Oscillating nozzle sprinkler with integrated adjustable arc, precipitation rate, flow rate, and range of coverage

• US 6,732,952 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2002
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carl L.C. Kah Jr
• Original Assignee: Carl L.C. Kah Jr
• Inventors: Kah, Carl L. C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMANA, ANURADHA
• Application Number:
  US10/170,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20030010842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 239/242, 239/252, 239/237, 239/240, 239/73, 239/513, 239/DIG.1
• US Class Current: 239/225.1
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/32 in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening B05B1/3033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/0431 the rotative movement of the outlet elements being reversible B05B3/0445 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/045 with automatic means for regulating the jet B05B3/0445 takes precedence

Abstract

An oscillating nozzle sprinkler for directing an adjustable flow of water therefrom at adjustable desired range and arc of coverage and at a pre-settable precipitation rate. The desired flow rate or precipitation rate for a particular arc of coverage can be selected and the flow will then be automatically varied as the arc of sprinkler oscillation is adjusted to maintain the precipitation rate that was set. The nozzle discharge range is adjustable from the top with integrated flow control to automatically maintain the precipitation rate that was set constant as the range is changed for a smaller area of coverage due to the reduced range.

Claims

1. A sprinkler comprising:

a nozzle;

a spray range setting mechanism that is manually adjustable to set a desired elevation angle at which a stream of water exits from the nozzle;

a flow control mechanism that is manually adjustable to vary the precipitation rate for the sprinkler; and

a coupling mechanism between the spray range setting mechanism and the flow control mechanism which automatically adjusts the flow rate when the spray range setting mechanism is adjusted to maintain a substantially constant precipitation rate independent of changes in the spray range while permitting independent adjustment of the flow control mechanism without disturbing an existing spray range setting.

2. A sprinkler as described in claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism is constructed to permit relative movement between the flow control mechanism and the spray range setting mechanism when the flow control mechanism is operated whereby the flow may be adjusted to change the precipitation rate without disturbing the existing spray range setting.

3. A sprinkler as described in claim 1, wherein the spray range setting mechanism is comprised of an adjustable range setting actuator mechanism coupled to a deflectable portion of the nozzle, the deflectable portion of the nozzle being constructed to set the exit angle of water flowing from the nozzle according to the adjustment of the actuator mechanism.

4. A sprinkler as described in claim 3, wherein the actuator mechanism is a rotatable threaded shaft which moves linearly to pivot the deflectable portion of the nozzle.

5. A sprinkler as described in claim 3, wherein the flow control mechanism includes a flow control element movable in the nozzle flow path, and a flow control actuator mechanism which adjusts the position of the flow control element in the nozzle flow path to set the nozzle flow area;

and

the deflectable portion of the nozzle is constructed to move the flow control element to increase the nozzle flow area as the exit angle is increased relative to the horizontal, and to decrease the nozzle flow area as the exit angle is decreased relative to the horizontal.

6. A sprinkler as described in claim 5, wherein the flow control element is movable relative to the deflectable portion of the nozzle by the operation of the flow control actuator mechanism.

7. A sprinkler as described in claim 3, wherein the deflectable portion of the nozzle is constructed to pivot the flow control element as it is deflected by the range setting actuator mechanism.

8. A sprinkler according to claim 1, wherein:

the nozzle, the spray range setting mechanism, the flow control mechanism and the coupling mechanism are mounted in a nozzle housing having a top surface;

the flow control mechanism includes a rotatable member mounted in the housing,

a top portion of the rotatable member is accessible through an opening in the top surface of the housing to permit manual adjustment of the flow control mechanism; and

the top surface of the nozzle housing top and the top portion of the rotatable member bear cooperating indicia representing the setting of the flow control mechanism.

9. A sprinkler comprising:

a nozzle;

a nozzle drive mechanism which oscillates the nozzle through a preset arc of coverage;

an arc setting mechanism coupled to the nozzle drive mechanism that is manually adjustable to set a desired arc of coverage for the sprinkler;

a flow control mechanism that is manually adjustable to to vary the precipitation rate for the sprinkler;

a first coupling mechanism between the arc setting mechanism and the flow control mechanism which automatically adjusts the flow rate when the arc of coverage setting mechanism is adjusted to maintain a substantially constant precipitation rate independent of changes in the arc of coverage while permitting independent adjustment of the flow control mechanism without disturbing an existing arc of coverage setting.

10. A sprinkler as described in claim 9, wherein:

the arc setting mechanism is comprised of a rotatable shaft which is constructed to engage with contact members of a rotational drive mechanism to adjust the arc setting;

the flow control mechanism is comprised of;

a flow control element movable in the flow path of the nozzle; and

a flow control actuator mechanism which adjusts the position of the flow control element in the nozzle flow path to set the nozzle flow area; and

the coupling mechanism between the arc setting mechanism and the flow control mechanism frictionally engages the flow control actuator mechanism to move the flow control element when the rotatable shaft is rotated to change the arc setting.

11. A sprinkler as described in claim 10, wherein the flow control actuator mechanism is movable relative to the rotatable shaft of the arc setting mechanism due to slippage in the coupling mechanism between the arc setting mechanism and the flow control mechanism.

12. A sprinkler as described in claim 10, wherein the rotatable shaft, the coupling mechanism and the flow control mechanism are constructed and configured so that a first frictional force exists between the rotatable shaft and the coupling mechanism, and a second frictional force smaller than the first frictional force exists between the flow control mechanism and the coupling mechanism.

13. A sprinkler as described in claim 9, further comprising:

a spray range setting mechanism that is manually adjustable to set a desired elevation angle at which a stream of water exits from the nozzle; and

a second coupling mechanism between the spray range setting mechanism and the flow control mechanism which automatically adjusts the flow rate according to changes in the spray range setting to maintain a substantially constant precipitation rate independent of changes in the spray range.

14. A sprinkler as described in claim 13, wherein the first coupling mechanism is constructed to permit slippage between the flow control mechanism and the arc setting mechanism, whereby the flow may be adjusted to establish a desired precipitation rate without disturbing a preset arc of coverage.

15. A sprinkler as described in claim 14, wherein the flow control actuator mechanism is comprised of a rotatable shaft including an axially offset pin which engages with a camming slot in the flow control element to move the flow control element linearly into and out of the nozzle flow area as the shaft is rotated.

16. A sprinkler as described in claim 15, wherein:

the deflectable portion of the nozzle is constructed to pivot the flow control element as it is deflected by the range setting actuator mechanism; and

the fit of the offset pin in the camming slot is such that the flow control element is pivotable relative to the pin.

17. A sprinkler as described in claim 13, wherein the second coupling mechanism is further operative to permit adjustment of the flow control mechanism without disturbing an existing spray range setting.

18. A sprinkler as described in claim 17, wherein the second coupling mechanism is constructed to permit relative movement between the flow control mechanism and the spray range setting mechanism when the flow control mechanism is operated whereby the flow may be adjusted to change the precipitation rate without disturbing the existing spray range setting.

19. A sprinkler as described in claim 17, wherein the spray range setting mechanism is comprised of an adjustable range setting actuator mechanism coupled to a deflectable portion of the nozzle, the deflectable portion of the nozzle being constructed to set the exit angle of water flowing from the nozzle according to the adjustment of the actuator mechanism.

20. A sprinkler as described in claim 19, wherein the actuator mechanism is a rotatable threaded shaft which moves linearly to pivot the deflectable portion of the nozzle.

21. A sprinkler as described in claim 19, wherein the flow control mechanism includes a flow control element movable in the nozzle flow path, and a flow control actuator mechanism which adjusts the position of the flow control element in the nozzle flow path to set the nozzle flow area;

and

the deflectable portion of the nozzle is constructed to move the flow control element to increase the nozzle flow area as the exit angle is increased relative to the horizontal, and to decrease the nozzle flow area as the exit angle is decreased relative to the horizontal.

22. A sprinkler as described in claim 21, wherein the flow control element is movable relative to the deflectable portion of the nozzle by the operation of the flow control actuator mechanism.

23. A sprinkler as described in claim 19, wherein the deflectable portion of the nozzle is constructed to pivot the flow control element as it is deflected by the range setting actuator mechanism.

24. A sprinkler according to claim 9, wherein:

the nozzle, the arc setting mechanism, the flow control mechanism and the first coupling mechanism are mounted in a nozzle housing having a top surface;

the flow control mechanism includes a first rotatable member mounted in the housing;

a top portion of the first rotatable member is accessible through an opening in the top surface of the housing to permit manual adjustment of the flow control mechanism; and

the top surface of the nozzle housing top and the top portion of the first rotatable member bear cooperating indicia representing the setting of the flow control mechanism.

25. A sprinkler as described in claim 24, wherein the arc setting mechanism includes a second rotatable member which extends through the housing to the top surface thereof, and is concentric with the first rotatable member, the first and second rotatable members and the top surface of the housing cooperating with each other to indicate the arc of oscillation setting, and relative flow rate for the arc of oscillation setting.

26. A sprinkler as described in claim 25, wherein the relative flow rate is indicated in terms of a precipitation rate accurate at the intended nominal water supply pressure for the nozzle.

27. A sprinkler comprising:

a nozzle;

a spray range setting mechanism that is manually adjustable to set a desired elevation angle at which a stream of water exits from the nozzle;

a flow control mechanism that is manually adjustable to vary the flow rate for the sprinkler; and

a coupling mechanism between the spray range setting mechanism and the flow control mechanism which automatically adjusts the flow rate when the spray range setting mechanism is adjusted to maintain a substantially constant flow rate independent of changes in the spray elevation angle while also permitting independent adjustment of the flow control mechanism without disturbing an existing spray elevation angle setting.

28. A sprinkler as described in claim 27, wherein the coupling mechanism is constructed to permit relative movement between the flow control mechanism and the spray range setting mechanism when the flow control mechanism is operated whereby the flow may be adjusted to change the precipitation rate without disturbing the existing spray elevation angle setting.

29. A sprinkler as described in claim 27, wherein:

the nozzle, the spray range setting mechanism, the flow control mechanism and the coupling mechanism are mounted in a nozzle housing having a top surface;

the flow control mechanism includes a rotatable member mounted in the housing,

a top portion of the rotatable member is accessible through an opening in the top surface of the housing to permit manual adjustment of the flow control mechanism; and

the top surface of the nozzle housing top and the top portion of the rotatable member include cooperating indicia representing the setting of the flow control mechanism.

30. A sprinkler comprising:

a nozzle;

a nozzle drive mechanism which oscillates the nozzle through a preset arc of coverage;

an arc setting mechanism coupled to the nozzle drive mechanism that is manually adjustable to set a desired arc of coverage for the sprinkler;

a flow control mechanism that is manually adjustable to set a desired flow rate for the sprinkler; and

a first coupling mechanism between the arc setting mechanism and the flow control mechanism which automatically adjusts the flow rate when the arc of coverage setting mechanism is adjusted to maintain a substantially constant flow rate per unit of arc of coverage independent of changes in the arc of coverage while permitting independent adjustment of the flow control mechanism without disturbing an existing arc of coverage setting.

31. A sprinkler as described in claim 30, wherein:

the arc setting mechanism includes a rotatable shaft;

the flow control mechanism is comprised of;

a flow control element movable in the flow path of the nozzle; and

a flow control actuator mechanism which adjusts the position of the flow control element in the nozzle flow path to set the nozzle flow area; and

the coupling mechanism between the arc setting mechanism and the flow control mechanism frictionally engages the flow control actuator mechanism to move the flow control element when the rotatable shaft is rotated to change the arc setting.

32. A sprinkler as described in claim 31, wherein the flow control actuator mechanism is movable relative to the rotatable shaft of the arc setting mechanism due to slippage in the coupling mechanism between the arc setting mechanism and the flow control mechanism.

33. A sprinkler as described in claim 31, wherein the rotatable shaft, the coupling mechanism and the flow control mechanism are constructed and configured so that a first frictional force exists between the rotatable shaft and the coupling mechanism, and a second frictional force smaller than the first frictional force exists between the flow control mechanism and the coupling mechanism.

34. A sprinkler as described in claim 30, further comprising:

a manually adjustable spray elevation angle setting mechanism operable to set a desired elevation angle at which a stream of water exits from the nozzle; and

a second coupling mechanism between the spray elevation angle setting mechanism and the flow control mechanism which automatically adjusts the flow rate according to changes in the spray elevation angle setting to maintain a substantially constant precipitation rate independent of changes in the spray elevation angle.

35. A sprinkler as described in claim 34, wherein the flow control actuator mechanism is comprised of a rotatable shaft including an axially offset pin which engages with a camming slot in the flow control element to move the flow control element linearly into and out of the nozzle flow area as the shaft is rotated.

36. A sprinkler as described in claim 35, wherein:

the deflectable portion of the nozzle is constructed to pivot the flow control element as it is deflected by the range setting actuator mechanism; and

the fit of the offset pin in the camming slot is such that the flow control element is pivotable relative to the pin.

37. A sprinkler as described in claim 34, wherein the second coupling mechanism is further operative to permit adjustment of the flow control mechanism without disturbing an existing spray elevation angle setting.

38. A sprinkler as described in claim 37, wherein the second coupling mechanism is constructed to permit relative movement between the flow control mechanism and the spray elevation angle setting mechanism when the flow control mechanism is operated whereby the flow may be adjusted to change the precipitation rate without disturbing the existing spray elevation angle setting.

39. A sprinkler according to claim 30, wherein:

the nozzle, the arc setting mechanism, the flow control mechanism and the coupling mechanism are mounted in a nozzle housing having a top surface;

the flow control mechanism includes a rotatable member mounted in the housing;

a top portion of the rotatable member is accessible through an opening in the top surface of the housing to permit manual adjustment of the flow control mechanism; and

the top surface of the nozzle housing top and the top portion of the rotatable member bear cooperating indicia representing the setting of the flow control mechanism.

40. A sprinkler as described in claim 39, wherein the arc setting mechanism includes a second rotatable member which extends through the housing to the top surface thereof, and is concentric with the first rotatable member, the first and second rotatable members and the top surface of the housing cooperating with each other to indicate the arc of oscillation setting, and relative flow rate for the arc of oscillation setting.

41. A sprinkler as described in claim 40, wherein the relative flow rate is indicated in terms of a precipitation rate accurate at the intended nominal water supply pressure for the nozzle.