EP2843132B1 - Sprinkler for wetting a roadway and method for installing sprinklers into a roadway - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a sprinkler for irrigation of a roadway, in particular a driving technique track or a test track, comprising a substantially hollow and rigidly connectable to a substrate base element with a connection for a pipeline and a hydraulically connected via the base member to the terminal nozzle.

Moreover, the invention relates to a use of a sprinkler.

The invention further relates to a method for installing a sprinkler with a base element having a connection for a pipeline and a nozzle hydraulically connected to the connection by the base element in a roadway, wherein the base element is fixed on a foundation, after which at least one lower layer is applied ,

In driving technique tracks on which vehicles are tested or a driving technique training is performed, sprinklers are required on the one hand to irrigate a road, so that a coefficient of friction between the tire and the road can be specifically reduced. On the other hand, sprinklers can also simulate obstacles through spontaneous ejection of water, so that a correct reaction can be trained. It is advantageous if several sprinklers are inserted directly into the road to allow a well-regulated wetting of the road. Because the built-in sprinklers are run over by vehicles, a high stability of the sprinkler and the connection of the sprinkler with the roadway is required. In addition, a flush completion of the sprinkler with the roadway is favorable in order to avoid damage to the vehicles by projecting parts or edged recesses.

From the DE 103 15 099 A1 is a sprinkler for a driving technique route has become known. In this case, a stability of the sprinkler is achieved by a fixation on a concrete foundation. A flush closure of the sprinkler with the roadway is achieved by a multi-part holder, wherein a plug insert is pushed with a nozzle in an associated with the concrete foundation cladding tube and aligned according to the height of the roadway. Then plug-in tube and nozzle are fixed by a fixing compound in one position, so that the sprinkler is flush with the road.

However, it has been found that a road surface is lowered under continuous load or a thickness of a road surface due to wear is reduced over time. This means that a flush closing the sprinkler with the roadway can not be guaranteed permanently. With increasing setting of the road, the sprinkler towers over the road surface. If a new asphalt layer is subsequently applied, an upper edge of the sprinkler lies beneath a road surface, so that there is a risk of damaging vehicles. In addition, the function of the sprinkler is not guaranteed if this is not positioned correctly relative to the road. There is therefore a need to design such a sprinkler adaptable to ensure a flush completion of the sprinkler, even with a variable roadway.

From the EP 2 345 762 A1 a height-adjustable extension for arranged in a roadway connections for applying antifreeze has become known. In this case, the extension has a lower element with an end which can be screwed into an existing connection and an upper element which is connected to the lower element via a thread and has a connection for a hose.

However, such a device is not suitable for a driving technique route, since on the one hand only a connection for a hose, and not for a nozzle, is provided and on the other hand a corresponding construction only for dimensions of a few centimeters has sufficient stability. However, the device is not suitable for the dimensions and loads required for driving technique sections. From the DE 318 353 C a sprinkler according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

This is where the invention starts. The object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler of the type mentioned, which is adjustable in height even after installation and has sufficient for driving technique stability.

In addition, a method for installation and correct alignment of a sprinkler is to be specified in a roadway, which is very easy to implement and allows repeated alignment of the sprinkler.

The object is achieved by a sprinkler according to claim 1. In the sprinkler, a height adjustment releasably connected to the nozzle is provided, which connects the base element and the nozzle movably along a longitudinal axis of the base element.

As a result, on the one hand given a high stability, since the sprinkler can be attached to a foundation. On the other hand, by adjusting the height of the nozzle with the base element, a height of the sprinkler can be easily adjusted even after installation, so that the sprinkler, for example, a lowering of the roadway or a newly applied layer, in particular a new asphalt layer, can be easily adjusted. Of course, the sprinkler can also be used in roadways in which the layers are made of a different material, such as concrete. It is advantageous if the base element has a lower plate, which is connectable to a foundation, in particular a concrete foundation. Usually fastening screws are provided for connecting the plate to the foundation.

Normally, the nozzle and the height adjustment are threaded so that the nozzle can be easily changed.

Appropriately, a blind cover is provided which can be connected instead of the nozzle with the height adjustment to seal the sprinkler end. By use the blind cover instead of the nozzle can easily prevent the penetration of contaminants into the sprinkler. This is particularly advantageous when a new asphalt layer is applied, since then during the application of the new asphalt layer, the nozzle can be easily replaced by the blind cover. It is advantageous if the blind cover as the nozzle has an external thread for a connection with the height adjustment. According to the invention, the base element has a cladding tube, which is preferably closed at the end by a plate. As a result, a simple production and a stable construction are guaranteed. According to the invention, the height adjustment and the base element are connected by a thread, with the height adjustment preferably being formed with an external thread. As a result, on the one hand penetration of impurities in the sprinkler prevented in a simple manner, because a connection has a good sealing effect via a thread. On the other hand, a simple adjustment of the height is possible by turning the height adjustment relative to the base element. It is advantageous if a change in height is possible by turning the height adjustment about a longitudinal axis of the base element.

Normally, the height adjustment is at least partially arranged in a tubular part of the base element in order to ensure a high stability of the sprinkler and to protect the thread particularly well from contamination.

A simple production can be achieved according to the invention, because the base element and the height adjustment are indirectly connected by an intermediate part, which is positively connected to the base element. As a result, a height adjustment and the base element movably connecting mechanism can be arranged in the intermediate part. The intermediate part is usually tubular with a diameter corresponding to the cladding tube and is connected to an open end of the base element. For this purpose, corresponding contours may be provided on the cladding tube and on the intermediate part, which allow a positive connection, for example peripheral grooves. Of course, an alternative connection, for example by screws, possible. Thus, the height adjustment can be connected by the intermediate part with the base member and protrude into it, whereby a compact design is achieved. Normally, an internal thread and at the height adjustment a corresponding external thread are provided at the intermediate part to move the height adjustment together with the nozzle relative to the base member in the vertical direction, so that a variable height of the sprinkler is achieved.

A stable construction and easy handling are ensured if the sprinkler has a substantially cylindrical outer contour. In this case, the base member preferably has a vertical standing in a working position cladding tube, which is closed at a lower end by a stably connectable to a foundation metal plate, wherein on one side of the cladding tube, a connection for a generally approximately horizontal supply line is provided. The intermediate part is usually formed with an outer diameter corresponding to the cladding tube, so that the height adjustment formed with advantage also tubular and formed with an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the intermediate part can be inserted into the intermediate part and the base element or screwed into the intermediate part. As a rule, the nozzle is provided on the end at the height adjustment, so that a hydraulic connection from the connection to the nozzle is ensured by the base element and the height adjustment. According to the invention, at the upper end of the height adjustment, a tubular upper part with an outer diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the cladding tube is provided on the outside, which projects slightly beyond the nozzle. As a result, the nozzle is mechanically protected, since forces, for example, from driving over the sprinkler vehicles, are partially derived via the top and the height adjustment in the base member and the foundation. In addition, given by the cylindrical design a good seal to the road or to the asphalt, even if the height adjustment is rotated together with the nozzle and upper part relative to the base member.

To avoid ingress of superficial liquid, the upper part is usually sealed against the roadway by an outside joint tape. In the case of the nozzle, furthermore, the outlet opening is at least partially formed by a recess of a movable, preferably rotatable about a longitudinal axis, arranged in the nozzle spray insert. Thereby, the spraying direction of the nozzle can be varied independently of an installation position of the nozzle, so that a spraying direction of a sprinkler formed with a corresponding nozzle can be easily changed. This is particularly advantageous when the nozzle is used in a sprinkler according to the invention, wherein an angular position of the nozzle is changed by a change in height of the sprinkler, usually by turning the height adjustment.

For a large-area wetting of a driving technique track with water, it is advantageous if the spray insert has a plurality of preferably irregularly distributed recesses. Usually, the nozzle and the spray insert are formed substantially rotationally symmetrical. Normally, the recesses are distributed in a range of 90 ° to 360 ° over the spray insert, so that there is a corresponding spray angle.

It has been proven that the at least one outlet opening is formed by the spray insert and a fixing screw connecting the spray insert to the nozzle body, which has a, in particular conical top surface corresponding to the spray insert. Thereby, a simple construction is achieved, wherein a spray direction is changeable. At the same time, the nozzle can thus be easily disassembled, since the fixing screw only has to be rotated out of the nozzle body in order to release the spray insert, which generally has a central opening for the fixing screw. In the spray insert recesses are arranged, which form the outlet openings with the fixing screw.

Advantageously, a preferably arranged in the spray insert filter is provided, which is upstream of the outlet opening in the flow direction. As a result, impurities contained in the water flowing out of the pipeline are caught in the filter, so that they can not clog the outlet openings. As a result, a partial or complete malfunction of the nozzle is prevented in a simple manner. Normally, the filter is releasably placed in the nozzle so that it can be easily removed and cleaned on a regular basis. In general, the filter is between an opening in the Spray insert for the fixing screw and a solid part of the spray insert positioned, since then water can flow along the fixing screw through the filter to the outlet openings. In order to be able to filter even fine grains of sand out of the water, usually a filter net consisting of stainless steel is provided, which forms the filter.

As a rule, a diaphragm which is movably connected to the nozzle body is provided, by means of which the at least one inlet opening is at least partially closable. As a result, an amount of water of the respective sprinkler can be easily regulated and changed. Normally, four inlet openings are provided at a lower end of the nozzle, which are at least partially closed by a rotatably connected to the nozzle aperture. In the sprinkler according to the invention thus a simple height adjustment is achieved in a stable sprinkler, wherein a spray direction is easily adjustable by means of the movable arranged in the nozzle spray insert. Due to the nozzle positioned detachably in the height adjustment, a blind cover can be used instead of the nozzle, so that contamination or damage to the nozzle can easily be prevented during installation or adjustment of the sprinkler.

Advantageously, a sprinkler according to the invention is arranged in a roadway and preferably ends flush with the roadway. As a result, a roadway, in particular a driving technique route, can be irrigated in a simple manner.

Usually, a sprinkler according to the invention is used for irrigation of a roadway.

The object is also achieved by a method according to claim 10, wherein, inter alia, a distance of the nozzle from the foundation by a releasably connected to the nozzle height adjustment is adjusted, which is movably connected to the base member. As a result, a simple and repeatable adjustment of the sprinkler is possible, so that the sprinkler can be precisely adapted to a further position or setting the road.

Conveniently, prior to applying a lower layer instead of the nozzle, a blind cover is connected to the height adjustment and removed after applying an upper layer of the blind cover, after which the nozzle is connected to the height adjustment. Ingress of contaminants in the sprinkler during installation is thus easily prevented. In principle, any number of layers can be applied, but as a rule two layers are provided. The individual layers are preferably formed as asphalt layers and / or concrete layers. A distance of the nozzle from the foundation is adjusted by a rotation of the height adjustment relative to the base member about a longitudinal axis of the base member. Thus, a height of the sprinkler can be changed even after installation simply by turning the height adjustment with nozzle. According to the invention, the height adjustment and the base element are connected by a thread. The longitudinal axis of the base element extends in an installed position or a working position of the sprinkler approximately in the vertical direction. As a rule, the longitudinal axis corresponds to a rotation axis of the cladding tube. A spray direction is set by a movable, preferably about the longitudinal axis of the base member rotatably disposed in the nozzle spray insert. Thereby, a spray direction can be adjusted independently of a set height of the sprinkler in a simple manner by rotating the sprayer.

Conveniently, an upper edge of the sprinkler with respect to the roadway is sealed by a joint tape to prevent ingress of moisture between the asphalt and sprinklers in a particularly simple manner.

A high stability of the sprinkler is achieved if after fixing the base element on the foundation, the base element is encapsulated with a concrete wedge, after which the lower layer is applied. Usually, the concrete wedge, which may also be configured as a concrete cone, covers the sprinkler through a connection for a supply line, so that a connection of the supply line to the sprinkler is stabilized by the concrete. The foundation and the concrete wedge prevent the sprinkler from settling or sinking.

• Fig. 1 bis 4 einen erfindungsgemäßen Sprinkler in verschiedenen Ansichten;
• Fig. 5 bis 8 eine Düse in verschiedenen Ansichten;
• Fig. 9 und 10 einen Sprüheinsatz einer Düse;
• Fig. 11 bis 14 verschiedene Phasen eines Einbaus eines erfindungsgemäßen Sprinklers in eine Fahrbahn.

Further features, advantages and effects of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments illustrated below. In the drawings, to which reference is made, show:

• Fig. 1 to 4 a sprinkler according to the invention in different views;
• Fig. 5 to 8 a nozzle in different views;
• FIGS. 9 and 10 a spray insert of a nozzle;
• Fig. 11 to 14 various phases of installation of a sprinkler according to the invention in a roadway.

Fig. 1 to 4 show a sprinkler 1 according to the invention in different views. It can be seen that the sprinkler 1 has a base element 38 with a cladding tube 2, which is connected to a metal plate 10. The metal plate 10 can be fixed by means of fastening screws 16 on a foundation, which usually consists of concrete. In a lower region, a connection 8 for a pipe 17 is connected to the cladding tube 2, which protrudes laterally into the cladding tube 2 and is arranged approximately perpendicular to this. Further, an intermediate part 5 positioned on the cladding tube 2 and a nozzle 4 connected to the sprinkler 1 can be seen, which is connected to the cladding tube 2 via a height adjustment 3. As a result, a height 35 of the sprinkler 1 is variable. In order to allow a favorable installation, a tubular upper part 6 is provided in an upper region, which is connected to the tubular height adjustment 3 and has a diameter corresponding to the jacket tube 2.

Fig. 4 shows a section through a sprinkler 1 along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3 , As shown, the nozzle 4 and the upper part 6 are movably connected to the base member 38 by a height adjustment 3 connected by a thread 28 to the intermediate part 5. The intermediate part 5 is positively connected to the cladding tube 2 and placed on this at an open end. As a result, a complex processing of the usually larger than the intermediate part 5 formed cladding tube 2 omitted, since only on the intermediate part 5, an internal thread for connection to the height adjustment 3 must be applied. The height adjustment 3 has an external thread for connection to the intermediate part 5 and an internal thread for connection to the nozzle 4. Next, the upper part 6 is connected to the height adjustment 3, which the nozzle. 4 slightly surmounted so that the nozzle 4 is protected against mechanical stresses. Thus, the nozzle 4 is hydraulically connected via the jacket tube 2 and the height adjustment 3 with the terminal 8.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the nozzle 4 in different isometric views. It can be seen that the nozzle 4 is substantially rotationally symmetrical and has a thread 28 for connection to the sprinkler 1. At a lower end of the nozzle 4 four inlet openings 30 are provided, which are partially closed by a rotatably connected to a nozzle body 20 aperture 26 to regulate an amount of water. The diaphragm 26 is rotatably connected by a diaphragm screw 27 with the nozzle body 20. Further, a fixing screw 21 is provided at an upper end of the nozzle 4, which fixes a spray insert 22 on the nozzle body 20 and with recesses 36 of the spray insert 22 outlet openings 31, through which a spray characteristic of the nozzle 4 is defined.

Fig. 7 shows a plan view of the nozzle 4. It is seen that on an upper side of the nozzle 4, three mounting holes 37 are provided, on which the nozzle 4 can be rotated by means of a tool, for example, to remove the nozzle 4 from the sprinkler 1.

Fig. 8 shows a section through a nozzle 4 along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7 , It is apparent that the nozzle body 20 has a central bore with a thread 28, in which on the one hand the fixing screw 21 is connected to the nozzle body 20. On the other hand, the aperture 26 is connected to the nozzle body 20 in the bore via the aperture screw 27.

The spray insert 22 is releasably fixed via the fixing screw 21 in an approximately cylindrical recess in the nozzle body 20 and is sealed relative to the nozzle body 20 by an O-ring 25. Because the sprayer 22 is rotatably connected to the nozzle body 20 coaxially with the fixing screw 21, a spray direction of the nozzle 4 can be varied by rotating the sprayer 22. At a lower end, the spray insert 22 has an approximately flat surface, which is connected by the O-ring 25 with the nozzle body 20. Furthermore, the spray insert 22 has an approximately conical surface on an upper side Conical surface 33 with recesses 36. The fixing screw 21 has a likewise approximately conical head surface 29, which corresponds to the conical surface 33, so that between the fixing screw 21 and spray insert 22 only at the recesses 36 of the spray insert 22 outlet openings 31 are formed.

During operation of the nozzle 4, water enters through the inlet openings 30, from which it flows into a central space 32 which is hydraulically connected to the outlet openings 31 via a filter 23 arranged in the spray insert 22. A favorable spray characteristic is achieved when an opening angle of the conical head surface 29 of the fixing screw 21 or the conical surface 33 is 10 ° to 60 °, in particular 20 ° to 40 °.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a spray insert 22 in different views. The conical surface 33 of the spray insert 22 corresponding to the head surface 29 of the fixing screw 21 can be seen, in which recesses 36 are arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, the spray insert 22 has a spray angle 24 of about 280 °. As a result, uneven wetting of a roadway 19 is achieved. Usually, spray inserts are used with a spray angle 24 of 90 ° to 360 °. Furthermore, it can be seen that the spray insert 22 has an opening 34 in the middle, through which the fixing screw 21 is guided in order to connect the spray insert 22 to the nozzle body 20. In a region around the opening 34, which comes to rest in the nozzle 4 in the central space 32, a preferably designed as a filter mesh filter 23 is provided, through which leaking water is filtered or penetration of impurities in the sprinkler 1 is prevented. As a result, clogging of the outlet openings 31 is prevented in a simple manner. The filter 23 is usually made of stainless steel.

Fig. 11 to 14 show an installation of a sprinkler 1 according to the invention in various process steps. In a first step, a concrete foundation 11 is arranged in a region below a roadway 19, on which the sprinkler 1 is fastened by the metal plate 10 by means of a plurality of fastening screws 16. For water supply, a pipe 17 is connected to the terminal 8, through which the sprinkler 1 is supplied with water. In this case, the nozzle 4 is removed for installation of the sprinkler 1 and a blind cover 9 is used instead of the nozzle 4, whereby penetration of impurities in the sprinkler 1 is prevented. This condition is in Fig. 11 shown.

In a further step, a concrete wedge 12 or a concrete cone is poured around a lower region of the sprinkler 1 in order to fix the sprinkler 1 and the connection 8 stably. Next, a layer of ballast 13 is applied, which usually covers the concrete wedge 12. On a formed by the ballast 13, approximately flat surface, a lower layer 14 is further applied, which is approximately flush with the sprinkler 1. In this case, the sprinkler 1 is adjusted to a minimum height 35, so that the upper part 6 rests on the intermediate part 5 and the height adjustment 3 is in a lower end position, as in Fig. 12 shown.

Subsequently, an upper layer 15 is applied, wherein a height 35 of the sprinkler 1 is adjusted by rotating the height adjustment 3 together with upper part 6 relative to the intermediate part 5 about a longitudinal axis 7 of the sprinkler 1 according to the applied upper layer 15. The upper part 6 is sealed off from the upper layer 15 by a joint tape 18, so that penetration of moisture into a space between the asphalt and the sprinkler 1 is prevented. This condition is in Fig. 13 shown. The lower layer 14 and the upper layer 15 are preferably made of asphalt or concrete.

Finally, the blind cover 9 is removed from the height adjustment 3, after which the nozzle 4 is inserted and a fine adjustment of the height 35 of the sprinkler 1 is made relative to the roadway 19 formed by the upper layer 15. This fine adjustment can be done simply by rotating the nozzle 4 including height adjustment 3 relative to the intermediate part 5 about the longitudinal axis 7 of the sprinkler 1. This state, wherein the nozzle 4 is inserted into the sprinkler 1, is in Fig. 14 shown.

With a sprinkler 1 according to the invention, it is possible in a simple manner to adapt a height 35 of the sprinkler 1 to a roadway 19 or changes to a roadway height, so that the sprinkler 1 can also be easily adapted to an additional asphalt layer or a depression of a roadway 19.

Due to the nozzle 4 positioned in the sprinkler 1, it is possible to align a spray characteristic independently of a set height 35 of the sprinkler 1, because a spray direction can be arbitrarily changed by the spray insert 22 arranged movably in the nozzle 4. Further, by a replacement of the spray 22, a complete change of spray characteristics is easily possible. At the same time, a sprinkler 1 according to the invention is suitable for a driving technique route as well as for a test track for vehicles, since, due to the stable construction, a permanent load by vehicles is also possible. By using a blind cover 9 during installation, contamination of the sprinkler 1 is prevented in a simple manner.

Claims (13)

1. Sprinkler (1) to water a road (19), in particular a driver training route or a test route, having a primarily hollow and rigid base element (38), which can be connected to a subsurface, which has a sheathing (2) and a connection (8) for a pipeline (17), as well as a nozzle (4) hydraulically connected to the connection (8) via a base element (38), wherein a height adjustment (3) connected in a detachable manner to the nozzle (4) is provided, which connects the base element (38) and the nozzle (4) along a longitudinal axis (7) of the base element (38) in a movable manner, wherein the nozzle (4) has a nozzle body (20), an inlet opening (30) and an outlet opening (31) defining a spraying direction, wherein the outlet opening (31) is formed at least in part by a recess (36) of a spraying insert (22) arranged within the nozzle (4) in a movable manner, wherein the height adjustment (3) and the base element (38) are connected by a thread (28), characterized in that a pipe-shaped upper part (6) is provided on an upper end of the height adjustment (3) on the outside with an outer diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the sheathing (2), which slightly protrudes over the nozzle (4) and that the base element (38) and height adjustment (3) are directly connected via an intermediate part (5), which is connected to the base element (38) in a form-fitting manner.
2. Sprinkler (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the height adjustment (3) is formed with an outer thread.
3. Sprinkler (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outlet opening (31) is formed at least partly by a recess (36) of a spray insert (22) arranged in the nozzle (4) that can be rotated around a longitudinal axis (7).
4. Sprinkler according to one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spray insert (22) has a plurality of recesses (36) that are preferably irregularly distributed.
5. Sprinkler according to one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outlet opening (31) is formed by the spraying insert (22) and a fixing screw (21) connecting the spray insert (22) with the nozzle body (20), which has a head surface (29), which is conical in particular and corresponds to the spray insert (22).
6. Sprinkler according to one of the Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a filter (23) is provided, which is preferably arranged within the spray insert (22), which is upstream to the outlet opening (31) in the direction of flow.
7. Sprinkler according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a screen (26), which is connected to the nozzle body (20) in movable manner, by means of which the at least one outlet opening (30) is at least partially lockable.
8. Road (19) with a watering device, characterized in that a sprinkler (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 is arranged in the road (19), which preferably abuts with the road (19) in a flush manner.
9. Use of a sprinkler (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 to water a road (19).
10. Method to install a sprinkler (1), which is designed according to one of the Claims 1 to 7, into a road (19), wherein the base element (38) is a fixed onto a foundation, whereby at least one lower layer (14) is applied, wherein a distance of the nozzle (4) from the foundation is configured by means of a height adjustment (3) connected to the nozzle (4) in a detachable manner, which is connected to the base element (38) in a movable manner.
11. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that, before applying the lower layer (14), a blind cover (9) is connected to the height adjustment (3) instead of the nozzle (4) and after applying the upper layer (15), the blind cover (9) is removed, whereby the nozzle (4) is connected to the height adjustment (3).
12. Method according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a distance of the nozzle (4) from the foundation is configured by rotating the height adjustment (3) with relation to the base element (38) around a longitudinal axis (7) of the base element (38).
13. Process according to one of the Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that a spray device is configured by means of a movable spray insert (22) arranged within the nozzle (4), preferably being able to be moved around the longitudinal axis (7) of the base element (38).

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