Water deflection assembly

• US 20060091232A1
• Filed: 11/03/2005
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
• Inventors: Grant, Stuart Francis
• Granted Patent: US 7,552,877 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/19
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/006 using induced currents; using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/008 comprising a wobbling or nutating element, i.e. rotating about an axis describing a cone during spraying B05B3/0463 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/0486 the spray jet being generated by a rotary deflector rotated by liquid discharged onto it in a direction substantially parallel its rotation axis

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for deflecting and distributing liquid from a liquid source is provided. The system comprises a dispersing element disposed along an elongated member, and a retaining structure adapted to enclose at least a portion of the elongated member. The dispersing element further comprises a series of diagonal, spaced grooves configured to receive and deflect the liquid. The dispersing element and the elongated member are configured to rotate and precess relatively freely within the retaining structure.

Claims

1. A device for dispersing liquid, comprising:

an elongated member;

a dispersing element attached to the elongated member;

at least one deflecting groove situated on the dispersing element;

at least one retaining structure surrounding the elongated member and confining movement of the elongated member;

at least one set of magnets maintaining the elongated member above a base surface and within the at least one retaining structure

wherein liquid directed towards the dispersing element is deflected by the at least one deflecting groove in a generally radial direction away from the dispersing member;

wherein the deflection of the liquid away from the dispersing element causes the dispersing element and the elongated member to rotate about a common longitudinal axis;

wherein the rotation of the dispersing element and the elongated member causes the elongated member to precess within the at least one retaining structure;

wherein the liquid contacts the dispersing element as it precesses, causing the liquid to be distributed throughout a generally circular area around the device.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of magnets comprises:

a first magnet provided on the base surface;

a second magnet attached to the elongated member and orientated to oppose the magnetic field of the first magnet.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a base comprising said base surface and connected to the retaining structure.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispersing element has a conical shape.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining structure comprises at least one ring.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining structure comprises at least one upper retaining ring and at least one lower retaining ring oriented along the same longitudinal axis.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the dispersing element is situated above the at least one upper retaining ring.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one magnet is provided on a lower end of the elongated member.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a supporting pole connecting the base surface to the retaining structure.

10. A device for dispersing liquid, comprising:

an elongated member;

a dispersing element provided on the elongated member; and

a retaining structure for supporting the elongated member;

wherein liquid directed towards the dispersing element is deflected by the dispersing member in a generally radial direction away from the dispersing member;

wherein the deflection of the liquid away from the dispersing element causes the dispersing element and the elongated member to rotate about a common longitudinal axis;

wherein the rotation of the dispersing element and the elongated member causes the elongated member to precess within the retaining structure; and

wherein the liquid contacts the dispersing element as it precesses, causing the liquid to be distributed throughout a generally circular area around the device.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the dispersing element comprises at least one deflecting groove.

12. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the dispersing element has a conical shape.

13. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the elongated member is maintained above a base surface using at least one set of oppositely oriented magnets.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one set of oppositely oriented magnets comprises a first magnet situated on the elongated member and a second magnet situated near the first magnet and oriented to oppose the magnetic field of the first magnet.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second magnet is incorporated into at least a portion of the retaining structure.

16. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the elongated member is hollow, having a first opening and a second opening;

wherein the dispersing element is situated on the interior of the hollow elongated member near the second opening;

wherein liquid directed through the first opening of the hollow elongated member contacts the dispersing element and is deflected by at least one deflecting groove in a generally radial direction away from the elongated member through the second opening in the elongated member.

17. A method for dispersing liquid, comprising:

providing an elongated member having a dispersing element attached thereto; and

directing liquid towards the dispersing element, wherein the liquid contacts the dispersing element and is deflected in a generally radial direction away from the dispersing member, and causes the dispersing member and elongated member to rotate within a retaining structure about a common longitudinal axis.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising positioning said elongated member and said dispersing element within the retaining structure such that said elongated member and dispersing element are maintained in a position above a base surface.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said elongated member and dispersing element are maintained above a base surface using magnets.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising driving a mechanical device using the rotation of the elongated member.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating electrical energy from the rotation of the elongated member.