Patent Application
20190336994
The herein disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) generally relates to a sprinkler head, and more particularly to a sprinkler head utilizing a distribution disc for randomizing fluid distribution.
Various sprinkler heads have been utilized to distribute irrigation water. What is needed is a sprinkler head that provides for increased functionality and control.
The purpose of the Summary is to enable the public, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Summary is neither intended to define the inventive concept(s) of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the inventive concept(s) in any way.
Disclosed is a sprinkler head which uses two axles for providing rotation of a distribution disk configured to distribute fluid, such as irrigation water, sprayed from a nozzle at the distribution disk. The sprinkler head can use dampeners with one axle or both axles to control the speed of rotation of that axle or about that axle. The sprinkler head utilizes a distribution disk affixed to an upper axle, but allows for rotation, whether in a circular rotation, a nutating rotation, or a random rotation. Preferably the sprinkler head utilizes geared teeth associated with the distribution disk, axle, and/or axle housing to provide a controlled path of rotation of the distribution disk. The geared teeth are configured to interact with a series of geared teeth positioned within the sprinkler housing. Alternatively two series of geared projections can be utilized in association with the distribution disk, axle and/or axle housing and the sprinkler body to provide further control of the rotation of the distribution disk.
The sprinkler has a fluid delivery tube which extends through the sprinkler disk, and is directed at a distribution plate. In a preferred embodiment the sprinkler disk has on its periphery a number of projections which form gear teeth. Corresponding gear teeth on the distribution disk periphery engage the gear teeth on the sprinkler disk, and direct the path of the rotation of the distribution disk.
In a preferred embodiment the distribution disk is set at a fixed angle so the gear teeth on the distribution plate and the gear teeth on the sprinkler disk engage as the distribution disk rotates around the lower axle. The lower axle is positioned within a housing that is supported by one or more support is which are attached to the sprinkler disk. The sprinkler disk and arms are commonly referred to herein as the sprinkler housing. In a preferred embodiment, an upper axle housing is set at an angle from the lower axle and secures the distribution disk. In a preferred embodiment due to the angle that the upper axle housing holds the distribution disk to the sprinkler disk, the distribution disk both rotates and nutates in a fixed trajectory. In an alternative preferred embodiment the distribution disk and upper axle are configured to provide rotation of the distribution disk without nutation. In this preferred embodiment the upper axle and lower axle are generally oriented in parallel. In a further preferred embodiment the upper axle housing and the lower axle can be configured such that the upper axle housing rotates about the lower axle to cause nutation of the distribution disk. As used herein when rotation is discussed about and axle the axle can rotate with the object rotating, or the object rotation can rotate freely of the axle and not deviate from the scope of the invention.
An axle extends from the distribution disk through a speed control hub, which contains a viscous fluid which controls the speed of rotation of the axle, and thus the speed of rotation of the distribution disk. The distribution disk has a raised center peak, which contains spiral grooves which guide water from the distribution disk. Water encounters the distribution disk from the deliver tube, and imparts a rotary force which causes the distribution disk to rotate, and the angle set by the upper axle housing imparts a nutating motion to the rotation. The speed control hub slows the speed of rotation of the distribution disk on the axle. Alternatively the speed control can be positioned within the upper axle housing such that the speed of rotation of the upper axle housing around its pivot axle (or pivot pin). In a further embodiment both the rotation of the upper axle housing as well as the nutation of the distribution disk can be controlled by speed control devices.
Also disclosed is an embodiment of the sprinkler which has the distribution disk set at a fixed angle to the delivery tube, and internal gears which cause the distribution disk to rotate around the water delivery tube. The spiral grooves impart a rotary force to the distribution disk, and the center peak of the distribution disk extends past the tip of the delivery tube, so centering of the distribution disk is prevented. This embodiment includes a pivot pin, a speed control hub with a viscous dampening fluid, and an axle on which the distribution disk rotates. The angle of the distribution disk to the delivery tube is constant, and constrained in speed by the speed control hub.
A third embodiment is disclosed which has a speed control hub on an axle, with the distribution disk attached to a upper axle. The upper axle has a range of tilt which allows the distribution disk to face the delivery tube at different angles as it rotates and nutates around the delivery tube. Geared teeth in the sprinkler body engage a lower gear wheel attached to or integrated with the lower axle housing to direct the rotation of upper axle housing it rotates on the lower axle. A second set of geared teeth is provided in association with the distribution disk and configured to interact with geared teeth positioned on or integral with an internal surface of the sprinkler housing to control rotation of the distribution disk.
Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.
While the presently disclosed technology is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the claimed technology to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed technology is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims. The use of the term “upper” and “lower” refer to the orientation shown in the figures and are not to be construed as limiting in the event of rotation of a device. The term fluid is used generically herein to define a fluid flow of which can be distributed by a sprinkler head, including but not limited to irrigation water.
The upper axle housing 24 is configured to rotate about a lower axle 28, shown in
In a preferred embodiment either or both of the axles 26, 28 can utilize a braking mechanism 28, such as a viscous or magnetic brake, to control the speed of rotation of either the distribution disk or the upper axle housing.
The teeth of the bushing are configured to interact with teeth 91 found in the upper gear housing 87 of the sprinkler body 100 to direct the rotation of the distribution disk. The upper axle 92 is positioned within the upper axle housing 89. The upper axle housing is configured to rotate about a lower axle 96 when fluid is sprayed onto the distribution disk from the nozzle. The upper axle housing further has a disk 102 having a series of geared teeth that are configured to engage the series of geared teeth 103 in the lower gear housing 89. The upper gear housing 87 and/or gear housing 89 make up the motor gear housing 83. The motor housing 85 is supported by one or more arms 85. This configuration allows the distributor disk to spin while allowing it to rotate about the lower axle.
The upper axle housing also has a void or opening 98 configured for a receiving the lower axle 98 or pin. As depicted, the upper axle housing is configured to rotate about the lower axle 96 to provide a nutation like movement to the distributor disk when fluid is sprayed on the distribution disk from the nozzle.
While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of this disclosure. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/627,053, filed May 4, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62627053 | May 2018 | US |
