A sprinkler nozzle for a sprinkler positioned at a distal end of a center pivot irrigation system is cooperable with a deflector plate of the sprinkler and includes a nozzle opening that is configured to distribute water back under a pivot pipe of the center pivot irrigation system to supplement a deficit of water from the sprinklers mounted along the pivot pipe
B05B 1/26 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectorsBreaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
A01G 25/09 - Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like
B05B 1/20 - Perforated pipes or troughs, e.g. spray boomsOutlet elements therefor
A mounting system and clip for mounting a sprinkler on a trellis wire. The clip includes a first living hinge. an actuator on one side of the first living hinge, and a gripping channel on an opposite side of the first living hinge. A locking tab is attached to the gripping channel via a second living hinge.
F16B 2/20 - Clips, i.e. with gripping action effected solely by the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
A sprinkler controller is cooperable with a sprinkler assembly that receives fluid input from a pipe span. The sprinkler controller includes a microcontroller circuit, a motion sensor coupled with the microcontroller circuit, and a valve assembly including a modulator coupled with the microcontroller circuit and a valve coupled with the sprinkler assembly. The valve meters or controls an amount of fluid output from the sprinkler assembly, and the microcontroller circuit is programmed to control the valve assembly based on input from the motion sensor. With a series of sprinkler controllers in a center pivot irrigation system, the drop numbers for each of the sprinkler assemblies can be determined based on input from the motion sensors.
A deflector plate includes a flat or convex deflector surface and a plurality of deflector grooves extending radially outward from the deflector surface. The deflector surface is configured to deflect water outward into the plurality of deflector grooves.
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
A deflector plate includes a flat or convex deflector surface and a plurality of deflector grooves extending radially outward from the deflector surface. The deflector surface is configured to deflect water outward into the plurality of deflector grooves.
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
A drop hose clamp for securing a drop hose in a center pivot irrigation system includes a bottom section positionable over a truss rod or in engagement with a span pipe, and a top section pivotally connected to the bottom section and displaceable between an open position and a closed position. With the top section in the closed position, the bottom section and the top section together define a channel that is configured to receive and secure the drop hose. The drop hose clamp may be secured to the truss rod or the span pipe using a connector positioned through a connector slot.
F16L 3/08 - Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing
F16L 3/10 - Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets substantially surrounding the pipe, cable or protective tubing divided, i.e. with two members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing
7.
IRRIGATION SPRINKLER WITH MULTIPLE PATTERNS AND ROTATION SPEEDS
A sprinkler module is cooperable with a sprinkler nozzle unit supporting a sprinkler nozzle to define a sprinkler configuration. The sprinkler module includes a cage attachable to the sprinkler nozzle unit and including a pair of struts, a cap connected to the cage via the pair of struts, and a deflector plate cooperable with the sprinkler nozzle and rotatably secured between the cap and the cage. The deflector plate includes a hub extending through the cap. A plate gear with gear teeth is secured to the hub and is rotatable with the deflector plate, and a cover assembly is connected to the cap. The cover assembly includes a brake gear coupled with a brake assembly, where the brake gear is disposed in a path of the gear teeth.
A sprinkler module is cooperable with a sprinkler nozzle unit supporting a sprinkler nozzle to define a sprinkler configuration. The sprinkler module includes a cage attachable to the sprinkler nozzle unit and including a pair of struts, a cap connected to the cage via the pair of struts, and a deflector plate cooperable with the sprinkler nozzle and rotatably secured between the cap and the cage. The deflector plate includes a hub extending through the cap. A plate gear with gear teeth is secured to the hub and is rotatable with the deflector plate, and a cover assembly is connected to the cap. The cover assembly includes a brake gear coupled with a brake assembly, where the brake gear is disposed in a path of the gear teeth.
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
9.
FLOW CONTROL DEVICE WITH EXTENDED SHUTTLE TO ENHANCE FUNCTION OF DRAIN CHECK VALVE
A flow control device (10, 120, 140) including: a housing ( 1 1, 12, 14) having a flow passage including an inlet flow passage (20) and an outlet flow passage (22); a tube (30, 122, 146) in the housing and defining a tube passage (28, 126, 148) included in the flow passage; a valve seat (26) in the flow passage (20) and facing an inlet (27) to the tube; a liner (84, 152) within the housing and fixed with respect to the housing, separated from the flow passage, and including at least one slot (86, 87); and a drain check shuttle assembly (34) in the housing and configured to move relative to the housing and the tube between a first position to close a gap (32) between the valve seat and the inlet to the tube; and a second position to open the gap.
A packaging/inspection system is provided for a nozzle pivot package including a collection of nozzles in various nozzle sizes. The packaging/inspection system includes a shelf assembly with a plurality of compartments, an operator load track, a verification section downstream of the operator load track, a marking section downstream of the verification section, and an operator unload track downstream of the marking section. Each compartment may store nozzles of a specific nozzle size. Features of the shelf assembly alert the operator as to which compartment should be accessed and how many nozzles from the compartment are required.
B65B 61/26 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for marking or coding completed packages
B65B 63/00 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on articles or materials to be packaged
B65B 57/12 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged and operating to control, or stop, the feed of wrapping materials, containers, or packages
A sprinkler controller is cooperable with a sprinkler assembly that receives fluid input from a pipe span. The sprinkler controller includes a microcontroller circuit, a motion sensor coupled with the microcontroller circuit, and a valve assembly including a modulator coupled with the microcontroller circuit and a valve coupled with the sprinkler assembly. The valve meters or controls an amount of fluid output from the sprinkler assembly, and the microcontroller circuit is programmed to control the valve assembly based on input from the motion sensor. With a series of sprinkler controllers in a center pivot irrigation system, the drop numbers for each of the sprinkler assemblies can be determined based on input from the motion sensors.
A quick connect coupler includes a female connector having a central bore and a plurality of recesses, and a male connector having a post insertable into the central bore. The male connector has a first tab row with a plurality of first tabs and a second tab row with a plurality of second tabs axially spaced from the plurality of first tabs. The first and second tabs are shaped corresponding to the recesses in the female connector. The first and second tab rows are circumferentially offset to effect a two- or multi-step connection between the female connector and the male connector.
F16L 37/252 - Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection is made by inserting one member axially into the other and rotating it to a limited extent, e.g. with bayonet-action the coupling being co-axial with the pipe the male part having lugs on its periphery penetrating into the corresponding slots provided in the female part
B05B 15/65 - Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits
A sprinkler nozzle is configured for a sprinkler positioned at a distal end of a center pivot irrigation system. The sprinkler nozzle includes a connection part securable to the sprinkler, and a nozzle opening downstream of the connection part. A nozzle opening downstream of the connection part is part-toroidal shaped and partially blocked or skewed to control water flow to portions of the deflector plate according to a desired wetted area. The part-toroidal shape spans an arc less than 360 degrees. The nozzle enables a custom designed water application to complement the other sprinklers that are on the pivot and can be shaped to also apply water a distance beyond the end of the pivot pipe to match the application rate of the sprinklers along the pivot pipe.
A01G 25/02 - Watering arrangements located above the soil which make use of perforated pipe-lines or pipe-lines with dispensing fittings, e.g. for drip irrigation
A01G 25/09 - Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like
B05B 1/00 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
B05B 1/26 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectorsBreaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/08 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements in association with stationary outlet or deflecting elements
A sprinkler nozzle is configured for a sprinkler positioned at a distal end of a center pivot irrigation system. The sprinkler nozzle includes a connection part securable to the sprinkler, and a nozzle opening downstream of the connection part. A nozzle opening downstream of the connection part is part-toroidal shaped and partially blocked or skewed to control water flow to portions of the deflector plate according to a desired wetted area. The part-toroidal shape spans an arc less than 360 degrees. The nozzle enables a custom designed water application to complement the other sprinklers that are on the pivot and can be shaped to also apply water a distance beyond the end of the pivot pipe to match the application rate of the sprinklers along the pivot pipe.
B05B 1/26 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectorsBreaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
A01G 25/09 - Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like
B05B 1/20 - Perforated pipes or troughs, e.g. spray boomsOutlet elements therefor
An irrigation system includes a network hub and a plurality of remote terminal units configured for wireless communication with the network hub. The remote terminal units are connected to a device for irrigation control or sensing, such as a valve for a sprinkler. The network hub is configured to transmit a wireless broadcast to the remote terminal units, in which the wireless broadcast includes a plurality of individual packets transmitted in succession, each of the plurality of individual packets including a network identifier associated with the network hub, a time remaining in a broadcast period of time, and an assignment map indicative of an assigned state for each of the plurality of remote terminal units.
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]Services to user groupsOne-way selective calling services
H04W 48/10 - Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery using broadcasted information
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
A flow control device includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet and a flow conduit disposed in the housing. The inlet, the flow conduit, and the outlet define a flow passage. A valve seat is disposed in the housing downstream of the inlet, and a shuttle is movably disposed in the housing and displaceable between a closed position engaging the valve seat to close the flow passage and an open position spaced from the valve seat to open the flow passage. A sealed chamber is defined between the housing and the flow conduit. A port coupled with a source of pressurized fluid communicates with the sealed chamber, where the shuttle is displaceable between the closed position and the open position based on a pressure in the sealed chamber. The threshold water pressure for displacing the flow conduit may be adjustable by modifying the pressure in the sealed chamber.
F16K 31/122 - Operating meansReleasing devices actuated by fluid the fluid acting on a piston
F16K 1/12 - Lift valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with streamlined valve member around which the fluid flows when the valve is opened
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
G05D 16/18 - Control of fluid pressure with auxiliary non-electric power derived from an external source
G05D 16/20 - Control of fluid pressure characterised by the use of electric means
F16K 17/04 - Safety valvesEqualising valves opening on surplus pressure on one sideSafety valvesEqualising valves closing on insufficient pressure on one side spring-loaded
F16K 17/08 - Safety valvesEqualising valves opening on surplus pressure on one sideSafety valvesEqualising valves closing on insufficient pressure on one side spring-loaded with special arrangements for providing a large discharge passage
F16K 17/164 - Safety valvesEqualising valves opening on surplus pressure on one sideSafety valvesEqualising valves closing on insufficient pressure on one side and remaining closed after return of the normal pressure
F16K 31/363 - Operating meansReleasing devices actuated by fluid in which fluid from the conduit is constantly supplied to the fluid motor the fluid acting on a piston
F16K 31/365 - Operating meansReleasing devices actuated by fluid in which fluid from the conduit is constantly supplied to the fluid motor the fluid acting on a diaphragm
An automatic reversible arc assembly for a sprinkler includes a pair of primary stop members circumferentially spaced from each other by a first amount, and a pair of secondary stop members circumferentially spaced from each other by a second amount, different from the first amount. The primary stop members and the secondary stop members are coupled together and define a pivot assembly pivotable between a first position and a second position. A timer module cooperable with the pivot assembly is configured to hold the pivot assembly in the first position for a selectable period of time, after which the timer module enables the pivot assembly to pivot to the second position. The primary stop members are active in the first position, and the secondary stop members are active in the second position.
B05B 12/02 - Arrangements for controlling deliveryArrangements for controlling the spray area for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
B05B 3/08 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements in association with stationary outlet or deflecting elements
A pressure regulator (10, 92 114) including: a housing (12, 14, 100) including an inlet flow passage (22) and an outlet flow passage (24); a plunger (30) reciprocally mounted in the housing and including a plunger flow passage (46); an inlet (44) to the plunger flow passage, wherein the inlet is aligned with a plane (52) oblique to an axis (56, 98, 118) of the plunger flow passage; and a valve seat (60, 102) fixed to the housing and positioned between the inlet flow passage and the inlet to the plunger flow passage of the plunger, wherein the valve seat is configured to abut the inlet to the plunger flow passage while the plunger is advanced upstream in the housing.
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
A pressure regulator including: a housing including an inlet flow passage and an outlet flow passage; a plunger reciprocally mounted in the housing and including a plunger flow passage; an inlet to the plunger flow passage, wherein the inlet is aligned with a plane oblique to an axis of the plunger flow passage; and a valve seat fixed to the housing and positioned between the inlet flow passage and the inlet to the flow passage of the plunger, wherein the valve seat is configured to receive and abut the inlet to the flow passage of the plunger.
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
A flow control device including: a housing including a flow passage extending from an inlet, through the housing to an outlet; a hollow tube within the housing defining a tube passage included in the flow passage of the housing; a valve seat in the housing and disposed between the inlet to the flow passage and an inlet to the tube passage of the hollow tube; and a drain check shuttle within the housing and configured to move reciprocally with respect to both the housing and the hollow tube, wherein the drain check shuttle has: a first position within the housing at which the drain check shuttle abuts the valve seat, and closes a gap between the valve seat and the inlet to the hollow tube; and a second position displaced from the valve seat and which opens the gap.
B05B 1/30 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
B05B 12/08 - Arrangements for controlling deliveryArrangements for controlling the spray area responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material discharged, of ambient medium or of target
G05D 16/02 - Modifications to reduce the effects of instability, e.g. due to vibrations, friction, abnormal temperature, overloading or imbalance
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
An automatic reversible arc assembly for a sprinkler includes a pair of primary stop members circumferentially spaced from each other by a first amount, and a pair of secondary stop members circumferentially spaced from each other by a second amount, different from the first amount. The primary stop members and the secondary stop members are coupled together and define a pivot assembly pivotable between a first position and a second position. A timer module cooperable with the pivot assembly is configured to hold the pivot assembly in the first position for a selectable period of time, after which the timer module enables the pivot assembly to pivot to the second position. The primary stop members are active in the first position, and the secondary stop members are active in the second position.
B05B 12/02 - Arrangements for controlling deliveryArrangements for controlling the spray area for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
B05B 3/08 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements in association with stationary outlet or deflecting elements
An irrigation system includes a network hub and a plurality of remote terminal units configured for wireless communication with the network hub. The remote terminal units are connected to a device for irrigation control or sensing, such as a valve for a sprinkler. The network hub is configured to transmit a wireless broadcast to the remote terminal units, in which the wireless broadcast includes a plurality of individual packets transmitted in succession, each of the plurality of individual packets including a network identifier associated with the network hub, a time remaining in a broadcast period of time, and an assignment map indicative of an assigned state for each of the plurality of remote terminal units.
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]Services to user groupsOne-way selective calling services
H04W 48/10 - Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery using broadcasted information
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
An irrigation system includes a network hub and a plurality of remote terminal units configured for wireless communication with the network hub. The remote terminal units are connected to a device for irrigation control or sensing, such as a valve for a sprinkler. The network hub is configured to transmit a wireless broadcast to the remote terminal units, in which the wireless broadcast includes a plurality of individual packets transmitted in succession, each of the plurality of individual packets including a network identifier associated with the network hub, a time remaining in a broadcast period of time, and an assignment map indicative of an assigned state for each of the plurality of remote terminal units.
A sprinkler includes a pop-up deflector plate that is engageable with a brake assembly in an extended position. A brake module is secured to a sprinkler body and includes a rotatable connector coupled with the brake assembly. The pop-up deflector plate is disposed adjacent the nozzle and engages the rotatable connector in the extended position.
B05B 15/16 - Arrangements for preventing or controlling structural damage to spraying apparatus or its outlets, e.g. for breaking at desired placesArrangements for handling or replacing damaged parts for preventing non-intended contact between spray heads or nozzles and foreign bodies, e.g. nozzle guards
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 15/65 - Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits
B05B 3/06 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet by jet reaction
B05B 15/50 - Arrangements for cleaningArrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockageArrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
B05B 1/32 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening
B05B 15/74 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position using hydraulic or pneumatic means driven by the discharged fluid
A rigid mount orbitor sprinkler assembly incorporates a deflector plate configuration that is configured for both spinning/rotating motion as well as orbital or wobbling motion around the center of a spool assembly. The sprinkler incorporates structure to reduce drool that may fall in a concentrated area below the sprinkler and to prevent debris from sandy water or the like from accelerating sprinkler component wear. With reduced vibration, the assembly may be rigidly mounted on a center pivot or other supporting structure while achieving the advantages associated with wobbling and rotating sprinkler assemblies.
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 15/18 - Arrangements for preventing or controlling structural damage to spraying apparatus or its outlets, e.g. for breaking at desired placesArrangements for handling or replacing damaged parts for improving resistance to wear, e.g. inserts or coatingsArrangements for preventing or controlling structural damage to spraying apparatus or its outlets, e.g. for breaking at desired placesArrangements for handling or replacing damaged parts for indicating wearArrangements for preventing or controlling structural damage to spraying apparatus or its outlets, e.g. for breaking at desired placesArrangements for handling or replacing damaged parts for handling or replacing worn parts
A sprinkler body for a rotating sprinkler includes a base securable to a source of water under pressure, a plurality of support struts connected to and extending from the base, and a deflector plate support connected to the plurality of support struts and disposed spaced from the base by the support struts. At least one of the plurality of support struts is wedge-shaped with an inward-facing apex. The support struts are configured to create a void in the water spray pattern away from a center pivot pipe and to direct the water spray downward to limit the effect of wind on the spray pattern.
B05B 3/08 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements in association with stationary outlet or deflecting elements
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 3/06 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet by jet reaction
29.
Shielded cap assembly for drop tube rigid mount orbitor
A method to operate a pressure regulator including an inlet flow passage and an outlet flow passage; a plunger reciprocally between the inlet and outlet flow passages, wherein an axis of the plunger is offset from an axis of the inlet flow passage and the plunger moves with respect to a stationary valve seat to regulate pressure of liquid flowing through the pressure regulator.
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
G05D 16/10 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a piston or plunger
A pressure regulator includes a housing having an inlet cap with an inlet flow passage and an outlet cap with an outlet flow passage. A plunger is reciprocally mounted in the housing. A stationary regulator valve seat is disposed between the inlet flow passage and an inlet to the plunger. A drain check shuttle is disposed in the inlet cap and positioned downstream of the regulator valve seat to prevent water from draining out of the regulator when an inlet water pressure is below a predetermined threshold.
B05B 1/30 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
B05B 12/08 - Arrangements for controlling deliveryArrangements for controlling the spray area responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material discharged, of ambient medium or of target
G05D 16/02 - Modifications to reduce the effects of instability, e.g. due to vibrations, friction, abnormal temperature, overloading or imbalance
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
38.
Sprinkler with modular components and pop-up deflector
A sprinkler includes a pop-up deflector plate that is engageable with a brake assembly in an extended position. A brake module is secured to a sprinkler body and includes a rotatable connector coupled with the brake assembly. The pop-up deflector plate is disposed adjacent the nozzle and engages the rotatable connector in the extended position.
B05B 15/16 - Arrangements for preventing or controlling structural damage to spraying apparatus or its outlets, e.g. for breaking at desired placesArrangements for handling or replacing damaged parts for preventing non-intended contact between spray heads or nozzles and foreign bodies, e.g. nozzle guards
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 15/65 - Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits
B05B 15/50 - Arrangements for cleaningArrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockageArrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
B05B 3/06 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet by jet reaction
B05B 15/74 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position using hydraulic or pneumatic means driven by the discharged fluid
B05B 1/32 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening
A pressure regulator (10) including: a housing (12, 14) including a flow passage (44, 46, 48); a plunger (38) configured to move within the housing, wherein the plunger is hollow and has a plunger passage (46) included in the flow passage; a valve seat (52) in the housing and disposed in the flow passage immediately upstream of an inlet (44) to the plunger passage; a shuttle (42) within the housing configured to move between an upstream-most position at which the shuttle abuts the valve seat to close the flow passage and a downstream position displaced from the valve seat which opens the flow passage; a sealed chamber (26) within the housing and between the plunger and the shuttle, wherein the sealed chamber is configured to be operated at pressures other than at atmospheric pressure; and a port (66) in the housing and open to the sealed chamber, wherein the port is configured to be connected to a source (68) of a pressurized fluid.
A pressure regulator (10) including: a housing (12, 14) including a flow passage (44, 46, 48); a plunger (38) configured to move within the housing, wherein the plunger is hollow and has a plunger passage (46) included in the flow passage; a valve seat (52) in the housing and disposed in the flow passage immediately upstream of an inlet (44) to the plunger passage; a shuttle (42) within the housing configured to move between an upstream-most position at which the shuttle abuts the valve seat to close the flow passage and a downstream position displaced from the valve seat which opens the flow passage; a sealed chamber (26) within the housing and between the plunger and the shuttle, wherein the sealed chamber is configured to be operated at pressures other than at atmospheric pressure; and a port (66) in the housing and open to the sealed chamber, wherein the port is configured to be connected to a source (68) of a pressurized fluid.
G05D 16/10 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a piston or plunger
G05D 16/18 - Control of fluid pressure with auxiliary non-electric power derived from an external source
F16K 17/04 - Safety valvesEqualising valves opening on surplus pressure on one sideSafety valvesEqualising valves closing on insufficient pressure on one side spring-loaded
A quick connect joint includes a base with first and second lock receivers on opposite sides of the base, and a connection plate including first and second engagement members engageable with the first and second lock receivers, respectively. The first engagement member is displaceable between a release position and lock position, and the first engagement member is rotatable between an insert position and a connect position. The quick connect joint creates a safe and reliable connection.
F16L 37/12 - Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially-overlapping ends is maintained by locking members using hooks, pawls, or other movable or insertable locking members
F16L 37/20 - Joints tightened by toggle-action levers
A weighted inverted sprinkler assembly adapted for use with a drop hose of an irrigation system is disclosed. The assembly comprises a coiled weight formed from a coiled wire, a sprinkler fluidly associated with the drop hose, and a coiled weight support structure. A pressure regulator may be provided in fluid associated with the irrigation drop hose and the sprinkler. The coiled weight has a shape that is selected for use with a particular sprinkler assembly. The shape may be an elongated shape for use with an elongated coiled weight support structure, a beehive shape for use with a pressure regulator having a collar to support the coiled weight, and a pear shape for use with a pressure regulator having a flared housing. The coiled weight is preferably formed from a single coiled wire although two or more weights may be used in combination in a given application.
A pilot valve includes a housing, a motor secured in the housing and including a rotating output shaft, and a rocker disposed in the housing and coupled with the motor via a cam mechanism. The rocker is pivotable between a CLOSED position and an OPEN position by operation of the motor. The rocker includes a left-side boss and a right-side boss that are positioned in a path of the cam mechanism, where the left- and right-side bosses serve as cam stops in the CLOSED and OPEN positions, respectively. The housing may include features to better secure the motor, and the assembly may be configured to prevent unintended changes of state during periods of nonuse.
F16K 31/40 - Operating meansReleasing devices actuated by fluid in which fluid from the conduit is constantly supplied to the fluid motor with electrically-actuated member in the discharge of the motor
A rotary nozzle sprinkler includes a base assembly with a bearing, a stem mounted rotatably in the bearing, and an elbow coupled at a proximal end to and rotatable with the stem and including an elbow bend. A nozzle is secured to a distal end of the elbow, and a diffuser assembly including a brake mechanism is cooperable with the elbow. By positioning the nozzle downstream of the elbow, the sprinkler can achieve a greater throw radius.
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
A flow washer assembly includes a housing with a channel for fluid flow, a seat positioned in the channel and including an upstream surface, and a washer press fit in the channel and engaging the upstream surface of the seat. The washer may be provided with a central opening that is sized according to predefined flow characteristics. An outside diameter of the washer at least adjacent an upstream end may be greater than an inside diameter of the channel such that the washer assumes a flexed orientation when press fit into the channel. Since the washer is pre-deflected, it will deflect further as inlet fluid pressure increases, effectively keeping the fluid flow rate relatively constant. The “pre-flexing” of the washer eliminates a spike in flow rate that occurs with conventional flow washer assemblies.
G05D 7/01 - Control of flow without auxiliary power
B05B 1/30 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
B05B 1/32 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening
F16K 27/02 - Construction of housingsUse of materials therefor of lift valves
46.
Center pivot irrigation gooseneck with varying cross-sectional diameters
A gooseneck pipe includes a first pipe half having a first radiused centerline curve, and a second pipe half fixed to the first pipe half and having a second radiused centerline curve. The first and second pipe halves define a flow path. Cross-sectional diameters of the first and second pipe halves vary along the flow path. The varying diameters of the first and second pipe halves serve to mitigate pressure losses due in part to Dean vortices or secondary flow patterns in the flow path when a fluid is turned in the gooseneck pipe.
An irrigation control system having an irrigation controller with a unique identifier and configured to execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics and determine global time, together with a power source, a global time receiver in communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide time from an outside source to the microcontroller and a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller configured to send messages including its unique identifier, predefined irrigation schedules, stored watering metrics and current global time. The system further includes a mobile computer having a microprocessor, a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions to the irrigation controller via a communication link and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules, and watering metrics. Methods for providing watering metrics and controlling an irrigation control system or value controller are also disclosed.
A rigid mount orbiter sprinkler assembly incorporates a deflector plate configuration that is configured for both spinning/rotating motion as well as orbital or wobbling motion around the center of a spool assembly. The sprinkler incorporates structure to reduce drool that may fall in a concentrated area below the sprinkler and to prevent debris from sandy water or the like from accelerating sprinkler component wear. With reduced vibration, the assembly may be rigidly mounted on a center pivot or other supporting structure while achieving the advantages associated with wobbling and rotating sprinkler assemblies.
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 15/18 - Arrangements for preventing or controlling structural damage to spraying apparatus or its outlets, e.g. for breaking at desired placesArrangements for handling or replacing damaged parts for improving resistance to wear, e.g. inserts or coatingsArrangements for preventing or controlling structural damage to spraying apparatus or its outlets, e.g. for breaking at desired placesArrangements for handling or replacing damaged parts for indicating wearArrangements for preventing or controlling structural damage to spraying apparatus or its outlets, e.g. for breaking at desired placesArrangements for handling or replacing damaged parts for handling or replacing worn parts
A rigid mount orbitor sprinkler assembly incorporates a deflector plate configuration that is configured for both spinning/rotating motion as well as orbital or wobbling motion around the center of a spool assembly. The sprinkler includes a spider ingress opening cooperable with a spider barrier that in combination permit inevitable spider ingress while preventing spider access or contact with certain moving parts of the sprinkler.
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
A pressure regulator includes a housing having an inlet cap with an inlet flow passage and an outlet cap with an outlet flow passage. A plunger is reciprocally mounted in the housing. A stationary regulator valve seat is disposed between the inlet flow passage and an inlet to the plunger. A drain check shuttle is disposed in the inlet cap and positioned downstream of the regulator valve seat to prevent water from draining out of the regulator when an inlet water pressure is below a predetermined threshold.
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
F16K 15/02 - Check valves with guided rigid valve members
F16K 15/08 - Check valves with guided rigid valve members shaped as rings
B05B 1/30 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
A spool and wobbler assembly for a sprinkler includes a spool section with facing spool flanges on opposite sides of a spool core, where at least one of the spool flanges includes a circumferential rolling ledge. A wobbler cage including a wobbler ring is supported on the spool section, and a water deflector plate is coupled with the wobbler cage. An underside of the wobbler ring is provided with a circumferential rolling surface that engages the circumferential rolling ledge of the at least one spool flange. The rolling surface and rolling ledge provide for smoother orbital motion of the deflector plate.
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 1/32 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening
B05B 15/74 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position using hydraulic or pneumatic means driven by the discharged fluid
52.
Pressure regulator having single strut seat with strut coaxial to plunger
A pressure regulator including a housing including an inlet flow passage and an outlet flow passage; a plunger reciprocally mounted in the housing and including a plunger flow passage having an axis offset from an axis of the inlet flow passage, and a stationary valve seat fixed to the housing and positioned between the inlet flow passage and an inlet to the flow passage of the plunger, wherein the valve seat is configured to receive and abut the inlet to the flow passage of the plunger.
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
G05D 16/10 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a piston or plunger
53.
Sprinkler with modular components and pop up deflector
A sprinkler includes a pop-up deflector plate that is engageable with a brake assembly in an extended position. A brake module is secured to a sprinkler body and includes a rotatable connector coupled with the brake assembly. The pop-up deflector plate is disposed adjacent the nozzle and engages the rotatable connector in the extended position.
B05B 1/32 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 3/06 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet by jet reaction
B05B 15/16 - Arrangements for preventing or controlling structural damage to spraying apparatus or its outlets, e.g. for breaking at desired placesArrangements for handling or replacing damaged parts for preventing non-intended contact between spray heads or nozzles and foreign bodies, e.g. nozzle guards
B05B 15/50 - Arrangements for cleaningArrangements for preventing deposits, drying-out or blockageArrangements for detecting improper discharge caused by the presence of foreign matter
B05B 15/65 - Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits
B05B 15/74 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position using hydraulic or pneumatic means driven by the discharged fluid
A rotary nozzle sprinkler includes a base assembly with a bearing, a stem mounted rotatably in the bearing, and an elbow coupled at a proximal end to and rotatable with the stem and including an elbow bend. A nozzle is secured to a distal end of the elbow, and a diffuser assembly including a brake mechanism is cooperable with the elbow. By positioning the nozzle downstream of the elbow, the sprinkler can achieve a greater throw radius.
B05B 3/08 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements in association with stationary outlet or deflecting elements
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/02 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 3/06 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet by jet reaction
B05B 3/10 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements discharging over substantially the whole periphery of the rotating member
B05B 3/14 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with oscillating elementsSpraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with intermittent operation
55.
CENTER PIVOT IRRIGATION GOOSENECK WITH VARYING CROSS-SECTIONAL DIAMETERS
A gooseneck pipe includes a first pipe half having a first radiused centerline curve, and a second pipe half fixed to the first pipe half and having a second radiused centerline curve. The first and second pipe halves define a flow path. Cross-sectional diameters of the first and second pipe halves vary along the flow path. The varying diameters of the first and second pipe halves serve to mitigate pressure losses due in part to Dean vortices or secondary flow patterns in the flow path when a fluid is turned in the gooseneck pipe.
A sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body, a nozzle positioned within the sprinkler body, a fixed gear coupled with the sprinkler body, a wobbler cage supported on the sprinkler body, and a water deflector plate coupled with the wobbler cage and disposed downstream of the nozzle. A brake assembly is coupled with the water deflector plate for slowing a rotating and wobbling motion of the wobbler cage and the water deflector plate. The brake assembly includes a shaft extending through the water deflector plate and a brake gear disposed at an end of the shaft, where the brake gear is engageable with the fixed gear. Among other advantages, the design eliminates the use of large fixed strut framework that creates dry shadows in the water pattern.
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 1/26 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectorsBreaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
B05B 1/30 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 15/70 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position
An agile irrigation controller enables any number of programs to be added, limited only by available memory, and is similarly adaptable to control any number of valves or similar irrigation devices in a network. Stored programs within the memory include pointers to next programs in memory, linking the programs together. The memory further stores groups of valves, with links to additional groups of valves.
A rotational speed control device includes a housing containing a viscous fluid and a shaft disposed in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing. A rotor may be movable axially on the shaft depending on the rotating speed of the shaft. The rotor is biased in a low torque direction. A braking torque between the rotor and the housing and/or between the rotor and a drive control ring is varied according to an axial position of the rotor on the shaft. The device may incorporate bypass channels to control a circulating pressure of the viscous fluid.
F16D 57/02 - Liquid-resistance brakesAir-resistance brakes with blades or like members braked by the fluid
B05B 15/70 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position
B60T 10/02 - Control or regulation for continuous braking making use of fluid or powdered medium, e.g. for use when descending a long slope with hydrodynamic brake
A01G 25/09 - Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like
59.
Pressure regulator having single strut seat with strut coaxial to plunger
A pressure regulator including a housing including an inlet flow passage and an outlet flow passage; a plunger reciprocally mounted in the housing and including a plunger flow passage having an axis offset from an axis of the inlet flow passage, and a stationary valve seat fixed to the housing and positioned between the inlet flow passage and an inlet to the flow passage of the plunger, wherein the valve seat is configured to receive and abut the inlet to the flow passage of the plunger.
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
G05D 16/10 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a piston or plunger
A rotational speed control device includes a housing containing a viscous fluid and a shaft disposed in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing. A rotor may be movable axially on the shaft depending on the rotating speed of the shaft. The rotor is biased in a low torque direction. A braking torque between the rotor and the housing is varied according to an axial position of the rotor on the shaft.
B05B 3/02 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
B05B 1/30 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 15/00 - Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided forAccessories
B05B 15/10 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position
A rotational speed control device includes a housing containing a viscous fluid, a shaft disposed in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing, a hub assembly secured to the shaft for rotation with the shaft, and a rotor coupled with the shaft by a frictional engagement with the hub assembly. A spring is disposed in the housing and acts on the rotor to bias the rotor axially on the shaft in a low torque direction. A braking torque between the rotor and the housing is varied according to an axial position of the rotor on the shaft.
B60T 10/02 - Control or regulation for continuous braking making use of fluid or powdered medium, e.g. for use when descending a long slope with hydrodynamic brake
B05B 15/10 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
A01G 25/09 - Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like
A rotational speed control device maintains a shaft rotation speed. The device includes a housing containing a viscous fluid and a shaft disposed in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing. A rotor is coupled with the shaft for rotation in the viscous fluid. The rotor is axially displaceable along the shaft between a low-shear position and a high-shear position. A spring mechanism is disposed in the housing and biases the rotor toward the low-shear position. The rotor may be designed to cooperate with the housing or other nonrotating features within the housing to vary a shear gap according to the axial position of the rotor. The rotor, housing and spring mechanism can be designed to cooperate to create large changes in braking torque in response to small changes in shaft rotational speed. This allows the rotation speed to be controlled within a relatively narrow range.
B60T 10/02 - Control or regulation for continuous braking making use of fluid or powdered medium, e.g. for use when descending a long slope with hydrodynamic brake
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
A01G 25/09 - Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like
A rotational speed control device maintains a shaft rotation speed. The device includes a housing containing a viscous fluid and a shaft disposed in the housing and rotatable relative to the housing. A rotor is coupled with the shaft for rotation in the viscous fluid. In one arrangement, the rotor is axially displaceable along the shaft between a low-shear position and a high-shear position. A spring mechanism is disposed in the housing and biases the rotor toward the low-shear position. In another arrangement, the rotor may be designed to cooperate with the housing or other nonrotating features within the housing to vary a shear gap according to radially expanding components of the rotor. The rotor, housing and spring mechanism can be designed to cooperate to create large changes in braking torque in response to small changes in shaft rotational speed. This allows the rotation speed to be controlled within a relatively narrow range.
F16D 57/02 - Liquid-resistance brakesAir-resistance brakes with blades or like members braked by the fluid
B60T 10/02 - Control or regulation for continuous braking making use of fluid or powdered medium, e.g. for use when descending a long slope with hydrodynamic brake
B05B 15/10 - Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position
A01G 25/09 - Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like
An irrigation control system having an irrigation controller with a unique identifier and configured to execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics and determine global time, together with a power source, a global time receiver in communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide time from an outside source to the microcontroller and a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller configured to send messages including its unique identifier, predefined irrigation schedules, stored watering metrics and current global time. The system further includes a mobile computer having a microprocessor, a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions to the irrigation controller via a communication link and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules, and watering metrics. Methods for providing watering metrics and controlling an irrigation control system or value controller are also disclosed.
An irrigation control system having an irrigation controller with a unique identifier and configured to execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics and determine global time, together with a power source, a global time receiver in communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide time from an outside source to the microcontroller and a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller configured to send messages including its unique identifier, predefined irrigation schedules, stored watering metrics and current global time. The system further includes a mobile computer having a microprocessor, a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions to the irrigation controller via a communication link and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules, and watering metrics. Methods for providing watering metrics and controlling an irrigation control system or value controller are also disclosed.
A pressure regulator (10, 90) including: a housing (12, 14, 100) including an inlet flow passage (24, 106) and an outlet flow passage (26); a plunger (30, 92) reciprocally mounted in the housing and including a plunger flow passage (34) having an axis (36) offset from an axis (42) of the inlet flow passage; and a stationary valve seat (32, 102) fixed to the housing and positioned between the inlet flow passage and an inlet to the flow passage of the plunger, wherein the valve seat is configured to receive and abut the inlet to the flow passage of the plunger.
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
G05D 16/10 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a piston or plunger
70.
SPRINKLER WITH MULTI-FUNCTIONAL, SIDE-LOAD NOZZLE WITH NOZZLE STORAGE CLIP AND RELATED TOOL
A sprinkler assembly includes a sprinkler body with a water flow passage connected to a water source. The sprinkler body includes a recess. A nozzle insert is received in the recess and is positionable in the recess in multiple positions. The nozzle insert includes a nozzle bore extending therethrough and alignable with the water flow passage in at least one of the multiple positions. The nozzle insert may also include a handle with an opening therein. A nozzle clip has a proximal end securable in the handle opening, and in one embodiment, a spare nozzle is secured to a distal end of the nozzle clip. In some versions, a spring insert supports a spring in the recess.
A pressure regulator including a housing including an inlet flow passage and an outlet flow passage; a plunger reciprocally mounted in the housing and including a plunger flow passage having an axis offset from an axis of the inlet flow passage, and a stationary valve seat fixed to the housing and positioned between the inlet flow passage and an inlet to the flow passage of the plunger, wherein the valve seat is configured to receive and abut the inlet to the flow passage of the plunger.
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
G05D 16/10 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a piston or plunger
72.
SPRINKLER WITH MULTI-FUNCTIONAL, SIDE-LOAD NOZZLE WITH NOZZLE STORAGE CLIP AND RELATED TOOL
A clip for holding a pair of nozzle inserts for use with an irrigation sprinkler includes at least two flexible attachment arms, each attachment arm provided with an elongated slot and a retention shoulder on an inside surface thereof, adjacent the elongated slot. Each attachment arm is adapted to be received in an opening in a respective nozzle insert and retained therein by the retention shoulder. A related tool includes a pair of gripper arms and a respective pair of jaws extending from the gripper arms, pivotally secured to one another. One jaw is formed with a pair of parallel prongs, and the other jaw is formed with a flat head projecting toward the pair of prongs. The jaws are adapted to engage the nozzle insert and disengage the retention shoulder to permit removal of the nozzle insert from the clip.
A sprinkler and side-loading nozzle insert assembly includes a sprinkler body provided with a flow passage, a bearing housing in a side wall of the sprinkler body, and a nozzle insert received in an access opening formed in the side wall of the sprinkler body substantially opposite the bearing housing. The nozzle insert includes an insert body having a bearing portion received in the bearing housing, a ball-valve portion connected to the bearing portion and provided with a nozzle bore having an inlet and an outlet orifice, and a lock/release portion connected to the ball-valve portion, the lock/release portion including plural, flexible spring arms extending away from the ball-valve portion. The nozzle insert is rotatable to plural operating positions by manipulation of the spring arms.
B05B 1/16 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openingsNozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with strainers in or outside the outlet opening having selectively-effective outlets
F16K 5/10 - Means for additional adjustment of the rate of flow
F16K 11/085 - Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valvesPipe fittings incorporating such valvesArrangement of valves and flow lines specially adapted for mixing fluid with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only taps or cocks with cylindrical plug
F16K 1/14 - Lift valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with ball-shaped valve members
B05B 1/26 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectorsBreaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
B05B 1/30 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
A stream redirecting device for a sprinkler comprising a shell-shaped body having a generally semi-circular shape in plan, with opposite inlet and outlet side edges, said body extending outwardly and upwardly from a base at a lower end and then upwardly and inwardly to a distal, arcuate edge at an upper end, with a maximum radius between said base and said arcuate edge; an inside surface of said shell-shaped body formed with a plurality of grooves between said inlet side edge and said outlet side edge, extending in a generally radial direction with entry ends adjacent said base and exit ends at said distal, arcuate edge; and wherein said grooves are formed with circumferential exit angles that vary substantially uniformly in opposite directions from a center one of said plurality of grooves to first and last of said plurality of grooves at said opposite inlet and outlet side edges, respectively.
B05B 1/26 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectorsBreaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
B05B 3/08 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements in association with stationary outlet or deflecting elements
A stream redirecting device for a sprinkler includes a shell-shaped body having a generally semi-circular shape in plan, with opposite inlet and outlet side edges. The body extends outwardly and upwardly from a base at a lower end and then upwardly and inwardly to a distal, arcuate edge at an upper end. An inside surface of the shell-shaped body is formed with a plurality of grooves between the inlet side edge and the outlet side edge, extending in a generally radial direction with entry ends adjacent the base and exit ends at the distal, arcuate edge. The grooves are formed with circumferential exit angles that vary substantially uniformly in opposite directions from a center one of the plurality of grooves to first and last of the plurality of grooves at the opposite inlet and outlet side edges, respectively.
B05B 3/08 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements in association with stationary outlet or deflecting elements
B05B 1/26 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectorsBreaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
76.
Sprinkler with multi-functional, side-load nozzle with nozzle storage clip and related tool
A clip for holding a pair of nozzle inserts for use with an irrigation sprinkler includes at least two flexible attachment arms, each attachment arm provided with an elongated slot and a retention shoulder on an inside surface thereof, adjacent the elongated slot. Each attachment arm is adapted to be received in an opening in a respective nozzle insert and retained therein by the retention shoulder. A related tool includes a pair of gripper arms and a respective pair of jaws extending from the gripper arms, pivotally secured to one another. One jaw is formed with a pair of parallel prongs, and the other jaw is formed with a flat head projecting toward the pair of prongs. The jaws are adapted to engage the nozzle insert and disengage the retention shoulder to permit removal of the nozzle insert from the clip.
B05B 15/06 - Mountings, supporting or holding means, or rests for spray heads or other outlets when in use or out of use (B05B 15/10 takes precedence)
F16B 2/22 - Clips, i.e. with gripping action effected solely by the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material
B05B 1/32 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 15/02 - Arrangements or devices for cleaning discharge openings
A sprinkler and side-loading nozzle insert assembly includes a sprinkler body provided with a flow passage and a nozzle insert seated in a complementary recess in said sprinkler body. The nozzle insert is rotatable to plural operating positions and it includes an elongated, substantially cylindrical insert body having an insert axis about which the nozzle insert rotates. A nozzle bore extends through the insert body on an axis transverse to the insert axis and alignable with the flow passage in one of the plural operating positions. A forward end face is provided with a turning knob and plural index tabs extending radially from the insert body at circumferentially-spaced locations proximate the forward end face. The index tabs are adapted to engage respective index notches in the sprinkler body as the insert body is rotated to the plural operating positions.
B05B 15/02 - Arrangements or devices for cleaning discharge openings
B05B 3/02 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
B05B 1/32 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening
A sprinkler and side-loading nozzle insert assembly includes, in a preferred arrangement, a sprinkler body provided with a flow passage along a sprinkler body axis and a nozzle insert spring-loaded received in a complementary recess formed in the sprinkler body. The nozzle insert has an axis of rotation transverse to the sprinkler body axis and is rotatable from an insertion position to plural operating positions. The nozzle insert is provided with an elongated, substantially cylindrical insert body including a nozzle bore extending through the insert body on an axis transverse to the axis of rotation and alignable with the flow passage in at least two of the plural operating positions. Plural index tabs extend radially from the insert body at circumferentially-spaced locations, and are adapted to engage respective plural index notches in the sprinkler body as the insert body is rotated to the plural operating positions.
B05B 3/02 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
B05B 15/02 - Arrangements or devices for cleaning discharge openings
B05B 1/32 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
A sprinkler and side-loading nozzle insert assembly includes, in a preferred arrangement, a sprinkler body provided with a flow passage along a sprinkler body axis and a nozzle insert spring-loaded received in a complementary recess formed in the sprinkler body. The nozzle insert has an axis of rotation transverse to the sprinkler body axis and is rotatable from an insertion position to plural operating positions. The nozzle insert is provided with an elongated, substantially cylindrical insert body including a nozzle bore extending through the insert body on an axis transverse to the axis of rotation and alignable with the flow passage in at least two of the plural operating positions. Plural index tabs extend radially from the insert body at circumferentially-spaced locations, and are adapted to engage respective plural index notches in the sprinkler body as the insert body is rotated to the plural operating positions.
B05B 1/32 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 15/02 - Arrangements or devices for cleaning discharge openings
A sprinkler and side-loading nozzle insert assembly includes a sprinkler body provided with a flow passage and a nozzle insert seated in a complementary recess in said sprinkler body. The nozzle insert is rotatable to plural operating positions and it includes an elongated, substantially cylindrical insert body having an insert axis about which the nozzle insert rotates. A nozzle bore extends through the insert body on an axis transverse to the insert axis and alignable with the flow passage in one of the plural operating positions. A forward end face is provided with a turning knob and plural index tabs extending radially from the insert body at circumferentially-spaced locations proximate the forward end face. The index tabs are adapted to engage respective index notches in the sprinkler body as the insert body is rotated to the plural operating positions.
B05B 1/32 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 15/02 - Arrangements or devices for cleaning discharge openings
A sprinkler head includes a nozzle fixed within the sprinkler body, and a wobbler cage including a water deflector plate downstream of the nozzle mounted for rotating and wobbling motion relative to the sprinkler body. In certain embodiments, a viscous brake is fixed within the sprinkler body and includes a shaft rotatable about the longitudinal axis passing through the nozzle. The shaft is eccentrically coupled to the water deflector plate for slowing the rotating and wobbling motion of the wobbler cage and the water deflector plate.
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
B05B 7/12 - Spray pistolsApparatus for discharge designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
A sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body having an inlet bore at one end, and a coupling element at an opposite end adapted to connect the sprinkler body to a water deflector plate. A multi-nozzle shuttle supports at least two nozzles and is attached to the sprinkler body axially between the inlet bore and the coupling element for swinging pivotal movement between two nozzle-installed positions. The multi-nozzle shuttle may also be provided with a shut-off surface portion for shutting off flow through the sprinkler body when the multi-nozzle shuttle is moved to a shut-off position. The shuttle may be moved manually or by a power actuator.
B05B 1/16 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openingsNozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with strainers in or outside the outlet opening having selectively-effective outlets
B05B 3/02 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
B05B 1/26 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectorsBreaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
83.
Pressure control valve with pressure cycling control
A spool valve includes a housing having a spring-enclosing portion and a spool-enclosing portion aligned along a longitudinal axis. A spool is mounted for reciprocal axial movement in the housing and a piston is fixed to one end of the spool. The spool-enclosing portion supports a stationary bushing having a bore receiving an opposite control end of the spool, the bushing formed with a first plurality of radially-oriented passages opening into an annular groove formed in the bore, the groove having sloped side edges. The spool supports plural ring-seals arranged to engage the sloped side edges of the annular groove and thereby seal off the radially-oriented passages when the spool is in a neutral position. Movement of the spool is adjustably limited in one direction and dampened in both axial directions.
F16K 17/10 - Safety valvesEqualising valves opening on surplus pressure on one sideSafety valvesEqualising valves closing on insufficient pressure on one side spring-loaded with auxiliary valve for fluid operation of the main valve
G05D 7/01 - Control of flow without auxiliary power
F16K 11/07 - Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valvesPipe fittings incorporating such valvesArrangement of valves and flow lines specially adapted for mixing fluid with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only sliding valves with linearly sliding closure members with cylindrical slides
F16K 47/02 - Means in valves for absorbing fluid energy for preventing water-hammer or noise
G05D 16/16 - Control of fluid pressure with auxiliary non-electric power derived from the controlled fluid
A high-volume sprinkler head includes a barrel with a nozzle; a fixed portion and a relatively movable portion adapted for pivoting movement relative to the fixed portion. The barrel is mounted on an upper support base rotatable on a lower stationary base in opposite directions through an arc about a vertical axis. A fluid-operated actuator pivots the relatively movable portion of the barrel relative to the fixed portion of the barrel between first and second reaction angles that cause the barrel and the annular upper support base to rotate in opposite directions, about the substantially vertical axis, respectively, when a stream is emitted from the nozzle. A three-way valve in combination with adjustable stops on the stationary base may be used to pilot the actuator, with the adjustable stops determining the arcuate extent of the rotational movement of the sprinkler head.
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
A high-volume sprinkler head includes a barrel with a nozzle; a fixed portion and a relatively movable portion adapted for pivoting movement relative to the fixed portion. The barrel is mounted on an upper support base rotatable on a lower stationary base in opposite directions through an arc about a vertical axis. A fluid-operated actuator pivots the relatively movable portion of the barrel relative to the fixed portion of the barrel between first and second reaction angles that cause the barrel and the annular upper support base to rotate in opposite directions, about the substantially vertical axis, respectively, when a stream is emitted from the nozzle. A three-way valve in combination with adjustable stops on the stationary base may be used to pilot the actuator, with the adjustable stops determining the arcuate extent of the rotational movement of the sprinkler head.
A sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body having an inlet bore at one end, and a nozzle carrier supporting at least one nozzle is attached to the sprinkler body for pivoting movement between a nozzle-offset position and a nozzle-installed position. The nozzle carrier is provided with a shut-off surface portion for shutting off flow through the sprinkler body when the nozzle carrier is moved to the nozzle-offset position.
B05B 1/16 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openingsNozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with strainers in or outside the outlet opening having selectively-effective outlets
B05B 3/02 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
B05B 1/30 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
B05B 1/26 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectorsBreaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
A sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body formed with a through-bore defining a flow path adapted for alignment with a nozzle bore. A nozzle carrier is mounted on the sprinkler body for linear movement across the flow path and adapted to support plural nozzles. The nozzle carrier is configured to enable any one of the plural nozzles to be aligned with the flow path. The nozzle carrier is provided with plural discrete seal pads that are selectively movable into a position covering the flow path to thereby shut off flow through the sprinkler body.
B05B 1/16 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openingsNozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with strainers in or outside the outlet opening having selectively-effective outlets
B05B 1/12 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means capable of producing different kinds of discharge, e.g. either jet or spray
B05B 1/30 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
B05B 1/32 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages in which a valve member forms part of the outlet opening
B05B 15/02 - Arrangements or devices for cleaning discharge openings
F16K 3/00 - Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing
B05B 3/02 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
B05B 1/26 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectorsBreaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
88.
Integrated sprinkler head multi-nozzle/shut-off system
A sprinkler head with plural selectable nozzles includes a sprinkler body having inlet and outlet bores aligned along a first axis; a nozzle magazine rotatably supported on the sprinkler body, the nozzle magazine carrying at least two nozzles and provided with at least one shut-off surface portion located between the at least two nozzles. The nozzles are selectively rotatable into an operative position between the inlet and outlet bores, the nozzle magazine being rotatable about a second axis angularly offset from the first axis.
B05B 1/16 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openingsNozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with strainers in or outside the outlet opening having selectively-effective outlets
B05B 1/26 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectorsBreaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
89.
Pressure regulator with remotely controlled shut-off valve
A pressure regulator includes a housing assembly defining a main fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end. A tubular plunger body is supported within the housing assembly for linear movement toward and away from a valve seat in response to fluid pressure at said outlet end. An actuator sleeve is supported within the housing assembly and engaged with the tubular plunger body, and a pressure chamber defined in part by a shut-off diaphragm extends between the housing assembly and the actuator sleeve. A fluid port is arranged to supply pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber to thereby produce linear movement of the actuator sleeve and the tubular plunger body independent of the pressure at said outlet end, moving the tubular plunger body into engagement with the valve seat to shut off the flow path.
Internet-accessible system and method for customized design and on-site verification of agriculture irrigation systems includes one or more of: 1) sprinkler package configuration software operable on a user's PC or accessible via an Internet website, 2) Internet-accessible proprietary irrigation system registry database and user interface, 3) computer-controlled automated component selection and labeling system for placing barcode or RFID information on components, and 4) portable wireless location-aware communication device operable at or near an irrigation site for accessing the registry database and obtaining sprinkler package configuration information specific to a particular irrigation system based on location and/or a particular irrigation system component detected in proximity to the portable communication device.
A pressure regulator includes a housing assembly defining a fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end; a plunger having a tubular plunger body supported within the housing assembly for linear movement toward and away from a valve seat in response to fluid pressure at the outlet end. A sleeve is supported within the housing assembly and is engageable with the tubular plunger body, and an actuator collar is supported externally of the housing assembly and operatively attached to the sleeve such that rotation of the actuator collar in one direction from an open position to a closed position produces linear movement of the tubular plunger body, independent of the pressure at the outlet end, into engagement with the valve seat to thereby shut off the flow path within the regulator.
A rotary pinch valve includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; the valve body supporting a pinch tube and a pair of pivotally mounted pinch arms, the pinch tube forming part of an axial flowpath from said inlet to said outlet. A valve actuator dial is received on the valve body and formed with a pair of internal cam lobes engageable, respectively, with cam follower surfaces on each of the pair of pivotally mounted pinch arms upon rotation of the valve actuator dial to pivot the pair of pinch arms from an open position out of engagement with the pinch tube to a closed position where the pinch arms engage and close the pinch tube to thereby shut off flow through the valve body.
F16K 7/04 - Diaphragm cut-off apparatus, e.g. with a member deformed, but not moved bodily, to close the passage with tubular diaphragm constrictable by external radial force
F16K 7/06 - Diaphragm cut-off apparatus, e.g. with a member deformed, but not moved bodily, to close the passage with tubular diaphragm constrictable by external radial force by means of a screw-spindle, cam, or other mechanical means
A pressure regulator housing assembly includes a lower housing and an upper housing; a plunger and diaphragm assembly supported within the lower and upper housings, the plunger movable toward and away from a valve seat. The diaphragm has a radially inner edge fixed to one end of the plunger and a radially outer edge clamped between an annular surface within said upper housing and a surface of a clamp ring locked against rotation relative to said upper housing thereby isolating said diaphragm from any contact with the lower housing. Upon assembly of the upper and lower housings requiring relative rotation therebetween, an upper edge of the lower housing is engaged by a lower surface of the clamp ring.
F16K 27/02 - Construction of housingsUse of materials therefor of lift valves
G05D 16/06 - Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
94.
Sprinkler height adjustment on an irrigation machine
A height adjustment assembly for a drop hose on an irrigation machine is composed of an elongated bracket having a first end provided with a pair of fittings, and a second opposite end provided with a drop hose retention ring; the drop hose retention ring formed with an opening adapted to permit a drop hose to slide through the opening, the opening defined by an interior surface provided with a pair of diametrically opposed open slots, and a pair of diametrically opposed locking recesses. A key lock fitting is adapted for connecting aligned hose ends of the drop hose and is provided with a pair of diametrically-opposed keys which, in use, are adapted to slide through the pair of opposed open slots and, upon ninety degree rotation of the diametrically-opposed keys, to be received in the pair of diametrically opposed locking recesses.
A distributed control system is provided wherein a master controller inductively delivers power and data to a plurality of remote slave modules or controllers via a plurality of coupling loops formed along a length of transmission line. Each of the remote slave modules, in turn, inductively delivers return data to the master controller via the plurality of coupling loops. The use of inductive coupling provides an advantage over the state of the art because no direct galvanic electrical connection is required between the transmission line and the remote slave modules which promise to simplify installation and enhance long-term reliability. Example applications for the control system described herein include agricultural irrigation systems where individual sprinkler and valve components may be controlled collectively, individually, or in groups or subsets, to vary application rates according to prescribed irrigation parameters.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
A distributed control system is provided wherein a master controller inductively delivers power and data to a plurality of remote slave modules or controllers via a plurality of coupling loops formed along a length of transmission line. Each of the remote slave modules, in turn, inductively delivers return data to the master controller via the plurality of coupling loops. The use of inductive coupling provides an advantage over the state of the art because no direct galvanic electrical connection is required between the transmission line and the remote slave modules which promise to simplify installation and enhance long-term reliability. Example applications for the control system described herein include agricultural irrigation systems where individual sprinkler and valve components may be controlled collectively, individually, or in groups or subsets, to vary application rates according to prescribed irrigation parameters.
H04M 9/00 - Arrangements for interconnection not involving centralised switching
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
H04Q 5/22 - Selecting arrangements wherein two or more subscriber stations are connected by the same line to the exchange with indirect connection, i.e. through subordinate switching centre the subordinate centre not permitting interconnection of subscribers connected thereto
A method and apparatus provides optimized installation site specifications for sprinkler head position and nozzle size for center pivot and/or linear movement type irrigation systems in which a plurality of sprinkler heads are typically mounted at multiple adjacent lateral positions along a water supply boom/line. A sprinkler head spacing and nozzle size computational apparatus and method is disclosed which employs a sprinkler precipitation depth-profile based modeling technique for determining and optimizing lateral positions and nozzle sizes for sprinkler heads disposed along the length of an irrigation system supply distribution boom/line. A required/desired irrigation application delivery rate/depth is specified by an irrigation system user/designer for one or more discrete segments along the irrigation system distribution boom/line according to specific irrigation needs. An optimized nozzle size and position for each sprinkler head disposed along the boom/line is adaptively determined based on the specified required precipitation delivery depth and summations of individual predicted application depth profiles for an initial sprinkler and successively added sprinklers such that a computed delivery accumulation depth falls within a predefined range of error tolerance for the specified required delivery depth for that segment of the distribution line. An associated computer apparatus executing program instructions for implementing the method generates and displays a graphic indication of required and predicted precipitation depth profiles and computed optimized lateral positions and nozzle sizes for the irrigation system sprinklers.
A rotary sprinkler includes a sprinkler body including a nozzle, a water-deflection plate supported for rotational movement relative to the sprinkler body, the water-deflection plate having one or more grooves configured to cause the water-deflection plate to rotate when impinged upon by a stream emitted from the nozzle; a first brake arranged to slow rotation of the water-deflection plate at all times; and a second brake arranged to further slow rotation of the water-deflection plate as a function of water pressure exerted on the water-deflection plate.
B05B 3/02 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
B05B 3/06 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet by jet reaction
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
F23D 11/04 - Burners using a direct spraying action of liquid droplets or vaporised liquid into the combustion space the spraying action being obtained by centrifugal action
A rotary sprinkler includes a housing supporting a nozzle and a nozzle tube, the nozzle tube located axially adjacent an orifice of the nozzle with an axial gap therebetween. A water-deflection plate assembly is carried by the nozzle tube for rotation relative to the nozzle tube. The housing is formed with an exterior substantially annular funnel surrounding the nozzle and forming a collection trough for collection of excess water, and the housing formed with one or more apertures directing excess water in the collection trough to an internal area surrounding the orifice to be aspirated through the gap into a stream of water emitted from the nozzle orifice and through the nozzle tube such that the excess water is distributed by the water-deflection plate along with water emitted from the nozzle orifice.
B05B 1/28 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with integral means for shielding the discharged liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to limit area of sprayNozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with integral means for catching drips or collecting surplus liquid or other fluent material
B05B 15/04 - Control of spray area, e.g. masking, side shields; Means for collection or re-use of excess material (B05B 1/28 takes precedence)
B05B 3/00 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
B05B 15/06 - Mountings, supporting or holding means, or rests for spray heads or other outlets when in use or out of use (B05B 15/10 takes precedence)
100.
Sprinkler with nutating mechanism and optional weight
A rotary, nutating sprinkler head includes a housing supporting a nozzle; a starter tube axially adjacent the nozzle and extending in a downstream direction, concentric with a vertical center axis of the sprinkler head. A spool assembly is loosely supported on the starter tube, the spool assembly including a double-flanged spool and a water-deflection plate carried by the spool, the water-deflection plate formed with one or more grooves shaped to cause the spool assembly to rotate when impinged upon by a stream emitted from the nozzle. Either the starter tube or the spool is provided with at least one tilting lug located to keep the spool assembly in a tilted or angularly offset orientation relative to the vertical center axis, thereby facilitating a wobbling action of the spool assembly during rotation.
B05B 3/04 - Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet
patents
