U.S. patent number 3,575,347 [Application Number 04/806,072] was granted by the patent office on 1971-04-20 for adjustable sprinkler.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Gates Rubber Company. Invention is credited to John A. Carlson.
United States Patent |
3,575,347 |
Carlson |
April 20, 1971 |
ADJUSTABLE SPRINKLER
Abstract
An adjustable pattern water sprinkler having improved adjusting
means and an improved nozzle to effect substantially equal water
distribution over a selectively variable pattern area.
Inventors: |
Carlson; John A. (Englewood,
CO) |
Assignee: |
The Gates Rubber Company
(Denver, CO)
|
Family
ID: |
25193246 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/806,072 |
Filed: |
March 11, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/97;
239/DIG.1; 239/206; 239/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
3/0454 (20130101); B05B 15/74 (20180201); Y10S
239/01 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
15/10 (20060101); B05B 3/02 (20060101); B05B
15/00 (20060101); B05B 3/04 (20060101); B05b
003/00 (); B05b 015/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/97,205,206,232,236,(Pattern Sprinkler/ Digest)/ |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wood, Jr.; M. Henson
Assistant Examiner: Grant; Edwin D.
Claims
1. A pattern sprinkler comprising:
a base having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
a substantially fluidtight housing having a fluid entry and a first
fluid exit, said housing pivotally mounted to said base at the
fluid outlet of said base and at the fluid entry of said
housing;
a reduction-geared water motor encased within said housing, said
motor having a fluid entry in said housing and a second fluid exit
from said housing, and said housing pivoted about said base by said
motor;
a jet stream producing nozzle, having an adjustable orifice area,
mounted to said housing at said first fluid exit, the orifice
mathematically progressive in area to emit a jet stream of
progressive flow rate and trajectory for essentially equal
distribution of the jet stream radially away from said nozzle
whereby decreasing the orifice area deletes a progressive portion
of the jet stream and increasing the orifice area reinstates a
progressive portion of the jet stream; and
means responsive to rotation of said housing about said base for
increasing and decreasing the orifice area of said nozzle.
2. A selectively variable pattern sprinkler comprising:
a base having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
a substantially fluidtight housing having a fluid entry and a first
fluid exit, said housing pivotally mounted to said base at the
fluid outlet of said base and at the fluid entry of said
housing;
a reduction-geared water motor encased within said housing, said
motor having a fluid entry in said housing and a second fluid exit
in said housing and said housing pivoted about said base by said
water motor;
a jet stream producing nozzle, having an adjustable orifice area,
mounted to said housing at said first fluid exit, said nozzle
including a nozzle plate having a fixed area opening defining an
orifice, and a nozzle gate slidably mounted in said housing against
said nozzle plate, said nozzle gate capable of variably blocking
the fixed area opening of said nozzle plate to effect an adjusted
orifice area, the orifice mathematically progressive in area to
emit a jet stream of progressive flow rate and trajectory for
essentially equal distribution of the jet stream radially away from
said nozzle whereby decreasing the orifice area deletes a
progressive portion of the jet stream and increasing the orifice
area reinstates a progressive portion of the jet stream; and
means responsive to rotation of said housing about said base for
sliding said nozzle gate to variably block the fixed area opening
of said nozzle plate.
3. A selectively variable pattern sprinkler comprising:
a base having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
a substantially fluidtight housing having a fluid entry and a first
fluid exit, said housing pivotally mounted to said base at the
fluid outlet of said base and at the fluid entry of said
housing;
a reduction-geared water motor encased within said housing, said
motor having a fluid entry in said housing and a second fluid exit
in said housing and said housing pivoted about said base by said
water motor;
a jet stream producing nozzle, having an adjustable orifice area,
mounted to said housing at said first fluid exit, said nozzle
including a nozzle plate having a fixed area opening defining an
orifice, and a nozzle gate slideably mounted in said housing
against said nozzle plate, said nozzle gate capable of variably
blocking the fixed area opening of said nozzle plate to effect an
adjusted orifice area; and
means responsive to rotation of said housing about said base for
sliding said nozzle gate to variably block the fixed area opening
of said nozzle plate, said means including:
follower means including a plurality of pins circumjacently mounted
and eccentrically moveable on said base;
cam means having at least two pin-engaging surfaces, said cam means
reciprocally mounted to said housing to be successively engageable
with and reciprocally moveable by each successive pin in response
to rotation of said housing about said base; and
lever means in association with said follower means and said cam
means, for sliding said nozzle gate to variably block the fixed
area opening of said nozzle plate.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3 and further including a
deflector mounted to said housing near the fixed area opening of
said nozzle in such a manner as to deflect and distribute the jet
stream emitted from said nozzle.
5. A selectively variable pattern sprinkler, comprising:
a base having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
a substantially fluidtight housing having a fluid entry and a first
fluid exit, said housing pivotally mounted to said base at the
fluid outlet of said base and at the fluid entry of said
housing;
a reduction-geared water motor encased within said housing, said
motor having a fluid entry in said housing and a second fluid exit
in said housing and said housing pivoted about said base by said
water motor;
a jet stream producing nozzle, having an adjustable area orifice,
mounted to said housing at said first fluid exit, said nozzle
including a nozzle plate having a plurality of adjacently aligned
openings of successively increasing area and a stair-stepped nozzle
gate slideably mounted in said housing against said nozzle plate,
said stair-stepped nozzle gate capable of successively blocking and
opening each of the adjacently aligned openings to effect an
adjusted orifice area, the orifice mathematically progressive in
area to emit a jet stream of progressive flow rate and trajectory
for essentially equal distribution of the jet stream radially away
from said nozzle whereby decreasing the orifice area deletes a
progressive portion of the jet stream and increasing the orifice
area reinstates a progressive portion of the jet stream and;
means responsive to rotation of said housing about said base for
sliding said nozzle gate to successively block and open the
openings of said nozzle plate.
6. A selectively variable pattern sprinkler comprising:
a base having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
a substantially fluidtight housing having a fluid entry and a first
fluid exit, said housing pivotally mounted to said base at the
fluid outlet of said base and at the fluid entry of said
housing;
a reduction-geared water motor encased within said housing, said
motor having a fluid entry in said housing and a second fluid exit
in said housing and said housing pivoted about said base by said
water motor;
a jet stream producing nozzle, having an adjustable area orifice,
mounted to said housing at said first fluid exit, said nozzle
including a nozzle plate having a plurality of adjacently aligned
openings of successively increasing area and a stair-stepped nozzle
gate slideably mounted in said housing against said nozzle plate,
said stair stepped nozzle gate capable of successively blocking and
opening each of the adjacently aligned openings to effect an
adjusted orifice area; and
means responsive to rotation of said housing about said base for
sliding said nozzle gate to successively block and open the
openings of said nozzle plate, including:
follower means including a plurality of pins circumjacently mounted
and eccentrically moveable on said base;
cam means having at least two pin-engaging surfaces, said cam means
reciprocally mounted to said housing to be successively engageable
with and reciprocally moveable by each successive pin in response
to rotation of said housing about said base; and
lever means in association with said follower means and said cam
means for sliding said nozzle gate to variably block the fixed area
opening of said nozzle plate.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6 and further including a
deflector mounted to said housing near the fixed area opening of
said nozzle in such a manner as to deflect and distribute the jet
stream emitted from said nozzle.
8. A popup pattern sprinkler comprising:
a shell having a base-receiving chamber with a fluidtight entry and
a fluid exit;
a base having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said base
reciprocally mounted to be extensible from and retractable into the
base receiving chamber with the fluid entry of said base opening
into the base-receiving chamber;
a substantially fluidtight housing having a fluid entry and a first
fluid exit, said housing pivotally mounted to said base at the
fluid outlet of said base and at the fluid entry of said
housing;
a reduction-geared water motor encased within said housing, said
motor having a fluid entry in said housing and a second fluid exit
from said housing, and said housing pivoted about said base by said
motor;
a jet stream producing nozzle, having an adjustable orifice area,
mounted to said housing at said first fluid exit, the orifice
mathematically progressive in area to emit a jet stream of
progressive flow rate and trajectory for essentially equal
distribution of the jet stream radially away from said nozzle
whereby decreasing the orifice area deletes a progressive portion
of the jet stream and increasing the orifice area reinstates a
progressive portion of the jet stream; and
means responsive to rotation of said housing about said base for
increasing and decreasing the orifice area of said nozzle.
9. A selectively variable popup pattern sprinkler comprising:
a shell having a base-receiving chamber with a fluid-tight entry
and a fluid exit;
a base having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said base
reciprocally mounted to be extensible from and retractable into the
base-receiving chamber with the fluid entry of said base opening
into the base-receiving chamber;
a substantially fluidtight housing having a fluid entry and a first
fluid exit, said housing pivotally mounted to said base at the
fluid outlet of said base and at the fluid entry of said
housing;
a reduction-geared water motor encased within said housing, said
motor having a fluid entry in said housing and a second fluid exit
in said housing and said housing pivoted about said base by said
water motor;
a jet stream producing nozzle, having an adjustable orifice area,
mounted to said housing at said first fluid exit, said nozzle
including a nozzle plate having a fixed area opening defining an
orifice, and a nozzle gate slideably mounted in said housing
against said nozzle plate, said nozzle gate capable of variably
blocking the fixed area opening of said nozzle plate to effect an
adjusted orifice area, the orifice mathematically progressive in
area to emit a jet stream of progressive flow rate and trajectory
for essentially equal distribution of the jet stream radially away
from said nozzle whereby decreasing the orifice area deletes a
progressive portion of the jet stream and increasing the orifice
area reinstates a progressive portion of the jet stream; and
means responsive to rotation of said housing about said base for
sliding said nozzle gate to variably block the fixed area opening
of said nozzle plate.
10. A selectively variable popup pattern sprinkler comprising:
a shell having a base-receiving chamber with a fluidtight entry and
a fluid exit;
a base having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said base
reciprocally mounted to be extensible from and retractable into the
base-receiving chamber with the fluid entry of said base opening
into the base-receiving chamber;
a substantially fluidtight housing having a fluid entry and a first
fluid exit, said housing pivotally mounted to said base at the
fluid outlet of said base and at the fluid entry of said
housing;
a reduction-geared water motor encased within said housing, said
motor having a fluid entry in said housing and a second fluid exit
in said housing and said housing pivoted about said base by said
water motor;
a jet stream producing nozzle, having an adjustable orifice area,
mounted to said housing at said first fluid exit, said nozzle
including a nozzle plate having a a fixed area opening defining an
orifice, and a nozzle gate slideably mounted in said housing
against said nozzle plate, said nozzle gate capable of variably
blocking the fixed area opening of said nozzle plate to effect an
adjusted orifice area; and
means responsive to rotation of said housing about said base for
sliding said nozzle gate to variably block the fixed area opening
of said nozzle plate, said means including:
follower means including a plurality of pins circumjacently mounted
and eccentrically moveable on said base;
cam means having at least two pin-engaging surfaces, said cam means
reciprocally mounted to said housing to be successively engageable
with and reciprocally moveable by each successive pin in response
to rotation of said housing about said base; and
lever means in association with said follower means and said cam
means, for sliding said nozzle gate to variably block the fixed
area opening of said nozzle plate.
11. The device as claimed in claim 10 and further including a
deflector mounted to said housing near the fixed area opening of
said nozzle in such a manner as to deflect and distribute the jet
stream emitted from said nozzle.
12. A selectively variably popup pattern sprinkler, comprising:
a shell having a base-receiving chamber with a fluidtight entry and
a fluid exit;
a base having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said base
reciprocally mounted to be extensible from and retractable into the
base-receiving chamber with the fluid entry of said base opening
into the base-receiving chamber;
a substantially fluidtight housing having a fluid entry and a first
fluid exit, said housing pivotally mounted to said base at the
fluid outlet of said base and at the fluid entry of said
housing;
a reduction-geared water motor encased within said housing, said
motor having a fluid entry in said housing and a second fluid exit
in said housing and said housing pivoted about said base by said
water motor;
a jet stream producing nozzle, having an adjustable area orifice,
mounted to said housing at said first fluid exit, said nozzle
including a nozzle plate having a plurality of adjacently aligned
openings of successively increasing area and a stair-stepped nozzle
gate slideably mounted in said housing against said nozzle plate,
said stair-stepped nozzle gate capable of successively blocking and
opening each of the adjacently aligned openings to effect an
adjusted orifice area; and
means responsive to rotation of said housing about said base for
sliding said nozzle gate to successively block and open the
openings of said nozzle plate, said means including:
follower means including a plurality of pins circumjacently mounted
and eccentrically moveable on said base;
cam means having at least two pin-engaging surfaces, said cam means
reciprocally mounted to said housing to be successively engageable
with and reciprocally moveable by each successive pin in response
to rotation of said housing about said base; and
lever means in association with said follower means and said cam
means, for sliding said nozzle gate to variably block the fixed
area opening of said nozzle plate.
13. A selectively variably popup pattern sprinkler comprising:
a shell having a base-receiving chamber with a fluidtight entry and
a fluid exit;
a base having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, said base
reciprocally mounted to be extensible from and retractable into the
base-receiving chamber with the fluid entry of said base opening
into the base-receiving chamber;
a substantially fluidtight housing having a fluid entry and a first
fluid exit, said housing pivotally mounted to said base at the
fluid outlet of said base and at the fluid entry of said
housing;
a reduction-geared water motor encased within said housing, said
motor having a fluid entry in said housing, and a second fluid exit
in said housing and said housing pivoted about said base by said
water motor;
a jet stream producing nozzle, having an adjustable orifice area,
mounted to said housing at said first fluid exit, said nozzle
including a nozzle plate having a fixed area opening defining an
orifice, and a nozzle gate slideably mounted in said housing
against said nozzle plate, said nozzle gate capable of variably
blocking the fixed area opening of said nozzle plate to effect an
adjusted orifice area, the orifice mathematically progressive in
area to emit a jet stream of progressive flow rate and trajectory
for essentially equal distribution of the jet stream radially away
from said nozzle whereby decreasing the orifice area deletes a
progressive portion of the jet stream and increasing the orifice
area reinstates a progressive portion of the jet stream; and
means responsive to rotation of said housing about said base for
sliding said nozzle gate to successively block and open the
openings of said nozzle plate.
14. The device as claimed in claim 12 and further including a
deflector mounted to said housing near the fixed area opening of
said nozzle in such a manner as to deflect and distribute the jet
stream emitted from said nozzle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to water sprinklers, but more particularly,
this invention relates to sprinklers having adjustably variable
nozzles to effect regulation of water flow rate.
One of the major problems with present day sprinklers of the
adjustable pattern type is that of equal water distribution
radially away from the sprinkler. Unlike common sprinklers, the
adjustable pattern sprinkler is repeatedly used from one location
and because of this, the contiguous irrigation area served by an
adjustable pattern sprinkler may be repeatedly underirrigated or
overirrigated as established by the effective effluent distribution
from the nozzle. Typically, contour sprinklers have a nozzle system
pivoted around an axis by means of a water motor. The effluent from
the sprinkler nozzle may be regulated by throttling water flow to
the nozzle or by a channeling water to separate and distinct
nozzles, or a combination of both. Throttling a sprinkler nozzle
proportionally reduces emitted water flow and disrupts equal water
distribution over varying sector areas from the nozzle because the
water stream trajectory as emitted from the nozzle is exponentially
dependent upon water flow. To attempt equal water distribution for
different area sectors of different radii, some of system pivoted
the more sophisticated present day sprinklers may vary the
rotational speed of the nozzle system in conjunction with
throttling nozzle effluent. Nozzle system rotational speed
variations may be achieved through bifurcating water flow between
the nozzle system and the water motor to effect speed variations
from the water motor. Other types of adjustable pattern sprinklers
bifurcate water flow through separate and distinct nozzles in an
attempt to achieve equal water distribution. Even where multiple
nozzles are used, some throttling of the water flow usually takes
place before being emitted from the nozzle.
The problems heretofore mentioned have been directed toward equal
water distribution. Another problem associated with adjustable
pattern sprinklers is that of the adjusting means necessary to
achieve a selectively variable sprinkling pattern. Some sprinklers
use fixed shape cams which require replacement or special shaping
to achieve a desired pattern. One problem with a sprinkler having a
fixed cam is at each pattern area requires its own special cam
which may be commercially unfeasible. A problem with sprinklers
having adjustable cams may be that of adjustment caused by
nonlinearity between the adjusting means and the jet stream emitted
from the nozzle.
It is the purpose of my invention to overcome the aforementioned
problems with a novel nozzle design, and a linear adjusting
means.
SUMMARY
One object of my invention is to provide an adjustable pattern
sprinkler having improved water distribution characteristics.
Another object of my invention is to provide an adjustable pattern
sprinkler where there is substantially no regulated throttling of
water flow prior to emittance through the nozzle.
Another object of my invention is to supply an adjustable area
sprinkler where water flow to a water motor is substantially
constant for all selectively variable patterns.
Still another object of my invention is to provide a single nozzle
having water distribution characteristics of a plurality of
unthrottled nozzles.
Yet another object of my invention is to provide an improved
sprinkler that is easily adjustable to a plurality of selectively
variable patterns.
It is another object of my invention to provide an economical
adjustable pattern sprinkler of either the portable or popup
type.
These and other objects of my invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art upon review of the appended drawings and
description thereof.
My invention may be used in conjunction with either portable or
popup-type sprinklers. The improved sprinkler has a housing mounted
to a base member. The housing contains a typical water motor. A
portion of the water flow entering the housing is bled off to drive
the water motor. The water bled away for the motor exits the
housing through a constant diameter orifice. The water motor
rotates the housing at relatively constant speed in fixed relation
to the base member. The base member mounts a plurality of
eccentrically moveable pins arranged circumjacently. A cam, which
engages the pins, is mounted to the housing. As the housing pivots
around the base, the cam reciprocates with respect to the housing
as induced by alternate engagement of the cam with each successive
pin. The amount of cam reciprocation is easily varied by changing
the eccentricity of a pin. The cam is directly connected by means
of a rod and bellcrank to a gate of a gate-valve. Reciprocating
movements of the cam will result in reciprocating movements of the
gate. The nozzle comprises an orifice plate and the gate, which has
a special shape. The nozzle orifice area is changed by movements of
the gate relative to the orifice plate. Accordingly, various jet
stream spray patterns from the nozzle are effected by the position
of the gate relative to the nozzle plate.
The operation and advantages of my invention may best be understood
with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a side elevation of the device as a
popup sprinkler.
FIG. 2 is a disconnected isometric view showing the nozzle, the cam
and eccentric pins, and the associated articulated linkage.
FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing a variation
of the nozzle.
FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing a variation
in the nozzle, and cam and follower means.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along the line 5-5
showing the attitude of a nozzle orifice.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along the line 6-6
showing the attitude of a second nozzle orifice.
FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the device as a portable
sprinkler.
TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of my invention
is depicted as a popup sprinkler 10 contained within a shell 11. A
baffle 12 separates the shell 11 into two chambers, a
base-receiving chamber 13 and a housing-receiving chamber 14. Major
components of the sprinkler include a housing 15 and a base 16. The
base-receiving chamber has a fluid entry 17 for connection to a
fluid supply source, and a fluid exit 18 that receives the base
which has an internal bore 19 defining a fluid inlet 20 and outlet
21. The lower lower of the base 16 is reciprocally mounted to be
extensible from the base-receiving chamber. When the base is
extended, a collar 22 presses a seal 23 against the baffle 12 to
effect a fluidtight base-receiving chamber. The base is captivated
from rotating by a tab 24 projecting from the baffle to a slot 25
formed in the base. Although the tab and slot arrangement is
preferred, any convenient geometrical shape of base with respect to
the fluid exit may be used to prevent rotation of the base in the
shell. Gravitational forces are ordinarily sufficient to bias the
lower portion of the base into the base-receiving chamber when the
sprinkler is not in use. However, a preferred embodiment of this
invention utilizes a spring 26 between the baffle 12 and a collar
27 to provide an extra margin of bias force. An optional check
valve 28 located in the lower portion of the base-receiving chamber
drains said chamber of fluid after the sprinkler has been used.
The upper portion 29 of the base flares radially outward into the
housing-receiving chamber 14. A plurality of individually moveable
eccentric pins 30 circumjacently arranged, extend through the base.
The function of the eccentric pins will be later explained. The
housing 15 encases a reduction-geared water motor and said housing
mounts a nozzle 35, a cam 36 and an articulated linkage 37 between
the nozzle an cam. The housing 15 is pivotally mounted to the base
by (1) a nipple 38 formed as an extended portion of the housing 15
and (2) a rod 39 extending through the nipple and the internal bore
of the base. The nipple protrudes into the base forming a bearing
for rotational stability when the housing is pivoted about the
base. A seal 40 minimizes fluid leakage between the housing and
base. The reduction-geared water motor is encased within a separate
motor chamber 41 formed within the housing. The water motor
comprises a water turbine 42 and a gear train. The gear train
includes a series of intermeshing reduction worms 43 and gears 44
which finally drive a pinion gear 46 on the outside of the housing.
The pinion meshes with a gear 47 formed on the base 16. A small
passageway 48 between the housing fluid entry 49 and the motor
chamber defines a fluid entry into the water turbine. Water exits
the water turbine 42, enters the motor chamber 41, and is emitted
through a water motor exit 50. The cam, which has a first 51 and a
second 52 motion imparting surface, is reciprocally guided along
the lower surface 53 of the housing 15. Either of the motion
imparting surfaces may successively engage each of the circumjacent
pins 30 as the housing is pivoted about the base. By varying the
eccentricity of each successive pin 30, the cam 36 may be
selectively reciprocated inwardly A or outwardly B with respect to
the housing 15 as said housing is pivoted about the base 16.
One of the novel features of my invention is the adjustable orifice
area nozzle 35. The nozzle is mounted at the housing fluid exit 54.
It should be noted that in my sprinkler design, the fluid does not
travel a tortuous path before being emitted from the nozzle. The
main fluid passageway from the base-receiving chamber to the nozzle
is relatively free of obstruction. Consequently, little or no
throttling occurs as fluid flows from the base to the nozzle. A
preferred embodiment of my invention includes a nozzle as depicted
by FIGS. 1 and 2. The nozzle comprises a nozzle plate 55 having
individually sized orifices 56, an a "stair-stepped" gate 57 which
may be urged to partially or completely block each successive
orifice. Fluid flow rate from the nozzle is varied by blocking or
partially blocking each successive orifice. As shown in FIG. 1, the
effective orifice area is reduced when the gate partially blocks an
orifice. It is of particular importance to note the orifice area is
actually reduced in size; there is no throttling of fluid flow
prior to being emitted from any of the fixed area orifices 56. The
velocity of the jet stream emitted from the nozzle 35 remains
substantially constant through each orifice when one or more other
orifices are blocked by the gate. Selective or partial blocking of
each individual orifice by the nozzle gate 57 is accomplished by
means of the pins 30, the cam 36 and the articulated linkage 37.
The articulated linkage comprises a bellcrank 58 extending through
the housing 15 at its pivotal axis 59, and a rod 60 connected by a
pin 61 to the bellcrank 58. An extended end 61 of the bellcrank
meshes into a slot 62 formed in the back of the gate 55.
Reciprocatory movements A--B of the cam 36 are translated first to
rotational movements C--D of the bellcrank 58 and finally to
reciprocatory movements R--S of gate 57 against the nozzle plate
55. The foregoing nozzle characteristics permit the nozzle to be
designed for equal water distribution for irrigation sectors of
varying radii around the sprinkler.
For the purpose of nozzle design, the area to be irrigated by the
sprinkler may be theoretically divided into a plurality of annular
rings having equal radial widths. Then, differential area between
each successive annular ring is directly proportional to the ratio
of the square of the distance of the annular rings away from the
sprinkler. The relationship for sizing each successive nozzle
orifice is directly proportional to each successive annular area.
Accordingly, a nozzle orifice for an annular ring at a 20foot
radius would have a size equal to four-ninths that of a nozzle
orifice for an annular ring at a 30-foot radius. The cumulative
area of the plurality of nozzle orifices may then be chosen for any
desired maximum fluid flow rate.
As previously explained, the velocity of the jet stream emitted
through any unblocked orifice remains generally unchanged even
though one or more of the other orifices are blocked. Thus, an
annular ring irrigated by any unblocked orifice receives
substantially the same quantity of fluid whether or not another
orifice of the nozzle is blocked. In other words, as orifices are
blocked, a progressive portion of the total jet stream is deleted
but the remaining portion of the jet stream remains unchanged. For
the purpose of this disclosure, when a "progressive portion" of the
jet stream is deleted or added as by blocking or uncovering an
individual orifice, the remaining portion of the jet stream remains
generally unchanged in that each unblocked individual orifice
supplies essentially a constant quantity of effluent to its
assigned annular ring; the term "progressive flow rate" as used
herein and in the claims refers to essentially unchanged flow of
fluid to each annular ring of an unblocked orifice when one or more
orifices are blocked or uncovered. Once the orifices have been
sized, the trajectory of the jet stream emitted by the nozzle may
be considered. A deflector 33 having a compound surface 34 is
preferably used to deflect the jet stream from each successive
orifice to its corresponding annular area. The shape of the
compound surface may then be calculated using typical trajectory
relationships keeping in mind that the jet stream velocity is
substantially constant.
When the sprinkler is in use, water under pressure is directed to
the base-receiving chamber through the fluid entry 17. Rising water
pressure in the base-receiving chamber closes the check valve 28
and reacts against the base cross-sectional area forcing the base
and the parts attached thereto in an upwardly manner. The spring 26
is compressed and the seal 23 is pressed against the baffle 12
effecting a substantially fluidtight base-receiving chamber. The
housing extends from the shell to a position as indicated by the
dotted lines of FIG. 1. The jet stream from the nozzle is now free
to clear the upper lip 65 of the shell 11. Water travels up the
internal bore 19 of the base and into the housing. The majority of
the fluid proceeds to be emitted from the nozzle 35 as a controlled
jet stream. A small portion of the water is bled through passageway
48 to drive the water turbine. The water turbine fluid is emitted
from the water motor chamber through the exit 50. Water turbine
effluent is preferably directed to irrigate a predetermined
circular area immediately surrounding the sprinkler. As the water
turbine 42 powers the pinion 46 through the series of intermeshing
worms 43, and gears 44, the pinion, meshing with the stationary
gear 47, pivots the housing 15 around the base 16 at a
substantially constant speed. The cam 36 upon successive engagement
with the endless row of eccentric pins 30, effects reciprocation of
the gate 57 against the nozzle plate 55. It should be noted at this
point that one of the salient features of the nozzle is that the
gate 57 is hydraulically balanced with respect to the nozzle plate
55. Consequently, no feedback forces are generated to affect the
position of the cam; the cam does not have to be in constant
engagement with a pin to prevent motion of the gate. Preferably,
the shape of the cam surfaces 51 and 52 are such that motion of the
gate 57 is directly proportional to the rotational motion of the
housing 15 about the base 16. Selectively adjusting the
eccentricity of a pin 30 results in selective blockage of a nozzle
orifice to effect precise control over the jet stream. The use of a
plurality of pins permits selectively variable control over the jet
stream at a number of housing azimuth positions. By adjusting the
pins 30 to desired positions, the sprinkler will repeatedly
irrigate an irregular area. When water flow to the base-receiving
chamber 13 is terminated, the housing will return to its original
position within the shell as aided by the spring 26 and
gravitational forces. Check valve 28 returns to its normally open
position and residual water drains from the base-receiving chamber.
One reason for draining the sprinkler of residual water is to
prevent damage due to freezing in cold climate areas.
ADDITIONAL SPECIES
FIG. 3 depicts a variation in the adjustable orifice area nozzle.
Both the nozzle plate 70 and gate 71 have been modified. The
plurality of orifices as previously described has been replaced
with a wedge-shaped orifice 72 and the stair-stepped gate has been
replaced with a ramp gate 71. The shape of the wedge-shaped slot 72
may be established in a manner similar to that described for
determining the size of orifices. For example, the wedge-shaped
orifice 72 may be thought of as a plurality of orifices arranged
closely together. The gate 71 is reciprocated against the nozzle
plate 70 by the extended end 61 of the bellcrank in a manner as
previously described. Movement of the gate 71 against the nozzle
plate 70 effectively adjusts the size of the wedge-shaped orifice
72.
Still another variation in the sprinkler is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and
6. The eccentric pins have been replaced with a fixed shape cam 75.
The cam 75 may be of any desired shape to control the sprinkler
irrigation pattern. For example, the cam 75 may have a shape for
controlling irrigation of a square, circular, rectangular, et
cetera, areas. The cam of the sprinkler of FIGS. 1 and 2 has been
replaced with a follower 76. The follower 76 engages the cam 75 as
the housing 15 is pivoted. The follower 76 activates the
articulated linkage in a manner as previously described. The
linkage 37 reciprocates the stair-stepped gate 57 against the
nozzle plate 77 to effectively block the successive orifices 78.
The sprinkler of FIG. 4 does not require a deflector because of the
specially shaped nozzle plate 77. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the
nozzle plate 77 has an externally curved surface 79. The orifices
78 have varying attitudes to effect various trajectories of the
emitted jet stream. For example, the orifice attitude 80 is
greatest for the larger orifice since the orifice emits a jet
stream having the longest trajectory. The orifice attitude 81 is
the least for the smaller orifice since the orifice emits a jet
stream having the shortest trajectory. The orifices between those
depicted by FIGS. 5 and 6 have successively decreasing
attitudes.
Referring to FIG. 7, a portable sprinkler 85 is depicted
incorporating my invention. A stand 86 is attached to the base 87
for portability. Fluid enters the base through the fluid entry 88
and proceeds to a cavity 89. The upper portion of the base 87
mounts an endless row of circumjacent pins 30, as described for the
sprinkler of FIGS. 1 and 2. The housing 15 is pivotally mounted to
the base at the fluid exit 90 by means of the nipple 91 which is an
extension of the housing 15. The housing 15 is pivoted about the
base 87 in the same manner as previously described for the popup
sprinkler 10. Operational and other physical details for the
sprinkler 85 are the same as previously described.
* * * * *