MXPA97008315A - Water flow control device for girato sprayer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flow regulator easily clamped between a rotary sprayer and a fluid conduit for regulating the flow and pressure towards the sprayer, comprising: (a) a body having a hydrodynamic channel leading to an orifice direct-flow flow having a four-pointed star design, the body being connectable with a respective fluid port member of the sprayer and the conduit, (b) a rotating port part mounted on the body having a port direct-flow flow having a four-pointed star design, centered on the axis of rotation and communicating with the direct-flow flow hole, leading to a hydrodynamic channel, the rotating port part having means for coupling rotating to the sprayer; (c) a retaining sleeve, mounted on the body, having an internal diameter to accommodate the rotating port part where the port piece is allowed to rotate, ( d) seal means between the rotating port part and the retaining sleeve

Description

WATER FLOW CONTROL DEVICE FOR ROTATING SPRAYER Background-Field of the Invention The present invention relates to devices for distributing irrigation water to crops, meadow areas, and the like. It relates, more particularly, to devices equipped with rotating spray heads.

BACKGROUND-Description of Prior Art It is known in the prior art to provide a water distributing device based on a rotating spray head whose rotation is derived from the internal energy of the pressurized water passing through it. Most of those devices of the prior art are inherently restricted to a distribution pattern corresponding to a circle whose center is the location of the spray head and whose radius corresponds to the range of the jet or jets, which are thrown from their orifices. However, the use of such devices may necessitate the overlaying of sprayed areas and the precipitation of undesirable areas to irrigate an area in a non-circular manner. Variations of these devices have also been proposed which would allow the shape of the irrigated area to be varied from a circular, typically to a square or rectangular and even an arbitrary pattern. Such devices have not been commercially successful due to their poor performance, high cost, unreliable operation or a combination of those factors. A prior art device described in U.S. Patent No. 3,884,416 issued May 20, 1975 to Micahel L. King appears to produce a desired pattern of irrigation by means of an orifice plate having rectangular passages and a plate of port that has rectangular ports. The radial reach of the water is varied depending on the mutual overlap between the radially offset ports. The main disadvantage of this approach lies in the small port size required to vary the water flow. Small holes tend to clog with particles, thus requiring frequent disassembly and cleaning. Another disadvantage is the requirement of an adjustable device to obtain a constant angular velocity. This adjustment has to be made for each change in water pressure. Another prior art device described in U.S. Patent No. 4,819,875 issued April 11, 1989 for Glen I. Beal appears to produce an irregular watering pattern by means of a sealing device to control the flow of water to the water. sprinkler in accordance with the rotatable position of the sprinkler with respect to the housing. No attempt is made to control the angular velocity of the sprayer at a constant. Both previous techniques allow the water supply pressure to force the rotating sprayer against its washers creating a large rotating friction force. This force is greater when the flow is restricted due to increased back pressures. This makes it almost impossible to achieve a constant angular velocity with conventional impact sprinklers. All the devices so far have a number of disadvantages: (a) A complicated device that makes its manufacture costly. (b) If the water flow is not vertical, the unreliable operation occurs from the small holes that get stuck, which requires disassembly and cleaning. (c) The angular velocity is not constant which creates a non-uniform distribution of water. (d) Standard impact sprinklers would need to be modified to achieve the desired results.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES Compared to the prior art, the present invention provides a fluid flow regulator accessory for a rotary sprayer that uses a variable orifice of straight pitch flow defined by a unique pattern. A constant self-adjusting angular velocity is also provided for even water distribution over a wide range of water pressure. Simplified manufacturing and construction is also provided. Therefore, various objects and advantages of the present invention are: (a) to provide the apparatus for regulating the flow of fluid through a variable orifice of straight passage design. (b) provide in such a device construction characteristics that allow constant angular velocity over a wide range of water pressure to achieve uniform distribution. (c) provide in such a device the construction characteristics that lead to reliable operation and ease of maintenance. (d) provide in such a device the construction characteristics that lead to the lowest possible manufacturing costs. (e) provide a design by which any standard rotary sprinkler can be made to distribute water in an irregular pattern. Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the drawings and the following description.

Drawing Figures Fig. 1 is a side view of a device for water irrigation distribution. Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a detail of the hole and port patterns, for a square irrigation pattern, rotated 45 degrees one from the other, which provides the smallest opening for the passage of water. Fig. 5 is a detail of the hole and port patterns in radial alignment that provide the largest opening for water passage.

Reference Numbers in Drawings 10 regulator 11 body 12 rotating port part 13 retaining sleeve 14 washer 15 cylindrical surface 16 threaded 17 threaded 18 flat part for nut (hex) 19 hole 20 hole 21 shoulder 22 hydrodynamic channel 23 hole 24 pattern hole 25 orifice face 26 channel 27 port 30 arrow 31 connecting fins 32 channel 33 hydrodynamic channel 34 end of port part 35 face 36 orifice 37 surface or face 38 sleeve wall 39 retention hole 40 face 41 face 42 washer wall 45 overlay area 50 spray head 51 rotary arrow 52 connector 53 nozzle 54 arm 55 spring 56 washer 57 hole 58 frame member Description of the Preferred Modality With reference to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1-3, there is shown an irrigation pattern adapter or fluid flow regulator 10 constructed in accordance with the invention for having a simple water flow / pressure regulator valve generally comprising a body or section of water channel 1. 1, a rotating port part 12, a retaining sleeve 13 and a washer 14. The constituent parts of the adapter can be formed, for example, of any suitable metal, ceramic or plastic or a combination thereof. The water channel 1 1 comprises a column or generally inductive tubular member having an indic cylindrical surface 15. The upper and lower ends of the water channel 1 1 have internal and external pipe threads 16 and 17 respectively to allow the channel of water 1 1 is connected to a rotating spray head 50 and to a water conduit, respectively, such as a vertical pipe (not shown). Flat portions for integral nuts 18 can be provided to facilitate connection of the threaded female end of the conduit to the lower threaded male end of the water channel 1 1. The upper end of the water channel 1 1 is provided with internal holes 19 and 20 adapted to receive pieces of port 12, the retaining sleeve 13 and the washer 14. The diameter of the internal hole 20 is greater than the outer diameter of one end of elongated port part 34 and a washer wall 42 and allows free rotation of the port piece 12 and the washer 14. The diameter of the hole 19 accommodates a retaining sleeve wall 38 with a pressure adjustment. Other suitable means could be used to secure the retaining sleeve 13 such as threads. The retaining sleeve 13 is pressed into the hole 19. A sleeve face 37 is brought into contact with a shoulder 21 of the water channel 1 1.

The lower end of the water channel 1 1 is comprised of a hydrodynamic channel 22 which leads to an orifice 23. The tapered projections 26a extend longitudinally along the hydrodynamic channel 22 from an orifice 23 to a hydrodynamic channel inlet 22. projections 26a are ideally tapered at an angle of approximately 8 degrees. The projections 26a form an orifice pattern 24 on an orifice face 25. The rotating port part 12 has an elongate end 34 and an arrow 30 with connecting fins 31. The external diameter of the arrow 30 is smaller than the internal holes 36 and 39 of the retaining sleeve 13 and the washer 14 respectively, allowing free rotation of the port piece 12. A hydrodynamic channel 33 passes through the port piece 12 from a port face 29 to an elongated end 34. The tapered projections 32a extend into the channel 33 from the port 27. The projections 32a are ideally tapered at an angle of approximately 8 degrees. The projections 32a form a port pattern 28 on the port face 29. The connection flaps 31 appear at the end of the arrow 30 and make a coupling to a rotating spray arrow 51. Other suitable configurations can be used for coupling the port part 12 to the rotating spray shaft 51. The retaining sleeve 13 facilitates the securing of the location of the rotating port part 12 in the body 1 1. An elongated end face 35 engages a lower washer face 41.

An upper washer face 40 engages the face of the retaining sleeve 37. The retaining sleeve 13 is smoothly driven into location, securing the washer 14 and the port piece 12 to the body 11. The port face 29 and an orifice face 25 are in intimate contact with each other. The part of the port 12 is able to rotate without axial play. The fluid regulator 10 is radially connected to the male connector 52 of the rotating spray head 50 by means of the threads 17. The rotary spray head 50 has a jet or nozzle 53 to distribute the water entering the internal passages of the through hole of the head 57 of the arrow 51. The arrow 51 rotates against a washer 56, which rests against the connector 52. As the water under pressure is expelled from the nozzle 53 it impacts a cantilever arm 54 that flexes away from the frame member 58, whereby a spring 55 is wound. The spring tension thus generated drives the arm 54 towards the frame member 58, where the water jet pushes the arm back outwards. This oscillating movement is repeated indefinitely so that the jet pressure is used to provide the rotational movement to the spray head. The spray head 50 is of a conventional design similar to prior art impact driven sprinklers whose irrigation pattern is a circle, bounded by the radius at which water is supplied from the nozzle 53. Sprinklers of this type may have a Selectively operable investment mechanism that allows a partial circle operation or a full circle. Operation with the fluid flow regulator 10 connected to the rotating spray head 50 (shown in Fig. 1) and supported vertically by conventional means (not shown), the upflows under pressure from the conduit (not shown) at the inlet of the hydrodynamic channel 22. The water continues to flow up through the orifice 23 and the port 27 into the hydrodynamic channel 33, through the orifice 57 into the spray head 50, where it is thrown from the nozzle 53. As mentioned before , the water jet causes the spray head 50 to rotate, which results in the rotation of the port piece 12. The hydraulic pressure at the inlet of the hydrodynamic channel 22 causes the water to flow through the channel 22 within the pattern of orifice 24. As the hydrodynamic channel 22 is restricted, the water is forced to accelerate in speed as it enters the orifice pattern 24. The channels 26, formed between the projections 26a, act as flow rectifiers ensuring a uniform transition to the orifice 23. The upper velocity of the water determines a lower pressure in the orifice 23. Fig. 5 shows a four-peaked or equilateral concave octagon-pattern design of hole pattern 24. The total cross-sectional area of the orifice pattern 24 is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the nozzle 53, thereby allowing maximum flow through the nozzle 53. The port pattern 28 is identical in design to the hole pattern 24. Therefore, the maximum flow through the orifice 23 and a port 27 occurs when the hole pattern 24 and the port pattern 28 are in angular alignment (Fig. 5). The minimum flow occurs when the hole pattern 24 and the port pattern 28 are rotated 45 degrees one with respect to the other. Fig. 4 describes this situation. The minimum cross-sectional area of flow is approximately 50% of the cross-sectional area of the nozzle 53. The variation in the flow-through area from a minimum to a maximum in four equidistanced angular positions of the orifice pattern 24 and the pattern of port 28, results in a square irrigation pattern. An overlap area 45 is created by the port face 29. In the fully restricted position (Fig. 4), the water flow faces a flat wall at four locations (overlapped area 45). This abrupt change in the flow creates upward pressure against the port piece 12 which is transferred to the washer 14. This pressure is small due to the high velocity of the water. As water flows through the restricted area (Fig. 4) it faces an abrupt change in the cross-sectional area that enters the port 28 pattern. This creates a tendency toward turbulent flow. The channels 32, formed between the projections 32a, act as flow rectifiers and reduce this turbulent effect.

The hydrodynamic channel 31 further reduces this turbulence Water flows out of channel 33 and into arrow 51 Coupling of port piece 12 with connecting fins 31 to arrow 51 does not generate axial force against arrow 51 Water flows through the hole 57 and inside the head 50 towards the nozzle 53 and is supplied to the land to be irrigated In a test of an impact impulse sprinkler of the type shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1 having a nozzle of 043 cm mounted to a regulating device as described herein, it was found that the following appropriate maximum and minimum distances from the sprayer flows were obtained when the water at the set pressure was supplied to the regulating device from the vertical pipeline. D Radial distension (ft) Flow (gal / min) water (psi) min iiax TUn. m_ax 30 23 30 ~ 3 0"3 7" 40 29 40 50 32 45 60 35 50 70 38 52 80 40 55 Summary, Branches and Scope Therefore, it can be seen that by using the fluid flow regulator 10 of the present invention, a rotating head 50 can be controlled to irrigate a square surface area at a constant angular velocity with the appropriate flow and the distance to ensure uniform distribution. In addition, the fluid flow regulator 10 operates in an effective and reliable manner to allow control over relatively large limits of substantially any type of rotating spray device having a body adapted for rotation about an axis and an entry through the which water from a pre-assigned source is received and which rotates together with the body around the axis. It is considered that a variety of modifications and improvements to the invention are apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, no limitation is intended in this invention, except by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. A fluid flow regulator easily clamped between a rotary sprayer and a fluid conduit for regulating flow and pressure toward the sprayer comprising: (a) a body having a hydrodynamic channel leading to a direct through flow orifice having a four-pointed star design, the body being connectable with a respective fluid port member of the sprayer and the conduit, (b) a rotating port part mounted on the body having a direct through flow port which has a four-pointed star design, centered on the axis of rotation and communicating with the direct flow through hole, leading to a hydrodynamic channel, the rotating port part having means for rotary coupling to the sprinkler, ( c) a retention sleeve, mounted on the body, having an internal diameter to accommodate the rotating port part where the port part is allowed to rotate, (d) seal means in between the rotating port piece and the holding sleeve.

2. A fluid flow regulator for connection between a rotary sprinkler and a fluid conduit for regulating fluid flow and pressure in the sprinkler, the flow regulator comprising: a body having an upper end and a lower end, the body including a hole extending therein from the upper end, the body including a body channel extending from the lower end and ending in the hole in a hole, the body channel including protrusions of the body. internal tapered bodies extending longitudinally from the hole, the body projections defining the hole; a port piece rotatably mounted within the hole, the port part including a port channel therethrough in fluid communication with the body channel, the port channel originating in a port in alignment with the port, the port channel that includes the internal port projections that extend longitudinally from the port, the port projections that define the port; wherein the rotation of the port piece varies the angular alignment of the port and the port thus producing the cyclic restriction of the fluid flow through the flow regulator.

3. The fluid flow regulator according to claim 2, wherein the port and the port have identical shapes.

4. The fluid flow regulator according to claim 2, wherein the port and the port have four-pointed star designs.

5. The fluid flow regulator according to claim 2, wherein the body projections are tapered at approximately 8 degrees.

6. The fluid flow regulator according to claim 2, wherein the port part includes coupling means for rotationally coupling the port part to a rotary sprinkler.

7. The fluid flow regulator according to claim 6, wherein the coupling means includes connecting fins extending from the port part.

8. The fluid flow regulator according to claim 6, further including retaining means for axially securing the port part within the body so that the axial force of the fluid flow against the port pattern is transferred to the port. body thus avoiding the transfer of axial force to the rotating sprinkler from the port piece.

9. The fluid flow regulator according to claim 8, wherein the retaining means comprises a retaining sleeve mounted within the body around the port part.

10. A fluid flow regulator for connection between a rotary sprinkler and a fluid conduit for regulating fluid flow and pressure in the sprinkler, the flow regulator comprising: a body having an upper end and a lower end, the body including a hole extending therein from the upper end, the body including a body channel extending from the lower end and terminating in the hole in a hole; a port piece rotatably coupled to the sprayer, the port part rotatably mounted within the port, the port part including a port channel therethrough in fluid communication with the body channel, the port channel that originates in a port in alignment with the hole; and rotating means disposed in the body for axially retaining the port part within the body; wherein the port part is rotated by the sprayer to vary the angular alignment of the port and port thereby producing the cyclic restriction of fluid flow through the flow regulator. The flow regulator according to claim 10, wherein the retaining means comprises a retaining sleeve mounted within the body around the port part.