0065] The self-contained nature of the pop-up sprinkler head 1
allows it to be directly installed in-ground for use in a water
receiving area. Optionally, according to some embodiments, an
in-ground housing 350 of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 1c,
and 2, can first be installed in the desired location in a water
receiving area and a pop-up sprinkler head 1, as disclosed herein,
inserted therein. According to such embodiments, the in-ground
housing 350 alone is implanted at designated areas of a water
receiving area in the pattern determined to meet the watering needs
of the area. In this way, a pop-up sprinkler head 1 can then be
easily inserted, accessed, and/or removed from each in-ground
housing 350 without the need for complicated digging, piping, or
power connection/reconnection of a system. Installation and
maintenance of the system is thereby facilitated through a top
accessway of the in-ground housing 350.
[0066] An in-ground housing 350, as described herein, is configured
to receive and house the pop-up sprinkler head 1. According to
embodiments, the in-ground housing 350 comprises a tubular body 360
having a water inlet 370 disposed along the body 360 for supplying
water to the pop-up sprinkler head 1 housed within. The in-ground
housing 350 further comprises a removable lid or cover 380 that
encloses the housing 350 with the exception of an opening 390 that
is sized to allow the pop-up sprinkler head 1 to pop-up
therethrough when in an operating position. According to some
embodiments, the lid or cover 380 is designed to be flush with the
surrounding ground so as not to interfere with the aesthetics of
the landscape and to avoid interfering with the consistency of the
terrain. The in-ground housing 350 can further include a power
connection means (not shown) disposed at a bottom end of the
tubular body 360 to allow power connection for the pop-up sprinkler
head 1 housed within.
[0067] According to certain embodiments (FIG. 1c), the in-ground
housing 350 can be self-draining to prevent water from collecting
in the housing 350 when the sprinkler system is not in use. Such a
feature is particularly useful for avoiding damage that can occur
if water is allowed to collect in the housing 350 and freeze, for
example. According to such embodiments, the interior of the water
inlet 370 can be sloped to direct water contained within the
housing 350 to an automatic drain valve 375 located within the
water inlet 370. Water is then directed through the valve 375 and
into a fluidly connected drain tube 385 thereby emptying the
housing 350. The housing 350 can thereby be drained and the water
emptied to the exterior of the housing 350 for example into a
gravel reserve 395. A wide range of valves can be adapted for use
within the housing 350. For example, as shown in FIG. 1d, the drain
valve 375 according to one embodiment can operate by way of a
spring-biased ball bearing 400. In an unpressurized state the
spring 420 will bias the ball bearing 400 off the sealing surface
410 and allow the water to drain out. As soon as the system is
pressurized the force of the water will be greater than the spring
force and the ball bearing 400 will be pushed against the sealing
surface 410 to plug the drain and prevent drainage from occuring.
Other known valves may be used for this self-draining feature, for
example, a flapper valve made from a flexible material, an
electrical solenoid valve, etc.
Flow Control Valve Assembly--Incrementally Controllable Water
Flow
[0068] Referring to FIG. 12, the sprinkler apparatus described
herein can further include a flow control valve assembly 200
fluidly coupled to one or more of the present pop-up type sprinkler
heads 1 disclosed herein, to controllably and continuously modulate
the rate of flow of a pressurized water supply to be discharged
through the nozzle assemblies in the sprinkler head 1. The flow
control valve assembly 200 generally comprises a housing 205
defining an inner chamber. The housing 205 has an outlet 220 offset
at the top end of the housing 205. A supply of pressurized water is
received through an inlet 210 disposed along the body of the
housing 205 through which water enters the inner chamber of the
assembly 200 and eventually out through the outlet 220 of the inner
chamber. A circular disc 240 slidably, sealingly, and rotationally
cooperates with the housing 205 to completely block the outlet 220,
alternatively to partially block the outlet 220, alternatively to
completely expose the outlet 220. The circular disc 240 defines a
conical aperture 310 extending in an arc around the centre of the
disc 240 wherein the aperture 310 extends and tapers outward from a
starting point and terminates with a circular arc. Accordingly, the
solid portion of the circular disc 240 between the starting point
of the aperture 310 and the arc defining the other end of the
aperture 310, will completely block the outlet 220 and prevent the
supply of pressurized water from flowing out of the inner chamber,
effectively shutting off the flow of pressurized water. The arc
defining the other end of the aperture 310 will completely open the
outlet 220 and therefore, will not hinder the flow of pressurized
water into, through, and out of the flow control valve assembly
200. Precisely controlling the rotation of the circular disc 240
from completely blocking the outlet 220 to completely opening the
outlet 220 will increasingly allow an increasing rate of flow of
pressurized water through the inner chamber, and out from the flow
control valve assembly 200. Accordingly, precisely controlling the
rotation of the circular disc 240 from completely opening the
outlet 220 to completely blocking the outlet 220 will decreasingly
reduce the rate of flow of pressurized water through the inner
chamber, and out from the flow control valve assembly 200.
[0069] In operation in the context of a sprinkler apparatus, the
flow control valve assembly 200 is fluidly coupled at its water
inlet 210 to a main water supply. Water entering the flow control
valve assembly 200 through the inlet 210 flows via a water outlet
220 fluidly coupled to one or more sprinkler head 1 (FIGS. 14A and
14B). The circular disc 240 cooperatively engages with the water
outlet 220 creating a rotary disc valve which slidingly rotates
between an opened position and a closed position to control the
pressurized water flow through the water outlet 220. Specifically,
the tapered aperture 310 in the circular disc 240, allows the
rotary disc valve to be incrementally adjusted by rotation between
the opened and closed positions thereby controlling the flow of
water therethrough.
[0070] The flow control valve assembly 200 can further include a
valve drive mechanism 300 to operatively rotate the circular disc
240 relative to the water outlet 220 to control the flow of water
through the rotary disc valve. According to such embodiments, flow
control valve assembly 200 includes a controller to control the
valve drive mechanism 300 and the rotation of the circular disc 240
relative to the water outlet 220. In a further embodiment the flow
control valve assembly 200 can include a sensor that detects the
circular disc 240 position as a "home position" with respect to the
determined watering needs of the water receiving area. The circular
disc 240 is then controllably rotated in "steps" around the housing
axis to controllably deliver the flow of pressurized water. The
controller can be configured to receive and process control signals
from a system controller located remotely from the sprinkler
apparatus. The control signals received from the system controller
may be provided either through a wired connection or wirelessly in
accordance with conventional techniques. In further embodiments,
the controller is programmable. Exemplary forms for the controller
include a microprocessor, a programmable logic circuit (or "PLC"),
an analog control circuit, and electronic components (e.g.,
transistors, resistors, diodes, etc.) on a circuit board. The
controller controls the motor 250 of the valve drive mechanism 300
and the rotational positioning of the circular disc 240 relative to
the water outlet 220. In this way, the flow control valve assembly
200 operates in response to signals from a controller to control
flow of water from the main water supply to the sprinkler head
1.
Sprinkler System--Environment-Responsive Irrigation System
[0071] According to certain embodiments, a sprinkler system having
one or more sprinkler apparatus of the present disclosure is
described. In such embodiments, the one or more sprinkler apparatus
can be synchronously controlled by a controller in order to provide
programmable irrigation that is specific to the geometry and
watering needs of a particular water receiving area. A typical
application of this embodiment is an in-ground sprinkler system,
such that the one or more sprinkler apparatus are located in
constant, fixed positions, and each sprinkler apparatus is under
programmed control to provide uniform watering that is designed for
the particular environment and conditions of the water receiving
area.
[0072] The general configuration of a sprinkler system, according
to some embodiments, is exemplified in FIG. 16 and comprises at
least one pop-up sprinkler head fluidly coupled to a pressurized
water supply, the flow rate of the water supply being controlled by
a flow control valve assembly of the present disclosure. According
to some embodiments, the system can be further controlled by
programmable instrumentation for continuously monitoring and
modulating the rate of flow of the pressurized water supply into
and out of the flow control valve assembly and into and out of the
pop-up type sprinkler head. According to such embodiments, the
geometry of the water receiving area and its entire perimeter may
be programmed into the instrumentation, along with the degree of
rotation required for the rotary disc valve in order to vary the
wetted radius of the water projected outward from the sprinkler
head as the nozzle housing rotates around its axis, so that the
water receiving area is uniformly watered over the geometry of its
entire area.
[0073] According to some embodiments, the area to be irrigated can
be a single contiguous area which requires one or more sprinkler
apparatus in order to cover the entire area. According to further
embodiments, however, the system can be adapted to synchronously
irrigate two or more separate areas. According to such embodiments,
the water supply may be directed through a fluidly coupled manifold
to a plurality of water outlet conduits. Each water outlet conduit
of the manifold being placed in fluid communication with a
respective sprinkler head to enable selective fluid communication
with the water supply. According to certain embodiments, the
manifold can further be fluidly connected to one or more flow
control valve assemblies of the present disclosure to further
control the water flow through the water outlet conduits.
[0074] The sprinkler system can further include a system controller
or other computer instrumentation to synchronize the operation of
each sprinkler apparatus in the system. In further embodiments, the
controller or other computer instrumentation is programmable for
example, following the logic and steps outlined in FIG. 17.
Exemplary components for the controller include a microprocessor, a
programmable logic circuit (or "PLC"), an analog control circuit,
and electronic components (e.g., transistors, resistors, diodes,
etc.) on a circuit board. According to further embodiments, the
system can be programmed to establish a watering program that is
activated in response to the environmental conditions of the water
receiving area. In such embodiments, for example, the system can
comprise sensors for continual monitoring of the conditions of the
water receiving area in order to determine whether watering is
required, and further to establish the parameters for achieving
sufficient watering for the particular water receiving area.
According to certain embodiments, the sensors are moisture sensors
for continually monitoring the soil to determine when watering is
required, how it is watered, and for how long it is watered. For
example, the system can be configured to monitor one or more
environmental conditions to make this determination, including
without limitation, moisture level of the soil, temperature of the
soil, solar load on the soil, salinity of the soil, wind
measurements, and/or precipitation measurements. Once the system
determines that watering is required, the system is activated to
water the water receiving area for a predetermined time. Moisture
values can continue to be monitored and compared to original values
in order to determine water absorption by the soil, and/or
achievement of target moisture rates.
[0075] Future watering cycles can, according to such embodiments,
be determined based on information established for the water
receiving area as described above. For example in certain soil
types where water is not easily retained this may result in
multiple short cycles being determined whereas on other soil types
it may result in one longer cycle. Furthermore, areas in a water
receiving area that are determined by the above described sensors
as requiring watering may be selectively watered thereby
eliminating arbitrary watering schedules and instead establishing
watering schedules that are responsive to the environmental
conditions of the given water receiving area, and in this way
improving watering efficiency, cost, and control.
Programmable Spray Pattern--Uniformity Distribution
Optimization
[0076] The spray pattern of a sprinkler apparatus is known to have
inconsistencies in uniformity. Inconsistencies in spray pattern
uniformity can result in over-watering and/or under-watering of the
water receiving area leading to inefficient irrigation. To minimize
such inconsistencies, uniformity of water distribution by a
sprinkler apparatus of the present disclosure can be programmably
controlled, according to some embodiments, using computer
instrumentation programmed to create and implement a spray pattern
that is designed to compensate for inconsistencies in spray pattern
uniformity based on nozzle profile and target precipitation density
for the water receiving area. In such embodiments, the rate of flow
of the pressurized water supply into and out of the flow control
valve assembly and into and out of the pop-up type sprinkler head
is modulated to vary the wetted radius of the water projected
outward from the sprinkler head with each sweep of the sprinkler,
so that the water receiving area is uniformly watered over the
geometry of its entire area.
[0077] According to such embodiments, the sprinkler apparatus of
the present disclosure can comprise computer instrumentation
programmed to select a desired target level of precipitation
density for the water receiving area; determine the number of
sprinkler sweeps needed to achieve the selected precipitation
density; pair the number of determined sprinkler sweeps with the
selected precipitation density to determine the amount to pull back
(i.e., reduce the wetted radius) on each sweep; determine a new
flow rate based on the amount of pull back determined; and generate
a spray pattern that applies the pulled back flow rates at the
calculated rates on each sprinkler sweep to correct the
inconsistencies in the uniformity of the spray pattern. In this
way, a sprinkler spray pattern can be created that is adjusted with
each spray sweep to correct inconsistencies in the uniformity of
the spray pattern and thereby further optimize the uniformity of
watering the specific water receiving area.
[0078] To gain a better understanding of the invention described
herein, the following examples are set forth. It will be understood
that these examples are intended to describe illustrative
embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the
scope of the invention in any way.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Sprinkler System Comparative Study
[0079] The performance of the irrigation system according to the
exemplary embodiments described herein was compared to an industry
standard system. The test irrigation system included an
electronically driven sprinkler head, variable orifice system
nozzle, electronically driven flow control valve, microprocessor
controller, and computer instrumentation programmed to implement
uniformity distribution optimization control, as described in the
present disclosure (the "Test System"). The efficiency of this
irrigation system to uniformly irrigate a water receiving area was
assessed in comparison to an industry standard system.
Methods and Materials
Test System Specifications:
[0080] Sprinkler Head: [0081] 3/4'' NPT inlet connection [0082]
13/4'' diameter nozzle housing [0083] 4'' pop up height of nozzle
housing [0084] Nozzle: [0085] Upper Nozzle Orifice size of 0.250''
[0086] Lower Nozzle Orifice size of 0.040'' [0087] Flow Control
Valve: [0088] 3/4'' NPT inlet and discharge connections [0089]
2.140'' diameter bore [0090] 1.800'' cavity length
Industry Standard System:
[0090] [0091] RainBird 3500 Series Rotor Sprinkler Head [0092]
RainBird Control Valve Model 8605
Uniformity Distribution Optimization Control:
[0093] The Test System was programmed to establish water flow rates
through the flow control valve, and sprinkler head rotation speeds,
that were optimal for each degree of rotation in order to create a
uniform spray pattern specific to the water receiving area. In
effect, the Test System was programmed to alter the distance that
water is sprayed from the head at each rotation in such a way that
would correct the inconsistencies in the uniformity of the spray
pattern on each pass of the spray.
[0094] The spray pattern for the Test System was computer generated
using the following method: [0095] 1. Select an appropriate nozzle
to water the water receiving area; [0096] 2. Characterize the spray
pattern for the selected nozzle using the nozzle profile; [0097] 3.
Select a desired target level of precipitation density for the
water receiving area; [0098] 4. Determine the number of sweeps
needed using the data from step 2 to achieve the selected
precipitation density determined in step 3; [0099] 5. Create
Pull-Back Curves for each flow rate by pairing the number of sweeps
determined in step 4 with the desired precipitation density
selected in step 3 (where Pull-Back Curve is a curve which
describes the amount to pull back on each sweep); [0100] 6.
Determine the Pull-Back Amount from the Pull-Back Curve in step 5;
[0101] 7. Determine the New Flow Rate using the Pull-Back Amount
determined in step 6, where:
[0101] New Flow Rate = Current Flow Rate - ( Current Flow Rate
Maximum Flow Rate ) 2 * ( Pullback amount ) ##EQU00001## [0102]
Where New Flow Rate is the flow rate setting that will get sprayed,
Current Flow Rate is the setting the flow rate setting for the
current angle that the sprinkler is at, Maximum Flow Rate is the
maximum flow rate that was measured in step 1, Pullback Amount is
the amount of Flow Rate steps as determined from the pull-back
curve for the Current Flow Rate. [0103] 8. The generated spray
pattern is applied to the Test System and the flow rates are pulled
back at the calculated rates on each pass to correct the
inconsistencies in the uniformity of the nozzle spray pattern.
Water-Receiving Test Area:
[0104] The water receiving test area measured 4.6 m.times.9.2 m
(15.times.30 ft) in an indoor sand based irrigation test lab (Olds
College, Alberta). A variable speed pumping station (Pumptronics 8
hp) mounted over an underground cistern operated as the water
source. A mainline pipe (10 cm (4'') HDPE high density polyethylene
DR 11) permanently mounted in the lab was used to connect the pump
station to the individual control valves of each respective system.
The control valves were then connected to each of the sprinkler
heads of the respective system by 1.9 cm diameter (3/4'')
polyethylene pipe (100 psi rating).
a) Industry Standard System
[0105] The industry standard system consisted of six RainBird 3500
Series Sprinkler heads arranged in the water-receiving test area at
an individual spacing of 4.6 m. Four sprinkler heads were
positioned in the corners of the test area and were set to water at
a 90.degree. angle, the remaining two sprinkler heads were
positioned in the centre of the test area and set to water at a
180.degree. angle. The piping was dug into the sand based media and
the pump pressure was set at 30 psi with a flow rate of 56 gpm.
b) Test System
[0106] The Test System consisted of a single sprinkler head
connected to the Test System's flow control valve which was
connected to the mainline via a shutoff valve. The single head was
positioned in the sand on one side of the test area mid-way between
the positioning of the corner heads and next to one of the centre
head positions of the Industry Standard System. The piping was dug
into the sand based media and the pump pressure was set at 40 psi
with a flow rate of 56 gpm.
Watering Cycles Tested
a) Industry Standard System
[0107] The RainBird System was operated at a pump pressure set at
30 psi with a flow rate of 56 gpm. Four watering repetitions of 5
minutes each were performed.
b) Test System
[0108] For the comparison test with the RainBird industry standard
system, the Test System's optimization program was set up to run at
three different speeds i.e., the time to complete a full
180.degree. rotation. The three speed scales were 0.5 speed, 0.7
speed and 1.0 speed. Each speed test was repeated four times.
[0109] Length of Time for Each Test Cycle:
[0110] A: 0.5 speed scale at 40 psi required a cycle of 7 minutes
18 seconds
[0111] B: 0.7 speed scale at 40 psi required a cycle of 9 minutes
45 seconds
[0112] C: 1.0 speed scale at 40 psi required a cycle of 13 minutes
35 seconds
Determining Distribution Uniformity and Precipitation Rate:
[0113] An irrigation audit of the RainBird Industry Standard system
was performed to determine distribution uniformity and
precipitation rate. Four rows of catch cans (Irrigation Technology
Center, Texas A&M) were installed in the water-receiving test
area one metre apart with eight catch cans per row for a total of
thirty-two catch cans. Four test runs, that were five minutes in
duration, were performed using the RainBird Industry Standard
system. The Test System was programmed to operate at three speed
scales. Each of the three speed scales was tested four times. Water
volume in each catch can was read, recorded, totaled, and averaged
for each test run (Irrigation Association).
Distribution Uniformity:
[0114] Distribution uniformity was determined by dividing the
average catch in the low quarter (i.e., lowest one-fourth of
measurements) by the average total catch volume. This provided the
distribution in mL which when multiplied by 100 provided the
percentage distribution uniformity.
Precipitation Rate:
[0115] Precipitation rate was determined by using the prescribed
Irrigation Association formula:
PR net = 3.66 .times. V avg T r .times. A CD ##EQU00002## [0116]
Where: PR=net precipitation rate [0117] V=average catch volume in
mL [0118] T=run time in minutes [0119] A=area in inches squared
Results
a) Industry Standard System
[0120] The average distribution uniformity for the RainBird 3500
industry standard sprinkler system was 61% after performing four
watering repetitions of 5 minutes each. The average precipitation
rate was 0.6559 in/hour.
b) Test System
[0121] The three speed scales tested for the Test System produced
the performance results shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Comparison of Distribution Uniformity and
Precipitation Rate AVERAGE AVERAGE DISTRIBUTION PRECIPITATION
SYSTEM UNIFORMITY (% DU) RATE (IN/HOUR) Industry Standard System 61
0.6559 Test System A 70 0.2723 B 77 0.2645 C 79 0.2743 A: 0.5 speed
scale performing 4 repetitions of a cycle for 7 minutes 18 seconds.
B: 0.7 speed scale performing 4 repetitions of a cycle for 9
minutes 45 seconds. C: 1.0 speed scale performing 4 repetitions of
a cycle for 13 minutes 35 seconds.
CONCLUSIONS
[0122] The Test System provided a more uniform distribution of the
water than did the industry standard RainBird system. This would be
considered an acceptable distribution uniformity by irrigation
audit analysts. The RainBird system would likely be considered
unacceptable.
[0123] While testing both sprinkler systems it was observed that
the water droplets created by the Test System were larger than the
droplets from the RainBird sprinkler. The immediate significance of
larger droplets would be resistance to wind velocity, thus
providing a source of water conservation while retaining uniformity
of water distribution.
[0124] The disclosures of all patents, patent applications,
publications and database entries referenced in this specification
are hereby specifically incorporated by reference in their entirety
to the same extent as if each such individual patent, patent
application, publication and database entry were specifically and
individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
[0125] Although the invention has been described with reference to
certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be
apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications as would
be apparent to one skilled in the art are intended to be included
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *