Abstract:
A step-by-step rotary sprinkler head comprising a stationary annular housing assembly, an annular mounting member supported within the upper end portion of the stationary annular housing for rotational movement about a generally vertically extending axis generally coextensive with the annular axis of the housing assembly. The mounting member has three sets of equally annularly spaced holes extending vertically therethrough. An annular brake member has a set of equally annularly spaced stub shafts extending vertically upwardly therefrom which slidably engage within one set of holes. The annular brake member has a downwardly facing annular brake surface thereon which engages a fixed upwardly facing annular brake surface provided by the housing assembly. A sprinkler body assembly is carried by the mounting member and is fixedly secured thereto by bolts extending therethrough and threadedly engaged within another one of the sets of holes. A series of coil springs is mounted within a third one of the sets of holes to resiliently urge the interengaging brake surfaces together with a constant spring force.
Abstract:
Apparatus for enabling a sprinkler head assembly to be detachably mounted on an irrigation system riser pipe containing water under pressure in accessed relation to the water under pressure within the riser pipe. The apparatus comprises an access assembly adapted to be rigidly secured to the riser pipe and an accessing assembly adapted to be rigidly secured to the sprinkler head assembly. The access assembly includes separate main and pilot pressure valve mechanisms containing the water under pressure within the riser pipe. Both assemblies include detachable interengaging connectors for establishing a mechanical connection between the two assemblies by a simple and convenient manual movement. The accessing assembly includes a quick connection fitting for accessing the water under pressure through the pilot pressure valve mechanism which is mounted in a cooperating quick connection fitting. The accessing assembly includes an operating mechanism movable in response to the communication of pilot water under pressure therewith to open the main valve mechanism and provide water pressure rigidification to the mechanical connection between the two assemblies.
Abstract:
A sprinkler head capable of generally uniform operation under varying local source pressure conditions in a part circle mode wherein reversing directions of movement at the ends of the part circle pattern is accomplished without establishing excessive reversing loads so as to render the sprinkler head acceptable for use as an end gun in a pivot move irrigation system, as well as for use in other systems such as solid set systems and traveling sprinkler systems.
Abstract:
A water distributing assembly for use with a section of upwardly bowed rigid conduit supported at the opposite lower ends thereof by wheeled towers so that its longitudinal axis is disposed within a vertical plane for movement over a field in a direction transverse to said vertical plane. The water distributing assembly includes an inverted T-shaped pipe assembly for containing water under pressure having a plurality of sprinkler heads fixedly mounted in longitudinally spaced relation. A flexible hose assembly is provided for communicating the water under pressure in the conduit to the pipe assembly and sprinkler heads so as to accommodate five different adjustable movements between the pipe assembly and conduit provided by a clamping assembly.
Abstract:
A sprinkler head comprising a stationary sprinkler body structure defining an inlet adapted to be connected with a source of water under pressure and a water-tight chamber communicating with the inlet, a movable tubular water distributing structure providing an inlet and a spaced discharge nozzle in flow communication relation therewith, a ball and socket connection for (1) mounting the water distributing structure on the sprinkler body structure with the inlet thereof within the chamber and the discharge nozzle exteriorly of the chamber for (a) rotational movement about a generally upright axis and (b) orbital movement in which the rotational axis of the water distributing structure describes a pair of cones whose apexes join at a point coinciding with the center of the ball and socket connection, and (2) providing a water-tight seal for the chamber between the sprinkler body structure and the water distributing structure in any position of movement thereof, a swirl plate within said chamber and an inverted cup-shaped element on the water distributing structure operable in response to the flow of water from the sprinkler body structure inlet to the discharge nozzle for effecting the aforesaid orbital movement of said water distributing structure, and a disk on the water distributing structure in rolling contact with the sprinkler body structure for effecting a fractional rotational movement of the water distributing structure during each orbital movement thereof.
Abstract:
A sprinkler head includes a fixed nozzle; and a rotor plate spaced from the nozzle and mounted for rotation about an axis extending through the nozzle, and mounted for tilting movement about a horizontal axis. The rotor plate has adjacent water distribution grooves therein, selectively alignable with the nozzle, the grooves shaped and arranged to cause the rotor plate to rotate in opposite directions. A flow reaction member is secured to the rotor plate. A first flow channel having a first inlet port is arranged to intercept a stream emanating from one of the grooves aligned with the nozzle, and to thereby divert at least a portion of the stream through the flow channel and onto the reaction member to cause the rotor plate to tilt about the horizontal axis and align the other of the grooves with the nozzle, thereby reversing the rotation direction of the rotor plate. A second flow channel has a second inlet port circumferentially offset from the first inlet port is arranged to intercept a stream emanating from the other of the grooves aligned with the nozzle and to thereby divert at least a portion of the stream through the second flow channel and onto another portion of the reaction member to cause the rotor plate to tilt about the horizontal axis and align one of the grooves with the nozzle, thereby again reversing the rotation direction of the rotor plate. The first and second inlet ports are adjustable to change the arcuate coverage of the sprinkling pattern.
Abstract:
A nutating sprinkler assembly includes a sprinkler body having one end adapted to be coupled to a water supply conduit and an opposite end supporting a nozzle. At least one arm extends from the sprinkler body for supporting a removable cap assembly downstream of the nozzle. The cap assembly supports a gimbal bearing that, in turn, supports a rotor plate with off-center grooves for distributing a stream exiting the nozzle and impinging upon the grooves. A shaft has one end supporting the rotor plate for rotation about a center axis of the rotor plate, and an opposite end supported within the gimbal bearing.
Abstract:
Apparatus for temporarily accessing water under pressure comprising access structure having a main outlet and a pilot pressure outlet for containing the water under pressure and water accessing structure cooperable therewith to obtain temporary access to the water under pressure. A main interengaging connection is provided for manually establishing a mechanical connection of the accessing and access structures without establishing communication of the water under pressure through the main outlet. A second interengaging connection is provided for manually establishing a controllable pilot pressure flow path through the pilot pressure outlet to the accessing structure for water under pressure contained within the access structure. A power operated assembly is mounted in the pilot pressure flow path for selectively communicating water under pressure to the accessing structure through the pilot pressure flow path. An assembly is provided for utilizing the pilot water under pressure selectively communicated to the accessing assembly as a power source to establish communication of the water under pressure contained in the access structure with the accessing structure through the main outlet.
Abstract:
A rotary sprinkler head comprising a sprinkler body devoid of any operative dynamic seals for communicating a source of water under pressure with an outlet for directing water under pressure communicated therewith into an atmospheric condition in a primary stream having a generally vertically extending axis. A rotary distributor is provided which has surfaces for engaging the primary stream (1) to establish a reactionary force component acting on the distributor in a direction tangential to the rotational axis thereof so as to effect rotational movement thereof about its axis of rotation and (2) to direct the primary stream engaged thereby in the form of a pattern forming stream or streams including at least one stream moving away from the distributor in a direction having a substantial component extending outwardly from the generally vertical axis of the primary stream so as to define the radius of the circular spray pattern. A speed reducing assembly is operatively associated with the distributor for reducing the rotational speed of the distributor resulting from the reactionary force component from a relatively high whirling speed which would occur without the speed reducing assembly to a relatively slow speed.