FLOW CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IRRIGATION SPRINKLERS

• US 20120043397A1
• Filed: 08/20/2010
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Inventors: Skripkar, Kenneth J., Arkalgud, Krishnadidya, Palumbo, Gregory S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,833,672 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/204
• 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 15/74 driven by the discharged fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0133 within the flow-path
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1654 Separable valve coupling or conduit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1789 Having pressure responsive valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7793 With opening bias [e.g., pressure regulator]

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.

Claims

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 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.

2. The sprinkler of claim 1 further comprising a filter disposed in the stem between the nozzle and the flow control.

3. The sprinkler of claim 2 wherein the filter provides a stop for the flow control when in the first position.

4. The sprinkler of claim 1 wherein the flow control defines a flow passage therethrough.

5. The sprinkler of claim 4 wherein two flow paths exist when the flow control is in the second position, one flow path around the flow control in the stem and a second flow path through flow passage of the stem.

6. The sprinkler of claim 4 wherein the flow passage has a predetermined cross-sectional area selected to reduce fluid loss for fluid exiting the sprinkler when the nozzle is removed but to provide sufficient flow for a stream of fluid exiting the sprinkler to signal removal of the nozzle.

7. The sprinkler of claim 4 wherein the flow control is in the shape of a hollow cylindrical shaft terminating in a hemispherical head.

8. The sprinkler of claim 7 wherein the hemispherical head includes an overmolded layer.

9. The sprinkler of claim 1 wherein the flow control engages the stem in the second position in response to fluid flow.

10. The sprinkler of claim 9 wherein the flow control comprises a top portion for engagement with a nozzle mounting portion of the stem in the second position.

11. The sprinkler of claim 10 wherein the top portion is, at least in part, spherical or cylindrical in shape.

12. The sprinkler of claim 1 further comprising a flush cap that is releasably mounted on the stem in place of the nozzle, the flush cap allowing fluid to exit therefrom during initial pressurization to flush debris from the stem.

13. The sprinkler of claim 1 further comprising a pressure regulator in the stem for maintaining a relatively constant fluid pressure at the nozzle, the pressure regulator sized for reception of at least a portion of the flow control.

14. The sprinkler of claim 1 further comprising a housing and wherein the stem forms part of a riser assembly, the riser assembly having an extended position when pressurized for irrigation and a retracted position in the housing when not pressurized for irrigation.

15. The sprinkler of claim 2 wherein the flow control further comprises a spacer for engagement with the filter and defining flow channels when engaging the filter.

16. 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 flush cap releasably mounted to the stem in place of the nozzle; and

a flow control disposed in the stem in response to fluid flow at a first position for discharging fluid through the nozzle, at a second position for flushing debris out of the sprinkler through the flush cap, and at the second position for discharging fluid through the stem when neither the nozzle nor the flush cap are mounted to the stem.

17. The sprinkler of claim 16 wherein the flow control is moveable longitudinally in the stem in response to fluid flow between the first position in which a first amount of fluid exits the stem through the outlet and the second position in which a second, reduced amount of fluid exits the stem through the outlet.

18. The sprinkler of claim 17 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.

19. The sprinkler of claim 18 further comprising a filter that provides a stop for the flow control when in the first position.

20. The sprinkler of claim 19 wherein the flow control defines a flow passage extending therethrough.

21. The sprinkler of claim 20 wherein the flow passage has a predetermined cross-sectional area selected to reduce fluid loss for fluid exiting the sprinkler when the nozzle is removed, to provide sufficient flow for a stream of fluid to signal removal of the nozzle, and to provide sufficient flow for flushing when the flush cap is mounted.

22. The sprinkler of claim 16 wherein the flush cap includes a flap that is responsive to fluid pressure to define an opening for flushing debris out of the stem during an initial pressurization.

23. 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 disposed in the stem and moveable longitudinally in response to fluid flow between a first position and a second position, the method comprising:

releasably mounting a nozzle and a filter to the stem;

transmitting pressurized fluid flow through the stem;

causing the flow control to move to the first position for irrigation; and

causing the flow control to move to the second position and a stream of fluid to exit the sprinkler for signaling removal of the nozzle.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

releasably mounting a flush cap to the stem;

transmitting pressurized fluid through the stem; and

causing the flow control to move to the second position for flushing debris out of the sprinkler.