Adjustable arc spray and rotary stream sprinkler

• US 5,148,990 A
• Filed: 06/29/1990
• Issued: 09/22/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carl L.C. Kah Jr
• Original Assignee: Carl L.C. Kah Jr
• Inventors: Kah, Carl L. C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): YOUNG, KAREN MERRITT
• Application Number:
  US07/546,120
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 239/DIG. 1, 239/236, 239/461, 239/540, 239/579, 239/581.1, 239/240, 239/222.17, 239/457, 239/538, 239/539
• US Class Current: 239/222.17
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/262 with fixed deflectors
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/74 driven by the discharged fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/0422 with rotating outlet elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 239/01 Pattern sprinkler

Abstract

An adjustable arc spary nozzle is set forth which includes a cylindrical member with an arc set member therein to provide adjustable flow directed into a spray deflector, either stationary or rotary. Modifications are presented to obtain varying effects to the flow. The spray deflector is shown: (1) fixed to the cylindrical member; (2) fixed to the arc set member; and (3) rotating.

Claims

1. A sprinkler having a nozzle with an adjustable arc of coverage, said nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having two ends with an inlet means at one end for receiving pressurized water, a spray deflector member fixed to and spaced from the other end of said tubular body means, said center opening having a cylindrical section at said one end, said spray deflector member having a center cylindrical opening coaxial with said cylindrical section, an arc set member having two ends, one end of said arc set member comprising a first cylindrical portion positioned in said center cylindrical opening for axial movement and rotation, the other end of said arc set member having a second cylindrical portion having a larger diameter positioned in said cylindrical section for axial movement and rotation, said second cylindrical portion forming a stepped peripheral surface with said first cylindrical portion, said stepped peripheral surface being formed as a spiral surface ending in two axially spaced ends, a first axially extending rib extends on said arc set member towards said spray deflector member from one end of the spiral surface, said first rib being movable with said arc set member, said first rib defining one side of an adjustable arcuate discharge orifice, a second axially extending rib fixed to the cylindrical section of said center opening of said tubular body means, said second axially extending rib having two ends, an outer end extending to define a second side of the adjustable arcuate discharge orifice, the other end engaging said stepped peripheral surface to guide axial movement of said arc set member.

2. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the top of said first rib has a top end curved inwardly to maintain a selected arcuate discharge flow.

3. A sprinkler having a nozzle with an adjustable arc of coverage, said nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having an inlet end and outlet end with an inlet means at said inlet end for receiving pressurized water, a spray deflector member positioned at the other outlet end of said tubular body means, said center opening having a cylindrical section with an inner cylindrical surface, an arc set member having an adjustable arcuate inlet valving means located at the inlet end of said tubular body means, a cylindrical member positioned in the center of said cylindrical section of said center opening with an outer cylindrical surface, said inner and outer cylindrical surfaces forming an arcuate circumferential discharge slot for directing pressurized water onto said spray deflector.

4. The sprinkler nozzle of claim 3 including a first axially extending rib defining an end surface between the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of the arcuate circumferential discharge slot and a second axially extending rib forming the other end surface between the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of the arcuate circumferential discharge slot, said axially extending ribs being relatively movable and aligned with the adjustable arcuate inlet valving means.

5. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 3 wherein an annular member extends downwardly from the tubular body means around the center opening, said annular member has axial cut-out sections for providing a water inlet to said nozzle, a disc mounted for axial movement in said annular member, said disc being mounted on a shaft threaded into said arc set member, axial movement of said disc controls water through said axial cut-out sections.

6. A sprinkler having a nozzle with an adjustable arc of coverage, said nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having two ends, an inlet end for receiving pressurized water, a spray deflector means at the other end of said tubular body means for deflecting water therefrom, said center opening having a cylindrical section extending to the inlet end, an arc set means being positioned in said cylindrical section for axial and rotational movement, said arc set means having a portion forming a valving means with the inlet end of said cylindrical section, said arc set means having a cylindrical portion positioned in the center of said cylindrical section of said center opening for forming an arcuate circumferential discharge slot for directing water flow onto said spray deflector means.

7. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 6 including a first axially extending rib on said cylindrical section defining an end surface of said arcuate circumferential discharge slot between said cylindrical section and said cylindrical portion, a second axially extending rib on said cylindrical portion defining the other end surface of said arcuate circumferential discharge slot between said cylindrical portion and said cylindrical section, said axially extending ribs being relatively movable and positioned to receive flow therebetween from the valving means.

8. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 7 including inlet means for providing additional flow between said arc set means and said cylindrical section to said arcuate circumferential discharge slot.

9. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said spray deflector means is fixed to said tubular body means.

10. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 9 wherein said spray deflector means has an opening therethrough, said arc set member having said cylindrical portion extend into said opening.

11. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 7 wherein said spray deflector means is fixed to said arc set means.

12. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 11 having biasing means biasing said arc set means upwardly.

13. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 11 having slot means for disconnecting said arc set means from said tubular body means.

14. A sprinkler having a nozzle with an adjustable arc of coverage, said nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having two ends with an inlet means at one end for receiving pressurized water, a spray deflector means spaced from the other end of said tubular body means, said center opening having a cylindrical section at said one end, an arc set means having two ends, one end of said arc set means comprising a first cylindrical portion having a diameter smaller than said cylindrical section of said center opening and being positioned in the center thereof, the other end of said arc set means having a second cylindrical portion having a larger diameter positioned with respect to said cylindrical section for axial movement and rotation, said second cylindrical portion forming a stepped peripheral surface with said first cylindrical portion, said stepped peripheral surface being formed as a spiral surface ending in two axially spaced ends, a first axially extending rib extends on the first cylindrical portion of said arc set means towards said spray deflector means from the end of the spiral surface defining one side of an adjustable arcuate discharge orifice, said first rib being movable with said arc set means, a second axially extending rib is fixed to the cylindrical section of said center opening of said tubular body means, said second axially extending rib having two ends, an outer end extending to define a second side of the adjustable arcuate discharge orifice, the other end engaging said stepped peripheral spiral surface to guide axial movement of said arc set means.

15. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 14 having a plurality of ribs extending downwardly from the one end of said tubular body means for guiding the arc set means, said ribs having projections for preventing said arc set means from becoming separated from the tubular body means.

16. A sprinkler having a nozzle with an adjustable arc of coverage, said nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having two ends with an inlet means at one end for receiving pressurized water, a spray deflector means fixed to and spaced from the other end of said tubular body means, said center opening having a cylindrical section, an arc set selection means, said arc set selection means having a cylindrical member of smaller diameter positioned in said center opening cylindrical section, said arc set selection means having a lower cylindrical portion having a larger diameter positioned in said cylindrical section for rotational and axial movement, said larger cylindrical portion forming a stepped peripheral surface with said cylindrical member, said stepped peripheral surface being formed as a spiral surface ending in two axially spaced ends, means providing an arcuate adjustable opening for flow to enter an arcuate axial discharge slot created between said center opening cylindrical section and the outside surface of said cylindrical member and be discharged against said spray deflector means.

17. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 16 including a first axially extending rib on said cylindrical section defining an end surface of said arcuate axial discharge slot between said cylindrical section and said cylindrical member, a second axially extending rib on said cylindrical member defining the other end surface of said arcuate axial discharge slot between said cylindrical member and said cylindrical section, said axially extending ribs being relatively movable and positioned to receive flow therebetween from the arcuate adjustable opening to provide an adjustable arcuate axial discharge slot.

18. A sprinkler having a nozzle for distribution of water precipitation with an adjustable arc of coverage, said nozzle having an arcuate axial discharge slot for directing water axially therefrom, means for adjusting the arcuate length of said arcuate axial discharge slot with movable slot enclosures for adjusting the precipitation coverage to a selected ground coverage, indicating means readable from on top of the nozzle for pre-setting of the adjustable arcuate length, said indicating means pointing directly to each limit of arcuate coverage.

19. A sprinkler with an adjustable arc of coverage nozzle, said nozzle having an arcuate discharge orifice with an adjustable arcuate length for supplying water to a rotating stream distributor to discharge the water as rotating multiple streams over an adjustable arc of coverage, said arcuate discharge orifice having an axially movable inlet valving means for controlling flow to said discharge orifice, means for adjusting said arcuate length to change the arc of coverage without disassembling said nozzle.

20. An adjustable arc of coverage sprinkler comprising a fixed housing means defining a passage having an inlet for attachment to a source of pressurized water and an outlet defined by an arcuate axial orifice of adjustable arcuate length discharging axially onto a deflector for distributing the water precipitation over a selectable arc of coverage, means for adjusting the arcuate length of said arcuate axial orifice from approximately zero degrees to approximately three hundred sixty degrees with relatively movable orifice end closures for adjusting the precipitation coverage to a selected ground coverage.

21. An adjustable arc of coverage sprinkler comprising a fixed housing means defining a passage having an inlet for attachment to a source of pressurized water and an outlet defined by an arcuate axial orifice of adjustable arcuate length discharging axially onto a deflector for distributing the water precipitation over a selectable arc of coverage, said adjustable arcuate length axial orifice being created between two closure ribs, the outside surface of a center cylindrical shaft, and the inside surface of a larger diameter cylindrical outlet tube at the discharge end of said housing with at least one of the two closure ribs being movable;

flow to said adjustable arcuate length axial orifice being supplied by an arcuate adjustable valving means at the inlet end of said cylindrical outlet tube.

22. The adjustable arc of coverage sprinkler as set forth in claim 21 wherein at least one of the two closure ribs is attached to said center cylindrical shaft which is rotatably adjustable from the top surface of the sprinkler to adjust the annular position of this closure rib.

23. The adjustable arc of coverage sprinkler as set forth in claim 22 wherein said center cylindrical shaft with said movable closure rib has said deflector attached to said center cylindrical shaft at said discharge end and is removable from the top of said sprinkler housing.

24. The adjustable arc of coverage sprinkler as set forth in claim 23 wherein said arcuate adjustable valving means is attached to said center cylindrical shaft at the inlet end of said larger diameter cylindrical outlet tube and is removable from the discharge end through said cylindrical outlet tube.

25. A sprinkler having a nozzle with an adjustable arc of coverage, said nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having two ends, an inlet end for receiving pressurized water and an exit end, a spray deflector means fixed to and spaced from the exit end of said tubular body means, said center opening having a cylindrical section at said inlet end, said inlet end of said tubular body means having a downwardly facing first spiral surface around said cylindrical section, said spray deflector means having a center cylindrical opening coaxial with said cylindrical section, an arc set means having two ends, one end of said arc set means comprising a first cylindrical portion positioned in said center cylindrical opening for axial movement and rotation, the other end of said arc set means having a second cylindrical portion having a larger diameter than said cylindrical section, said second cylindrical portion forming a stepped peripheral surface with said first cylindrical section, said stepped peripheral surface being formed having an upwardly facing second spiral surface ending in two axially spaced ends, said first and second spiral surfaces engaging each other providing axial movement;

a first axially extending rib extends on said arc set means towards said spray deflector means from one end of the second spiral surface, said first rib being movable with said arc set means, a second axially extending rib is fixed to the cylindrical section of said center opening of said tubular body means, said second axially extending rib having two ends, an outer end extending to define one side of an adjustable arcuate discharge orifice, the other end engaging said second spiral surface.

26. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 25 wherein an annular member extends downwardly from around said first spiral surface, said annular member has axial cut-out sections for providing a water inlet to said nozzle, a disc mounted for axial movement in said annular member, said disc being mounted on a shaft threaded into said arc set means, axial movement of said disc controls water through said axial cut-out sections.

27. A sprinkler with an adjustable arc of coverage nozzle, said nozzle having an adjustable arcuate discharge orifice for supplying water to a rotating stream distributor to discharge the water as rotating multiple streams over an adjustable arc of coverage, a cylindrical housing having an annular partition adjacent the top thereof, a first cylindrical member mounted for rotation in said annular partition, a second cylindrical member mounted for rotation on the top of said cylindrical housing and fixed to said first cylindrical member for rotating it, the inner surface of the first cylindrical member having a first axial rib, a fixed center bearing post extending into said first cylindrical member, a second axial rib fixed to said center bearing post, a sleeve-like member having an upper spiral surface and a lower surface slidably positioned around said center bearing post and extending into said first cylindrical member, a slot located axially through said sleeve-like member at the location of the displaced ends of the spiral surface, said slot being placed over said second axial rib, biasing means for pressing the spiral surface against the first axial rib, whereby rotation of said second cylindrical member controls the adjustable arcuate discharge orifice, a rotatable distributing head being fixed to a shaft extending from said center bearing post, said distributing head has stream forming slots to provide a desired distance and spray precipitation, the adjustable arcuate discharge orifice formed between the first and second axial ribs, the inner surface of the first cylindrical member and the outer surface of said center bearing post.

28. The sprinkler with an adjustable arc of coverage nozzle as set forth in claim 27 wherein said center bearing post has an axial groove in the surface thereof, said groove extending from just below said first cylindrical member to below the lower surface of said sleeve-like member.

29. A sprinkler with an adjustable arc of coverage nozzle, said nozzle having an adjustable arcuate discharge orifice for supplying water to a rotating stream distributor to discharge the water as rotating multiple streams over an adjustable arc of coverage, a cylindrical housing having an annular partition adjacent the top thereof, a first cylindrical member is mounted for rotation in said annular partition, a second cylindrical member is mounted for rotation on the top of said cylindrical housing and fixed to said first cylindrical member for rotating it, the inner surface of the first cylindrical member having a first axial rib, a rotatable bearing sleeve extending into said first cylindrical member, a second axial rib fixed to said bearing sleeve, a third cylindrical member is mounted for rotation on said second cylindrical member and fixed to said bearing sleeve for rotating it, a sleeve-like member having an upper spiral surface and a flat lower surface being slidably positioned around said bearing sleeve and extending into said first cylindrical member, a slot being located axially through said sleeve-like member at the location of the displaced ends of the spiral surface, an axial groove extending the length of the outer surface of said bearing sleeve, said sleeve-like member having a third axial rib extending along its inner surface, said third axial rib on said sleeve-like member engaging said axial groove on said bearing sleeve, biasing means pressing the spiral surface against the first axial rib, whereby rotation of said second cylindrical member controls the adjustable arcuate discharge orifice, whereby rotation of said third cylindrical member controls the adjustable arcuate discharge orifice, a rotatable distributing head being fixed to a shaft extending from said bearing sleeve, said distributing head has stream forming slots to provide a desired distance and spray precipitation, the adjustable arcuate discharge orifice is formed between the first and second axial ribs, inner surface of the first cylindrical member, and outer surface of said bearing sleeve.

30. A strip spray sprinkler comprising a fixed housing means defining a passage having an inlet for attachment to a source of pressurized water and two outlets defined by two adjustable length arcuate axial slots discharging onto a deflector at two different locations for distributing the water precipitation over two selectable arcs of coverage.

31. A strip spray sprinkler comprising a fixed housing means defining a passage having an inlet for attachment to a source of pressurized water and two outlets defined by two adjustable length arcuate axial slots discharging onto a deflector at two different locations for distributing the water precipitation over two selectable arcs of coverage, each adjustable length arcuate axial slot is created between the outside surface of a center cylindrical shaft and the inside surface of a larger diameter cylindrical outlet tube at the discharge end of said housing between two end closure ribs with at least one of the two arcuate slot end closure ribs being movable, flow to said adjustable length arcuate axial slots being supplied by an arcuate adjustable valving means at the inlet end of said cylindrical outlet tube.

32. A sprinkler having a nozzle with an adjustable arc of coverage, said nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having two ends with an inlet means at one end for receiving pressurized water, a spray deflector member fixed to and spaced from the other end of said tubular body means, said center opening having a cylindrical section at said one end, said spray deflector member having a center cylindrical opening coaxial with said cylindrical section, an arc set member having two ends, one end of said arc set member comprising a first cylindrical portion positioned in said center cylindrical opening for axial movement and rotation, the other end of said arc set member having a second cylindrical portion having a larger diameter positioned in said cylindrical section for axial movement and rotation, said second cylindrical portion forming a stepped peripheral surface with said first cylindrical portion, said stepped peripheral surface being formed as a spiral surface ending in two axially spaced ends, a first axially extending rib extends on said arc set member towards said spray deflector member from one end of the spiral surface, said first rib being movable with said arc set member, said first rib contacting said cylindrical section of said center opening of said tubular body means defining one end of an adjustable arcuate discharge orifice, a second axially extending rib fixed to the cylindrical section of said center opening of said tubular body means contacting said first cylindrical portion of said arc set member, said second axially extending rib having two ends, an outer end extending to define a second end of the adjustable arcuate discharge orifice, the other end engaging said stepped peripheral surface to guide axial movement of said arc set member.

33. A sprinkler nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having two ends with an inlet means at one end for receiving pressurized water, a spray deflector means at the other end of said tubular body means, said center opening having a cylindrical section, a cylindrical member positioned axially in said cylindrical section and having a diameter smaller than said cylindrical section forming an arcuate axial discharge slot for directing water flow onto said spray deflector means, the arcuate length of said arcuate axial discharge slot being defined by a larger cylindrical portion on said cylindrical member and sized to have a movable tight fit with said cylindrical section of said tubular body.

34. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 33 wherein said spray deflector means and said cylindrical member are formed as a single piece and removable from the other end of the tubular body means.

35. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 33 wherein an annular member extends downwardly from the tubular body means around the center opening, said annular member has axial cut-out sections for providing a water inlet to said nozzle, a disc mounted for axial movement in said annular member, said disc being mounted on a shaft threaded into said cylindrical member, axial movement of said disc controls water through said axial cut-out sections.

36. A sprinkler having a nozzle with a changeable arc of coverage, said nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having two ends, an inlet end for receiving pressurized water, a spray deflector means at the other end of said tubular body means for deflecting water, said spray deflector means having a spray deflector and a cylindrical portion, said center opening having a cylindrical section, said cylindrical portion of said spray deflector means positioned in the center of said cylindrical section of said center opening for forming an arcuate circumferential axial discharge slot therewith for directing water flow onto said spray deflector, said cylindrical portion having a larger diameter portion forming an axial flow shut off with said cylindrical section.

37. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 36 wherein the spray deflector and cylindrical portion are formed as a single piece and removable from the other end of the tubular body means.

38. A sprinkler having a nozzle with a changeable arc of coverage, said nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having two ends, an inlet end for receiving pressurized water, a spray deflector means at the other end of said tubular body means for deflecting water, said spray deflector means having a spray deflector with a cylindrical portion, said center opening having a cylindrical section, said cylindrical portion of said spray deflector means positioned in the center of said cylindrical section of said center opening for forming an arcuate circumferential axial discharge slot therewith for directing water flow onto said spray deflector, said cylindrical portion having a larger diameter portion forming circumferential gap means with said cylindrical section for achieving different patterns, said circumferential gap means being sized to provide a desired flow pattern therearound.

39. The sprinkler nozzle as set forth in claim 38 wherein the spray deflector and cylindrical portion are formed as a single piece and removable from the other end of the tubular body means.

40. A sprinkler having a nozzle with an adjustable arc of coverage, said nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having two ends, an inlet end for receiving pressurized water and an exit end, a spray deflector means spaced from the exit end of said tubular body means, said center opening having a cylindrical section at said inlet end, said inlet end of said tubular body means having a downwardly facing first spiral surface around said cylindrical section, an art set means having two ends, one end of said arc set means comprising a first cylindrical portion positioned in said center cylindrical opening for axial movement and rotation, the other end of said arc set means having a second cylindrical portion having a larger diameter than said first cylindrical portion, said second cylindrical portion forming a stepped peripheral surface with said first cylindrical portion, said stepped peripheral surface being formed having an upwardly facing second spiral surface ending in two axially spaced ends, said first and second spiral surfaces overlapping each other providing a seal over the overlapping area, a first axially extending rib extends on said arc set means towards said spray deflector means from one end of the second spiral surface, said first rib being movable with said arc set means, a second axially extending rib is fixed to the cylindrical section of said center opening of said tubular body means, said second axially extending rib having two ends, an outer end extending to define one side of an adjustable arcuate discharge orifice, the other end engaging said second spiral surface to provide a seal.

41. A sprinkler having a nozzle with an adjustable arc of coverage, said nozzle having a tubular body means with a center opening therethrough, said tubular body means having two ends, an inlet end for receiving pressurized water and an exit end, a spray deflector means spaced from the exit end of said tubular body means, said center opening having a cylindrical section at said inlet end, said inlet end of said tubular body means having a downwardly facing first spiral surface around said cylindrical section, an arc set means having two ends, one end of said arc set means comprising a first cylindrical portion positioned in said center cylindrical opening for axial movement and rotation, the other end of said arc set means having a second cylindrical portion having a larger diameter than said first cylindrical portion, said second cylindrical portion forming a stepped peripheral surface with said first cylindrical portion, said stepped peripheral surface being formed having an upwardly facing second spiral surface ending in two axially spaced ends, said first and second spiral surfaces overlapping each other providing a seal over the overlapping area to provide an adjustable arcuate inlet valving means located at the inlet end of said cylindrical section of said center opening with the cylindrical portion forming an arcuate circumferential discharge slot directing pressurized water onto said spray deflector.