CA1093612A - Balanced reaction impact sprinkler - Google Patents
Balanced reaction impact sprinklerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1093612A CA1093612A CA305,622A CA305622A CA1093612A CA 1093612 A CA1093612 A CA 1093612A CA 305622 A CA305622 A CA 305622A CA 1093612 A CA1093612 A CA 1093612A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- impact
- arm
- sprinkler
- rotation
- sprinkler body
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B3/00—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements
- B05B3/02—Spraying or sprinkling apparatus with moving outlet elements or moving deflecting elements with rotating elements
- B05B3/04—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
- B05B3/0409—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 with moving, e.g. rotating, outlet elements
- B05B3/0472—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 with moving, e.g. rotating, outlet elements the spray jet actuating a movable deflector which is successively moved out of the jet by jet action and brought back into the jet by spring action
Landscapes
- Nozzles (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
- Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present invention relates generally to impact-arm sprinklers for full-circle watering. The force of the stream impinging on the deflector spoon of a typical impact-arm sprinkler has one horizontal component of force tending to rotate the impact arm about its axis, and has in addition a second horizontal component and a vertical component, both acting in the same plane as the axis of rotation, and both having a tendency to induce wear in the bearing surfaces between the impact arm and the sprinkler body. Further asymmetry results from nozzle reaction forces on the sprinkler body. Addition-ally, when such sprinklers are mounted with the axis of rotation tilted away from the vertical, the speed of rotation is affected by gravitational forces acting on the sprinkler body. The present invention resides in an impact-arm sprinkler of symmetrical construction.
The nozzle reaction forces, impact arm acceleration forces, and gravitational forces are completely balanced by the use of two diametrically opposed nozzles, and two diametrically opposed impact arms mounted for movement as a single unit.
The present invention relates generally to impact-arm sprinklers for full-circle watering. The force of the stream impinging on the deflector spoon of a typical impact-arm sprinkler has one horizontal component of force tending to rotate the impact arm about its axis, and has in addition a second horizontal component and a vertical component, both acting in the same plane as the axis of rotation, and both having a tendency to induce wear in the bearing surfaces between the impact arm and the sprinkler body. Further asymmetry results from nozzle reaction forces on the sprinkler body. Addition-ally, when such sprinklers are mounted with the axis of rotation tilted away from the vertical, the speed of rotation is affected by gravitational forces acting on the sprinkler body. The present invention resides in an impact-arm sprinkler of symmetrical construction.
The nozzle reaction forces, impact arm acceleration forces, and gravitational forces are completely balanced by the use of two diametrically opposed nozzles, and two diametrically opposed impact arms mounted for movement as a single unit.
Description
lV~ ;lZ
BALANCED REACTION IMPACT SPRINKIER
The present invention relates generally to water sprinklers of the impact-arm type, and~ more particularly~
to impact-arm sprinklers for full-circle rather than part-circle watering.
Typlcally, an impact-arm sprinkler has a hollow sprinkler body for supplying water from a substantially vertlcal riser pipe to a nozzle which is mounted on the body at an angle of approximately 10 to 30 degrees above the horizontal. The sprinkler body is mounted on a lower bearlng, for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, and an impact arm is mounted for rotation with respect to the sprinkler~body, about the same vertical axis. A torsional spring urges the impact arm against a stop affixed to the sprinkler body and, in thls position, a deflector spoon on the impact arm is located directly in the stream of water flowing from the nozzle. The impact arm is thereby deflected by the stream of water, and is rotated, compressing the torsional spring. The force of the spring slows and then reverses the rotation of the impact arm, driving it against the stop on the sprinkler body, and thereby applying an impulse of angu-lar acceleration to the body. The impact arm is re-peatedly deflected by the stream of water from the nozzle, and continues to oscillate angularly in this manner~ applying an impulse of angular acceleration to ~, the sprinkler body on each cycle of its oscillation.
Although the impact arm is usually balanced, in the sense that it has its center of gravity aligned with its axis of rotation, the deflection force applied to the impact arm by the stream of water is necessarily asymmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation. The force of the stream impinging on the deflector spoon has one horizontal component of force tending to rotate the impact arm about its axis, and has in addition a second horizontal component and a vertical component, both acting in the same plane as the axis of rotation, and both havlng a tendency to induce wear in the bearing , surfaces between the impact arm and the sprinkler body.
Even the horizontal component which induces rotation of the arm is not a pure torque force, and results in an asymmetrical reaction force at the impact-arm bearing.
The problem is further compounded by the transmission of these asymmetrical forces to the lower bearing on which the sprinkler body is mounted.
Further asymmetry results from nozzle reaction forces on the sprinkler body. Flow of water through the nozzle, quite apart from the action of the impact arm, produces vertical and horizontal components of a re-action force, both acting in the vertical plane through the nozzle and its axis of rotation. Again, these asymmetrical forces result in sometimes rapid wear cf the bearing surfaces of the lower bearing on which the nozzle body is mounted. Moreover, water used for irri-gation often contains abrasive silt and sand that can accelerate the wear of both the lower bearing and the 3 impact arm bearing.
Another dlsadvantage of prior art impact-arm sprinklers is that, when such sprinklers are mounted on sloping ground with the axis of rotation tilted away from the vertical, the speed of rotation is affected by gravltational forces acting on the sprinkler body, and varies cyclicly as the sprinkler rotates. Accordingly, there has long been a need in the field of impact-arm sprinklers, for a sprinkler assembly which balances the 109;~
nozzle reaction forces and impact arm acceleration forces, thereby reducing wear in the bearings of the assembly, and which may be used on sloping terrain without variations in the speed of rotation. The present invention fulfills these needs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention resides in an impact-arm sprink-ler of symmetrical construction, having two diametrically op-posed nozzles, and an impact arm having two deflector spoons mounted at the ends thereof for interaction with the respec-tive streams of water from the two nozzles. The forces acting on the deflector spoons of the impact arm are thereby perfectly balanced, resulting in a pure torque force about the axis of rotation, together with a component of force along the axis of rotation, but no unbalanced forces tending to induce wear in 15 the sprinkler bearings.
Similarly, the nozzle reaction forces from the two nozzles balance each other in the horizontal or radial direction, and the vertical components result in a purely axial reaction along the axis of rotation. Again, there are with no unbalanced nozzle reaction forces tending to induce wear in the bearings.
As a consequence of the novel construction of the present inven-tion, both the lower bearings and the impact-arm bearing last much longer than in conventional sprinklers. In addition, the sprinkler may be mounted on a hillside where the riser pipe is tilted away from the vertical direction, since there will be no unbalanced gravitational forces acting on the sprinkler body.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a `~ water sprinkler of the impact-arm type comprising: a bifurcated sprinkler body having a substantially vertically oriented in-take portion and two symmetrically arranged diametrically op-posed discharge portions adapted to receive two nozzles, said sprinkler body being mounted for rotation in a first angular direction about a substantially vertical axis; an impact arm mounted on said sprinkler body for rotation about the same axis as said body, said impact arm having two diametrically opposed portions carrying oppositely facing deflector spoons at the ends thereof; torsional spring means connected between said impact 10S~3~
- 3a -arm and said sprinkler body to urge said impact arm in said first angular direction; and abutment means affixed to said body, to limit rotation of said impact arm in said first angular direction; whereby said deflector arm is deflected in a second angular direction opposite said first angular direc-tion by impingement of water on said oppositely facing deflec-tor spoons, and returns, under the influence of said spring, to impact said abutment means and drive said sprinkler body in said first angular direction, and whereby non-axial nozzle reaction forces or impact arm acceleration forces, and unbal-anced gravitational forces acting on the sprinkler are substan-tially eliminated.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an improvement in an impact-arm water sprinkler having a sprinkler body, nozzle means, and a spring-biased impact arm which is repeatedly deflected by a water stream and then returns by spring force to impact the sprinkler body and incrementally rotate it, wherein: said nozzle means includes two symmetrical-ly arranged, diametrically opposed nozzles; said sprinkler body is bifurcated to provide for connection to said two nozzles, to produce two diametrically opposed streams of water; and said impact arm has two diametrically opposed portions which move in unison to rotate said body, said diametrically opposed portions carrying oppositely facing deflector spoons at the ends thereof; whereby nozzle reaction forces and impact arm acceleration forces are completely balanced and non-axial com-ponents, and unbalanced gravitational forces acting on sprink-ler body are substantially eliminated.
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- 3b -Other aspects and advantages of the lnvention will become apparent from the following more detalled description, taken in conJunction wlth the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a typlcal lmpact arm sprinkler of the prlor art;
FIG. 2 ls a fragmentary elevational vlew, partly B
.
. .
.- -10~
in section, of an impact-arm sprinkler embodying the present invention; and FIG. 3 is an end-elevational view of the sprinkler of FIG. 2.
DETAIIED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustra-tion, the present invention is principally concerned with impact-arm sprinklers, and with an improved impact-arm sprinkler having no asymmetrical forces acting on its bearings. The sprinkler can be made ~rom any suitable material. Preferable materials are metal or plastic.
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional impact arm sprinkler comprises a threaded adapter, indicated by reference numeral 10, for attachment to a threaded, sub-stantially vertical riser pipe 12 (not shown), and asprinkler body 14 ~ournaled for rotation on a lower bearing 16 with respect to the adapter 10 and the riser pipe 12. A nozzle 18 is attachable to the sprinkler body 14, and receives water supplied through the body from the riser pipe 12. The nozzle is typically dlrected at an angle ~ 10 to 30 degrees to the horizontal, and is usually replaceable in the event of wear, or to provide for different types of spray coverage. Integral with the sprinkler body 14 is a bridge portion 20 extending upwardly from the body. The bridge portion 20 has a first sideleg 20a which extends upwardly from a point on the body close to the nozzle 18, a second sldeleg 20b located diametrically opposite the first, and a top member 20c connecting and integral with the two side-legs.
An impact arm 24 is mounted for rotation about avertical axis with respect to the sprinkler body 14. In particular, the impact arm 24 is journaled for rotation about a shaft 26 which extends upwardly from the sprink-ler body 14, to an appropriate hole in the top member20c ~ the bridge portion 20. The impact arm 24 has an integral hub 30 by which it is mounted for rotation about the shaft 26, and extends above and generally parallel ' - , lU~
wlth the direction of the water stream emerging from the nozzle 18. At the end of the impact arm 24 is a deflec-tor spoon 32 which depends downwardly from the arm, directly in the path of the water stream. Also depend-5 lng from the arm 2~, at a posltion closer to the nozzlethan the deflector spoon~ is a vane 34. The stream of water from the nozzle 18 passes to one side of the vane 34, and then strikes the concave surface o~ the spoon 32, to deflect the impact arm angularly about its axis of 10 rotation.
A torsional spring 36 is mounted about the central hub 30 of the impact arm 24, and is connected by one end to the bridge 20 and by its other end to the impact arm, The spring 36 urges the impact arm 24 against one face 15 of the first bridge sideleg 20a. In thls position, the impact arm has its deflector spoon 32 located in the path of the water stream. The weight of the impact arm 24 is usually counter-balanced by an opposing arm 36 extending from the hub 30 in a direction diametrically 20 opposite to that of the impact arm. It will be apparent that, when water is sprayed through the nozzle 18, there is a nozzle reaction force which may be resolved ~hto horizontal and vertical components. Both components of this nozzle reaction force tend to rotate the sprinkler 25 body 14 about a horizontal axis, and are resisted by equal and opposite reactions at the lower bearing 16.
Thus, the nozzle reaction forces are likely to result in substantial wear at the lower bearing.
Furthermore, when water impinges upon the vane 34 30 and the spoon 32 of the impact arm 24, the resultant force acting on the impact arm may be resolved into three components. There is the desired horizontal component tending to rotate the arm, and a second horizontal com-ponent and a vertical component which both act in the 35 same plane as the impact arm 24 and its axis of rotation.
The second horizontal component and the vertical com-ponent are resisted by equal and opposite reactions at the central hub 30 as it bears on the shaft 26. These 105;~
reaction forces are, in turn, transmitted to the lower bearlng 16, again adding to the likelihood of wear.
In accordance with the present lnvention, a modi-fied sprinkler bod~ 48 (FIG. 2) having a bifurcated upper portion 50 to which two nozzles 52 and 54 are affixed, is journaled for rotation on a lower bearing (not shown) in the same manner as the prlor art sprinkler described above. An impact arm 58 having two diametri- -cally opposed portions 58a and 58b, two deflector spoons 60 and 62, and two corresponding vanes 64 and 66, is mounted for rotation on a central shaft 68, correspond-ing to the shaft 26 of the prior art sprin~ler. A bridge portion 70, having sidelegs 70a and 70b and a top member 70c, is formed integrally with the bifurcated sprinkler body 50, and, as in the prior art design, is utilized to provide a stop for the angular movement of the impact arm 58. A torsional spring 72 urges the impact arm 58 against the bridge portion 70, and the arm is deflected therefrom by water streams from the nozzles 52 and 54, in the same manner as described for the prior art sprinkler.
It will be appreciated that the invention provides for complete balancing of both the nozzle reaction forces and the forces acting on the impact arm 58. As to the nozzle reaction forces, the horizontal components at each nozzle are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, resulting in cancellation of these compon-ents. The vertical components of the nozzle reaction forces will be equal in magnitude and in the same direc-tion at each nozzle, so that there will be no torsionalforce applied to the sprinkler body 50, only a net ver-tical force directed along the axis of rotation.
With regard to the forces applied by the water stream to accelerate the impact arm 58, it will be appar-ent that the horizontal components o~ force applied toeach deflector spoon, to accelerate the arm angularly, will be eq~al in magnitude, so tha~t a pure torque will be applied to the symmetrical arm. As to the other .. :
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horlzontal and vertical components of force acting in the same plane as the axis of rotation, the horizontal forces will be equal in magnitude and opposite in direc-tion and will therefore be self-cancelllng. The vertical components wlll be equal in magnitude and direction, but will induce no rotational torque, merely a net vertical force along the axis of rotation. Consequently, only axial forces will be applied to both sprinkler bearings, and the wear on the bearings will there~ore be consider-ably reduced as compared with the wear in the bearingsof a conventional impact-arm sprinkler.
Another advantage of the sprinkler ~ present invention is that it may be installed on a hillslde, with its axis of rotation inclined from the vertlcal, and yet the speed of rotation of the sprinkler will remain uni-form, since the gravitational forces acting on the two sides of the sprinkler body are always in balance. It will be apparent that the invention described and claimed herein represents a significant advance over conventlonal impact~arm sprinklers having only one nozzle and one impact arm. Although a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that modifications in the detailed design are possible without departing from the spirit and scope o~
the invention. Accordingly the invention is not to be llmited except as by the appended claims.
BALANCED REACTION IMPACT SPRINKIER
The present invention relates generally to water sprinklers of the impact-arm type, and~ more particularly~
to impact-arm sprinklers for full-circle rather than part-circle watering.
Typlcally, an impact-arm sprinkler has a hollow sprinkler body for supplying water from a substantially vertlcal riser pipe to a nozzle which is mounted on the body at an angle of approximately 10 to 30 degrees above the horizontal. The sprinkler body is mounted on a lower bearlng, for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, and an impact arm is mounted for rotation with respect to the sprinkler~body, about the same vertical axis. A torsional spring urges the impact arm against a stop affixed to the sprinkler body and, in thls position, a deflector spoon on the impact arm is located directly in the stream of water flowing from the nozzle. The impact arm is thereby deflected by the stream of water, and is rotated, compressing the torsional spring. The force of the spring slows and then reverses the rotation of the impact arm, driving it against the stop on the sprinkler body, and thereby applying an impulse of angu-lar acceleration to the body. The impact arm is re-peatedly deflected by the stream of water from the nozzle, and continues to oscillate angularly in this manner~ applying an impulse of angular acceleration to ~, the sprinkler body on each cycle of its oscillation.
Although the impact arm is usually balanced, in the sense that it has its center of gravity aligned with its axis of rotation, the deflection force applied to the impact arm by the stream of water is necessarily asymmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation. The force of the stream impinging on the deflector spoon has one horizontal component of force tending to rotate the impact arm about its axis, and has in addition a second horizontal component and a vertical component, both acting in the same plane as the axis of rotation, and both havlng a tendency to induce wear in the bearing , surfaces between the impact arm and the sprinkler body.
Even the horizontal component which induces rotation of the arm is not a pure torque force, and results in an asymmetrical reaction force at the impact-arm bearing.
The problem is further compounded by the transmission of these asymmetrical forces to the lower bearing on which the sprinkler body is mounted.
Further asymmetry results from nozzle reaction forces on the sprinkler body. Flow of water through the nozzle, quite apart from the action of the impact arm, produces vertical and horizontal components of a re-action force, both acting in the vertical plane through the nozzle and its axis of rotation. Again, these asymmetrical forces result in sometimes rapid wear cf the bearing surfaces of the lower bearing on which the nozzle body is mounted. Moreover, water used for irri-gation often contains abrasive silt and sand that can accelerate the wear of both the lower bearing and the 3 impact arm bearing.
Another dlsadvantage of prior art impact-arm sprinklers is that, when such sprinklers are mounted on sloping ground with the axis of rotation tilted away from the vertical, the speed of rotation is affected by gravltational forces acting on the sprinkler body, and varies cyclicly as the sprinkler rotates. Accordingly, there has long been a need in the field of impact-arm sprinklers, for a sprinkler assembly which balances the 109;~
nozzle reaction forces and impact arm acceleration forces, thereby reducing wear in the bearings of the assembly, and which may be used on sloping terrain without variations in the speed of rotation. The present invention fulfills these needs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention resides in an impact-arm sprink-ler of symmetrical construction, having two diametrically op-posed nozzles, and an impact arm having two deflector spoons mounted at the ends thereof for interaction with the respec-tive streams of water from the two nozzles. The forces acting on the deflector spoons of the impact arm are thereby perfectly balanced, resulting in a pure torque force about the axis of rotation, together with a component of force along the axis of rotation, but no unbalanced forces tending to induce wear in 15 the sprinkler bearings.
Similarly, the nozzle reaction forces from the two nozzles balance each other in the horizontal or radial direction, and the vertical components result in a purely axial reaction along the axis of rotation. Again, there are with no unbalanced nozzle reaction forces tending to induce wear in the bearings.
As a consequence of the novel construction of the present inven-tion, both the lower bearings and the impact-arm bearing last much longer than in conventional sprinklers. In addition, the sprinkler may be mounted on a hillside where the riser pipe is tilted away from the vertical direction, since there will be no unbalanced gravitational forces acting on the sprinkler body.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a `~ water sprinkler of the impact-arm type comprising: a bifurcated sprinkler body having a substantially vertically oriented in-take portion and two symmetrically arranged diametrically op-posed discharge portions adapted to receive two nozzles, said sprinkler body being mounted for rotation in a first angular direction about a substantially vertical axis; an impact arm mounted on said sprinkler body for rotation about the same axis as said body, said impact arm having two diametrically opposed portions carrying oppositely facing deflector spoons at the ends thereof; torsional spring means connected between said impact 10S~3~
- 3a -arm and said sprinkler body to urge said impact arm in said first angular direction; and abutment means affixed to said body, to limit rotation of said impact arm in said first angular direction; whereby said deflector arm is deflected in a second angular direction opposite said first angular direc-tion by impingement of water on said oppositely facing deflec-tor spoons, and returns, under the influence of said spring, to impact said abutment means and drive said sprinkler body in said first angular direction, and whereby non-axial nozzle reaction forces or impact arm acceleration forces, and unbal-anced gravitational forces acting on the sprinkler are substan-tially eliminated.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an improvement in an impact-arm water sprinkler having a sprinkler body, nozzle means, and a spring-biased impact arm which is repeatedly deflected by a water stream and then returns by spring force to impact the sprinkler body and incrementally rotate it, wherein: said nozzle means includes two symmetrical-ly arranged, diametrically opposed nozzles; said sprinkler body is bifurcated to provide for connection to said two nozzles, to produce two diametrically opposed streams of water; and said impact arm has two diametrically opposed portions which move in unison to rotate said body, said diametrically opposed portions carrying oppositely facing deflector spoons at the ends thereof; whereby nozzle reaction forces and impact arm acceleration forces are completely balanced and non-axial com-ponents, and unbalanced gravitational forces acting on sprink-ler body are substantially eliminated.
.
, ': ~
1093~
- 3b -Other aspects and advantages of the lnvention will become apparent from the following more detalled description, taken in conJunction wlth the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a typlcal lmpact arm sprinkler of the prlor art;
FIG. 2 ls a fragmentary elevational vlew, partly B
.
. .
.- -10~
in section, of an impact-arm sprinkler embodying the present invention; and FIG. 3 is an end-elevational view of the sprinkler of FIG. 2.
DETAIIED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustra-tion, the present invention is principally concerned with impact-arm sprinklers, and with an improved impact-arm sprinkler having no asymmetrical forces acting on its bearings. The sprinkler can be made ~rom any suitable material. Preferable materials are metal or plastic.
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional impact arm sprinkler comprises a threaded adapter, indicated by reference numeral 10, for attachment to a threaded, sub-stantially vertical riser pipe 12 (not shown), and asprinkler body 14 ~ournaled for rotation on a lower bearing 16 with respect to the adapter 10 and the riser pipe 12. A nozzle 18 is attachable to the sprinkler body 14, and receives water supplied through the body from the riser pipe 12. The nozzle is typically dlrected at an angle ~ 10 to 30 degrees to the horizontal, and is usually replaceable in the event of wear, or to provide for different types of spray coverage. Integral with the sprinkler body 14 is a bridge portion 20 extending upwardly from the body. The bridge portion 20 has a first sideleg 20a which extends upwardly from a point on the body close to the nozzle 18, a second sldeleg 20b located diametrically opposite the first, and a top member 20c connecting and integral with the two side-legs.
An impact arm 24 is mounted for rotation about avertical axis with respect to the sprinkler body 14. In particular, the impact arm 24 is journaled for rotation about a shaft 26 which extends upwardly from the sprink-ler body 14, to an appropriate hole in the top member20c ~ the bridge portion 20. The impact arm 24 has an integral hub 30 by which it is mounted for rotation about the shaft 26, and extends above and generally parallel ' - , lU~
wlth the direction of the water stream emerging from the nozzle 18. At the end of the impact arm 24 is a deflec-tor spoon 32 which depends downwardly from the arm, directly in the path of the water stream. Also depend-5 lng from the arm 2~, at a posltion closer to the nozzlethan the deflector spoon~ is a vane 34. The stream of water from the nozzle 18 passes to one side of the vane 34, and then strikes the concave surface o~ the spoon 32, to deflect the impact arm angularly about its axis of 10 rotation.
A torsional spring 36 is mounted about the central hub 30 of the impact arm 24, and is connected by one end to the bridge 20 and by its other end to the impact arm, The spring 36 urges the impact arm 24 against one face 15 of the first bridge sideleg 20a. In thls position, the impact arm has its deflector spoon 32 located in the path of the water stream. The weight of the impact arm 24 is usually counter-balanced by an opposing arm 36 extending from the hub 30 in a direction diametrically 20 opposite to that of the impact arm. It will be apparent that, when water is sprayed through the nozzle 18, there is a nozzle reaction force which may be resolved ~hto horizontal and vertical components. Both components of this nozzle reaction force tend to rotate the sprinkler 25 body 14 about a horizontal axis, and are resisted by equal and opposite reactions at the lower bearing 16.
Thus, the nozzle reaction forces are likely to result in substantial wear at the lower bearing.
Furthermore, when water impinges upon the vane 34 30 and the spoon 32 of the impact arm 24, the resultant force acting on the impact arm may be resolved into three components. There is the desired horizontal component tending to rotate the arm, and a second horizontal com-ponent and a vertical component which both act in the 35 same plane as the impact arm 24 and its axis of rotation.
The second horizontal component and the vertical com-ponent are resisted by equal and opposite reactions at the central hub 30 as it bears on the shaft 26. These 105;~
reaction forces are, in turn, transmitted to the lower bearlng 16, again adding to the likelihood of wear.
In accordance with the present lnvention, a modi-fied sprinkler bod~ 48 (FIG. 2) having a bifurcated upper portion 50 to which two nozzles 52 and 54 are affixed, is journaled for rotation on a lower bearing (not shown) in the same manner as the prlor art sprinkler described above. An impact arm 58 having two diametri- -cally opposed portions 58a and 58b, two deflector spoons 60 and 62, and two corresponding vanes 64 and 66, is mounted for rotation on a central shaft 68, correspond-ing to the shaft 26 of the prior art sprin~ler. A bridge portion 70, having sidelegs 70a and 70b and a top member 70c, is formed integrally with the bifurcated sprinkler body 50, and, as in the prior art design, is utilized to provide a stop for the angular movement of the impact arm 58. A torsional spring 72 urges the impact arm 58 against the bridge portion 70, and the arm is deflected therefrom by water streams from the nozzles 52 and 54, in the same manner as described for the prior art sprinkler.
It will be appreciated that the invention provides for complete balancing of both the nozzle reaction forces and the forces acting on the impact arm 58. As to the nozzle reaction forces, the horizontal components at each nozzle are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, resulting in cancellation of these compon-ents. The vertical components of the nozzle reaction forces will be equal in magnitude and in the same direc-tion at each nozzle, so that there will be no torsionalforce applied to the sprinkler body 50, only a net ver-tical force directed along the axis of rotation.
With regard to the forces applied by the water stream to accelerate the impact arm 58, it will be appar-ent that the horizontal components o~ force applied toeach deflector spoon, to accelerate the arm angularly, will be eq~al in magnitude, so tha~t a pure torque will be applied to the symmetrical arm. As to the other .. :
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horlzontal and vertical components of force acting in the same plane as the axis of rotation, the horizontal forces will be equal in magnitude and opposite in direc-tion and will therefore be self-cancelllng. The vertical components wlll be equal in magnitude and direction, but will induce no rotational torque, merely a net vertical force along the axis of rotation. Consequently, only axial forces will be applied to both sprinkler bearings, and the wear on the bearings will there~ore be consider-ably reduced as compared with the wear in the bearingsof a conventional impact-arm sprinkler.
Another advantage of the sprinkler ~ present invention is that it may be installed on a hillslde, with its axis of rotation inclined from the vertlcal, and yet the speed of rotation of the sprinkler will remain uni-form, since the gravitational forces acting on the two sides of the sprinkler body are always in balance. It will be apparent that the invention described and claimed herein represents a significant advance over conventlonal impact~arm sprinklers having only one nozzle and one impact arm. Although a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that modifications in the detailed design are possible without departing from the spirit and scope o~
the invention. Accordingly the invention is not to be llmited except as by the appended claims.
Claims (3)
1. A water sprinkler of the impact-arm type comprising: a bifurcated sprinkler body having a substantially vertically oriented intake portion and two symmetrically arranged diam-etrically opposed discharge portions adapted to receive two nozzles, said sprinkler body being mounted for rotation in a first angular direction about a substantially vertical axis;
an impact arm mounted on said sprinkler body for rotation about the same axis as said body, said impact arm having two diametrically opposed portions carrying oppositely facing deflector spoons at the ends thereof; torsional spring means connected between said impact arm and said sprinkler body to urge said impact arm in said first angular direction; and abut-ment means affixed to said body, to limit rotation of said impact arm in said first angular direction; whereby said de-flector arm is deflected in a second angular direction opposite said first angular direction by impingement of water on said oppositely facing deflector spoons, and returns, under the influence of said spring, to impact said abutment means and drive said sprinkler body in said first angular direction, and whereby non-axial nozzle reaction forces or impact arm accel-eration forces, and unbalanced gravitational forces acting on the sprinkler are substantially eliminated.
an impact arm mounted on said sprinkler body for rotation about the same axis as said body, said impact arm having two diametrically opposed portions carrying oppositely facing deflector spoons at the ends thereof; torsional spring means connected between said impact arm and said sprinkler body to urge said impact arm in said first angular direction; and abut-ment means affixed to said body, to limit rotation of said impact arm in said first angular direction; whereby said de-flector arm is deflected in a second angular direction opposite said first angular direction by impingement of water on said oppositely facing deflector spoons, and returns, under the influence of said spring, to impact said abutment means and drive said sprinkler body in said first angular direction, and whereby non-axial nozzle reaction forces or impact arm accel-eration forces, and unbalanced gravitational forces acting on the sprinkler are substantially eliminated.
2. A water sprinkler as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said abutment means is a bridge portion integral with said sprink-ler body, said bridge portion having two upstanding legs and a connecting top member, and wherein said impact arm is mounted for rotation within said bridge portion.
3. An improvement in an impact-arm water sprinkler having a sprinkler body, nozzle means, and a spring-biased impact arm which is repeatedly deflected by a water stream and then re-turns by spring force to impact the sprinkler body and in-crementally rotate it, wherein: said nozzle means includes two symmetrically arranged, diametrically opposed nozzles; said sprinkler body is bifurcated to provide for connection to said two nozzles, to produce two diametrically opposed streams of water; and said impact arm has two diametrically opposed portions which move in unison to rotate said body, said diametrically opposed portions carrying oppositely facing deflector spoons at the ends thereof; whereby nozzle reaction forces and impact arm acceleration forces are completely balanced and non-axial components, and unbalanced gravita-tional forces acting on sprinkler body are substantially eliminated.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US84371177A | 1977-10-20 | 1977-10-20 | |
| US843,711 | 1977-10-20 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1093612A true CA1093612A (en) | 1981-01-13 |
Family
ID=25290806
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA305,622A Expired CA1093612A (en) | 1977-10-20 | 1978-06-16 | Balanced reaction impact sprinkler |
Country Status (15)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5464718A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU521580B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR7804255A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1093612A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2828811A1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK301178A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES471382A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2406386A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2006050B (en) |
| GR (1) | GR65301B (en) |
| IL (1) | IL54933A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1099307B (en) |
| MX (1) | MX146485A (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7806942L (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA783789B (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS6195106A (en) * | 1984-10-15 | 1986-05-13 | 日本鉄道建設公団 | Snow melting apparatus for track |
| FR2813889A1 (en) * | 2000-09-14 | 2002-03-15 | Jean Michel Egretier | Breaking up marc formed by floating fruit residue in fermentation vat includes using part immersed pump(s) with rotating ducts to deliver liquid onto cap |
| AU2009278777B2 (en) | 2008-08-04 | 2013-02-07 | NaanDanJain Irrigation Ltd. | Sprinkler |
| US10232388B2 (en) | 2017-03-08 | 2019-03-19 | NaanDanJain Irrigation Ltd. | Multiple orientation rotatable sprinkler |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2904261A (en) * | 1958-02-24 | 1959-09-15 | Wallace J S Johnson | Automatic rotational sprayer |
-
1978
- 1978-06-13 GB GB7826818A patent/GB2006050B/en not_active Expired
- 1978-06-16 IL IL54933A patent/IL54933A/en unknown
- 1978-06-16 CA CA305,622A patent/CA1093612A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-06-16 SE SE7806942A patent/SE7806942L/en unknown
- 1978-06-30 DE DE19782828811 patent/DE2828811A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1978-07-03 FR FR7819800A patent/FR2406386A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1978-07-03 DK DK301178A patent/DK301178A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1978-07-03 IT IT25270/78A patent/IT1099307B/en active
- 1978-07-03 GR GR56671A patent/GR65301B/en unknown
- 1978-07-03 BR BR7804255A patent/BR7804255A/en unknown
- 1978-07-03 MX MX174030A patent/MX146485A/en unknown
- 1978-07-03 ES ES471382A patent/ES471382A1/en not_active Expired
- 1978-07-03 AU AU37728/78A patent/AU521580B2/en not_active Expired
- 1978-07-03 ZA ZA00783789A patent/ZA783789B/en unknown
- 1978-07-03 JP JP7984978A patent/JPS5464718A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BR7804255A (en) | 1979-07-10 |
| ES471382A1 (en) | 1979-10-01 |
| IL54933A0 (en) | 1978-08-31 |
| GR65301B (en) | 1980-08-01 |
| AU521580B2 (en) | 1982-04-22 |
| SE7806942L (en) | 1979-04-21 |
| IT7825270A0 (en) | 1978-07-03 |
| GB2006050A (en) | 1979-05-02 |
| MX146485A (en) | 1982-06-30 |
| AU3772878A (en) | 1980-01-10 |
| JPS5464718A (en) | 1979-05-24 |
| IL54933A (en) | 1982-01-31 |
| IT1099307B (en) | 1985-09-18 |
| FR2406386A1 (en) | 1979-05-18 |
| DE2828811A1 (en) | 1979-04-26 |
| DK301178A (en) | 1979-04-21 |
| GB2006050B (en) | 1982-03-10 |
| ZA783789B (en) | 1979-07-25 |
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| MKEX | Expiry |