US1239229A

US1239229A - Sprinkler.

Info

Publication number: US1239229A
Application number: US86329014A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard Shaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1914-09-24
Filing date: 1914-09-24
Publication date: 1917-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 1934-09-04

Description

L. SHAW.

. SPRINKLER.

Y APPLICATION man SEPT-24. 1914.

Patented'Sept. 4, 1917.

WllED @ATE PAENT LEONARD SHAW, OF MIAMI, FLORIDA.

SPRINKLER.

Application filed September 24, 1914..

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONARD SHAW, a citizen ofthe United States of America, and a resident of Miami, county of Dade, State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sprinklers, of which the following is a specification.

The main objects of this invention are to provide sprinkler heads with improved means for controlling the volume and distribution of a fluid stream; to provide im provements in rotary nozzles whereby they may be supported by the fluid stream so as to practically eliminate friction; to provide means for preventing such nozzles from being disturbed by fluctuations in pressure; to

provide a suitable windshield for such rotary nozzles; and to provide improved means for automatically compensating for changes in pressure and velocity so as to maintain an approximately uniform. discharge from the nozzle.

in illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is an axial section of a sprinkler head constructed according to this invention' Fig. 2 is a section of the rotary nozzle member, taken on the line AA of Fig. 1.

3 is a sectional elevation of a regu lating device for automatically adjusting the flow of liquid to compensate for changes in pressure and velocity.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section of the rotary nozzle member illustrating the distribution of pressure due to impact of the water on the interior surfaces of the rotary nozzle during normal operation.

.The device shown in the drawings is arranged especially for irrigation purposes where a great number of sprinklers are connected in one system, making it desirable to definitely control the quantity of water delivered by each sprinkler so as to insure substantially uni form distribution of water over the entire area sprinkled regardless of differences in pressure at different points in the system. To this end it is important that the sprinkler units be of simple and inexpensive construction, be capable of manual adjustment to predetermine the rate at which the water is to be delivered by each sprinkler, and be provided with mecl'ianism adapted to automatically maintain a substantially uniform flow, within reasonable limits, throughout a considerable range of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 4t, ll'llllt.

Serial No. 863,290.

variation in the pressure of the water delivered to the sprinkler units.

In principle of operation, the sprinkler herein described is somewhat similar to that of the different specifieconstruction described in my copending application for patent, Serial Number 6,132, filed August 18, 19155, and certain features common to both forms and not broadly claimed herein, are made the subject matter of claims in said copending application.

In the drawings. a stand pipe 1 is shown supporting a stationary tapered nozzle mem ber and having a threaded joint 3 therewith. A spider ii: is supported by the nozzle member 2, and carries a spindle 5, having a head or enlarged part in the form of a double cone 6 at its upper end. Normally supported (when at rest) on the apex of the enlarged part of the spindle is arotary sprinkler head or nozzle member 7, having jet orifices S, 9 and 10, as shown in Fig. 2, the channels leading to these orifices being inclined upwardly and one or more of them being bent or curved to one side from the radial direction to cause rotation of the sprinkler head by the reaction of the jet in the well known way. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the passages leading to the

orifices

8, 9 and 10 are ditii'erently curved with respect to the radial direction, for the purpose of insuring such distribution of the water as to effect an approximately uniform wetting of the area sprinkled throughout the extent thereof, it being understood that the curvature of these channels should be such that' rotation of the sprinkler head will result, even though the direction of one or more of the jets may be such as to oppose such rotation. Since the jet 8 is approximately radial in direction, it throws the greater part of its water to the outer limits of the wetted area. Since the jet 9 approaches more closely the tangential direction, its influence would predominate and control the direction of rotation. Since the channel leading to the orifice 10 is gradually expanded. in area toward said orifice, it has the effect of checking the velocity of the stream passing through it, and its tendency to rotate the s n'inkler head in the opposite direction is more or less offset by the pull due to the checking of the velocity. This expanding nozzle also breaks the jet and deposits it over an area of small radius.

The flared skirt like body 7.1 of the rotary nozzle member 7 overhangs the stationary nozzle and is provided with vanes 11 to retard its rotation through the resistance offered by water surrounding the rotary memher 7 and contained in the tube or jacket 12, which is secured at its lower end to the sta tionary nozzle member 2. At the upper end of the tube 12 is a flange 1i cooperating with

flanges

15 and 13 on the rotary nozzle member 7 to prevent the latter from becoming de tached. The flange 13 is connected to the nozzle by the depending part 16 thereof. The nozzle member 7 communicates with the stationary nozzle 2 by means of a throat or passage 17 leading tothe jet orifices S, 9 and. 10. g j

-' The throat 17 is substantially a continuation of the stationary nozzle 2, but is proportioned so as not to restrict the free flow of the jet of water issuing from the stationary nozzle. The lower end of the passage 17 is flared slightly where it adjoins the skirt 7.1, and the upper end is also flared where it adjoins the passages 8.1, 9.1 and 10.1. These last mentioned passages are likewise so proportioned as to avoid re-' stricting the free flow therethrough of the volume of water delivered by the stationary nozzle, and the surfaces of said passages are so a rranged that the impact of the stream of water thereon will be suflicient to support the weight of the rotary nozzle 2 and allow the same to rotate without frictional contact with stationary parts. The conoidal surface 6.1 of the head of the spindle serves to spread the jet of water quickly toward all sides and to direct it into the general direction of the upwardly inclined passages 8.1, 9.1 and 10.1.

hen the water is turned off, the parts will be in the position shown in Fig. 1, with the rotary nozzle member resting on the conical tip 6 of the spindle 5. hen the device is in operation, the jet of water discharged by r the stationary nozzle passes through the throat 17 substantially without resistance, is diverted by the conoidal surface 6.1, as illustrated in Fig. l, and impinges against the upper surfaces of the passages 8.1, 9.1 and 10.1, in the vicinity of the spindle, the greatest pressure due to such impact being in the localities corresponding to that designated 8.2 of Fig. 1, and there is correspondingly an area of low pressure in the localities corresponding to that designated 8.3 in the lower part of the passage. This action causes the rotary nozzle member to be lifted, but as it rises, the pressure of the deflected stream upon the surface 8.2 decreases, and the pressure at the area 8.3 increases. This action causes the rotary nozzle membe 7 to be lifted from the position indicated by broken lines in Fig. 4, into the position indicated by solid lines. The upward movement of the rotary member is checked by the resistance of the fluid stream against which the lower side is lifted, until a balance of forces is thereby effected to maintain the rotary member entirely out of contact with the conical tip 6 of the spindle. The passages for water through the rotary nozzle are designed to ermit the waterto flow freely through it without creating back pressure in the vicinity of the outlet of the stationary nozzle. Inasmuch as there is no restriction to the flow of liquid through the passages of the rotary nozzle, and no static pressure in the throat 1.7, there will be no leakage of water between the stationary and rotary nozzles when the device is in operation.

Since there is no escape of liquid at 18 between the rotary and stationary nozzle members, no packing is necessary at this point and no outer casing is necessary, but it is desirable in some locations to provide a casing 12 as a wind shield for the rotary nozzle.

This is preferably made water-tight at its.

lower end so that it will hold a quantity of water which may be utilized as a governing medium coacting with vanes 11 on the member 7 to steady the rotation of the member 7.

In order to permit of manually adjusting the delivery of the nozzle to compensate for differences in pressure of the water supply at different parts of asystem, and thus insure that the various sprinklers will deliver substantially equal quantities of water, a

suitable hand valve may be provided adjacent to each sprinkler. In the form shown, this valve comprises a sleeve 20 tapped into the wall of the pipe 1 and carrying atight fitting threaded plug 21 which may be screwed into the pipeso as to obstruct to a more or less extent the flow of water through it, such plugbeing made of sufficient diameter to give the desired degree of adjustment. Such regulator is in some places preferable to an ordinary valve, as it is less likely to be tampered with and is comparatively inexpensive,

In order-that the stream issuing from the stationary nozzle 2 may remain substantially uniform throughouta considerable range of pressure fluctuation in the supply main, means are provided'for automatically regulating the pressure at the nozzle 2. In the form shown, a spring blade or tongue 22 is pivotally carried by a pin 23 at the lower edge of a rectangular opening 24 formed in the side of the pipe 1 and has a part below the pivot adapted to move into the pipe 1 and obstruct the flow, as indicated in Fig. 1. Said tongue also has a part extending above the pivot and bearing against the shoulder 25 at the top of the opening24: and acting as a leaf spring normally urging the blade 22 toward its normal vertical position, indicated by full line in Fig. 1. Pivotally connected to the middle of the upper part of the tongue 22 is a stem26 secured to a diaphragm 27 spanning an opening 24-, and provided with annular corrugations, as is usual in metal diaphragms.

Lock nuts

28 and 29 on the stem 26coact with the diaphragm and with an adjusting spring 30 for adjusting the action of tongue 22, spring 30 being provided with a stop screw The water pressure forces the diaphragm 27 outward and causes the tongue 22 tov project into the pipe more or less, according to the adjustment of the stem 26 with respect to diaphragm 27 and spring 80. It will be noted that the tongue 22 is also sensitive to the impact of the water against it. The static pressure acting on the diaphragm urges the tongue 22 across the pipe and a change in the velocity of the water flowing through the pipe also tends to swing or bend the tongue so as to increase or decrease its resistance to the flow.

In operation, the maximum flow of water through each sprinkler for normal pressure is adjusted manually by setting the hand valve or plug 21; then if any fluctuations occur in the pressure they are automatically compensated for by the tongue 22 and its connections so that the delivery of water to the stationary nozzle 2 remains substantially constant. After these manual and automatic regulatingdevices are once adjusted, no attention uecdbe given to them under ordinary running conditions. The jet of water issuing from nozzle 2 supports the rotary head wholly or in part sothat it revolves freely with a minimum of friction, the rota tion of said head being steadied by the vanes 11 acting on the water in the Wind shield 12 in case wind shield is used.

The member 7 is balanced on the jet of water, the lifting force of the jet being opposed by the force of gravity, and the on larged head 6 on the spindle 5 assists in this balancing of the member 7, by reason of the fact that it acts in deflecting, wholly or in part, the vertical direction of the jet in the passage 1'7, and in changing the velocity of flow between the surfaces 6.1 and flared portion of passage 17.

Although but one specific embodimentbf this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim: V

1. A sprinkler, comprising a stationary nozzle, and a rotary nozzle in alinement with said stationary nozzle, said rotary noz-- zle being shaped to cause the sameto be balanced, supported and rotated by a jet discharged by said stationary nozzle.

2. A sprinkler, comprising a stationary.

nozzle, a rotary nozzle having a passage therethrough including a threat in alinement with said stationary nozzle and an out let orifice for discharging a jet at an angle A to the axis of said rotary nozzle, the interior of said rotary nozzle being shaped to cause the same to be balanced and supported by the stream flowing through it, independently of contact between the stationary and rotary nozzles.

4.. A sprinkler, comprising a stationary nozzle arrangedto discharge a vertical jet, and a rotary nozzle having a passage therethrough including a throat in alinement with said stationary nozzle, said throat being larger at its lower end than the orifice of said stationary nozzle and said passage being shaped and adapted to cause said rotarynozzle to be supported by the stream discharged by said stationary nozzle without giving rise to back pressure between said nozzles. j

5. A sprinkler, comprising a converging nozzle arranged to discharge a vertical jet, and a rotary nozzle having a passage therethrough including a throat in alinement with said converging nozzle and having a skirt overhanging said converging nozzle and normally out of contact therewith, said passage being shaped to coact with the jet from said first nozzle to balance said rotarynozzle without causing back pressure be tween said nozzles.

6. A device of the class described, coniprising a stationary nozzle arranged to discharge a vertical jet, and a rotary member having a passage therethrough including a throat arranged for receiving such jet from said stationary nozzle and lateral branch passages outwardly and oppositely directed,

the outlet of said stationary nozzle being of smaller area than the cross-section of said throat and also than the total cross-sectiomil area of the passage through said rotary member, whereby a stream projected from said stationary nozzle may cause rotation of said rotary member without producing back pressure or leakage between said stationary and rotary members.

7. A sprinkler, comprising a vertically disposed stationary nozzle, a rotary nozzle above said stationary nozzle and having therein a threat in alinement with said stationary nozzle, said throat being flared at .llO

its lower end so as to be normally out of contact with said' stationary nozzle and being proportioned so as to receive the jet from saidstationary nozzle and coact therewith to support said rotary nozzle clear of said stationary nozzle, and means for preventing lateral displacement of said rotary nozzle.

8. A sprinkler, comprising a vertically disposed stationary nozzle, a rotary nozzle above said stationary nozzle and having therein a throat in alinement with said stationary nozzle, said throat being flared at its lower end so as to be normally out of contact with said stationary nozzle and be ing proportioned so as to receive the jet from said stationary nozzle and coact therewith to support said rotary nozzle clear of said stationary nozzle, and a casing secured to said stationary nozzle and surrounding said rotary nozzle to protect the same from lateral wind pressure.

9. A sprinkler, comprising a vertically disposed stationary nozzle, a rotary nozzle above said stationary nozzle and having therein a throat in alinement with said sta tionary nozzle, said throat being flared at its lower end and proportioned so as to receive the jet from said stationary nozzle and coact therewith to support said rotary nozzle clear of said stationary nozzle, a casing mounted on said stationary nozzle and surrounding said rotary nozzle and adapted to hold a quantity of water, and vanes on saidrotary nozzle positioned to coact with water in said casing to steady the rotation of said rotary nozzle.

10. In a sprinkler, the combination of a stationary vertical nozzle arranged to discharge a vertical jet, a spindle extending axially upward therefrom and having an enlarged part for spreading said jet, and a rotary nozzle loosely engaging said spindle above said stationary nozzle and having its interior formed to coact with the jet from said stationary nozzle to support said rotarynozzle clear of said stationary nozzle and spindle.

11. In a sprinkler, the combination of a stationary vertical nozzle, a spindle extending axially upward therefrom, a rotary nozzle loosely engaging said spindle above said stationary nozzle and having its interior formed to coact with the jet from said stationary nozzle to support said rotary nozzle clear of said stationary nozzle, said rotary nozzle having a throat surrounding said spindle and said spindle having a part thereon shaped to act as a baflie for varying the flow when said'rotary nozzle rises and thereby controlling the lifting effect of said jet to balance said rotary nozzle thereon.

12. A sprinkler, comprising a stationary nozzle, a rotary nozzle 1n allnement with said stationary nozzle, said rotary nozzle being shaped to cause the same to be balanced and rotated through the impact of a jet dis charged by said stationary nozzle, said rotary nozzle having an outlet orifice with a gradually expanding passage leading thereto.

13. A sprinkler, comprising a stationary nozzle arranged to discharge a vertical jet, a rotary nozzle in alinement with said stationary nozzle, said rotary nozzle being shaped to cause the same to be balanced and rotated by the jet discharged by said stationary nozzle, said rotary nozzle having a plurality of outlet orifices, one of said orifices being directed tangentially with respect to the axis of said rotary nozzle and facing opposite to the direction of rotation thereof, and another of said orifices having a gradually expanding passage leading thereto and facing in the direction of rotation.

' 1 1. In a sprinkler, the combination of a stationary vertical nozzle, a spindle extending axially upward therefrom, a rotary nozzle surrounding said spindle above said stationary nozzle and havingits interior formed to coact with the jet from said stationary nozzle to support said rotary nozzle clear of said stationary nozzle, said spindle having at its upper end a head shaped to defleet the stream of liquid laterally,whereby the same is caused to react on said rotary nozzle to resist the upward movement thereof.

15. In a sprinkler, the combination of a stationary vertical nozzle, a rotary nozzle above and in alinement with said stationary nozzle, said rotary nozzle being shaped to cause the same to be supported and rotated by a jet discharged by said stationary nozzle, a head mounted above said rotary nozzle and connected with said stationary nozzle, said head having a surface shaped to coact with the stream delivered by said stationary nozzle and cause the latter to react on said rotary nozzle to resist the upward movement thereof.

16. A device of the class described, comprising a stationary nozzle arranged to discharge a vertical jet, and a rotary member having a passage 'therethrough arranged for receiving such jet from said stationary nozzle, the outlet of said stationary nozzle be ing of smaller area than the totalcross-sectionalarea of the passage through said rotary member, whereby a stream projected,

from said stationarynozzle may cause rotation of said rotary member without producing back pressure or leakage between said stationary and rotary members, said stationary nozzle member being provided with means projecting into said rotary member and suitably formed to deflect the jet for the purpose of controlling the impact of said jet against said rotary member.

17. In a sprinkler, the combination of a communicating with the aforesaid passage 10! stationary nozzle member, and a rotary inemand having a greater combined area. her having a passage therein for receiving a Signed at Miami this 17 day of Sept, fluid jet from said stationary nozzle mem- 1914. ber, said passage being in cross-sectional T area equal to or greater than the outlet of LEOBARD said stationary nozzle member, said rotary Witnesses: member being provided with a plurality of ROY MILLER, oppositely directed branch outlet passages WVINIFRED MIX.

Copies 01. this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.