Sprinkler with pressure regulation

• US 20070007364A1
• Filed: 07/06/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Inventors: Gregory, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 7,681,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/206
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/3006 the controlling element being actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed B05B11/0062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/304 the controlling element being a lift valve
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/40 Filters located upstream of the spraying outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/74 driven by the discharged fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/0422 with rotating outlet elements
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/30 spring-loaded
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/109 with two or more pistons acting as a single pressure controller that move together over range of motion during normal operations controllers mounted in series G05D16/0402, controller mounted in parallel G05D16/0404
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2607 With pressure reducing inlet valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7838 Plural

Abstract

A sprinkler pressure regulator module has a compact arrangement with a shiftable member having an upper cavity for receiving water flow debris, and a portion of a bypass valve may reciprocate therein. The module includes a stator plate directing water into a drive mechanism, such as a turbine drive mechanism. The shiftable member receives fluid flow from a radially outboard direction and is sealed with a cup portion receiving the shiftable member to define a cup cavity. A module exterior surface is separated from a sprinkler housing to define a vent cavity. A pressure release vent communicates with the cup cavity, a vent channel between the cup portion and the exterior surface, the vent cavity, and the exterior environment. The vent cavity and cup portion provide receptacles for debris deposit. Ribs around an opening of the vent channel with the vent cavity generally prevent debris from entering the vent channel.

Claims

1. An apparatus to regulate the flow of water through a sprinkler comprising:

a body defining an inlet, an outlet and a passageway therebetween;

a first valve being located in the passageway to regulate the flow of water between the inlet and the outlet, the first valve restricting flow depending on an amount that pressure downstream of the first valve exceeds a first predetermined threshold; and

a second valve being embedded at least in part with the first valve and being located downstream of the first valve to bypass flow past the outlet when pressure at the outlet exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first valve includes a first valve member and a first valve seat, the first valve member having a first valve stem and a first valve head, the first valve stem defining an internal cavity and the flow of water through the passageway being about the first valve member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first valve head is biased to a spaced position from the first valve seat and forced to variable positions closer to the valve seat depending on the amount that the pressure downstream of the first valve exceeds the first predetermined threshold.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a first spring to bias the first valve head away from the first valve seat, and the first predetermined threshold depends at least on the first spring.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the body defines a bottom cup portion and the first stem and first spring reside at least in part in the bottom cup portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the bottom cup guides movement of the first valve member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the cup is capable of collecting foreign matter.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second valve includes a second valve stem and a second valve head, at least a portion of the second valve stem extending into the cavity of the first valve stem to embed the second valve with the first valve.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the outlet includes a plurality of orifices that produce flow designed to rotate a turbine of a rotary sprinkler, and the second valve seat is designed to produce bypass flow that less effectively rotates the turbine.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second valve head is biased to an engaged position with the second valve seat to prohibit flow therethrough and has an open position permitting flow therethrough when pressure downstream of the second valve exceeds the second predetermined threshold.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first predetermined threshold is greater than the second predetermined threshold.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the cavity is capable of collecting foreign matter.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further includes a vent port to permit fluid to enter and discharge from the body during operation of the first valve.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further includes a screen to restrict foreign matter from blocking the vent port.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the vent port vents directly to the atmosphere.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the screen includes a channel defined by the body.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the channel is at an exterior of the body.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the channel cooperates with an interior surface of a sprinkler to screen foreign matter.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus may be positioned within a moveable housing of a pop-up type sprinkler.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus may be assembled as a single unit.

21. An apparatus for regulating water having a variable flow rate or pressure, the apparatus comprising:

a pressure responsive member including surface portions in contact with water flowing through the apparatus such that the water pressure exerts a force on the surface portions, the pressure responsive member shiftable in response to the water pressure within the apparatus when the water pressure is sufficient to overcome a bias provided by a bias member;

a cup portion defining an interior cavity for receiving a portion of the pressure responsive member and a portion of the bias member;

at least one inlet for receiving water into the apparatus radially outward from the cup portion and from the pressure responsive member

a shell having a radially interior surface and a radially exterior surface, the cup being positioned radially inward a distance away from the shell interior surface, and the at least one inlet includes a plurality of radially positioned inlets between the cup and the shell interior surface, wherein the shell exterior surface is positioned against and within an interior surface of a moveable housing of a pop-up sprinkler.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the apparatus is pre-assembled as a unit.

23. A sprinkler for distributing water comprising:

an interior surface; and

a pressure regulating apparatus including;

a body defining an inlet for receiving water into the apparatus, an outlet for delivering water from the apparatus, and a passageway between the inlet and outlet, the body further having an exterior surface,

a pressure responsive member at least a first surface portion of which is in contact with water received in the passageway such that the water pressure exerts a force on the first surface portion, and at least a second surface portion of the pressure responsive member being in communication with a first cavity at a generally constant reference pressure, the pressure responsive member being shiftable in response to pressure of the water, and the first cavity being generally sealed from the passageway to prevent the flow of water and air therebetween, and

a valve seat in communication with the passageway, wherein the pressure responsive member moves towards the valve seat when pressure against the pressure responsive member exceeds a predetermined level to reduce the flow of water through the passageway, wherein the body exterior surface is positioned a distance from the sprinkler interior surface and generally sealed therewith to define a second cavity in communication with the first cavity and in communication with an exterior environment of a portion of the sprinkler.

24. The sprinkler of claim 23 wherein the apparatus may be pre-assembled as a unit, and the unit may be positioned within the sprinkler.

25. The sprinkler of claim 23 wherein the static pressures of the first cavity, second cavity, and exterior environment are substantially identical.

26. The sprinkler of claim 23 wherein the sprinkler is a pop-up type sprinkler including:

a stationary housing including an inlet for receiving water under pressure from a water source,

a moveable housing received within the stationary housing and having a retracted position relative to the stationary housing when the sprinkler is shut off and having an extended position relative to the stationary housing with the sprinkler is activated to distribute water from a nozzle on the moveable housing, wherein the first cavity is defined by the pressure responsive member and a first cavity surface stationary relative to the moveable housing, and

a first seal member positioned to form an interface between a portion of the pressure responsive member and the first cavity surface to generally prevent the flow of water and air across the interface.

27. The sprinkler of claim 26 wherein the second cavity is formed between the body exterior surface secured within the moveable housing and the sprinkler interior surface formed on an interior surface of the moveable housing.

28. The sprinkler of claim 26 including a pressure release vent communicating with the first cavity and second cavity, and having an exit on the exterior of the moveable housing exposed to the environment outside the sprinkler when the moveable housing is in an extended position.

29. The sprinkler of claim 28 wherein the body includes a shell including the body exterior surface, the body is connected to a cup by at least a first radial rib portion, the cup includes an interior surface a portion of which provides the first cavity surface, the pressure release vent includes a vent channel communicating with the first and second cavities, and the vent channel is formed in one of the radial rib portions.

30. The sprinkler of claim 29 wherein the shell portion includes an upper seal member and a lower seal member for generally sealing the shell with the moveable housing to define the second cavity.

31. The sprinkler of claim 30 wherein the vent channel communicates with the vent cavity at a position between the upper and lower seal members.

32. The sprinkler of claim 23 including a vent channel communicating between the first and second cavity, wherein the vent channel includes a vent opening into the second cavity, the body exterior surface includes wall portions extending therefrom and having a terminal end closely positioned to the sprinkler interior surface to restrict the size of a particle passing therebetween, the wall portions positioned around at least a portion of the vent opening.

33. The sprinkler of claim 32 wherein the wall portions are positioned less than 0.050 inches from the interior surface of the moveable housing.

34. An apparatus to regulate the operation of a sprinkler including a drive mechanism, the apparatus comprising:

a body defining an inlet for receiving water into the apparatus, an outlet for delivering water from the apparatus, and a passageway between the inlet and outlet;

a valve member at least a portion of which is in contact with water received in the passageway, the valve member being shiftable in response to pressure of the water; and

a valve seat in communication with the passageway, wherein the valve member moves towards the valve seat when pressure against the valve member exceeds a predetermined level to reduce the flow of water through the passageway, the outlet delivers water power to the drive mechanism.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the apparatus is pre-assembled as a unit such that the unit may be positioned within the sprinkler.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the body includes a stator having openings defining the outlet.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the stator delivers water passing therethrough in the form of discrete streams, and the discrete streams are directed for delivering power to the drive mechanism.

38. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the body receives a stator including openings communicating with the outlet, wherein the openings direct fluid passing therethough into contact with the drive mechanism.