Patent Application
20200276598
The invention relates to irrigation nozzles and, more particularly, to rotary nozzles and deflectors for distribution of water in strip irrigation patterns.
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 some applications, it is desirable to be able to use rotary nozzles for irrigating a rectangular area of the terrain. Specialty nozzles have been developed for irrigating terrain having specific geometries, such as rectangular strips, and some of these specialty nozzles are referred to as left corner strip, right corner strip, and side strip nozzles. Some of these specialty nozzles, however, do not cover the desired strip pattern accurately. They may not cover the entire desired pattern or may also irrigate additional terrain surrounding the desired strip pattern.
Accordingly, a need exists for a nozzle that can accurately irrigate a desired strip pattern. In other words, a need exists to provide relatively uniform irrigation within the desired strip pattern so as not to leave areas that do not receive enough water and so as not to distribute water outside of the desired strip pattern. Further, there is a need for a specialty nozzle that provides irrigation of strip patterns having different geometries and positions relative to the nozzle.
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. Publication No. 2019/0015849. These patents and applications are assigned to the assignee of the present application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. These components are provided for an understanding of the various aspects of one embodiment, but as should be understood, not all of these components are required for operation of other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure. For example, it is generally contemplated that the pattern templates and deflectors described herein may be used with other types of components.
As can be seen in
The rotatable deflector 12 has an underside surface that is preferably contoured to deliver a plurality of fluid streams generally radially outwardly. As shown in
The deflector 12 has a bore 24 for insertion of a shaft 20 therethrough. As can be seen in
The deflector 12 also preferably includes a speed control brake to control the rotational speed of the deflector 12. In one preferred form shown in
The deflector 12 is supported for rotation by shaft 20. Shaft 20 extends along a central axis of the nozzle 10, and the deflector 12 is rotatably mounted on an upper end of the shaft 20. As can be seen from
A spring 40 mounted to the shaft 20 energizes and tightens the seal and engagement of the pattern template 14. More specifically, the spring 40 operates on the shaft 20 to bias the first of the two nozzle body portions that forms the valve 14 (valve sleeve 16) downwardly against the second portion (nozzle housing 42). By using a spring 40 to maintain a forced engagement between valve sleeve 16 and nozzle housing 42, the nozzle 10 provides a tight seal of the pattern template 14, concentricity of the valve 14, and a uniform jet of water directed through the valve 14. In addition, mounting the spring 40 at one end of the shaft 20 results in a lower cost of assembly. As can be seen in
The template 14 preferably includes two bodies that interact with one another to determine the strip setting: the valve sleeve 16 and the nozzle housing 42. As shown in
The valve sleeve 16 and nozzle housing 42 are shown in
The nozzle housing 42 also has a circumferential ledge 70 to allow an annular lip 62 of the valve sleeve 16 to seal therealong. The ledge 70 engages and provides additional support to the valve sleeve 16. The ledge 70 extends along the entire circumference of the valve sleeve 16, and as addressed below, defines an inner edge of the discharge orifices formed by the flow channels 74. The nozzle housing 42 also preferably includes one or more spacing members 71 to space the valve sleeve 16 from the nozzle housing, and in this example, there are three spacing members 71 that are arranged at about 90 degree intervals. The spacing members 71 can take the form of axially extending ribs.
The nozzle housing 42 includes six flow channels 74 that fill in various parts of a side strip irrigation pattern, i.e., a rectangular irrigation pattern that extends to both sides of the nozzle 10. As can be seen in
Further, as shown in
In contrast, the two inner flow channels (74C and 74D) define different shapes with respect to one another. In this preferred form, the two sidewalls of flow channel 74C define an angle c of about 35.2 degrees with respect to one another. The sidewalls diverge away from one another at their outer ends. Flow channel 74D, however, is skewed to one side, and its sidewalls preferably define a predetermined angle d, such as, for example, an angle of about 25 degrees. Flow channel 74D is skewed away from radial line R so as to direct more fluid flow in a direction opposite the clockwise rotation of the deflector 12. More specifically, the sidewalls of flow channel 74D are oriented to direct fluid away from the radial line R to a greater degree than are the sidewalls of flow channel 74C. In this preferred form, the outer end of flow channel 74D is skewed to direct fluid flowing through the flow channel 74D away from fluid flowing through flow channel 74C and opposite the clockwise rotation of the deflector 12.
In this particular example, the two innermost flow channels 74C, 74D are asymmetric with respect to one another, while the outermost flow channels 74A, 74F and the intermediate flow channels 74B, 74E are symmetric with respect to one another. As addressed further below, however, it is contemplated that there are certain advantages associated with asymmetric flow channels. Accordingly, it is contemplated that one or both of the outermost flow channels 74A, 74F and the intermediate flow channels 74B, 74E may also be asymmetric in order to better fill out certain portions of the irrigation pattern (in addition to the innermost flow channels 74C, 74D). Further, it is also contemplated that it may be desirable, in some circumstances, that one or both of the outermost flow channels 74A, 74F and the intermediate flow channels 74B, 74E be arranged in an asymmetric manner (while the innermost flow channels 74C, 74D are symmetric).
In the preferred form shown in
Accordingly, an objective is to design the individual flow channels 74A, 74B, 74C, 74D, 74E, 74F to provide the required mass flow rate of water ahead of the target area to be filled. If the mass flow rate is too low, there will not be sufficient mass of water for the rotational momentum to carry the water and insufficient watering has been found to occur. If the mass flow rate is too great, overthrow will occur. Proper sizing of the mass flow rate of water ahead of the target area ensures that the streams ahead of the target area will have sufficient mass of water to allow the rotational momentum to throw the water to the desired location.
The geometry of the flow channels 74A, 74B, 74C, 74D, 74E, 74F and the ribs 73 between the flow channels are configured to achieve this effect. Individual flow channel shapes can be converging or diverging to increase/decrease the velocity of the flow of a specific flow channel. In the same way, the size of the flow channel entrance (width and depth) can be larger or smaller to increase/decrease the flow rate of a specific flow channel. Individual rib shapes between the flow channels also form the flow streams. The widths of the ribs 73 determine if neighboring streams will merge. The heights of the ribs 73 determine at what point the streams separate from the nozzle housing and engage the deflector 12.
For example, in one preferred form shown in the figures, the outermost channels 74A, 74F and the intermediate channels 74B, 74E converge in the radially outward direction. On the other hand, the innermost channels 74C, 74D diverge in the radial outward direction. The cross-sectional area of the right innermost (center) channel 74C is preferably larger than the cross-sectional area of the left innermost (center) 75D. The cross-sectional area of the outermost channels 74A, 74F is preferably the same, and the cross-sectional area of the intermediate channels 74B, 74E is preferably the same. In one preferred form, the cross-sectional area of the outermost channels 74A, 74F is the smallest, followed by the center channel 74D, then followed by the intermediate channels 74B, 74E, and with center channel 74C having the largest cross-sectional area.
Due to the short throw in the very center of the rectangle, the left center channel 74D is designed to be skewed counterclockwise when viewed from above, in the opposite direction of rotation. This widens the center rib 73 preventing the flow of the left center channel 74D from merging with the flow of the right center channel 74C. Preventing the streams from merging reduces the potential for overthrow in the center of the rectangular pattern. The design of the left center channel 74D is also different from the right center channel 74C to provide sufficient mass of water ahead of the target area to allow the stream to provide complete coverage of the center of the rectangle.
As can be seen in
Accordingly, the rotary nozzle 10 uses six flow channels 74A, 74B, 74C, 74D, 74E, and 74F to fill in a side strip irrigation pattern. As addressed further below, it is generally contemplated that left corner strip and right corner strip irrigation can be accomplished by removing or blocking three of the flow channels on one side or the other. It is contemplated that the uniformity of irrigation of the left corner strip or right corner strip patterns also can be improved by specifically matching the left corner strip and right corner strip nozzle housings with a deflector designed to rotate in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, respectively.
So, in one preferred form, for example, assuming a clockwise rotating deflector 12, the three flow channels for each of the left and right corner strip nozzles may have shapes similar to those described above and shown in
In this form, the flow channels of the right corner strip nozzle are not a mirror image of those for the left corner strip nozzle. The flow channels of the left corner strip and the right corner strip nozzles are different from one another because of the rotational momentum of the deflector 12. As addressed above, the angles defined by the sidewalls of flow channels 74C and 74D are different, and the relative position and angle to the center line of flow channels are different. Flow channel 74C provides additional flow ahead of the short streams that are being shut off. Again, this arrangement assumes a deflector 12 rotating in a clockwise direction for both types of corner strip nozzles. However, as addressed further below, in another form, it is contemplated that alternative flow channels may be used for the right corner strip nozzle by using a deflector rotating in the opposite direction, i.e., in a counterclockwise direction.
As can be seen in
In this preferred form, as addressed above, the two sidewalls of outermost flow channel 75A define an angle of about 16.5 degrees with respect to one another. Further, in this preferred form, the two sidewalls of the intermediate flow channel 75B define a predetermined angle, such as, for example, an angle of about 15 degrees with respect to one another. In addition, in this preferred form, the two sidewalls of the innermost flow channel 75C define an angle of about 28 degrees with respect to one another. In one preferred form, the three flow channels 75A, 75B, and 75C may have the same or similar geometry to flow channels 74A, 74B, and 74C, respectively, of the side strip nozzle housing 42. So, for example, in this preferred form, the flow channels 75A, 75B converge in the radially outward direction, whereas flow channel 75C diverges in the radial outward direction.
As can been in
Next, in one preferred form, for example, assuming a clockwise rotating deflector 12 or 12A, the three flow channels for a right corner strip nozzle may have shapes similar to those described above and shown in
More specifically, in this alternative form,
As can be seen in
As can been in
Thus, it is contemplated that the uniformity of irrigation can be improved by specifically matching the left corner strip and right corner strip nozzle housings 42A, 42B with the direction of rotation of the deflector. More specifically, this matching makes use of the Coriolis effect and the rotational momentum affecting the long throw streams, which require greater mass and volume of water than short streams. When the long streams are shut off, there is sufficient mass of water in the channels that the rotational momentum results in a whipping action of the streams. This whipping action fills out the pattern, and this effect is not present when shutting off the short streams. By using a deflector 12A rotating in a clockwise direction, the left corner strip nozzle benefits from this effect by filling out the long throw corners of the pattern.
In contrast, when a deflector 12A rotating in the same direction (a clockwise direction) is used with the right corner strip nozzle housing 42B, this nozzle then suffers from the Coriolis effect. Filling out the long throw corners of the right corner strip pattern is difficult. The rotational momentum whips the stream away from the initial corner of the pattern making it difficult to fill out the pattern.
Accordingly, when a deflector 12A rotating in a clockwise direction is used for both types of nozzles, the left corner strip nozzle has a cleaner crisper pattern. By utilizing the counterclockwise rotating deflector 12B with the right corner strip nozzle housing 42B, this nozzle then also benefits from the Coriolis effect and rotational momentum to the same extent as the left corner strip nozzle housing 42A utilizing a clockwise rotating deflector 12A. Although a specific set of three flow channels is described herein for left corner strip and for right corner strip irrigation, it should be understood that a different number of flow channels and that flow channels with other geometries are available that can be matched with the direction of rotation of the deflector to fill in the target areas. So, for example, it is contemplated that two flow channels or four flow channels may be used in the left corner strip and right corner strip nozzles.
In one form, it is contemplated that the side strip, left corner strip, and right corner strip nozzles may be distributed and/or used individually to address specific irrigation needs. In another form, however, it is contemplated that two or more of these specialty nozzles may be distributed and/or used as part of a kit. For example, it may be desirable to distribute both left corner and right corner strip nozzles as part of a kit so that the user can more conveniently address different irrigation areas relative to the position of the nozzle. As an additional example, for additional convenience, the kit may include all three models—side strip, left corner strip, and right corner strip nozzles.
As shown in
The radius control valve 400 allows the user to set the relative dimensions of the side, left, and right rectangular strips. In one preferred form, the nozzle 10 irrigates a 5 foot by 30 foot side strip area and a 5 foot by 15 foot left and right corner strip area, when the radius control valve 400 is fully open. The user may then adjust the valve 400 to reduce the throw radius, which variably decreases the size of the rectangular area being irrigated but maintains the proportionate sizes of the legs of the rectangle.
As shown in
As shown in
The nozzle collar 406 is coupled to the flow control member 408 (or throttle body). As shown in
In turn, the flow control member 408 is coupled to the nozzle housing 42, 42A, 42B. More specifically, the flow control member 408 is internally threaded for engagement with an externally threaded hollow post 420 at the lower end of the nozzle housing 42, 42A, 42B. Rotation of the flow control member 408 causes it to move along the threading in an axial direction. In one preferred form, rotation of the flow control member 408 in a counterclockwise direction advances the member 408 towards the inlet 412 and away from the deflector 12, 12A, 12B. Conversely, rotation of the flow control member 408 in a clockwise direction causes the member 408 to move away from the inlet 412. Although threaded surfaces are shown in the preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that other engagement surfaces could be used to effect axial movement.
The nozzle housing 42, 42A, 42B preferably includes an outer cylindrical wall 422 joined by spoke-like ribs 424 to an inner cylindrical wall 426. The inner cylindrical wall 426 preferably defines the bore 66 to accommodate insertion of the shaft 20 therein. The inside of the bore 66 is preferably splined to engage a splined surface 428 of the shaft 20 and fix the shaft 20 against rotation. The lower end forms the external threaded hollow post 420 for insertion in the bore 416 of the flow control member 408, as discussed above. The ribs 424 define flow passages 430 to allow fluid flow upwardly through the remainder of the nozzle 10.
In operation, a user may rotate the outer wall 414 of the nozzle collar 406 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. As shown in
Rotation in a counterclockwise direction results in helical movement of the flow control member 408 in an axial direction toward the inlet 412. Continued rotation results in the flow control member 408 advancing to the valve seat 436 formed at the inlet 412 for blocking fluid flow. The dimensions of the radial tabs 418 of the flow control member 408 and the splined internal surface 410 of the nozzle collar 406 are preferably selected to provide over-rotation protection. More specifically, the radial tabs 418 are sufficiently flexible such that they slip out of the splined recesses upon over-rotation. Once the inlet 412 is blocked, further rotation of the nozzle collar 406 causes slippage of the radial tabs 418, allowing the collar 406 to continue to rotate without corresponding rotation of the flow control member 408, which might otherwise cause potential damage to nozzle components.
Rotation in a clockwise direction causes the flow control member 408 to move axially away from the inlet 412. Continued rotation allows an increasing amount of fluid flow through the inlet 412, and the nozzle collar 406 may be rotated to the desired amount of fluid flow. When the valve is open, fluid flows through the nozzle 10 along the following flow path: through the inlet 412, between the nozzle collar 406 and the flow control member 408, through the nozzle housing 42, 42A, 42B, through the valve sleeve 16, to the underside surface of the deflector 12, 12A, 12B, and radially outwardly from the deflector 12, 12A, 12B. It should be evident that the direction of rotation of the outer wall 414 for axial movement of the flow control member 408 can be easily reversed, i.e., from clockwise to counterclockwise or vice versa, such as by changing the direction of the threading.
The nozzle 10 also preferably include a nozzle base 438 of generally cylindrical shape with internal threading 440 for quick and easy thread-on mounting onto a threaded upper end of a riser with complementary threading (not shown). The nozzle base 438 and nozzle housing 42, 42A, 42B are preferably attached to one another by welding, snap-fit, or other fastening method such that the nozzle housing 42, 42A, 42B is stationary relative to the base 438 when the base 438 is threadedly mounted to a riser. The nozzle 10 also preferably include seal members 442A, 442B, 442C, 442D, such as o-rings, at various positions, as shown in
The radius adjustment valve 400 and certain other components described herein are preferably similar to that described in U.S. Pat. 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 406 to cause a throttle nut 408 to move axially toward and away from the valve seat 436 to adjust the throw radius. Although this type of radius adjustment valve 400 is described herein, it is contemplated that other types of radius adjustment valves may also be used.
Accordingly, in one form, there is disclosed a strip nozzle comprising: a deflector rotatable about a central axis and having an upstream surface contoured to deliver fluid radially outwardly therefrom to a coverage area; a pattern template upstream of the deflector and defining a plurality of flow channels; wherein the plurality of flow channels directs fluid against the deflector and outwardly therefrom to define a rectangular coverage area; wherein the plurality of flow channels comprises a first set of flow channels including two flow channels, the two flow channels being asymmetric with respect to one another about a radial line extending from the central axis.
In some implementations, in the strip nozzle, the plurality of flow channels comprises a second set of channels including two flow channels, the two flow channels of the second set being symmetric with respect to one another about the radial line. In some implementations, the plurality of flow channels comprises a third set of channels including two flow channels, the two flow channels of the third set being symmetric with respect to one another about the radial line. In some implementations, the first set of flow channels are configured to direct fluid against the deflector and outwardly therefrom a first, relatively short distance; the second set of flow channels are configured to direct fluid against the deflector and outwardly therefrom a second, relatively long distance; and the third set of flow channels are configured to direct fluid against the deflector and outwardly therefrom a third, relatively intermediate distance; the first distance being less than the second and third distances and the third distance being less than the second distance. In some implementations, the rectangular coverage area defines a short leg and a long leg, the short leg extending in front of the nozzle and the long leg extending to each side of the nozzle. In some implementations, the length of each of the flow channels of the second set is longer than the length of each of the flow channels of the first and third sets. In some implementations, each flow channel of the first set of flow channels is defined, at least in part, by a pair of sidewalls, each one of the pair of sidewalls extending a different distance downstream than the other sidewall of the pair. In some implementations, each of three sets of flow channels includes an inlet, the inlets of the second set of flow channels being upstream of the inlets of the first and third sets of flow channels. In some implementations, one of the two flow channels of the first set is skewed with respect to the other of the two flow channels in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the deflector, sidewalls of the one flow channel being oriented to direct fluid away from the radial line R to a greater degree than are sidewalls of the other flow channel. In some implementations, the pattern template comprises a first body in engagement with a second body, the second body defining, at least in part, the plurality of flow channels.
In another form, there is disclosed a corner strip nozzle comprising: a deflector having 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 to a coverage area; a pattern template upstream of the deflector and defining a plurality of flow channels; wherein the plurality of flow channels directs fluid against the deflector and outwardly therefrom to define a rectangular coverage area, the rectangular coverage area, when viewed from above, including a short leg extending in a first, forward direction from the nozzle and a long leg extending in a second, leftward direction from the nozzle such that the nozzle is disposed at a right corner of the rectangular coverage area; and wherein the plurality of flutes are curved, at least in part, in a counterclockwise direction when viewing the underside surface of the deflector so as to cause counterclockwise rotation of the deflector when viewed from above.
In another form, there is disclosed a kit including a right corner strip nozzle and a left corner strip nozzle, the kit comprising: a right corner strip nozzle including: a first deflector having an underside surface including a plurality of flutes contoured to cause rotation of the first 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 to a first coverage area; a right corner strip pattern template upstream of the first deflector and defining a plurality of flow channels; wherein the plurality of flow channels directs fluid against the first deflector and outwardly therefrom to define a first rectangular coverage area, the first rectangular coverage area, when viewed from above, including a short leg extending in a forward direction from the nozzle and a long leg extending in a leftward direction from the nozzle such that the nozzle is disposed at a right corner of the first rectangular coverage area; wherein the plurality of flutes are curved, at least in part, in a counterclockwise direction when viewing the underside surface of the first deflector so as to cause counterclockwise rotation of the first deflector when viewed from above; and a left corner strip nozzle including: a second deflector having an underside surface including a plurality of flutes contoured to cause rotation of the second 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 to a second coverage area; a left corner strip pattern template upstream of the second deflector and defining a plurality of flow channels; wherein the plurality of flow channels directs fluid against the second deflector and outwardly therefrom to define a second rectangular coverage area, the second rectangular coverage area, when viewed from above, including a short leg extending in a forward direction from the nozzle and a long leg extending in a rightward direction from the nozzle such that the nozzle is disposed at a left corner of the second rectangular coverage area; and wherein the plurality of flutes are curved, at least in part, in a clockwise direction when viewing the underside surface of the second deflector so as to cause clockwise rotation of the second deflector when viewed from above. The kit may also include a side strip nozzle.
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. As one example, it is generally contemplated that the pattern templates and deflectors described herein may be used with other types of components. 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.
