Constant velocity turbine and stator assemblies
First Claim
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1. A device for controlling nozzle rotation in a sprinkler comprising:
- a nozzle driving assembly in rotary driving connection with a sprinkler nozzle according to fluid flow from a fluid source through said nozzle driving assembly to said sprinkler nozzle;
said nozzle driving assembly having a stator member, a turbine wheel, and a valve disc member, said valve disc member being disposed between said stator member and said turbine wheel;
said turbine wheel including a plurality of vanes disposed on an external circumference of said turbine wheel, said vanes positioned to receive fluid flow and thereby exert a force for inducing rotational movement to said turbine wheel; and
, said turbine wheel further including at least one spoke extending from a hub to a circumference of said turbine wheel;
said spoke being configured to receive fluid flow so as to counteract at least a portion of said force and thereby limit a speed of rotational movement of said turbine wheel.
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Abstract
A rotary sprinkler system for both above-the ground and pop-up rotary sprinkler systems that controls the rate of nozzle rotation is disclosed. To maintain a relatively constant and controlled nozzle rotation, one or more chamfered spokes are included on the turbine of the sprinkler system. This turbine configuration together with a stator assembly that regulates fluid flow to the turbine control nozzle rotation despite variations in fluid flow. In particular, the chamfered spokes counteract the spin of the turbine in direct relation to the amount of water that bypasses the driving blades of the turbine.
41 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A device for controlling nozzle rotation in a sprinkler comprising:
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a nozzle driving assembly in rotary driving connection with a sprinkler nozzle according to fluid flow from a fluid source through said nozzle driving assembly to said sprinkler nozzle;
said nozzle driving assembly having a stator member, a turbine wheel, and a valve disc member, said valve disc member being disposed between said stator member and said turbine wheel;
said turbine wheel including a plurality of vanes disposed on an external circumference of said turbine wheel, said vanes positioned to receive fluid flow and thereby exert a force for inducing rotational movement to said turbine wheel; and
,said turbine wheel further including at least one spoke extending from a hub to a circumference of said turbine wheel;
said spoke being configured to receive fluid flow so as to counteract at least a portion of said force and thereby limit a speed of rotational movement of said turbine wheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 28)
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11. A method for controlling nozzle rotation in a sprinkler comprising:
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providing a sprinkler having a nozzle driving assembly in rotary connection with a sprinkler nozzle, said nozzle driving assembly having a stator member, a turbine wheel and a valve disc, said valve disc member being disposed between said stator member and said turbine wheel;
directing a fluid flow through said stator member toward a periphery of said turbine wheel such that a first force is created to induce rotational movement of said turbine wheel; and
,directing a portion of said fluid flow through said stator member toward an inner region of said turbine wheel such that a second force is created to counteract at least a portion of said first force and thereby limit a speed of rotational movement of said turbine wheel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A device for maintaining constant nozzle rotation in a sprinkler system comprising:
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a wheel shaped device comprising;
a plurality of vanes located on a perimeter of said wheel shaped device, wherein fluid flow against said vanes causes rotation of said device, one or more chamfered spokes extending radially from a central mount to said perimeter of said device, wherein fluid flow against said chamfered spokes counteracts rotation of said device relative to an amount of fluid flow against said chamfered spokes;
a cup-shaped member including a first plurality of openings for fluid flow therethrough in alignment with said vanes of said wheel-shaped device, and a second plurality of openings for fluid flow therethrough in alignment with said chamfered spokes of said wheel shaped device; and
a disc-shaped member located between said cup-shaped member and said wheel-shaped device, said disc-shaped member configured to bypass fluid through said second plurality of openings in response to increased fluid flow. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30)
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Specification