Hexagonal sprinkler nozzle

• US 20060071098A1
• Filed: 10/04/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Original Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Inventors: McCormick, Chad, Broerman, Bert
• Application Number:
  US10/957,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20060071098A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/504
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/3402 to avoid or to reduce turbulencies, e.g. comprising fluid flow straightening means
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/74 driven by the discharged fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/0422 with rotating outlet elements

Abstract

The present invention provides a sprinkler nozzle having patterned exit ports within the nozzle to maximize flow area while straightening the water stream.

Claims

1. A sprinkler nozzle comprising:

a nozzle framework sized for positioning in an exit opening of a sprinkler;

a pattern of ports traversing at least a portion of said nozzle framework;

each of said ports having a shape complimentary to an adjacent port so as to minimize the amount of material present between each of said ports; and

said pattern of ports having a thickness along a longitudinal axis of said support frame so as to reduce turbulence in water traveling through said exit opening of said sprinkler.

2. A sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the majority of said ports have a hexagonal shape.

3. A sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pattern of ports includes ports of a hexagonal shape and ports of a pentagonal shape.

4. A sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said pattern of ports further includes at least one port of an irregular shape.

5. A sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a break up port located adjacent said pattern of ports.

6. A sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pattern of ports includes at least one row of hexagonally shaped ports.

7. A sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a connecting mechanism disposed on said nozzle framework.

8. A sprinkler comprising:

a sprinkler body having a water inlet port and a water outlet port;

a nozzle disposed in said water outlet port;

a water straightening mechanism disposed on said nozzle; and

said water straightening mechanism being the primary source of water straightening structure on said sprinkler.

9. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 8, wherein said water straightening mechanism is a pattern of water straightening ports.

10. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 9, wherein each of said water straightening ports is shaped so as to minimize the amount of material present between adjacent ports.

11. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 9, wherein a majority of said water straightening ports are hexagonal in shape.

12. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 10, wherein said water straightening ports comprise hexagonal ports and hectagonal ports.

13. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 12, wherein said water straightening ports further comprise irregularly shaped ports.

14. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 9, wherein said pattern includes at least one row of hexagonally shaped ports.

15. A method watering turf comprising:

providing a sprinkler having an inlet port and an exit port;

introducing a flow of water into said inlet port and out of said exit port; and

reducing turbulence of said water primarily at the exit port of said sprinkler.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the reducing of turbulence includes introducing said flow of water into a straightening mechanism at said exit port.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the reducing of turbulence includes forcing said flow of water through a patterned nozzle located at said exit port.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein forcing said flow of water through a patterned nozzle includes forcing said flow of water through a pattern of hexagonally shaped flow ports.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein forcing said flow of water includes forcing said flow of water through a pattern that further includes pentagonally shaped flow ports.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein forcing said flow of water includes forcing said flow of water through a pattern that further includes irregularly shaped flow ports.