Flow control device and method for irrigation sprinklers
First Claim
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1. A sprinkler comprising:
- a stem having an inlet for receiving pressurized fluid for irrigation and an outlet;
a nozzle releasably mounted to the outlet of the stem for discharging pressurized fluid from the sprinkler for irrigation; and
a flow control having a seat and a valve component moveable relative to the seat and disposed in the stem, the valve component moveable longitudinally between a first irrigating position in which a first amount of fluid exits the stem through the outlet and a second signaling position in which a second, reduced amount of fluid exits the stem through the outlet;
wherein the flow control is operatively coupled to the nozzle such that the valve component is in the first position in response to fluid flow when the nozzle is mounted to the stem and moves longitudinally to the second position in response to fluid flow when the nozzle is removed from the stem; and
wherein the valve component defines a flow passage therethrough.
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Abstract
An irrigation sprinkler is provided having a nozzle and a flow control device for reducing fluid flow through the sprinkler when the nozzle is removed, such as might occur due to vandalism. The flow control device is coupled to the nozzle and is moveable between a first irrigating position and a second signaling position. In the first position, the sprinkler discharges fluid for irrigation. In the second position, the sprinkler discharges a reduced amount of fluid and signals that the nozzle has been removed and should be replaced. The flow control device also allows sufficient fluid flow for flushing debris out of the sprinkler when a flush cap is mounted to the sprinkler, instead of the nozzle.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A sprinkler comprising:
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a stem having an inlet for receiving pressurized fluid for irrigation and an outlet; a nozzle releasably mounted to the outlet of the stem for discharging pressurized fluid from the sprinkler for irrigation; and a flow control having a seat and a valve component moveable relative to the seat and disposed in the stem, the valve component moveable longitudinally between a first irrigating position in which a first amount of fluid exits the stem through the outlet and a second signaling position in which a second, reduced amount of fluid exits the stem through the outlet; wherein the flow control is operatively coupled to the nozzle such that the valve component is in the first position in response to fluid flow when the nozzle is mounted to the stem and moves longitudinally to the second position in response to fluid flow when the nozzle is removed from the stem; and wherein the valve component defines a flow passage therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A sprinkler comprising:
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a stem having an inlet for receiving pressurized fluid for irrigation and an outlet; a nozzle releasably mounted to the outlet of the stem for discharging pressurized fluid from the sprinkler for irrigation; and a flow control disposed in the stem and moveable longitudinally between a first irrigating position in which a first amount of fluid exits the stem through the outlet and a second signaling position in which a second, reduced amount of fluid exits the stem through the outlet; wherein the flow control is operatively coupled to the nozzle such that the flow control is in the first position in response to fluid flow when the nozzle is mounted to the stem and moves longitudinally to the second position in response to fluid flow when the nozzle is removed from the stem; wherein the flow control engages the stem in the second position in response to fluid flow; wherein the flow control comprises a top portion for engagement with a nozzle mounting portion of the stem in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of irrigation using an irrigation sprinkler, the sprinkler including a stem having an inlet for receiving pressurized fluid for irrigation and an outlet, and including a flow control having a seat and a valve component moveable relative to the seat and disposed in the stem, the valve component moveable longitudinally in response to fluid flow between a first position and a second position, the valve component defining a flow passage extending therethrough, the method comprising:
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releasably mounting a nozzle and a filter to the stem; transmitting pressurized fluid flow through the stem; causing the valve component to move to the first position for irrigation; and causing the valve component to move to the second position and a stream of fluid to flow through the flow passage and exit the sprinkler for signaling removal of the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification