ES2709424T3 - Sprinkler with brake assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An irrigation sprinkler (10) comprising: a frame (14) having an upper section (16) and a lower section (18); a rotating baffle of a rotating assembly (15) coupled to the upper section; a nozzle bushing (21) defined by the lower end section of the frame; a nozzle (20) configured to be received in the nozzle sleeve; interlocking sections (142, 144) of the nozzle and the nozzle sleeve configured to releasably connect the nozzle to the nozzle sleeve; and the rotating assembly (15) releasably connected to the upper section (16) of the frame, with the deflector (22) located above the nozzle (20) and so that it can rotate in relation to the upper frame section, wherein the rotating assembly is configured to be removed from the upper portion of the frame to allow removal of the nozzle from the nozzle bushing, wherein the nozzle bushing (21) has an external wall (146) and sections (144) interlocking comprise a section of the outer wall.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Sprinkler with brake assembly

Field

The invention relates to irrigation sprinklers and, more particularly, to rotary irrigation sprinklers.

Background

There are many different types of sprinkler constructions used for irrigation purposes, including impact sprinklers or impulse sprinklers, motor-driven sprinklers, and rotary reaction sprinklers. Included in the rotating reaction sprinkler category is a type of irrigation sprinkler known as a rotator or rotary sprinkler that is commonly used in the irrigation of agricultural crops and orchards. Typically, such rotary type sprinklers comprise a stationary support structure or frame that is adapted to be coupled with a pressurized water supply, and a rotating deflector supported by the frame to rotate about a generally vertical axis. Most rotary type sprinklers either use a rotating reaction drive nozzle or a fixed nozzle that propels a water jet vertically against a rotating deflector. The deflector redirects the jet to a generally horizontal spray and the deflector rotates as a consequence of a reaction force created by the impacting jet from the fixed nozzle.

One limitation that has been found in rotary type sprinklers is that, due to a high rotational speed of the rotating devices, the distance at which the water is ejected from the sprinkler can be substantially reduced. This has created a need to control or regulate the deflection speed of the baffle and thereby also regulate the speed at which the water jets are swept over the area of the surrounding terrain. A relatively low deflector speed is desirable to maximize the throw distance and therefore a variety of brake devices have been developed to achieve this effect.

In one strategy, a viscous brake device is used to control the deflector's rotation. The viscous brake device uses the advance resistance generated by the rotation of a brake rotor within a viscous fluid. While this is appropriate for some sprinklers, the viscous brake device may not provide a constant rotational speed when the ambient temperature or supply pressure changes. Another limitation found in sprinkling irrigation sprinklers is that the sprinklers have frame supports that interfere with the water jet after it has been redirected by the deflector. There have been a number of attempts to minimize this interference, which include the use of supports with different cross sectional shapes. However, even with these strategies, the water jet still hits the supports each time the deflector completes a rotation. This produces a reduced, but still existing, shadow in the spray pattern of the sprinkler.

Another limitation of some rotary type sprinklers of the prior art is related to the maintenance of the sprinkler. Sprinkler type sprinklers typically have two typical types of failures that require the sprinkler to be disconnected from the water supply in order to be repaired. The first type of failure occurs when the nozzle is clogged with waste from the water supply. In the case of some irrigation sprinklers, the nozzle is installed from the underside of the sprinkler in such a way that the sprinkler needs to be disconnected from the water supply in order to remove and clean the nozzle. The second type of failure occurs when the irrigation sprinkler deflector stops rotating or rotates out of control. In this case, the braking system has failed and the entire irrigation sprinkler must be replaced.

Some irrigation sprinklers of the prior art use viscous braking to control the rotation speed of the sprinkler deflectors. A problem associated with this strategy is that the viscosity of the working fluid changes inversely with the temperature. As a result, the baffle rotates more quickly if the temperature increases, and more slowly if the temperature decreases. This change in rotational speed can adversely affect the area that is covered by the irrigation sprinkler, or it can cause the deflector to stop during operation under conditions of low temperature and low operating pressure.

During the examination at the European Patent Office (EPO), US 5224653 A was cited because it describes a modular sprinkler assembly.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention, there is provided an irrigation sprinkler comprising a frame having an upper section and a lower section; a rotating deflector of a rotating assembly, coupled to the upper section; a nozzle cap defined by the bottom end section of the frame; a nozzle configured to be received in the nozzle cap; interlocking sections of the nozzle and nozzle bushing configured to releasably connect the nozzle to the nozzle bushing; and the rotating assembly releasably connected to the upper section of the frame with a baffle located above the nozzle and that can be rotated relative to the upper section of the frame, so that the rotating assembly is configured to separate from the upper section of the frame to allow the withdrawal of the mouthpiece from the mouthpiece cap, wherein the mouthpiece sleeve has an external wall and the locking sections comprise a portion of the outer wall.

Brief description of the drawings

To allow a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it can be carried out, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

a FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary irrigation sprinkler;

a FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. one;

a FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. one;

a FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. one;

a FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. one;

a FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3,

a FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 6 showing a sprinkler brake brake device;

a FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cover of the brake device of FIG. 7;

a FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8A-8A of FIG. 4;

a FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a brake element of the brake device of FIG. 7;

a FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the brake element of FIG. 9;

a FIG. 10A is a side elevational view of an alternative form of a brake element for the brake device;

a FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the brake element of FIG. 9;

a FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of a brake disc of the brake device of FIG. 7;

a FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the brake disk of FIG. 12;

a FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of a brake base element of the brake device of FIG.7; a FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the brake base element of FIG. 14;

a FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a deflector of the rotating irrigation sprinkler of FIG. one;

a FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of the baffle of FIG. 16;

a FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the baffle of FIG. 16;

a FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of a sprinkler frame of the rotating sprinkler of FIG. 1; a FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of a nozzle of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. one;

a FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 2 showing the shape of the cross section of the rotating irrigation sprinkler supports of FIG. one;

a FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another rotary irrigation sprinkler;

a FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22;

a FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another rotary irrigation sprinkler;

a FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 24;

a FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 24;

a FIG. 27 is an exploded view of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a rotating irrigation sprinkler frame of FIG. 24;

FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28A-28A of FIG. 24;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 29-29 of FIG. 28 showing the shape of the cross section of arms of the frame;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another rotary irrigation sprinkler;

FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a front elevational view of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 30;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG.32;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG.32;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG.33;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of another deflector,

FIG. 38 is a schematic view of the fluid that is being driven from the baffle of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a schematic view of an irrigation jet pattern of a sprinkler having the baffle of FIG. 37;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of another rotary irrigation sprinkler;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 40 wherein a cover of a brake assembly of the irrigation sprinkler has been removed;

FIG. 42 is a top plan view of the irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 41 showing a coil of the brake assembly;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 41 showing the coil in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 44 is a top plan view of the irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the coil of the brake assembly;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the coil;

FIG. 47 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 47-47 of FIG. 40;

FIG. 48 is a schematic view of another coil showing the coil in a relaxed configuration;

FIG. 49 is a schematic view of the coil of FIG. 48 showing the coil in a tensioned configuration;

FIG. 50 is a schematic view of a beam extending outwardly from a brake shaft;

FIG. 51 is a schematic view similar to that of FIG. 50 showing the joist in a bent configuration; and FIG. 52 is a perspective view of another coil having a lip projecting outwards.

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of another brake assembly for a rotary irrigation sprinkler;

FIG. 54 is a schematic view of fins of the brake assembly in a first configuration about a rotor of the brake assembly;

FIG. 55 is a schematic view similar to that of FIG. 54 showing the fins displaced to a second configuration around the rotor;

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of another deflector for a rotating irrigation sprinkler;

FIG. 57 is a terminal elevational view of the baffle of FIG. 56;

FIG. 58 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 58-58 of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is an elevation view of another rotary irrigation sprinkler;

FIG. 60 is a perspective view of a deflector of the rotating irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 59;

FIG. 61 is a terminal elevational view of the baffle of FIG. 60;

FIG. 62 is a bottom plan view of the deflector of FIG. 60;

FIG. 63 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 63-63 of FIG. 61;

FIG. 64 is a cross-sectional view of a rotary sprinkler sprinkler brake assembly of FIG. 59; FIG. 65 is a bottom perspective view of a brake housing of the brake assembly of FIG. 64;

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of a rotating irrigation sprinkler frame of FIG. 59;

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a nozzle of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 59;

FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 68-68 of FIG. 67;

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of another rotary irrigation sprinkler;

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of a frame of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 69;

FIG. 71 is a bottom perspective view of a nozzle of the rotary irrigation sprinkler of FIG. 69;

FIG. 72 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 72-72 of FIG. 70 showing a frame cap;

FIG. 73 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 72 showing the nozzle of FIG. 71 received by a frame bushing;

FIG. 74 is a schematic view of a nozzle having a flow controller; Y

FIG. 75 is a schematic view of another nozzle that has a flow controller.

Detailed description

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, there is provided an improved rotating sprinkler 10 having a connector 12 for connecting the sprinkler to a hydrant or to another fluid supply conduit by, for example, threaded connection threads 13. The irrigation sprinkler 10 has a frame 14 with an upper section 16 and a lower section 18 connected to the connector 12. A rotating assembly 15 is connected to the upper framework section 16 and a nozzle 20 is connected so that it can be removed to a bushing 21 defined by the lower frame section 18. In one strategy, the nozzle 20 is attached to the frame 14 by a pair of releasable connections 23 and can be replaced by another nozzle 20 having desired flow characteristics for a particular application. The fluid flows through the connector 12, into the nozzle 20, and is discharged from the nozzle 20 as a jet. The rotating assembly 15 includes a baffle 22 located above the nozzle 20 receiving the fluid jet coming from the nozzle 20. The rotary assembly 15 further includes a brake device 24 that is removably coupled to the section. 16 upper frame and which is configured to limit the speed of rotation of the deflector 22. The brake device 24 is attached to the frame 14 by a pair of releasable connections 25. It should be appreciated that, although the irrigation sprinkler 10 is illustrated as being in a vertical position, the irrigation sprinkler may also be mounted, for example, in an inverted position.

The frame 14 comprises a pair of horizontal lower support elements 26 extending in a radial direction from opposite sides of the nozzle sleeve 21. A pair of upper support elements 28 are fixed in a similar manner to the upper section 16 as those fixed to the lower section 18. The support elements 26 terminate outward in arms or supports 29 of the frame 14. The upper section 16 possesses a stock 27 with an opening 30 defined by a wall 32 of the stock 27, as shown in FIG.

5. The brake device 24 is located within the opening 30 and is held by the support elements 28. Preferably, the upper and lower sections 16, the elements 26 and 28, and the supports 29 forming the frame 14 are manufactured as a single unit, such as, for example, by molding the frame 14 from a appropriate plastic material. Although the frame 14 is illustrated with two supports 29, the frame 14 may alternatively possess one, three, four, or a greater number of supports 29 as desired.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the connector 12 defines an inlet mouth 34 through which fluid flows into the irrigation sprinkler 10. The inlet mouth 34 leads to an opening 36 in the nozzle 20 defined by an interior wall 38 of the nozzle. The interior wall 38 of the nozzle has a conical configuration whose thickness it decreases until it meets a lip 37 upstream of the nozzle 20. The connector 12 includes a cup section 41 with a conical surface 43 that is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 52 of the irrigation sprinkler 10. During assembly, the lip 37 is advanced upstream of the nozzle 20 in the direction 45 into the nozzle sleeve 21 until the lip 37 upstream engages the conical surface 43 (see FIGS 5 and 6). This coupling causes the connecting conical surface 43 to slightly compress the lip 37 upstream, which provides a positive leak-proof seal between the nozzle 20 and the connector 12.

The nozzle 20 has a nozzle body 40 which houses a nozzle section 42, which defines a fluid conduit 44 through the nozzle section 42, and which terminates in a nozzle outlet 46. The nozzle section 42 increases the fluid velocity while circulating through the conduit 44. The fluid leaves the nozzle 20 through the outlet 46 as a jet and flows into an inlet mouth 47 of the deflector 22 and through the channel 48 of the baffle 22, before exiting the baffle 22 through an outlet mouth 50 of the baffle. The outlet fluid causes the baffle 22 to rotate about a longitudinal axis 52 of the irrigation sprinkler 10 and disperse the fluid outwardly from the sprinkler 10, as will be discussed in more detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 15, the brake device 24 connects the baffle 22 with the frame 14 and allows the rotation and vertical movement of the baffle 22 within an opening 14a of the frame 14. The brake device 24 uses friction between surfaces to restrain and controlling the rotational speed of the deflector 22. More specifically explained, the brake device 24 is formed as a self-contained module that is releasably and removably attached to the frame 14 in such a way that the brake device 24 can be easily replaced. Maintenance of the brake device 24 can be performed from above and the brake device can be removed from the top of the irrigation sprinkler 10 while the frame 14 and the lower end connector 12 remain connected to the fluid supply. This simplifies the maintenance of the irrigation sprinkler 10 and allows the brake device 24 to be easily removed from the frame 14, as for example when the brake device 24 engages and prevents the deflector 22 from rotating or if the brake device fails and allows the deflector 22 to spin out of control. Another advantage provided by the brake device 24 is that the deflector 22 can be easily replaced or repaired by removing the brake device 24 from the frame 14. Moreover, the removable brake device 24 provides access to the nozzle 20 for removal and maintenance, such as for cleaning the nozzle 20.

The brake device 24 includes a housing cover 54, a brake element 56, a brake disc 58, a brake shaft 60, and a base element 62, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. The cover 54 has a body 63 with a sleeve 64 that extends in a downward longitudinal direction and defines a compartment 66 for receiving components of the brake device 24, which are shown in FIGS. 7 to 8a. Inside the compartment 66, the lid 54 has a lower lid surface 67, a groove 68, and a blind hole 70. The brake device 24 and the upper frame section 16 have interlocking sections which allow the brake device 24 to be releasably attached to the upper section 16. In one of its forms, the interlocking sections form a bayonet-type connection between the brake device 24 and the upper section 16 of the frame. The interlocking sections include a pair of tabs 72 that hang from opposite sides of the body 63, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. The tabs 72 have a projection 74 and a blocker 76 that engage with the corresponding parts of the frame 14. Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, a pair of coupling elements 122 are located on opposite sides of the upper section 16 of the frame 14. Each coupling element 122 has a recess 124 and an opening 126 adapted to be frictionally engaged with the blocker 76 and the projection 74, respectively, of the brake device 24 and restrict the rotation and longitudinal movement of the brake device 24 relative to the upper section 16 of the frame.

To connect the brake device 24 to the frame 14, a distal end 77 of the cover 54 is advanced (see FIG.

5) inwardly of the opening 30 of the frame, so that the cover 54 is rotationally positioned about the axis 52 so that the hanging tabs 25 do not pass over the coupling elements 122, but on the contrary are placed laterally to the coupling elements 122. When the projections 74 of the brake device 24 are aligned in axial direction with the openings 126 of the coupling elements 122, the cover 54 and the tabs 72 thereof rotate in the direction 130 to an interlocking position, which causes the projection 74 slides inside the opening 126 (see FIGS 1 and 19). The blockers 76 interact on the coupling elements 122, which causes the tabs 72 to tilt outwards, and engage with the recesses 124. The tilting action produces a reaction force which keeps the blockers 76 in the recesses 124 and prevents unintentional uncoupling. The opening 126 has walls 126A, 126B which engage the projection 74 and restrict the longitudinal movement of the brake device 24 along the axis 52. Additionally, the blockers 76 of the brake device have convex external surfaces 76A that engage with surfaces 124A complementary concave recesses of the frame 124 (see FIG .8a and 19 ^s). The coupling between the blockers 76 and the recesses 124 restricts the rotational movement of the tongues 72 that separate them from the locked position. The cover 54, restricted in its rotational or longitudinal displacements, is therefore releasably fastened to the frame 14. In order to uncouple the brake device 24 from the frame 14, the cover 54 must be rotated in the direction 132, which separates the blockers 76 of the recesses 124 and uncouples the tabs 72 of the brake device from the coupling elements 122 of the frame (see FIG 1).

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 19, the nozzle 20 is releasably coupled to the lower section 18 of the frame 14 with interlocking sections of the nozzle 20 and the nozzle cap 21 of the frame. In one of its forms, the interlocking sections of the nozzle 20 and the nozzle sleeve 21 are similar to the releasable connection of the brake device 24 with the upper section 14 of the frame. Moreover, the nozzle 20 is connected to the nozzle sleeve 21 in a manner similar to the process of installing the brake device 24 in the upper section 16 of the frame. The nozzle 20 has a collar 140 with recesses 142 that are suspended and are configured to engage coupling elements 144 located on an external wall 146 of the nozzle sleeve 21 (see FIGS 2 and 19).

As shown in FIG. 2, the baffle 22 is located above and very close to the nozzle 20. The brake device 24 can be uncoupled from the frame 14 (and the baffle 22 can move upwards) to provide a clearance for the removal of the nozzle 20. It will be appreciated that maintenance of both the brake device 24 and the nozzle 20 can be performed from above and said elements can be removed without the need to remove the irrigation sprinkler 10 from the fluid supply.

The sprinkler 10 may be configured to receive different nozzles 20 having a variety of flow rates, etc., for a desired sprinkler application. Collar 140 and hanging lips 142 are similar in all different nozzles 20 in order to allow different nozzles 20 to be releasably engageable with mouthpiece coupling element 144.

The brake assembly 24 includes a brake member 56 and a fastening device, such as a brake disc 58 and a brake surface 67, which secure the brake member 56 and slow down the rotation of the baffle 22 as shown in FIG. FIG. 7. The brake disk 58 is located below the brake element 56 and is coupled to a shaft 60 which carries the deflector 22 in such a way that the brake disk 58 rotates with the rotation of the deflector 22. The brake surface 67 is located on a lower side of the lid 24 (on an opposite side of the brake element 56 relative to the brake disk 58) and is stationary relative to the rotary brake element 56. As will be discussed in more detail below, the fluid impacting the baffle 22 rotates the baffle 22 and the brake disk 58, moves the brake disk 58 upward, and compresses the brake element 56 between the disk 58 brake and brake surface 67. This produces a resistance to friction for the deflection of the baffle 22.

The brake element 56 can be conical in shape and be defined by a lower friction surface 78 and an upper friction surface 80 (see FIGS 7, 10, 11). The surfaces 78 and 80 each have grooves 82 extending radially outwardly from a central opening 84 (which receives the shaft 60 therethrough), so that each groove 82 has an internal recess 86 and an external notch 88, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The grooves 82 can operate to radially direct out the dirt and debris that get stuck between the brake element 56, the brake disc 58 and the brake surface 67, away from the shaft 60. This operation prevents dirt and debris cling together and prevent rotation of the brake disk 58 (and baffle 22 connected thereto). In one strategy, a lubricant, such as grease, can be used within the brake assembly 24 to increase the ease with which the deflector 22 can rotate 22. In this strategy, the grooves 82 serve to trap excess grease that could affect the friction quality of the contact surfaces.

With reference to FIG. 10A, another brake element 56A is shown. The brake element 56A is substantially similar to the brake element 56 and includes upper and lower friction surfaces 80A, 78A having grooves 82A. The brake element 56A, however, is flat instead of conical in shape as the brake element 56.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 7, 12, and 13, the brake disc 58 has an upper disc section 90 with a friction surface 91 for engaging the brake member 56 and a bushing 92 extending downwardly from the section. 90 of disk. The bushing 92 has an opening 94 with a hexagonal shape and a through opening 96 for receiving the shaft 60 therethrough. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the shaft 60 has an upper section 98, a lower section 100, a hexagonal collar 102, and grooves 104 of the lower section 100. The upper section 60 resides inside the openings 84 and 96 of the brake element 56 and the brake disc 58, respectively. The bushing 92 has a matching hexagonal configuration for engaging the hexagonal shaft collar 102 and restricting rotational movement therebetween. An upper surface 102A of the collar 102 faces a lower part 92A of the bushing 92, such that a longitudinal upward movement of the shaft 60 results in the engagement of the upper surface 102A of the tree collar 102 with the lower part 92A of the bushing. and moves the brake disk 58 upwards.

The shaft 60 has a lower end section 100 provided with a suitable size to fit inside a recess 105 of the baffle 22. The lower end section 100 of the shaft has grooves 104 that engage with grooves cooperating in the notch 105 The mutual coupling of the grooves keeps the baffle 22 mounted in the lower end section 100 of the shaft and restricts the relative rotational movement of the baffle 22 around the lower end section 100 of the shaft. In another strategy, the recess 105 has a smooth hole and the lower end section 100 of the shaft fits inside by means of pressure adjustment.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 14, and 15, the brake base 62 has flexible tabs 112 which are releasably connected to the brake base 62 within the brake cover 54. The flexible tabs 112 protrude vertically from a disk 110 and include protrusions 114 that abut against an inner surface 54A of the brake cover 54 (see FIG 8) and bend the tabs 112 in the radially inward direction when the base 62 is inserted inside the cover 54 and the tabs 112 are forced to advance towards the inside of the brake cap recess 66. The protuberances 114 fit inside the groove 68 of the brake cover 54 to hold the brake base 62 inside the brake cover 54.

In another strategy, the brake base 62 may be ultrasonically welded or adhered to the brake cover 54 instead of being fixed using the flexible tabs 112. In yet another strategy, the brake base 62 can be permanently connected to the brake cover 54 using structures that make it practically impossible to disassemble without damaging the sprinkler 10. For example, the flexible tabs 112 could have protrusions 114 with sharp edges that would allow the tabs 112 to fit inside the brake cover 54 in an insertion direction but requiring the deformation of the protuberances 114 in the opposite direction.

With the brake base 62 mounted on the inside of the brake cover 54, the brake base 62 is attached to the frame 14 during the operation of the irrigation sprinkler 10. The brake base 62 has a sleeve 108 with a through opening 106 provided with an appropriate size for receiving the shaft 60, as shown in FIGS. 7, 14, 15. The sleeve 108 allows both a rotary movement and a longitudinal movement of the sleeve 108 inside the opening 108. Moreover, the sleeve has an upper end 108A which is in contact with the lower part of the collar 102. of tree and restricts the downward longitudinal movement of the tree 60 beyond a predetermined position, as shown in FIG. 7. The upper end 108A of the sleeve functions as a lower stop for the shaft 60.

Referring to FIGS. 16 to 18, the channel 48 of the baffle 22 can have an open configuration with an opening 48A extending along one side of the channel 48. The channel 48 has walls 118 on opposite sides of the channel 48, so that one of the walls 118A have a surface 116 axially inclined to direct the flow of fluid through the baffle 22 and the other wall 118B has a ramp 120 which directs the flow tangentially from the outlet mouth 50 of the baffle 22. As a result of the circulation of water through the channel 48 and against the ramp 120, a reaction force tangent to the rotation axis 52 of the baffle 22 is created, which causes the baffle 22 and the fixed shaft 60 to rotate relative to the frame 14 in the direction 150 ( see FIGS 1 and 21).

The channel 48 also has a curved surface 122 that converts an axial flow of fluid from the nozzle 20 into a flow that flows radially outwardly from the baffle 22. The inclined surface 116 directs fluid flow to the wall 118B while the fluid circulates along the curved surface 122. The inclined surface 116 and the curved surface 122 function to direct fluid to the ramp 120 and to cause the fluid to exit the outlet mouth 50 of the baffle with a predetermined angle sufficient to cause the deflector 22 to rotate. The shape of the surfaces of channel 48, including surfaces 116, 120, and 122, may be modified as desired to provide a desired uniform fluid jet when leaving the baffle 22. It will be appreciated that channel 48 may have one, two, three, or more surfaces flat, as well as other own elements such as a groove or more than one, in order to achieve a uniformity in the distribution of desired fluid from the baffle 22.

Referring to FIGS. 37 to 39, there is shown a baffle 500 having an internal channel 502, steps 504, and grooves 506 extending along an inner surface of the channel 502. The grooves 506 near the upper end (as shown in FIG. FIG 37) directs the upper portion of the fluid flow to provide a far field irrigation 508 while the steps 504 near the lower end direct the lower portion of the fluid flow to provide a near-field irrigation 510. The deflector 500 can be used with the irrigation sprinkler 10, and is shown in generic operation in FIG. 39. By directing the upper portion of the flow to a more distant region, the baffle 500 prevents the upper portion of the flow from pushing the lower portion of the flow downward. This achieves increasing the throwing distance and spray uniformity of the sprinkler 520.

When the fluid travels towards the baffle 22 from the nozzle 20, the fluid impacts the curved surface 122 and displaces the baffle 22 and the shaft 60 connected thereto upwards through a short path. The upward movement of the shaft 60 displaces the upper friction surface 91 (see FIG.5) of the brake disc 58 until it engages with the lower friction surface 78 of the brake member 56. The brake element 56 is also displaced in the axial direction upwards through a short path sufficient to move the upper friction surface 80 of the brake element 56 (see FIG.7) until it engages with the brake surface 67 of the brake element. the cover 54. With this arrangement, the brake element 56 is sandwiched axially between the rotatably driven brake disc 58 and the non-rotating brake surface 67. The brake element 56 frictionally resists and slows the rotational speed of the brake disc 58 and deflector 22 connected thereto.

The greater the flow of circulating fluid through the nozzle 20, the greater the impact force of the fluid against the curved surface 122 of the deflector 22. This results in a greater upward thrust force exerted on the deflector 22 and the shaft 60 and the brake disk 58 connected thereto. When the fluid flow increases, this pushing force upwards causes the brake element 56 to gradually flatten and carry a Larger portion 160 of friction surface 80 of brake element to a coupling with brake surface 67, as shown in FIG. 7. Furthermore, the flattening of the brake element 56 also causes a larger portion 162 of the lower friction surface 78 of the brake element to engage with the brake disk 58. Therefore, instead of the baffle 22 rotating at a higher speed as the fluid flow from the nozzle 20 increases, the brake device 24 applies an increasing braking force to withstand the increased reaction force on the ramp. 120 of the deflector caused by increased fluid flow.

The flat brake element 56A provides a similar increase in braking force with an increased impact force of the fluid against the curved surface 122 of the deflector 22. More specifically explained, the frictional engagement between the upper friction surface 80A of brake, brake surface 67, and brake element 58 increases with increasing flow of fluid impacting against curved surface 122 (see FlG.

7). This increase occurs because the frictional force is a function of the force applied in a direction normal to the friction surface 67, where the normal force in this case results from the impact of fluid against the curved surface 122 of the baffle 22. .

With reference to FIG. 21, the irrigation sprinkler 10 has additional elements that improve the efficiency of the irrigation sprinkler 10. In one of its forms, the irrigation sprinkler 10 has supports 29 with a wing-shaped cross section that minimizes the shadow created by the supports 29 in the irrigation jet pattern of the irrigation sprinkler 10. More specifically explained, the supports 29 have a leading edge section 170, an enlarged intermediate section 172, and a trailing edge section 174. The leading and trailing edge sections 172, 174 gradually divert the flow 169 of fluid from the baffle 22 around the supports 29 and cause the fluid flow 169 to be brought back together near the output end 174. The fluid flow 169 then continues radially outwardly from the supports 29 substantially uninterrupted by the presence of the supports 29, which reduces the shadow of the supports 29 in comparison with the conventional irrigation sprinklers.

The supports 29 have medium cross sections 180 which are oriented at an angle 182 in relation to a radius 184 of the irrigation sprinkler 10. As shown in FIG. 21, the fluid 169 flows outwardly from the baffle 22 tangentially to the outlet mouth 50 of the baffle because the fluid 169 impinges on the ramp 120. The middle lugs 180 of the holders are oriented in a direction substantially parallel to this tangential direction. of the fluid circulation, which causes the fluid 169 that flows outwardly from the outlet mouth 50 of the baffle to come into contact with the leading edge section 170. This maximizes the ability of the cross section of the supports to redirect the flow 169 around the support 29 so that the flow 169 can be reattached once it reaches the exit edge section 174.

The irrigation sprinkler components 10 are generally selected to provide sufficient strength and durability for a particular application of the irrigation sprinkler. For example, the brake shaft 60 can be made of stainless steel, the brake element 56 can be made of an elastomeric material, and the remaining components of the irrigation sprinkler 10 can be made of plastic.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, there is shown an irrigation sprinkler 200 which is similar to irrigation sprinkler 10. The irrigation sprinkler 200, however, has a nozzle 210 that is manufactured in one piece with a frame 212 of the sprinkler 200 for irrigation, instead of the nozzle 20 being able to be removed as it occasia in the irrigation sprinkler 10. The irrigation sprinkler 200 may have a lower manufacturing cost and may be desirable in front of the irrigation sprinkler 10 in certain applications, such as when a removable nozzle 20 is not needed.

With reference to FIGS. 24 to 29, another irrigation sprinkler 300 is shown. The irrigation sprinkler 300 is similar in many aspects to the irrigation sprinkler 10 and, therefore, the differences between the two will be highlighted. One difference is that the irrigation sprinkler 300 includes a body 302 having a base section 304 rotatably mounted in a nozzle 306, a support section 308 to which a rotating assembly 310 is connected, and arms 312 connecting the section 304 of base to support section 308. The body 302 and the rotating assembly 310 can therefore rotate relative to the nozzle 304 during use, while the frame 14 and the rotary assembly 15 of the irrigation sprinkler 10 are generally stationary during use. Since the body 300 can rotate around the nozzle 306, fluid flow from a baffle 320 of the rotating assembly 310 impacts against the arms 312 and causes the body 302 to incrementally rotate a short distance around the nozzle 306. This incremental rotation of the body 302 displaces the arms 312 to a different position each time the deflector 320 is displaced by the arms 312 which continuously move the irrigation shadow produced by the arms 312. In this way, the irrigation sprinkler 300 has a Irrigation jet pattern uninterrupted over time. More specifically explained, the body base section 304 includes a collar 330 with an opening 332 provided with an appropriate size to fit over a neck 334 of a retainer element such as a nut 336. During assembly, the collar 330 slides in the neck 334 and the neck 334 is threaded into an external wall 340 projecting vertically from the nozzle 306. The nut 336 has a crown 342 and a sleeve 344 that captures the collar 330 in the nozzle 306 between the crown 342 and a support 350 of the nozzle 306. Additionally, the nut 336 has wings 354 that can be gripped and used to tighten the nut 336 over the nozzle 306.

The collar 330 has internal teeth 351 with grooves 353 between them and the neck 334 of the nut 336 possesses a Smooth external surface 355. When the body 302 rotates in relation to the nut 336 and the nozzle 306, the teeth 351 slide around the outer surface 355. The grooves 353 direct dirt and debris that may be trapped between the body 302 and the nut 336 downward and outwardly from the connection between the body 302 and the nut 336. This prevents dirt and debris from clumping in the connection and maintains the body 302 with the ability to turn in relation to the nut 336.

Referring to FIGS. 28 and 28A, the rotary assembly 310 includes a brake device 360 releasably connected to the body support section 308 in a manner similar to the brake device 24 and the upper section 16 of the frame. However, the brake device 360 includes a lid 362 with dangling tabs 364, so that it has coupling elements different from the tabs 72. The tabs 364 have rounded elements 370 which engage coupling elements 371 of the section 308 of body support and restrict the longitudinal and rotary movement of the cover 362 of the brake device. More specifically explained, the rounded tongue element 370 has an inclined external surface 372 that rotates to engage the inclined surface 374 of the coupling element 371, in a manner similar to the rotation of the brake cover 54 for locking the lid 54. to the upper section 16 of the frame. The rounded tongue element 370 also has a convex surface 376 which engages a concave surface 378 of the coupling element 371. The engagement of the surfaces 372, 374 and 376, 378 restricts the rotational and longitudinal movement of the cap 362 away from its locking position. However, it will be appreciated that the irrigation sprinkler 300 could alternatively use the interlocking mechanisms of the irrigation sprinkler 10.

Another difference between the irrigation sprinklers 10, 300 is that the irrigation sprinkler 300 has arms 312 with cross sections shaped to produce a rotational movement of the arms 312 in response to the impact of the fluid on the arms 312. Referring to FIG. FIG. 29, the flow 380 of water from the baffle 320 flows into an inner section of the arm 312, impacts a curved intermediate surface 384, and is redirected outwardly from an external section 386 of the arm 312. The impact of the water flow 380 against the curved surface 384 exerts a force displaced relative to the radial direction that generates a torque on the arm 312 and the body 302. This torque advances the body 312 in the direction 390, which is generally opposite the direction of rotation of the deflector 320

It will be appreciated that the fluid jet 380 impacts against the arm 312 only momentarily before the rotation of the deflector 320 displaces the fluid jet 380 by misaligning it from the arm 312. Eventually, the fluid jet 380 impacts against the other arm and a similar pair is applied to further rotate the body 302 and the arms 312 incrementally. Therefore, the deflector 320 travels at a generally constant speed (due at least in part to the brake assembly 360) in the direction 392 while the body 302 and the arms 312 rotate intermittently and incrementally in the direction 390 when the fluid jet 380 contacts any of the arms 312.

With reference to FIGS. 30 to 36, an irrigation sprinkler 1000 is shown which is similar in a number of aspects to the sprinkler 300 of the FIGS. 24-29. The irrigation sprinkler 1000 has a nozzle 1002 with a threaded lower section 1004 for carrying out assembly to the water supply pipe and a threaded upper section 1006 for coupling with a retention element such as a nipple 1008. The nozzle 1002 has two protuberances 1010, 1012 that can be used to hand tighten or loosen the sprinkler 1000.

The irrigation sprinkler 1000 is different from the irrigation sprinkler 300 in that the irrigation sprinkler 1000 has a rotator 1020 with a stationary 1022 baffle mounted thereon. The irrigation sprinkler includes a rapid adjustment element 1023 that releasably connects the baffle 1022 to the rotator 1020. The baffle 1022 deflects a water jet from the nozzle 1002 and redirects it into two angles. An angle rotates the jet, which goes from being vertical to being horizontal, and spreads the jet to get an even watering. As will be discussed below, the redirecting of the jet generates a vertical force on the baffle 1022 which causes the rotator 1020 to compress a brake 1032 and slow down the rotation of the rotator 1020. The baffle 1022 confers a second angle that channels the water jet laterally, creating a moment around a rotation axis 1033 causing the rotator 1020 to rotate clockwise (seen from the top of the irrigation sprinkler 1000). The shapes and configurations of nozzle 1002 and baffle 1022 can vary to produce different throw distances and volumes.

The nipple 1008 has clamps 1030 which are configured to allow the brake 1032 and the rotator 1020 to be pressed on the nipple 1008. However, once the brake 1032 and the rotator 1020 are mounted on the nipple 1008, the clamps 1030 prevent that the brake 1032 and the rotator 1020 slip away from the nipple 1008 even if the nozzle 1002 has been removed from the nipple 1008.

The brake 1032 is a double contact toric gasket of compactable rubber which, when compressed, results in an increase in frictional force which prevents the rotator 1020 from rotating at a higher speed. When water from the nozzle 1002 impacts against the baffle 1022, the impact force of the water displaces the rotator 1020 away from the nozzle 1002 and causes the rotator 1020 to compress the brake 1032 between the brake surfaces 1040, 1042 of the rotator 1020 and the nipple 1008.

The rotator 1020 has a collet 1050 with internal teeth 1052 that slide along a smooth external surface 1054 of the nipple 1008. The teeth 1052 direct dirt and other debris along slots 1056 between the teeth 1052 and outwardly of the connection between the rotator 1020 and the nipple 1008. This reduces the likelihood that the irrigation sprinkler 1000 will stop due to the accumulation of debris at the connection between the rotator 1020 and the nipple 1008.

Referring to FIGS. 40 to 47, there is shown an irrigation sprinkler 1200 having a brake assembly 1202 that reacts to changes in environmental conditions. The irrigation sprinkler 1200 is substantially similar to the irrigation sprinkler 10 discussed above and, therefore, the differences between the two will be highlighted. The brake assembly 1202 has a cap 1204 which forms a chamber 1210 sealed in conjunction with a brake base member 1212, as shown in FIG. 47. The chamber 1210 houses a fluid 1214 and a brake shaft 1216 connected to a baffle 1218 of the irrigation sprinkler 1200. The camera 1210 may include a seal between the brake shaft 1216 and a tree support surface 1213 of the brake base member 1212 to seal the fluid 1214 within the interior of the chamber 1210, as shown in FIG. 47

With reference to FIG. 41, the cap 1204 is removed to show a brake rotor 1230 of the brake assembly 1202. The brake rotor 1230 includes a reactive brake device 1232 which is configured to change the braking force applied to the deflector brake shaft 1216 in response to changes in the environment in which the sprinkler 1200 is located. For example, the reactive brake device 1232 may include a coil 1240 made of a bi-material having two sheets of material laminated together. With reference to FIG. 46, a cross section of coil 1240 is shown. Coil 1240 includes an active component 1250 that has a larger thermal expansion coefficient and a passive component 1252 that has a lower thermal expansion coefficient. When the ambient temperature increases, the active component 1250 expands more than the passive component 1252, such that the coil 1240 expands.

Referring to FIGS. 41 and 42, the coil 1240 has a fixed end 1260 engaged in a groove in the brake shaft 1216, as, for example, by welding, and a free end 1262 disposed in a radially outward direction relative to the fixed end 1260. Referring to FIGS. 41 and 42, the coil 1240 is shown in a fully contracted position at a low ambient temperature, when the sections of the coil 1240 are in a tightly wound configuration one around the other. Referring to FIGS. 43 and 44, coil 1240 is shown in a fully expanded configuration at an elevated temperature. When the coil 1240 is in the expanded configuration, the windings of the coil 1240 are spaced apart by larger gaps 1270 than when the coil 1240 is subjected to a low temperature.

The change in the coil 1240 from the fully contracted position to the fully expanded position increases the resistant torque generated by the coil 1240 when the coil 1240 rotates within the fluid 1214. More specifically explained, the strong torque generated by the expanded 1240 coil is greater than the torque generated by the contracted coil. This increase in torsion tends to compensate for the decrease in viscosity of fluid 1214 caused by the increase in ambient temperature. Therefore, coil 1240 can provide a more consistent torque and a rotational speed resulting from baffle 1218 more consistent despite changes in the temperature of the surrounding environment.

Another impact of the change in the shape of the coil 1240 from the contracted or expanded configuration is that the fully expanded coil has a greater moment of inertia than the contracted coil 1240. Explained differently, it is more difficult to rotate coil 1240 when it is fully expanded than when it is fully contracted. This increase in moment of inertia also helps to compensate for the decrease in viscosity of fluid 1214 due to high ambient temperatures.

Referring to FIGS. 46 and 47, fluid 1214 can be a silicone-based grease of a desired viscosity. For the active component 1250, metals or metal alloys with a high coefficient of thermal expansion can be used, which includes non-ferrous metals such as copper, brass, aluminum or nickel. For the passive component 1252, ferrous alloys such as stainless steel can be used.

With reference to FIG. 48, another reactive brake device 1290 is shown including a coil 1292 having a fixed end 1294 connected to the brake shaft 1216. Coil 1292 is similar to coil 1240, except that coil 1292 has a relaxed configuration (see FIG 48) and a tensioned configuration (see FIG 49), in which coil 1292 has a wavy shape. The corrugated profile of the coil 1292 when the coil 1292 is in the tensioned configuration increases the advancing resistance of the coil 1292 through the fluid 1214 in the brake chamber 1210.

Referring to FIGS. 50 and 51, another reagent brake device 1300 is shown. The reactive brake device 1300 includes a beam 1302 extending radially outwardly from the brake shaft 1216 when the reactive brake device 1300 is subjected to a low ambient temperature. An increase in temperature, however, causes the beam 1302 to bend, as shown in FIG. 51. The bent beam 1302 produces a greater resistance to advancement when the beam 1302 moves in the direction 1304 within the fluid 1214 in the chamber 1210. Therefore, the reactive brake device 1300 provides another strategy for compensating the decrease in the viscosity of the fluid 1214 when the ambient temperature changes. If only a joist 1302 is shown, the reactive brake device 1300 could include one, two, three or more joists 1302 depending on the amount of strength needed for a particular application.

With reference to FIG. 52, another coil 1400 is shown. Coil 1400 is similar to coil 1240 except that coil 1400 has a protruding lip 1402 that can make the strong torque generated by expanded coil 1400 larger.

Referring to FIGS. 53 to 55, another brake assembly 1500 is shown. The brake assembly 1500 can be releasably connected to an irrigation sprinkler frame, such as a frame 1203 (see FIG 40) in place of the brake assembly 1202. The brake assembly 1500 includes a housing 1502 having a chamber 1504 at least partially filled with a viscous fluid 1507 (see FIG 54) and a rotor 1506 located in the chamber 1504. In one of its forms, the rotor 1506 has a shape of drum, the chamber 1504 is filled with the viscous fluid, and the drum-shaped rotor 1506 is completely submerged in the viscous fluid within the chamber 1504. The viscous fluid 1507 may be grease or other fluid possessing a viscosity comprised in the range between about 450,000 cP and about 970,000 cP. For example, viscous fluid 1507 may be buffing grease having a viscosity in the range of about 450,000 cP to about 550,000 cP. Compasses such as Nusil and Shin-Etsu sell grease that can be used as viscous 1507 fluid.

With reference to FIG. 53, housing 1502 has a lid 1503 similar to lid 1204 (see FIG 40), which encloses chamber 1504 and includes lugs 1505 that hang for connection to an irrigation sprinkler frame. However, an upper section of the lid 1503 is not shown in FIG. 53 in order to allow the internal components of the brake assembly 1500 to be seen. The lid 1204 in FIG. 40 illustrates the top section of the lid 1503. More specifically explained, the rotor 1506 is connected to a shaft 1510 at one end of the shaft 1510, and a deflector 1512 is connected to an opposite end of the shaft 1510. In response to the reception of fluid by baffle 1512, baffle 1512 and shaft 1510 rotate, which rotates rotor 1506 in chamber 1504. Viscous fluid 1507 in chamber 1504 produces resistance to advancement of rotor 1506, slowing the rotation of the rotor 1506 to give a rotation speed of the rotor 1506 which is generically within a predetermined range when the fluid impacts against the baffle 1512.

The brake assembly 1500 further includes a reactive brake device 1520 which, in one of its forms, includes bimetallic fins 1522 at least partially submerged in the viscous fluid 1507 of the chamber 1504. The fins 1522 have free ends 1552 spaced from the rotor 1506 through openings or holes 1524, as shown in FIG. 54. When the rotor 1506 rotates in the direction 1582 due to the rotation of the baffle 1512, the viscous fluid 1507 in the chamber 1504 travels through the holes 1524 in the direction 1580.

The free ends 1552 of the fins change position within the chamber 1504 in response to changes in the temperature of the bimetallic fins 1522, which changes the size of the recesses 1524 through which the viscous 1507 fluid moves. . Changes in the temperature of the bimetallic fins 1522 may be due to changes in ambient temperature in the environment surrounding the brake assembly 1500. Changes in ambient temperature can alter the temperature of the viscous fluid 1507 in which the bimetallic fins 1522 are at least partially submerged, which changes the temperature of the fins 1522. Alternatively, or in addition to the changes in the room temperature, the temperature of the viscous fluid 1507 may vary in response to the rotation of the rotor 1506 in the viscous fluid 1507 (e.g., the friction of the rotor 1506 rotating in the fluid 1507 at a high speed for a long period of time can increase the temperature of fluid 1507). In some strategies, changes in ambient temperature (and associated changes in fluid temperature 1507) are the first drivers of temperature changes in 1522 bimetallic fins, while changes in fluid temperature 1507 in response the rotation of the rotor 1506 in the fluid 1507 contributes only lightly to the temperature changes of the fins 1522. In yet another strategy, a section of the bimetallic fins 1522 may be exposed to the surrounding environment such that changes in the Ambient temperatures directly alter the temperature of the fins 1522 and the positions of the free 1552 ends of the fins.

With reference to FIG. 54, the viscous fluid 1507 in the chamber 1504 is generally displaced in the direction 1580 through the recesses 1524 along a path 1584 when the rotor 1506 rotates. When the temperature of the bimetallic fins 1522 increases, as for example at an increase in ambient temperature, the free ends 1552 move towards the rotor 1506 in the direction 1525 which narrows the gaps 1524 (as shown in the movement of the fins 1522 from their positions in FIG. their positions in FIG 55). This causes the viscous resistance to the advance generated by the fluid 1507 to increase in the narrowed gaps 1524, which compensates for the decrease in viscosity of the viscous fluid 1507 caused by a higher ambient temperature. When the temperature of the bimetallic fins 1522 decreases, as for example due to a decrease in ambient temperature, the free ends 1552 move away from the rotor 1506 in the direction 1527 and towards a stator 1530 (see FIG. 53) of the housing 1502 of brake, which increases the width of the gaps 1524 (as shown in the movement of the flaps 1522 from their positions in FIG 55 to their positions in FIG 54). This causes the viscous resistance to the advance generated by the fluid 1507 to decrease, which compensates for the increase in the viscosity of the fluid 1507 caused by a lower ambient temperature. The movement dependent on the temperature of the bimetallic 1522 fins, therefore, it serves to maintain a more consistent rotational speed of rotor 1506 and baffle 1512 connected thereto despite changes in ambient temperature.

With respect to FIG. 53, the brake housing 1502 includes cavities 1540 and openings 1542 in the stator 1530 that open into the cavities 1540. Each fin 1522 has a curved end 1544 mounted in a respective cylindrical cavity 1540. In one of its forms, the curved fin end 1544 is held firmly in the housing cavity 1540 by a frictional engagement between the curved end 1544 and the cavity 1540. In other strategies, the curved fin end 1544 can be clamped in the flange 1544. 1540 cavity using solders, fasteners or adhesives, for example. In yet another strategy, the curved fin ends 1544 may be molded into the stator 1530 during molding of the housing 1502.

Each fin 1522 extends outward from its respective cavities 1540 through opening 1542 and into chamber 1504. Each fin 1522 has a base section 1550 coupled with cavity 1540 and fin free end section 1552. located in the brake housing chamber 1504. The fins 1522 have a shape complementary to the rotor 1506 in such a way that the fins 1522 avoid interfering with the rotor over the range of ambient operating temperatures experienced by the irrigation sprinkler 1500. For example, the fins 1522 can have concave inner surfaces 1560 with curvatures similar to a convex external surface 1562 of the rotor 1506, as shown in FIGS. 54 and 55.

The reactive brake device 1520 can take a variety of forms. For example, the fins 1522 can be configured to move between a first position in which the free fin end sections 1552 are separated from the rotor 1506 when the irrigation sprinkler 1500 is subjected to a low ambient temperature (similar to the position in FIG. 54) and a second position in which the free end sections 1522 come very close or even come into direct contact with the rotor 1506 to slow down the rotation of the rotor 1506 when the irrigation sprinkler 1500 is subjected to a high ambient temperature.

The brake housing stator 1530 positions the fins 1522 around the housing 1502 in such a manner that there are openings 1590 between adjacent fins 1522 that open in grooves 1592 between the fins 1522 and the brake housing stator 1530, as shown in FIG. FIGS. 53 and 54. When the fin free end sections 1552 are moved towards the rotor 1506, the fins 1522 move away from the housing stator 1530, which leads the fluid 1507 into the slots 1592 in the 1594 direction. the free end fin sections 1552 move away from the rotor 1506, the fins 1522 move toward the housing stator 1530, which extrudes fluid 1507 out of the slots 1592.

Referring to FIGS. 56 to 58, another irrigation sprinkler deflector 1600 is shown. The baffle 1600 can be used with the brake assembly 1200 and with the brake assembly 1500, for example. The baffle 1600 includes an inlet port 1602 for receiving fluid from an irrigation sprinkler nozzle and an outlet mouth 1604 for discharging the fluid out of the irrigation sprinkler when the deflector 1600 rotates. The baffle 1600 includes a body 1606 that has an outlet opening 1608 and a channel 1620 that includes a conduit 1610. The conduit 1610 redirects a portion of the fluid received in the inlet port 1602 laterally in relation to the baffle 1600 to cause the rotation of the deflector 1600. The fluid discharged from conduit 1610 additionally provides near and intermediate watering in the surrounding terrain, as will be discussed in more detail below. The baffle 1600 discharges the remaining fluid outwardly from the outlet opening 1608 with an irrigation jet pattern defined by the channel 1620 and the outlet opening 1608. The fluid discharged from the outlet opening 1608 provides for a far watering in the surrounding terrain as defined by the configuration of the channel 1620 and the outlet opening 1608.

Referring to FIGS. 57 and 58, baffle channel 1620 has an internal surface 1622 that redirects fluid received in a first direction 1624 to a second transverse direction 1626. The deflector channel 1620 maximizes the outflow of fluid from the outlet opening 1608 as it provides a smooth redirection of the fluid flow within the baffle 1600. Specifically, the internal surface 1622 of the channel is configured to minimize transmitted turbulence. to the fluid jet while traveling from the inlet port 1602 to the outlet port 1608. The reduced turbulence provided by the channel 1620 increases the efficiency of the re-redirection of the jet from the direction 1624 to the direction 1626 and provides the maximized throw distance since less energy is lost in the form of turbulence in the fluid jet. This improved efficiency allows the sprinkler 1600 to irrigate a larger area of the surrounding environment with a smaller volume of fluid supplied to the sprinkler in relation to some of the strategies of the prior art.

With reference to FIG. 58, the conduit 1610 includes an opening 1630 which allows the fluid to move in the direction 1632 into the conduit 1610. Referring to FIGS. 56 and 58, the conduit 1610 further includes a near-by irrigation ramp 1640 and a ramp 1642 of intermediate irrigation. The conduit 1610 siphons out a portion of the fluid jet that travels between the inlet port 1602 and the outlet port 1608 and the ramps 1640, 1642 redirect the portion of the fluid stream laterally, which increases the width of the jet pattern. Irrigation jet 1600 baffle and allows the deflector 1600 to irrigate a greater extension of locations around the irrigation sprinkler. Explained more specifically, ramps 1640, 1642 redirect the fluid laterally, which causes the fluid to travel along the ramps 1640, 1642 moves outward a distance less than the fluid exiting the outlet opening 1608 and provides intermediate and near irrigation from the baffle 1600. As shown in FIG. 58, the near-irrigation ramp 1640 curves laterally to a much greater extent than the intermediate irrigation ramp 1642. The greater lateral curvature of the ramp 1640 of near irrigation transmits a greater lateral redirection to the fluid that moves along the ramp 1640 in relation to the lateral redirection that transmits the ramp 1642. Therefore, the water that leaves the conduit 1610 along the ramp 1640 does not travel as far away from the deflector 1600 as the water traveling along the intermediate irrigation ramp 1642. The baffle 1600, therefore, provides near and intermediate watering by routing the fluid along the ramps 1640, 1642. In this manner, the ramps 1640, 1642 and the outlet opening 1608 provide varying throwing distances for the fluid that leaves the deflector 1600.

Moreover, the portion of the fluid jet siphoned out via conduit 1610 has a lower velocity relative to the rest of the fluid jet because the fluid jet portion was moving near a wall 1643 of baffle 1600 before entering in conduit 1610. Due to the viscosity of the fluid (which may be water), the fluid jet has a lower velocity near the wall 1643 and a higher velocity away from the wall 1643. The lower initial velocity of the fluid entering in conduit 1610 contributes to decreasing fluid velocities when fluid leaves ramps 1640, 1642 in relation to fluid leaving outlet mouth 1608 and reduces the fluid release distance leaving ramps 1640, 1642.

With reference to FIG. 59, another irrigation sprinkler 1700 is shown. The irrigation sprinkler 1700 includes a frame 1702 having an upper bushing 1704 that receives a brake assembly 1706 and a lower bushing 1708 that receives a nozzle 1710. The sprinkler 1700 additionally includes a deflector 1712 mounted on a shaft 1714 of the assembly 1706 brake. With reference to FIG. 60, the baffle 1712 has an inlet port 1750 for receiving fluid from the nozzle 1710, an outlet opening 1724 for discharging fluid outwardly from the baffle 1712, and a channel 1720 connecting the inlet port 1750 to the opening 1724 of exit. With reference to FIG. 62, the baffle 1712 includes a chimney 1752 which functions to direct fluid from the nozzle 1710 to the interior of the channel 1720 of the baffle 1712 and eventually outwardly from the outlet opening 1724.

The channel 1720 has steps or ramps 1722 that function to transmit different throw distances and patterns to different portions of the water leaving the outlet opening 1724, as shown in FIG.

61. Ramps 1722 provide a more even distribution of water from outlet opening 1724 in the surrounding environment, which improves efficiency by reducing over-irrigation or sub-irrigation of the surrounding environment. Ramps 1722 include fan-shaped ramps 1730, 1732 on opposite sides of outlet aperture 1734. The ramps 1730, 1732 of near irrigation cause the fluid leaving the opposite sides of the deflector opening 1734 to be laterally outward and provides uniform irrigation to the surrounding environment. The ramps 1722 also include a first main flow channel 1740 which directs fluid generally in straight line outwardly with a component of relatively small tangential movement. Moreover, the ramps 1722 include an intermediate irrigation ramp 1742 which causes the fluid to open in a slightly lateral direction (but less lateral than the ramps 1730, 1732) and contributes to uniform irrigation from the deflector 1712. In this way , the deflector 1700 provides a uniform distribution of fluid to regions of the surrounding environment, which improves efficiency by reducing over-irrigation or sub-irrigation.

The main flow channel 1740 is configured to provide a partially vertical path to the fluid jet traveling along the channel 1740 and outwardly from the outlet opening 1724. In one of its forms, the fluid traveling along the channel 1740 has a trajectory comprised in the range between approximately 5 degrees and approximately 24 degrees in relation to the horizon after the installation of the irrigation sprinkler 1700 (the vertical flow being fluid that comes out of the nozzle 1710).

As shown in FIG. 59, the baffle 1700 redirects a vertical fluid jet from the nozzle 1710 to a more horizontal jet that moves outwardly from the baffle 1712. To achieve this redirection, the channel 1720 of the baffle 1712 is generally curved along an arc. between the 1750 inlet mouth and the 1722 outlet mouth. With respect to FIG. 62, this forced change in the direction of the fluid jet causes portions of the fluid jet to disperse to the walls 1755, 1757 the channel 1720 (which includes the ramps 1722). The ramps 1730, 1732, 1742 capture the dispersed fluid and redirect the fluid laterally outward relative to the deflector exit opening 1724, as shown in FIG. 61

With reference to FIG. 62, the ramps 1722 include an initial ramp 1745 and a driving ramp 1747 that cause the deflector 1712 to rotate as the fluid travels through the channel 1720. More specifically explained, the initial ramp 1745 receives at least a portion of the fluid from the inlet port 1750 and directs the fluid against the drive ramp 1747. The drive ramp 1747 is oriented such that it generates a reaction torque when the fluid hits the drive ramp 1747. This impact causes the deflector 1712 to rotate.

Referring to FIGS. 59 and 60, the baffle 1712 has a flap 1749 configured to prevent objects in the surrounding environment, such as grass, from jamming in a gap 1751 between the frame 1702 and the baffle 1712 and inhibit deflection of the baffle 1712. In one aspect , the fin 1749 has a height (as shown in FIG. 59) that narrows the gap 1751, which reduces the objects that can potentially fit into the recess 1751. Moreover, the fin 1749 has a nose 1753 that can push out objects such as long grass strands trapped between struts 1754A, 1754B of frame 1702.

The rotational speed of the baffle 1712 in relation to the frame 1702 of the irrigation sprinkler is controlled by the brake assembly 1706. With reference to FIG. 64, the brake assembly 1706 includes a rotor 1760 connected to, or even forming an integral part of, the shaft 1714 and a housing 1762 on which the rotor 1760 is mounted. The rotor 1760 rotates inside a chamber 1764 defined by the housing 1762 filled with a viscous fluid 1766. The viscous fluid 1766 in the interior of the chamber 1764 imparts a drag force on the rotor 1760 to establish a predetermined rotational speed of the rotor 1706 (and deflector 1712 connected) within a particular range of line pressures. supply for the irrigation 1700 sprinkler.

The brake assembly 1706 has a seal 1770 which seals the viscous fluid in the chamber 1766 and provides protection against debris entering a bearing surface between the support disc 1772 and the shaft 1714 while allowing the shaft 1714 to rotate. The seal 1770 is mounted on the support disc 1772, which in turn is secured to a wall 1774 of the housing 1762. The seal 1770 can be made of silicone rubber, and the housing 1762 can be made of plastic. To mount the brake assembly 1706, the viscous fluid 1766 is located in the chamber 1764, the rotor 1760 advances into the interior of the chamber 1764, an opening 1771 of the seal 1770 (which is mounted on the support disc 1772) passes to along the shaft 1714, and the support disk 1772 is secured to the wall 1744. The support disk 1772 can be secured to the wall 1744 using, for example, adhesive, fasteners, connections or ultrasonic welding techniques.

With reference to FIG. 65, the brake housing 1762 includes a cylindrical wall 1780 that defines in part the camera 1764 and the outwardly extending brackets 1782 and which connect the wall 1780 to the housing wall 1774. In this way, the brake housing 1762 provides a strong and durable environment for the rotor 1760 and the viscous fluid 1766, while at the same time facilitating an efficient assembly process.

With reference to FIG. 59, the irrigation sprinkler 1700 has a latching mechanism 1784 for releasably holding the nozzle 1710 in the lower frame bushing 1708. As shown in FIG. 66, the lower bushing 1708 includes a wall 1786 with coupling elements 1788 extending outwardly therefrom. Each coupling element 1788 has a lower side with a cam portion 1790, a stop portion 1792, and a wedged portion 1794 made on a lower side of the coupling member 1788. Returning to FIG. 67, the nozzle 1710 has a cap 1796 with a skirt 1798 and a tube 1800 that hangs from the cap 1796. The skirt 1798 has elements 1802 (see FIG. 68) that extend inward and have blockers 1803 that are configured to engage with the coupling elements 1788 of the bottom cap 1708 of the frame. In a location opposite the elements 1802, the skirt 1798 has outwardly extending projections 1804 and provide gripping surfaces for a user to hold the nozzle 1710 when the user inserts and rotates the nozzle 1710 in the lower socket 1708.

With reference to FIG. 66, a user inserts the nozzle tube 1800 in the direction 1810 into an aperture 1812 in the cap 1708 until a surface 1814 of the cap bottom side (see FIG. 67) is seated against a ring 1816 of the wall 1786 of cap. Thereafter, the user rotates the nozzle 1710 in the direction 1820, which engages the nozzle elements 1802 and the blockers 1803 thereof with the socket coupling elements 1788. Initially, each blocker 1803 engages with the cam section 1790 of a respective coupling member 1788 and travels downward in the direction 1810 with the rotation of the nozzle in the direction 1820 due to the cam engagement of the blocker 1803 and the portion 1790 of cam. Since the bottom side surface 1814 rests on the sleeve ring 1816, the downward movement of the blocker 1803 due to the cam engagement of the blocker 1803 and the cam portion 1790 applies tension to the mouthpiece flap 1798 and compresses the surface 1814 of the lower side of the cap against the ring 1816 of the cap.

A continued rotation of the nozzle 1710 in the direction 1820 slides the blocker 1803 along the coupling element 1788 until the blocker 1803 comes into contact with the stop portion 1792. The user then releases the nozzle 1710 and the tension in the lip skirt 1798 pushes the blocker 1803 in the direction 1832 against the engaged portion 1794 of the coupling member 1788 and seats the blocker 1803 against the engaged portion 1794. The engagement portions 1794 of the coupling elements 1788 allow the blockers 1803 to move up slightly in the direction 1832, which releases part of the tension in the skirt 1798, although the surface 1814 of the lower side of the lid remains compressed against the ring 1816 of cap. At this point, the blockers 1803 are generally held against the portion 1794 fitted between the stop portion 1792 and the cam portion 1790 of the respective coupling elements 1788. The coupling of the blockers 1803 and the coupling elements 1788 holds the surface 1814 of the lower side of the lid tightly against the ring 1816 of the bushing and manages to seal the nozzle 1710 in the bushing 1708. Moreover, the nozzle blockers 1803 and the portions 1794 bushing fittings are configured to engage and resist rotation of the nozzle 1710 in the 1830 direction.

To free the nozzle 1710 from the socket 1708, the user grasps the lid 1796 and rotates the nozzle 1710 in the direction 1830, which overcomes the engagement of the blockers 1803 and the fitting portions 1794. The rotation of the nozzle 1710 in the direction 1830 slides the blockers 1803 out of the fitting portions 1794 and along the cam portion 1790 of the respective coupling element 1788 until the blockers 1803 are released from the coupling elements 1788. The user can then remove the nozzle 1710 from the bushing 1708 by raising the nozzle 1710 upwards in the direction 1832, which removes the tube 1800 from the inside of the bushing 1708.

With reference to FIGS. 69 to 73, another irrigation sprinkler 2000 is shown having a deflector 2002, a frame 2004, a cap 2006 of the frame 2004, and a 2008 nozzle fastened releasably in the cap 2006. The nozzle 2008 is engaged by threaded with the 2006 socket in such a way that the 2008 nozzle can be connected and disconnected effortlessly from the 2006 socket. The irrigation sprinkler 2000 can be supplied packed together with several nozzles 2008, where each of them has a different flow rate, in such a way that the sprinkler 2000 irrigation can be adapted effortlessly to a particular application.

More specifically explained, the cap 2006 includes an opening 2010 for receiving the mouthpiece 2008 and a wall 2012 extending around the opening 2010, as shown in FIG. 70. The wall 2012 has external 2014 threads made on it with multiple steps 2016 thread. Similarly, the mouthpiece 2008 includes a cap 2030 (see FIG. 71) having a skirt 2032 with internal threads 2034 and multiple thread passages 2036. In one of its forms, the 2014 cap threads have four steps of thread 2016, and the nozzle cap threads 2034 possess six 2036 threads. Through the use of multiple steps 2016, 2036 of thread, the irrigation sprinkler 2000 has a greater resistance to hold the 2008 nozzle in place inside the 2006 socket during high pressure conditions in an associated supply line.

The smaller number of steps 2016 of thread in the 2006 bushing is attributable to the flat 2040 parts in the 2012 wall. The flat 2040 parts are located in diametrically opposed positions along the 2010 opening and interrupt the 2014 threads. The 2040 parts Plates provide a grip area for a tool such that a user can connect a tool to the socket 2006 and rotate the frame 2004 to thread the sprinkler 2000 to a hydrant, for example. The flat 2040 parts are optional and can be used to improve the ease of molding.

With reference to FIG. 73, the irrigation sprinkler 2000 includes a sealing mechanism 2050 to form a watertight seal between the cap 2006 and the mouthpiece 2008. In one of its forms, the sealing mechanism 2050 includes an annular projection 2052 extending inward from a internal surface 2054 of the cap wall 2012, as shown in FIG. 72. Protrusion 2052 defines a narrower diameter 2056 across aperture 2012 relative to diameter 2058 through aperture 2012 immediately downstream of projection 2052. Referring to FIG. 71, the nozzle 2008 includes a tube 2060 with an upstream end section 2062 having a diameter 2064. The diameter 2064 of the end section upstream of the nozzle 2008 is larger than the diameter 2056 defined by the projection 2052 in the of the bushing 2006. The larger diameter 2064 of the tube 2060 of the nozzle and the smaller diameter 2056 of the projection 2052 of the bushing generates an adjustment with tightening between the tube 2060 of the nozzle and the projection 2052 of the bushing. The tightening fit achieves a tight seal between the nozzle tube 2060 and the cap projection 2052 when the nozzle 2008 is held in the socket 2006. In contrast to some conventional irrigation sprinkler seals, the seal between the tube 2060 The nozzle and bushing projection 2052 is generally not affected by high supply line pressures or by plastic deformation (or material deterioration, or material fatigue) that a material undergoes when subjected to a continuous preload.

To clamp the nozzle 2008 in the socket 2006, the user first places the nozzle tube 2060 in the socket opening 2012 and advances the nozzle tube 2060 in the direction 2066 into the socket 2006 until the nozzle threads 2034 reach the 2014 cap threads (see FIGS 72 and 73). The user rotates the 2008 nozzle to couple the 2014, 2034 nozzle and cap threads and continues to rotate the 2008 nozzle to firmly and fully tighten the 2008 nozzle inside the 2006 cap. When the user rotates the 2008 nozzle, the coupling between threads 2014, 2034 pushes the nozzle 2008 beyond 2066 in the direction of the cap 2006. Moreover, the rotation of the nozzle 2008 advances the end 2062 upstream of nozzle tube in the direction 2066 until entering contact with the annular protrusion 2052 in the bosom of the cap 2006. A continuous rotation of the nozzle 2008 causes the projection 2052 to interact with the terminal section 2062 upstream inwards in the directions 2070, 2072 and compress the upstream section 2062 terminal nozzle tube. The nozzle 2008 is preferably made of a polymer-based material, and has elastic properties that tend to resist compression of the tube 2060 due to the projection 2052 and inclines the terminal section 2062 upstream of the tube outward in the directions 2074, 2076. The operation firmly couples the nozzle tube 2060 to the socket wall projection 2052, forms a tightening fit between the socket 2006 and the nozzle 2008, and succeeds in forming a seal between the nozzle tube 2060 and the projection 2052. Moreover, when the fluid pressure increases upstream of the nozzle 2008 (which increases the pressure within a cavity 2081 of the tube 2060, as shown in FIG. 73), the tube 2060 presses outward in the direction 2074, 2076 with a higher force, which increases the sealing pressure.

With reference to FIG. 74, another nozzle 2100 is shown. Nozzle 2100 includes a flow controller 2110 having an opening 2112 with a diameter that changes in response to changes in fluid pressure within an area 2114 upstream of nozzle 2100. The flow controller 2110 is configured to compensate for variations in the pressure of the supply line by constricting the opening 2112 (a higher supply line pressures) or by widening the opening 2112 (at lower supply line pressures), which adjusts the volumetric flow rate of the fluid impacting the deflector 2002 and causes the deflector 2002 to rotate to a generally constant speed of rotation despite the variation in the pressure of the supply line. In one strategy, the supply line pressures range from 103 KPa (15 pounds per square inch) to 345 KPa (50 pounds per square inch) during operation of the irrigation sprinkler 2000.

Specifically, the nozzle 2100 includes a cap 2102 with a ring 2104 and a washer 2116 having an outer region 2118 coupled with the nozzle ring 2104. The washer 2116 has an internal region 2120 with the opening 2112 formed therein. The washer 2116 allows for outward flexing of the inner region 2120 in response to pressure increases within the upstream 2114 area. When the fluid pressure upstream of the nozzle 2008 increases, the increased fluid pressure causes the inner region 2120 of the washer to tilt downstream to a position 2122 generally, as shown by dashed lines in FIG. 74. In the deviated position 2122, the inner region 2120 has an opening 2112A with a constriction having a smaller diameter than the opening 2112 when the inner region 2120 of the washer is in the non-offset position, shown with solid lines in the FIG. 74. The constricted opening 2112A allows a reduced volume of fluid to leave the opening 2112 in the direction 2130. This operation of the washer 2116 manages to compensate for the increases in the supply line pressure by reducing the volume of fluid that impacts against the associated deflector, such as the deflector 2002. For example, if a peak occurs in the upstream fluid pressure, the washer 2116 responds by tilting downstream, which forms a constriction in the opening 2112 and reduces the volume of water that it impacts against the deflector 2002 in such a way that the deflector 2002 continues to rotate at a generally constant turning speed despite the higher water pressure upstream. The washer 2116 may be made of a flexible material, such as silicone rubber, with a durometer in the range between about 50 and about 70 on the Shore A scale.

In FIG. 75 another nozzle 2200 is shown. The nozzle 2200 includes a cap 2202 with a rim 2204 and a tube 2206 that hangs from the cap 2202. The nozzle tube 2206 has a 2210 upstream area with a size such as to allow the insertion of a 2212 elastomeric disc in the direction 2214 and seated against a lower side 2216 of the ring 2204. The tube 2206 further includes an annular recess 2220 extending around the tube 2206 upstream of the elastomeric disc 2212 and a ring 2224 configured to fit within from the recess 2220 the tube and retain the elastomeric disc 2212 within the nozzle 2200. As shown in FIG. 75, the disc 2212 has an opening 2230 and the disc 2212 is deflected to a position 2232 in response to the increase in fluid pressure in the upstream area 2210. In the deviated position 2232, the disc 2212 has an aperture 2230A with a constriction having a smaller diameter than the aperture 2230, which reduces the flow rate through the disc 2212 in response to an increase in the supply line pressure. upstream of nozzle 2200.

While the foregoing description has been made in relation to specific examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations of the foregoing that fall within the scope of the concepts described herein and in the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. - An irrigation sprinkler (10) comprising: a frame (14) having an upper section (16) and a lower section (18); a rotating deflector of a rotating assembly (15) coupled to the upper section; a nozzle bushing (21) defined by the bottom end section of the frame; a nozzle (20) configured to be received in the nozzle cap; interlocking sections (142, 144) of the nozzle and nozzle bushing configured to releasably connect the nozzle to the nozzle bushing; Y the rotatable assembly (15) releasably connected to the upper section (16) of the frame, with the deflector (22) located above the nozzle (20) and so that it can rotate in relation to the upper frame section, in wherein the rotating assembly is configured to be removed from the upper portion of the frame to allow removal of the nozzle cap from the nozzle cap, wherein the nozzle bushing (21) has an external wall (146) and the interlocking sections (144) comprise a section of the outer wall. 2. - The irrigation sprinkler of claim 1, wherein the nozzle (20) has a locking element (140, 142) configured to mate with the section (144) of the external wall (146) of the nozzle cap. 3. - The irrigation sprinkler of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the nozzle has a crown (140) with one or more tabs (142) and the interlocking sections include the one or more tabs. 4. - The irrigation sprinkler of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the lower section (18) of the frame comprises arms (26, 29) that extend outwardly from the external nozzle cap wall (146). 5. - The irrigation sprinkler of any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle (20) has an end (37) upstream; the lower section (18) of the frame includes an opening (21) provided with an appropriate size for receiving the nozzle (20); Y the lower frame section has a cup portion (41) configured to engage and form a seal with the end (37) upstream of the nozzle. 6. - The irrigation sprinkler of any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle cap (21) has a through opening provided with an appropriate size to receive the nozzle (20) and an internal surface (43) that extends around the through opening; wherein the nozzle (20) has an upstream end section (37) with a fluid conduit (44) and a side wall extending around the fluid conduit; Y wherein an end upstream of the sidewall of the nozzle progresses conically outward to meet the inner surface (43) of the nozzle cap when the nozzle (20) is received in the nozzle cap (21). 7. - The irrigation sprinkler of any preceding claim, wherein the upper (16) and lower (18) sections of the frame (14) are connected to each other in a rigid manner. 8. - The irrigation sprinkler of any preceding claim wherein the outer wall of the nozzle cap includes an external surface (146) and the section of the outer wall of the nozzle cap includes coupling elements (144) that extend outwardly from the outer surface. 9. - The irrigation sprinkler of any preceding claim wherein the outer wall of the nozzle cap includes an external surface (146) and the nozzle (20) includes a skirt that extends around the external surface (146), wherein the nozzle (20) is connected to the nozzle cap (21).