US1876099A - Slow motion reaction sprinkler - Google Patents

Description

1932. w. VAN F. THOMPSON 1,876,099

snow MOTION REACTION SPRINKLER Filed Feb. 20, 1928 2 Sheets$heet l M94 The 14v E. Pia/18:0 fix Sept. 6, 1932- w. VAN E. THOMPSON 1,876,099

SLOW YIOTION REACTION SPRINKLER Filed Feb. 20. 1928 2 sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER VAN E. THOMPSON, 015 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THOMPSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA SLOW MOTION REACTION SPRINKLER Application filed February 20, 1928.

My invention relates to lawn sprinklers and more particularly to such sprinklers of the rotating type.

In watering extensive areas of lawn, it is desirable that the sprinklers throw water in as great a radius as possible with the available water pressure. The ordinary form of rotating sprinkler has a plurality of discharge nozzles which are turned in a direction so that the reaction of the discharged water upon the nozzles rotates the head of the sprinkler. In sprinklers of this type, it is usually necessary that the head rotate at considerable speed in order to prevent its sticking upon the body of the sprinkler, and the higher the speed of rotation, the smaller is the radius to which water is thrown. It is therefore seen that the speed of rotation of the sprinkler head is an important function of the radius to which water is thrown by the sprinkler. In the past, provision for limiting the speed of rotation of the sprinkler head has included an expensive water motor actuated by water supplied to the sprinkler and positively rotating the sprinkler head. This means has been satisfactory in operation but it is quite expensive, and owing to the difiiculty of lubrication has a relatively short life.

It is an object of my invention to provide an inexpensive rotary lawn sprinkler in which the sprinkler head is slowly rotated by the reaction of water discharged from the nozzles thereof.

In my experiments with sprinklers of this type, I have found that if vibration can be imparted to the sprinkler head, the sticking of this head upon the body of the sprinkler can be prevented.

It is therefore another object of my invention to provide a rotary lawn sprinkler having a simple means for vibrating the head of the sprinkler so as to prevent this from sticking.

The vibration of the head of the lawn sprinkler is most effective in preventing the sticking of this head on the body of the sprinkler if such vibration is in a tangential direction.

It is therefore a still further object of my invention to provide a rotary lawn sprinkler Serial No. 255,649.

having a simple means of imparting a tangential vibration to the head thereof.

Further objects and advantages will be made apparent in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the rotary lawn sprinkler of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sprinkler shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlar ed plan view of one of the nozzle tubes of the sprinkler shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan View of a modified form of nozzle tube.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of slow motion reaction sprinkler.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the sprinkler shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the theory of operation of the sprinkler shown in Figs. 6 and 7 Referring specifically to the drawings, the sprinkler illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 may be indicated by the numeral 10. The sprinkler 10 includes a suitable base, not shown, upon which is provided a stand pipe 11 through which liquid is supplied to the sprinkler. Upon the upper end of the stand pipe 11 is screwed a stufling-box bearing-bonnet 12 into which a stem 13 of a sprinkler head 14 extends and in which this stem is rotatable. The sprinkler head 14 has a cap 15 screwed upon the upper end of the stem 13, and screwed into suitable apertures in the cap 15 so as to extend in opposite directions therefrom are nozzle tubes 16. While but two nozzle tubes 16 are shown, it is to be understood that with suitable structural changes, a lesser or greater number of these tubes might be used.

Each of the tubes 16 has an inner portion 18 at the end of which the tube 16 is provided with a coil 19 which terminates in an outer tubular portion 20. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the inner tubular portion 18 is disposed radially relative to the head 14 upon which it is provided, while the outer tubular portion 20 is disposed at a slight horizontal angle A relative to the inner tubular portion 18. On the outer end of each nozzle tube 16 is a nozzle cap 22 from which Water or other liquid passing from the stand pipe 11 through the head 14 and tubes 16 is discharged. Each of the nozzle caps 22 has an axial orifice through which this water is discharged so that a force of reaction is set up which is exerted inward along the axis of the outer tubular portion 20. As the axis of the tube 20 is non-radial relative to the axis of rotation of the head 14, this force of reaction will tend to rotate the head 14 in the bearing-bonnet 12. Owing to the fact that the angle A is quite small, the tangential components of the forces of reaction set up by discharge of water from the nozzle caps 22 will be so small that the rotation of the head 14 caused thereby will be relatively slow.

The inertia of the rotating head 14 and nozzle tube 16 will also be comparatively small so that if the friction between the head stem 13 and the bearing-bonnet 12 becomes temporarily increased, it is likely to halt the rotation of the head 14. This is, of course, extremely undesirable as when once the rotation of the head 14 has been halted, it is likely to remain stuck in that position. In the sprinkler 10, however, the halting of the rotation of the head 14 is prevented by the coils 19 in the nozzle tube 16. These coils cause a rapid reversal in direction of the water passing through the tube 16 so as to impart a vibratory motion to the head 14 which effectively prevents the sticking of the head 14 in the bonnet 12, by virtue of com stantly changing the position of the head 14 relative to this bonnet.

I have found, moreover, that the vibration above noted is particularly effective where this is set up in a tangential direction. By the use of the word tangential in this application, relative to the direction of the vibration set up by the coils 19, it is meant to indicate a direction tangential to the orbit followed by the coils 19 about the axis of rotation of the head 14. The action of the vibration on the sprinkler head 14 may further be explained by referring to the motion which is caused in the sprinkler head by reason of the vibration. In the preferred form of the invention the conformation changing the direction of the flow of water through the arm 16 is preferably arranged to cause a vi bration in the plane of rotation of the head 14. The vibration, therefore, is tangential, as pointed out. The result of this tangential vibration is to cause the head 14 to oscillate in the plane of rotation. This oscillation is very small and is hardly noticeable. However, the head does rotate back and forth, but

, due to the assistance of the reactionary force which tends to rotate the head in one direction the oscillatory movement of the head in one direction is longer than the oscillatory motion in the opposite direction, with the result that the sprinkler head and the arms rotate very slowly.

It is possible for a vibration in planes other than parallel to the plane of rotation of the sprinkler head, to prevent sticking and enable the sprinkler head to be rotated very slowly. For example, if there is a sufficient vertical vibration the sticking action will be relieved.

In the broad aspect of the invention I provide a sprinkler in which the water passing through the arm is caused to change in the direction of flow in order to produce the required vibration. In other words, the water is caused to flow through a tortuous path.

In Fig. 5, a novel tube 25 is shown for performing the same functions as the tube 16. The tube 25 is provided with an S-shaped bent portion 26 which is adapted to effect a rapid reversal of the direction of flow of the water carried by the pipe 25 so as to set up a tangential vibration similar to that caused by the coils 19 of the tubes 16 previously de scribed.

Referring now to Figs. 6,7, and 8, a modified form of slow motion reaction sprinkler 30 is shown which includes a suitable base, not shown, upon which is provided a standpipe 31 through which liquid is supplied to the sprinkler. Upon the upper end of the stand-pipe 31 is provided a stuffing-box bearing bonnet 32 which rotatably supports the neck 33 of a sprinkler head 34 so that this is maintained in communication with the stand-pi e 31. Extending in the opposite direction rom the head 34 are nozzle tubes 35, each of which is bent to form a loop 36 and then crosses itself so that the discharge end of each tube 35 is disposed close to the head 34 and is pointed in a direction which is inclined slightly upward from the horizontal and is tangential to a small circle formed about the axis of rotation of the sprinkler head 34. A suitable discharge orifice at the end of each of the tubes 35 is provided by nozzle caps 37 provided thereon.

As shown in Fig. 8, each of the forces of reaction formed by the discharge of water from the nozzle caps 37 is applied on that side of the head 34 toward which that force is directed. In other words, each of these forces pulls away from the axis of rotation of the sprinkler head 34. Also, as the direction of these forces is such that tangential components are present, the sprinkler head 34 is rotated thereby. I have found, moreover. that a sprinkler having nozzle tubes of the character of the tubes 35 may be adjusted so as to rotate at a fairly slow rate without any danger of the head 34 sticking upon the standpipe 31, owing to the fact that the vibration of the tubes 35 is set up by the loops 36 which acao are disposed at the extreme outer portions thereof, and that the reaction forces of the discharged Water, as indicated by vectors 40 in Fig. 8, tend to pull the respective nozzle tubes 35 away from the sprinkler head 34.

I claim as my invention;

1. In a rotating sprinkler, the combination of: liquid supply means; a head rotatable thereon; and nozzle means connected to said head for discharging liquid in a direction to set up a tangential force tending to rotate said head slowly, but normally incapable of doing so due to the sticking of said head on the supply means, said nozzle means having a passage through which said liquid flows at a high rate of speed, said passage having a conformation against which said liquid reacts to set up a vibration in said head to prevent its sticking upon said liquid supply means.

2. A combination as in claim 1 in which the conformation of said passage causes said liquid to flow in rapid succession in reversed tangential directions.

3. In a rotating sprinkler, the combination of: liquid supply means; a head rotatable thereon; tubes leading from said head and symmetrically disposed; and nozzle means on said tubes to which liquid is supplied through said head and said tubes, said nozzle means discharging said liquid in a direction to cause said head to rotate, said tubes being bent to cause said liquid to flow in rapid succession in reversed directions.

4. In a reaction sprinkler, the combination of: a supply means; a head rotatable thereon; an arm extending outward from said head through which the liquid passes; a nozzle on said arm from which said water issues in a direction to produce a reactionary force tending to rotate said head slowly, but normally incapable of doing so due to the sticking of said head on the supply means; and means included in said arm whereby the flow of water is caused to change its direction of flow to produce such a vibration that said head will not stick.

5. In a reaction sprinkler, the combination of: a supply means; a head rotatable thereon; an arm extending outward from said head through which the liquid passes; a nozzle on said arm from which said water issues in a direction to produce a reactionary force tending to rotate said head slowly, but normally incapable of doing so due to the sticking of said head on the supply means; and means included in said arm whereby the flow of water is caused to change its direction of flow to produce a vibration in the plane of rotation of said head suflicient to prevent said head from sticking.

6. In a reaction sprinkler, the combination of: a supply means; a head rotatable thereon; an arm extending outward from said head through which the liquid passes; a nozzle on said arm from which said water issues in a direction to produce a reactionary force tending to rotate said head slowly, but normally incapable of doing so due to the sticking of said head on the supply means; and means included in said arm whereby the flow of water is caused to change its direction of flow so that the water will produce forces tending to oscillate said head in its plane of rotation sufficiently to prevent said head from sticking.

7. In a reaction sprinkler, the combination of: a supply means; a head rotatable thereon an arm extending outward from said head through which the liquid passes; a nozzle on said arm from which said water issues in a direction to produce a reactionary force tending to rotate said head slowly, but normally incapable of doing so due to the sticking of said head on the supply means; and a forma tion in said arm for causing the flow of water to move through a tortuous path to produce such a vibration that said head will not stick.

8. In a reaction sprinkler, the combination of: a supply means; a head rotatable thereon; an arm extending outward from said head through which the liquid passes; a nozzle on said arm from which said water issues in a direction to produce a reactionary force tending to rotate said head slowly, but normally incapable of doing so due to the sticking of said head on the supply means; and a formation in said arm for causing the fiow of water to move through a tortuous path so that the water will produce forces tending to oscillate said head in its plane of rotation sufiiciently to prevent said head from sticking.

9. In a reaction sprinkler, the combination of: a supply means; a head rotatable thereon; an arm extending outward from said head through which the liquid passes; a nozzle on said arm from which said water issues in a direction to produce a reactionary force tending to rotate said head slowly, but normally incapable of doing so due to the sticking of said head on the supply means; and a formation in said arm for causing the flow of water to move through a tortuous path in a plane atleast nearly parallel to the plane of rotation of said head to produce such a vi bration that said head will not stick.

10. In an irrigation sprinkler having a supply means, a head rotatable on said sup ply means, an arm extending from said head through which the water may flow, an (l means whereby the head is rotated slowly, but normally incapable of doing due to the sticking of said head on the supply means, the combination of: means in said arm for causing said water to change its direct on of low to produce a vibration in said head sullicient to prevent said head from sticking.

11. In an irrigation sprinkler having a ply means, an arm extending from said head through which the water may flow, and mean whereby the head is rotated slowly, but normally incapable of doing so due to the stick ing of said head on the supply means, the combination of: means in said arm for causing said water to change its direction of flow to produce a vibration in said head in the plane of rotation thereof suflicient to prevent said head from sticking.

12. In an irrigation sprinkler having a supply means, a head rotatable on said sup ply means, an arm extending from said head through which the water may flow, and means whereby the head is rotated slowly, but normally incapable of doing so due to the sticking of said head on the supply means, the combination of: means in said arm for causing said water to change its direction of flow so that the water will produce forces tending to oscillate said head in its plane of rotation sufliciently to prevent said head from sticking.

13. In an irrigation sprinkler having a supply means, a head rotatable on said supply means, an arm extending from said head through which the Water may flow, and means whereby the head is rotated slowly, but normally incapable of doing so due to the sticking of said head on the supply means, the combination of: a formation in said arm for causing the flow of water to move through a tortuous path to produce a vibration in said head suflicient to prevent said head from sticking.

14. In an irrigation sprinkler having a supply means, a head rotatable on said supply means, an arm extending from said head through which the water may flow, and means whereby the head is rotated slowly, but normally incapable of doing so due to the stick ing of said head on the supply means, the combination of: a formation in said arm for causing the flow of water to move through a tortuous path so that the water will produce forces tending to oscillate said head in its plane of rotation sufiiciently to prevent said head from sticking.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 13th day of February, 1928.

VALTER VAN E. THOMPSON.

Images