Patent Application
20200215557
The invention relates to irrigation nozzles and, more particularly, to rotary nozzles using a rotating deflector.
Nozzles are commonly used for the irrigation of landscape and vegetation. In a typical irrigation system, various types of nozzles are used to distribute water over a desired area. One type of irrigation nozzle is the rotary nozzle (or rotating stream type) having a rotatable deflector with flutes for producing a plurality of relatively small water streams swept over a surrounding terrain area to irrigate adjacent vegetation.
Rotary nozzles of the type having a rotatable deflector with flutes for producing a plurality of relatively small outwardly projected water streams are known in the art. In such nozzles, water is directed upwardly against a rotatable deflector having a lower surface with curved flutes defining an array of relatively small flow channels extending upwardly and turning radially outwardly with a spiral component of direction. The water impinges upon this underside surface of the deflector to fill these curved channels and to rotatably drive the deflector. At the same time, the water is guided by the curved channels for projection outwardly from the nozzle in the form of a plurality of relatively small water streams to irrigate a surrounding area. As the deflector is rotatably driven by the impinging water, the water streams are swept over the surrounding terrain area, with the range and trajectory of throw depending, in part, on the inclination and other geometry of the individual flutes.
In rotary nozzles, it is generally desirable to use nozzles with deflectors that provide relatively uniform water distribution to various areas of the irrigation coverage area. In some instances, it has been found that certain parts of the irrigation coverage area may not receive a sufficient amount of irrigation, such as areas close to the nozzle resulting in a doughnut-shaped (or annular) pattern. Further, for rotary nozzles that are intended to irrigate less than 360 degrees of coverage about the nozzle, it is also generally desirable to use nozzles with deflectors that provide a distinct and well-defined edge to the arcuate coverage area.
Accordingly, a need exists for a nozzle with a deflector that can provide relatively uniform water distribution about the nozzle. In addition, a need exists to increase the definition of the edges of an arcuate irrigation pattern. The nozzles and deflectors disclosed herein help address these needs.
Some of the structural components of the nozzle 10 are similar to those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,295,998 and 9,327,297, in U.S. Publication No. 2018/0141060, and in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/649,072. These patents and applications are assigned to the assignee of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Differences are addressed below and can be seen with reference to the figures.
As described in more detail below, in this particular example of a rotary nozzle, the nozzle 10 includes a rotating deflector 100 and two bodies (a valve sleeve 16 and nozzle housing 18) that together define an annular exit orifice 15 (or annular discharge gap) therebetween to produce full circle irrigation. The deflector 100 is supported for rotation by a shaft 20, which itself does not rotate. Indeed, in certain preferred forms, the shaft 20 may be fixed against rotation, such as through use of splined engagement surface 72.
As can be seen in
The rotatable deflector 100 has an underside surface that is preferably contoured to deliver a plurality of fluid streams generally radially outwardly. As shown in
The deflector 100 has a bore 104 for insertion of a shaft 20 therethrough. As can be seen in
The deflector 100 also preferably includes a speed control brake to control the rotational speed of the deflector 100. In one preferred form shown in
The deflector 100 is supported for rotation by shaft 20. Shaft 20 extends along a central axis of the nozzle 10, and the deflector 100 is rotatably mounted on an upper end of the shaft 20. As can be seen from
The deflector 100, in conjunction with the seal retainer 34, brake pad 32 and friction disk 30, can be extended or pulled in an upward direction while the nozzle 10 is energized and distributing fluid. This upward movement displaces the valve sleeve 16 from the nozzle housing 18 in a vertical direction to temporarily increase the size of the annular discharge gap 15, and thus, allow for the clearance of trapped debris within the nozzle's internal passageways. This “pull to flush” feature allows for the flushing of trapped debris out in the direction of the fluid flow.
A spring 40 mounted to the shaft 20 energizes and tightens the engagement of the valve sleeve 16 and the nozzle housing 18. More specifically, the spring 40 operates on the shaft 20 to bias the first of the two nozzle body portions (valve sleeve 16) downwardly against the second portion (nozzle housing 18). Mounting the spring 40 at one end of the shaft 20 results in a lower cost of assembly. As can be seen in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The nozzle collar 52 is coupled to the flow control member 54 (or throttle body). As shown in
In turn, the flow control member 54 is coupled to the nozzle housing 18. More specifically, the flow control member 54 is internally threaded for engagement with an externally threaded hollow post 64 at the lower end of the nozzle housing 18. Rotation of the flow control member 54 causes it to move along the threading in an axial direction. In one preferred form, rotation of the flow control member 54 in a counterclockwise direction advances the member 54 towards the inlet 21 and away from the deflector 100. Conversely, rotation of the flow control member 54 in a clockwise direction causes the member 54 to move away from the inlet 21. Although specified here as counterclockwise for advancement toward the inlet 21 and clockwise for movement away from the inlet 21, this is not required, and either rotation direction could be assigned to the advancement and retreat of the flow control member 54 from the inlet 21. Finally, although threaded surfaces are shown in the preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that other engagement surfaces could be used to achieve an axial movement of the flow control member 54.
The nozzle housing 18 preferably includes an inner cylindrical wall 66 joined by spoke-like ribs 68 to a central hub 70. The central hub 70 preferably defines the bore 67 to accommodate insertion of the shaft 20 therein. The inside of the central hub 70 is preferably splined to engage a splined surface 72 of the shaft 20 and fix the shaft 20 against rotation. The lower end forms the external threaded hollow post 64 for insertion in the bore 60 of the flow control member 54, as discussed above. The spokes 68 define flow passages 74 to allow fluid flow upwardly through the remainder of the nozzle 10.
In operation, a user may rotate the outer wall 58 of the nozzle collar 52 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. As shown in
Rotation in a counterclockwise direction results in helical movement of the flow control member 54 in an axial direction toward the inlet 21. Continued rotation results in the flow control member 54 advancing to the valve seat formed at the inlet 21 for restricting or significantly reducing fluid flow. The dimensions of the radial tabs 62 of the flow control member 54 and the splined internal surface 56 of the nozzle collar 52 are preferably selected to provide over-rotation protection. More specifically, the radial tabs 62 are sufficiently flexible such that they slip out of the splined recesses upon over-rotation, i.e., clutching. Once the limit of the travel of the flow control member 54 has been reached, further rotation of the nozzle collar 52 causes clutching of the radial tabs 62, allowing the collar 52 to continue to rotate without corresponding rotation of the flow control member 54, which might otherwise cause potential damage to the nozzle components.
Rotation in a clockwise direction causes the flow control member 54 to move axially away from the inlet 21. Continued rotation allows an increasing amount of fluid flow through the inlet 21, and the nozzle collar 52 may be rotated to the desired amount of fluid flow. It should be evident that the direction of rotation of the outer wall 58 for axial movement of the flow control member 54 can be easily reversed, i.e., from clockwise to counterclockwise or vice versa. When the valve is open, fluid flows through the nozzle 10 along the following flow path: through the inlet 21, between the nozzle collar 52 and the flow control member 54, through the passages 74 of the nozzle housing 18, through the constriction formed at the valve sleeve 16, to the underside surface of the deflector 100, and radially outwardly from the deflector 100.
The nozzle 10 also preferably includes a nozzle base 80 of generally cylindrical shape with internal threading 83 for quick and easy thread-on mounting onto a threaded upper end of a riser with complementary threading (not shown). The nozzle base 80 and nozzle housing 18 are preferably attached to one another by welding, snap-fit, or other fastening method such that the nozzle housing 18 is stationary relative to the base 80 when the base 80 is threadedly mounted to a riser. The nozzle 10 also preferably include seal members, such as seal members 82A, 82B, 82C, 82D, and 82E, at various positions, such as shown in
The radius adjustment valve 46 and certain other components described herein are preferably similar to that described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,272,583 and 8,925,837, which are assigned to the assignee of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Generally, in this preferred form, the user rotates a nozzle collar 52 to cause the flow control member 54 (which may be in the form of a throttle nut) to move axially toward and away from the valve seat at the inlet 21 to adjust the throw radius. Although this type of radius adjustment valve 46 is described herein, it is contemplated that other types of radius adjustment valves may also be used.
The nozzle 10 described above uses a valve sleeve 16 and a nozzle housing 18 to define an annular exit orifice for full circle irrigation. As an alternative, however, the nozzle 10 may use a valve sleeve 16A and nozzle housing 18A (shown in
In this particular form, the variable arc capability of nozzle 10 results from the interaction of two portions of the nozzle body 17 (valve sleeve 16A and nozzle housing 18A). More specifically, as can be seen in
The disclosure above generally describes some components of an exemplary rotary nozzle 10 using a deflector 100 embodying features of the present invention. This description has been provided, in part, for illustrative purposes to provide a general understanding of certain types of nozzle components and their interaction with the deflector 100. It should be understood, however, that the deflector 100 may be used with any of various different types of rotary nozzles where a rotating deflector 100 is used, and those other rotary nozzles may or may not include the some or all of the nozzle components described above.
As described further below, deflector 100 provides certain advantages. More specifically, it is believed that certain structural features at the ends of the flutes 102 can provide certain irrigation coverage advantages. Initially, it is believed that uniformity of water distribution over an irrigation pattern can be improved. Features at the ends of the flutes 102 can break up the outgoing streams, thereby diverting part of the streams and creating more spray that helps fill in the irrigation coverage area near the nozzle.
In addition, this deflector 100 may provide an advantage for rotary nozzles distributing water to an arcuate region less than 360° about the nozzle, especially at the one or both edges of the arcuate coverage pattern. More specifically, as shown in
The deflector 100 also includes features at the end of the flutes 102 that are intended to fill in the irrigation pattern more uniformly. They generally act as blocking features and/or downwardly-directed features that absorb some of the energy of the exiting water streams. These end-of-flute features form transitions with the sidewalls 108, 110 of the flutes 102, and these transitions define elongated edges and corners that form abrupt changes in direction. In effect, they operate to divert some of the water stream from each flute 102 to an area closer to the nozzle.
As should be understood,
It is generally contemplated that the deflector 100 may be designed to include any of various combinations of ramps 116 (symmetric and asymmetric) and angled walls 118.
Further, in the particular form shown in
As stated, deflector 100 shows one non-limiting example, and different numbers and arrangements of angled walls 118 on the deflector 100 are available and may be desirable to fill in the irrigation pattern. As one example, it may be desirable to have only two flutes 102 with opposite-facing angled walls 118. Further, the orientation of the angled walls 118 may be selected, as desired. For instance, one wall 118 may be angled in the direction of curvature of its channel 112, while the second wall 118 may be angled in the opposite direction against the curvature of the channel 112. In addition, the location of the angled walls 118 on the deflector 100 may be selected, as desired. For example, two flutes 102 with opposite facing angled walls 118 may be disposed on opposite sides of the deflector 100 from one another. Different numbers, arrangements, and locations of such angled walls 118 may produce different results that may be desirable for different types of patterns.
In addition, as shown in
As stated above, it is believed that the angled walls 118 help fill in irrigation patterns. It is also believed that the walls 118 angled in the direction of curvature provide an additional advantage. More specifically, for nozzles that produce an arcuate pattern less than a full circle pattern, it is believed that these walls 118 help provide a straighter (less curved) edge at one or both edges of the pattern. For a deflector 100 with flute curvature as shown in the figures (that rotate in a clockwise direction with respect to
As stated, it is generally contemplated that the deflector 100 having at least one flute 102 with an angled wall 118 may also include any of various combinations of flutes 102 with ramps 116. In other words, it is generally contemplated that the deflector 100 may include any of various numbers and combinations of flutes 102, such as, for example, various numbers and combinations of flutes 102A, 102B, 102C, and 102D. In addition, it is generally contemplated that these flutes 102 may be disposed at various locations on the deflector 100 with respect to one another.
Referring to
As shown in
In some forms, the deflector 200 may not include any flutes 202A with angled walls 218 (whether partial height or full height). In other words, it is generally contemplated that the deflector 200 may include any of various numbers and combinations of flutes 202B. In addition, it is generally contemplated that deflector 200 may be modified so that flutes 202A, 202B are disposed at any of various locations on the deflector 200 with respect to one another, as may be desirable to adjust the performance of the deflector 200.
In addition, in one preferred form, as can be seen from
It is believed that these recessed teeth 220 may provide certain advantages to the rotary nozzle 10 and to other rotary nozzles. For example, it is believed that the recessed teeth 220 help prevent wear and stripping of the deflector teeth 220 and the valve sleeve teeth 28, 28A. This wear and stripping may lead to failure of the teeth to engage properly, which may prevent the user from being able to adjust the arc in an arcuate pattern rotary nozzle. By recessing the teeth within the deflector 200, the deflector walls help protect the deflector teeth 220 and protect them from deforming or shearing. Also, the deflector walls limit any outward deformation of the valve sleeve teeth 28, 28a. It is believed that the deflector 200 will rotate and ratchet up and down with little (if any) stripping of the teeth.
In addition, it is believed that the protection against wear and stripping allows the use of narrower teeth in the rotary nozzle, and in one preferred form, the width of the valve sleeve teeth 28, 28A may be reduced to about 0.027 inches. In turn, the use of narrower valve sleeve teeth 28, 28A enables the use of a smaller diameter valve sleeve 16, 16A in the rotary nozzle. A reduced diameter valve sleeve 16, 16A in combination with the nozzle housing 18, 18A results in a wider exit orifice in the rotary nozzle. In one form, it is believed that the exit orifice may preferably be widened to a width greater than about 0.012 or 0.020 inches, which, in turn, leads to reduced clogging by debris passing through the orifice or the arcuate opening between the outer diameter of the valve sleeve 16, 16A and an inner diameter of the nozzle housing 18, 18A.
Further, recessing the deflector teeth 220 allows the deflector 200 to have a taller profile than deflector 100. By recessing the teeth 220, the deflector 200 can operate closer to the water stream exiting from the nozzle housing/valve sleeve and impacting the deflector 200. In other words, the clearance between the top of the nozzle body 17 and the bottom annular surface 221 of the deflector 200 can be reduced in the absence of downwardly projecting teeth. This taller profile may enable the use of longer flutes with a greater throw distance, if desired.
Also, the reduced clearance between the nozzle body 17 and deflector 200 has an additional benefit. When water initially flows through the rotary nozzle, the water lifts the deflector 200 from the valve sleeve 16, 16A and causes rotation of the deflector 200. It is believed the reduced clearance (resulting from the recessed teeth 220) may allow the deflector 200 to lift and disengage from the valve sleeve teeth 28, 28A at lower pressures. In turn, this activation at lower pressures may reduce the likelihood of the rotary nozzle stalling at such lower pressures.
Accordingly, in one form, there is disclosed a deflector for a rotary nozzle comprising: an underside surface including a plurality of flutes contoured to cause rotation of the deflector about a central axis when fluid impacts the underside surface and to redirect the fluid away from the underside surface in a plurality of streams; each of the plurality of flutes including a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining a channel therebetween, each channel extending from an inner end to an outlet end and defining a predetermined radius of curvature along at least a portion of the channel length from the inner end to the outlet end; and at least one of the plurality of flutes comprising: an angled wall at the outlet end of one of the channels, the angled wall defining an immediate transition with one of the first and second sidewalls of the flute such that the angled wall is not coextensive with the one of the first and second sidewalls.
In some implementations, in the deflector, the at least one of the plurality of flutes includes: a first flute with a first angled wall defining a first immediate transition with the first sidewall and angled in a first direction; and a second flute with a second angled wall defining a second immediate transition with the second sidewall and angled in a second direction opposite the first direction. In some implementations, the at least one of the plurality of flutes further includes: a third flute with a third angled wall defining a third immediate transition with the first sidewall and angled in the first direction; and a fourth flute with a fourth angled wall defining a fourth immediate transition with the second sidewall and angled in the second direction opposite the first direction. In some implementations, the third flute is adjacent the first flute; and the fourth flute is adjacent the second flute. In some implementations, the at least one of the plurality of flutes includes: a first flute with a first angled wall disposed on a first side of the deflector; and a second flute with a second angled wall disposed on a second side of the deflector opposite the first side. In some implementations, the at least one of the plurality of flutes further includes: a ramp opposite the angled wall at the outlet end of the channel, the angled wall defining a first immediate transition with one of the first and second sidewalls, and the ramp defining a second immediate transition with the other one of the first and second sidewalls and being adjacent therewith. In some implementations, one of the plurality of flutes does not include an angled wall and includes: a first ramp at the outlet end of one of the channels, the first ramp defining a first immediate transition with one of the first and second sidewalls and being adjacent therewith. In some implementations, the one of the plurality of flutes that does not include an angled wall further includes: a second ramp at the outlet end of the channel, the second ramp defining a second immediate transition with the other one of the first and second sidewalls and being adjacent therewith. In some implementations, the angled wall of the at least one of the plurality of flutes is angled in a direction of curvature of the channel or in a direction opposite the curvature of the channel. In some implementations, the at least one of the plurality of flutes includes: a first flute with a first angled wall angled in a direction of curvature of the channel; and a second flute with a second angled wall angled in a direction opposite the curvature of the channel. In some implementations, the angled wall of the at least one of the plurality of flutes defines a partial height relative to the one of the first and second sidewalls defining the immediate transition with the angled wall.
In another form, there is disclosed a deflector for a rotary nozzle comprising: an underside surface including a plurality of flutes contoured to cause rotation of the deflector about a central axis when fluid impacts the underside surface and to redirect the fluid away from the underside surface in a plurality of streams; each of the plurality of flutes including a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining a channel therebetween, each channel extending from an inner end to an outlet end and defining a predetermined radius of curvature along at least a portion of the channel length from the inner end to the outlet end; and at least one of the plurality of flutes comprising: a first ramp at the outlet end of one of the channels, the first ramp defining a first immediate transition with one of the first and second sidewalls and being adjacent therewith; and a second ramp at the outlet end of the channel, the second ramp defining a second immediate transition with the other one of the first and second sidewalls and being adjacent therewith.
In some implementations, in the deflector, the at least one of the plurality of flutes includes a first flute and a second flute, the first and second flutes on opposite sides of the deflector from one another. In some implementations, the at least one of the plurality of flutes further includes a third flute and a fourth flute, the third and fourth flutes on opposite sides of the deflector from one another. In some implementations, one of the plurality of flutes includes: an angled wall at the outlet end of one of the channels, the angled wall defining an immediate transition with one of the first and second sidewalls of the flute such that the angled wall is not coextensive with the one of the first and second sidewalls.
In another form, there is disclosed a deflector for a rotary nozzle comprising: an underside surface including a plurality of flutes contoured to cause rotation of the deflector about a central axis when fluid impacts the underside surface and to redirect the fluid away from the underside surface in a plurality of streams; each of the plurality of flutes including a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining a channel therebetween, each channel extending from an inner end to an outlet end and defining a predetermined radius of curvature along at least a portion of the channel length from the inner end to the outlet end; and a bottom portion defining a bore in the deflector, the bottom portion comprising a plurality of teeth recessed within the deflector.
In another form, there is disclosed a rotary nozzle comprising: a deflector comprising: an underside surface including a plurality of flutes contoured to cause rotation of the deflector about a central axis when fluid impacts the underside surface and to redirect the fluid away from the underside surface in a plurality of streams; each of the plurality of flutes including a first sidewall and a second sidewall defining a channel therebetween, each channel extending from an inner end to an outlet end and defining a predetermined radius of curvature along at least a portion of the channel length from the inner end to the outlet end; and at least one of the plurality of flutes comprising: an angled wall at the outlet end of one of the channels, the angled wall defining an immediate transition with one of the first and second sidewalls of the flute such that the angled wall is not coextensive with the one of the first and second sidewalls; and a nozzle body defining an inlet and an outlet, the inlet configured to receive fluid from a source and the outlet configured to deliver fluid to the underside surface of the deflector.
In some implementations, in the rotary nozzle, the at least one of the plurality of flutes of the deflector includes: a first flute with a first angled wall defining a first immediate transition with the first sidewall and angled in a first direction; and a second flute with a second angled wall defining a second immediate transition with the second sidewall and angled in a second direction opposite the first direction. In some implementations, the at least one of the plurality of flutes the deflector includes: a first flute with a first angled wall disposed on a first side of the deflector; and a second flute with a second angled wall disposed on a second side of the deflector opposite the first side. In some implementations, the angled wall of the at least one of the plurality of flutes defines a partial height relative to the one of the first and second sidewalls defining the immediate transition with the angled wall. In some implementations, one of the plurality of flutes includes: a first ramp at the outlet end of one of the channels, the first ramp defining a first immediate transition with one of the first and second sidewalls and being adjacent therewith; and a second ramp at the outlet end of the channel, the second ramp defining a second immediate transition with the other one of the first and second sidewalls and being adjacent therewith. In some implementations, the rotary nozzle further includes: an arc adjustment valve being adjustable to change an arcuate opening for the distribution of fluid from the deflector within a predetermined arcuate coverage, the valve comprising a first valve body and a second valve body configured to engage one another to adjust the arcuate opening. In some implementations, the deflector includes a first set of teeth recessed within the deflector and the first valve body includes a second set of teeth, the two sets of teeth configured for engagement with one another for setting the size of the arcuate opening. In some implementations, the rotary nozzle further includes: a first body and a second body downstream of the inlet and upstream of the deflector, the first body and the second body defining at least one flow path terminating at an annular exit orifice with the first body defining an inner radius of the annular exit orifice and the second body defining an outer radius of the annular exit orifice; wherein the annular exit orifice directs fluid against the deflector and defines a full circle coverage area.
It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of parts and components which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the nozzle may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the nozzle as expressed in the appended claims. Furthermore, while various features have been described with regard to a particular embodiment or a particular approach, it will be appreciated that features described for one embodiment also may be incorporated with the other described embodiments.
