US2129918A

US2129918A - Fluid distributing system and apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2129918A
Application number: US26024A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold N Fall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-06-11
Filing date: 1935-06-11
Publication date: 1938-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 1955-09-13

Description

Sept. 13, 1938. N FALL 2,129,918

FLUID DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed June ll 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l3 //Z MM Sept. 13, 1938. H. N. FALL FLUID DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 11, 1935 Patented Se t. 13, 1938 2,129,918

Ni'iED srrs FLUID DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Harold N. Fall, Toledo, Ohio Application June 11, 1935, Serial No. 26,024

9 Claims. (01. 299-68) This invention relates to a fluid distributing distributing system and apparatus embodying my system and apparatus, and more particularly to invention;

TNT ()FFIQE.

the distribution of water for irrigation purposes. Figure 2 is an isometric view illustrating the The invention contemplates an automatic osdistributing pipe oscillating means of my invencillating means particularly adapted for utilization; 5 tion with a distribution pipe of the character Figure 3 is a sectional view through the valve wherein the pipe is capable of oscillation or rotamechanism for accomplishing reversal of the tion about its longitudinal axis. Water flow to change the direction of rotation of A further object of the invention is the prothe fluid motor; vision of a water pipe oscillating means of a Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the ar- 10 semi-portable character which may be readily rangement shown in Figure 2, portions of the affixed to or detached from the water distributing housing being broken away to show the arrangemeans. ment of speed reducing mechanism;

Another object of the invention is the pro- FigureSisaside view of the arrangement shown vision of a fluid motor which may be directly in Figure 4 with the fluid wheel removed and .15

connected to the water supply and distributing portions of the housing broken away.

pipes and in which the direction of oscillation of Figure 6 is a side view of the fluid actuated the water distributing pipe depends upon the diwheel forming a part of the motor; rection of rotation of a fluid actuated wheel, the Figure '7 is a detail of one of the bucket formareversing of oscillatory movement being accomtions of the fluid wheel, the view being taken sub- 20 plished by reversing the direction of the fluid stantially on the line l''l of Figure 6; actuated wheel. Figure 8 is a View showing the method of con- Still a further object of the invention is the structing the bucket vanes of the fluid wheel;

provision of a fluid motor of this character in Figure 9 is a fragmentary view showing a means which oscillatory movement of the water disof supporting the revoluble water distributing 25 tributing pipe is maintained at a substantially pipe. uniform rate of speed in each direction after each While I have shown the arrangement of my change in the direction of rotation of the fluid acinvention as utilized for oscillating an irrigation tuated wheel is efiected. tube or pipe for the distribution of water, it is The invention further embraces a provision of to be understood that I contemplate the use of 30 a light weight, compact fluid motor having speed the invention with any arrangement where an reducing means between the fluid actuated wheel oscillating movement is desired.

and the water distributing pipe which is entirely Referring to the drawings in detail, and espeenclosed and operates in a lubricant, thus incially to Figure 1, numeral 10 designates a water suring long life and constancy of operation. distributing or irrigating means in the form of a 35 The invention includes a fluid motor utilizing length of pipe or tubing which is provided with a the water supplied to the distributing system as plurality of spaced jets or fluid outlets l2 preferan actuating fluid, the arrangement being such ably arranged in a single row and through which that the water applied to the wheel is dispersed water may be extruded to irrigate the surroundafter it impinges against the wheel and is sprayed ing ground- The Water distributing p p y 40 outwardly on the ground serving irrigation purbe made up of several connected io of pip poses as well as the water passing through the Supported p Spaced pedetals Whlch ay be distribution pipe of lengths of pipe driven lnto the ground and Further objects and advantages are within the carrying at their upPer i e i fittings scope of this invention such as relate to the as particularly shown in deta1l1nF1gure 9. These 45 fittings I5 each carry a pair of rollers I6 jourrangement Operation i functwn. ligated nalled upon pins i'l supported upon ears I8 of elements of the s rue ure, to var1oue etails of the fitting which rollers revolubly Support the construction and to combinations of parts, elepipe in These Supports M may be spaced apart ments per set and to economles manufacture sufiiciently to carry the weight of the water dis- 5 and numerous other features as W111 be apparent tributing pipe and the water contained therein from a consideration of the specification and and preferably of such distance as t prevent drawings of a form of the invention, which may xt me sagging of the pipe between the supbe preferred, in which: ports. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 9, the Figure 1 is an isometric view showing a water pipe I0 is revolubly supported upon rollers I6 55 so that it may be oscillated or rotated with a minimum of effort.

The present invention deals particularly with a simple and effective fluid actuated means for oscillating the pipe 10 and the arrangement hereinafter described is to be connected as illustrated in Figure 1 to the distributing pipe I0 and to a water supply riser 20 which is preferably equipped with a control valve 2 I The water supply pipe 20 is fixedly connected by means of a union 22 to a fitting 23 which is secured to the casing 25 of the fluid motor of my invention by means of a clamp 26 and bolts 21 as illustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 5. In this manner the casing 25 is fixedly secured to the riser pipe 20 so that no relative movement occurs between these elements. The pipe I0 is connected to the fitting 23 through a packing gland (not shown) and a union 29 of such construction that pipe I0 may rotate or oscillate independently of fitting 23 and yet through the medium of the packing gland the arrangement is sealed against the escape of water at the union 29.

The oscillating means of my invention is carried by or contained within casing or housing 25 which in the embodiment illustrated is generally rectangular or box-like in configuration having an open side which is closed by means of a cover plate 30 held in place by means of screws 3I. A shaft 33 is journalled in bearings 34 carried by a wall of casing 25 and the cover plate 30 respectively, which bearings may be of any suitable character, those shown being of the anti-friction type although any other types of bearings may be utilized without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The shaft 33 projects through the wall of the casing 25 and carries exteriorly thereof a toothed sprocket wheel 36 which is fixed to the shaft 33. Secured to the pipe I0 by means of a clamp 37 is a member or sector 39 preferably having a smooth or band-like periphery 40 and a central or hub portion 4| integrally connected to the peripheral structure by arms 42. A chain or flexible member 44 takes over the sprocket wheel 30 and is connected at its ends by means of screws'45 or other suitable means to the extremities of periphery of the sector 39. In this manner the sector 39 may be driven through the medium of chain 44 and the sprocket wheel 36. A web-like portion 48 of the sector is provided with a plurality of spaced holes 49 which are preferably slightly tapered and adapted to selectively accommodate pins 50 and 5| which have correspondingly tapered ends so as to be frictionally or wedgingly retained in openings 49. The pins 50 and 5| are preferably formed with knurled portions 53 so that they may be easily removed and placed in different openings of the series of openings 49 for a purpose as will be hereinafter explained, of regulating or limiting the degree of oscillation of the distributing pipe I0 and sector 39.

Contained within the housing 25 and fixed to shaft 33 is a comparatively large gear 55 meshing with a small pinion 56 carried upon shaft 51, the latter in turn carrying a large gear 58 meshing with pinion 59 carried on shaft 60, this shaft carrying a large gear 5i meshing with pinion 62 carried on shaft 63. Shaft 63 is journalled in the rear wall of casing 25 and cover plate 30 as are

shafts

51 and 60, shaft 63 projecting through the cover 30 and carrying exteriorly of the housing a turbine or fluid actuated wheel 65, the latter being secured to the shaft by means of a set screw 66 carried by the hub 6! of the wheel 65.

The turbine wheel 65 which is adapted to be driven by fluid pressure, as hereinafter described, is preferably of extremely light Weight construction. The body of the wheel is formed of a single plate #0 which is secured to hub 6'! in any suitable manner and the outer or peripheral portions of the disk or body 10 terminate in projections II. The vanes of the buckets 13 on the periphery of the wheel are formed as shown in Figure 8 preferably from a single strip of material as at I5 by the metal being folded upon itself at spaced distances. In order to complete the bucket structure, a member I8 of U-shaped cross section as indicated in Figure 7 is provided having lateral side walls 19 and which form the sides of the turbine buckets. A cross section of the bucket structure is shown in Figure '7 with the member I5 lying adjacent the bight of the U-shaped member I8 and may be secured thereto by soldering, brazing or the like. The upper extremities of the projections II of the wheel I0 are folded over side wall 80 of member I8 as indicated at 8|. The parts may be soldered, sweated or brazed together in order to make a rigid yet light weight construction. It is to be understood that the design of the turbine wheel may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

Positioned above the casing 25 and secured thereto is a valve housing having a cover plate 86 held in place by means of bolts 81. J ournalled within the housing 85 is a shaft 89 which projects forwardly of the cover plate 86 through a boss portion 99 thereof. The shaft is fluid sealed by means of a packing gland contained within nut 9| illustrated in Figure 4. J ournalled on the outermost extremity of the shaft 89 is an arm 93, the lower extremity being in the path of movement of the pins 50 and 5| adapted to be carried by sector 39. Secured to the arm 93 is a laterally extending bracket 94 having a short upwardly projecting stub shaft 95 which positions the lower end of a coil spring 96, the upper end of the coil spring engaging with a disk 9'! having a tenon 98 projecting into the coil so as to prevent the disarrangement of the spring. The disk 91 is provided with a boss portion 99 which is connected by means of a pin I00 to a link IN, the upper end of which surrounds and is secured to shaft 89 by means of a pin I02.

Arm 93 is also provided with another laterally extending bracket I04 which is slotted to accommodate the extremity of a tension plate or flat spring I05 fixed to a bracket I06 secured to casing 25 by means of a screw or other suitable means. It is to be noted that the tension plate I 95 projects loosely into the slot in bracket I 04.

As the arm 93 is loosely journalled on shaft 89, the spring plate I05 projecting in the slotted bracket I04 acts as a resilient stop to limit the movement of the arm under the pressure of coil spring 96, thus maintaining the spring 95 and link IOI in assembled relationship.

Positioned interiorly of the valve housing or chamber 85 and secured to shaft 89 is an upwardly projecting arm II 0 which projects into a peripheral recess III of a cylindrical valve member H2. Member I I2 is provided with two oppositely disposed cone shaped valve surfaces H3 and H4, the valve surfaces being spaced apart a sufficient distance that they are alternately engageable with stationary valve seats I I5 and H6. Member I I2 is provided adjacent each of the valve surfaces with polygonal portions Ill and H8 which project loosely into tubular fittings I20 and I M respectively. The portions II! and II 8 are preferably square so as to permit water or fluid to flow past the valve surfaces into the tubes I20 and I2I. The fittings I20 and I2l, as illustrated in Figure 3, are threaded into bores in the opposite side walls of the housing 85 and are locked in position by means of nuts I22. Connected to the fittings I26 are tubes I24 and I25 having at their extremities jets or nozzles I26 and I21. The tubes are so formed that the jets I26 and I2I are in opposed relation and located adjacent the buckets of the turbine wheel 65 so that water extruded from these jets or nozzles will strike the wheel at the proper angle to rotate the same. The water for driving the turbine wheel is obtained from the main supply through the fitting 23 by means of a tube I29 as illustrated in Figure 5, said tube having an upwardly projecting pipe E36 connected to a control valve I3I, the latter connected by means of a flexible tube I32 and tube I33 to the valve chamber at the point indicated at I34. Positioned within pipe I29 is a strainer or screen I36 so as to prevent foreign matter from entering the valve housing. The tube I29 has a projecting portion provided with a threaded cap for cleaning out any foreign matter which may be trapped by the screen I36.

It is desirable that the gearing contained within the casing 25 should operate in oil. To this end a filler plug 32 is provided adjacent the upper portion of the casing and a plug 35 in the side wall of the casing is also provided in order to determine the level of the lubricant 38.

The operation of the arrangement is as follows: When it is desired to oscillate distribution pipe I6, the oscillator of my invention is affixed between the upper end of the riser pipe 26 and the pipe I6 by means of the

unions

22 and 29 and the clamps 26 and 3'! drawn tightly about the fitting 23 and the distribution pipe I0. Water or other fluid may then be admitted to the riser 29, pipe I0 and the oscillator by means of the master valve 2| which permits a flow of water through the pipe I0 and also admits water to tube I29 and thence through control valve I3I to the valve chamber 85, the amount of water passing to the valve chamber being controlled by the valve I3I to regulate the speed of the wheel 65. With particular reference to Figure 3 for illustrative purposes, the valves H3 and H4 will be in the position indicated in Figure 3 which will permit the passage of water from the valve chamber past valve II I through tube I25 and through jet I2'I where the stream of Water will impinge upon the buckets or vanes of the water wheel causing the same to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2. The wheel rotates at a comparatively high speed under the impulse of the pressure of the water and through the medium of the speed reducing gearing enclosed within casing 25 will move the shaft 33 and sprocket 36 at a comparatively slow rate of speed but with greatly multiplied power so that there is ample power to move the sector 39 and water distribution pipe I6 through the medium of the sprocket chain 44. I have found that a comparatively high ratio of speed of rotation of the turbine wheel with respect to the movement of distribution pipe I6 is desirable to the satisfactory operation of the device for giving the pipe II] a slow oscillatory movement for water distribution and that a ratio of the speed of the turbine Wheel to the sprocket wheel 36 of one to three thousand or even a higher ratio has been found to deliver ample power for oscillating a pipe several hundred feet in length. As illustrated in Figure 2, the water Wheel traveling in a counter-clockwise direction drives the sector 39 and distribution pipe ID in a clockwise direction and such movement of rotation will continue until the pin 5I comes in contact with the arm 93 causing the arm 93 to swing in a counterclockwise direction about the shaft 89 as a center until the projection 95, pin I00 and shaft 89 are brought into substantially a straight line and slightly further movement of arm 93 thereafter causes the link I6I and spring 96 acting as a toggle mechanism to move in the opposite direction so as to cause the valve member II2 to move to its opposite position cutting ofi the supply of water to jet I21 and admitting the water supply in the valve casing 85 to be delivered through tube I24 and jet I26 to the vanes or buckets of the turbine Wheel. The stream of water extruded through jet I26 striking the Wheel, in a very short period of time causes the latter to reverse its direction of rotation and initiate rotation of the water distributing pipe I0 and sector 39 in a reverse or counter-clockwise direction. This action of sector 39 continues at a substantially constant rate because of the substantially constant rotation of turbine wheel 65 until the pin 56 engages with the arm 93 causing the latter to be again moved to the position as indicated in Figure 2 wherein the water supply to jet I26 will be cut off and the water diverted to the jet I21, reversing the turbine wheel and repeating the above described operations.

Through the use of a fluid actuated motor of the character above described, the water distribution pipe is oscillated at a substantially constant rate of speed after the turbine wheel has reached a uniform rate of speed, which takes place in a comparatively short period of time after the reversing operation. This substantially constant movement of the water distributing pipe results in a uniform distribution of water over the ground to be irrigated. The portion of the water directed against the turbine wheel after its impingement upon the vanes of, the wheel is atomized and becomes a mist which also settles upon the surrounding ground and augments the irrigation without causing any puddling.

It is to be noted that the pins 56 and 5| may be moved to any selective position by inserting the pins in any of the several openings 49 so that the angle of movement of the water distributing pipe may be readily changed or varied to irrigate more or less area of ground if desired.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character disclosed, a rotatably mounted distributing pipe; a fluid motor mounted in fixed position adjacent thereto and having a fluid driven wheel; means for directing fluid flow against said wheel, valve means for changing direction of said fluid flow for alternately driving said wheel in opposite directions; and means including gearing for transmitting the rotary motion of said fluid driven wheel to said distributing pipe, and means movable with the distributing pipe for controlling said valve means.

2. A device of the character disclosed, a water distributing pipe journalled for rotary movement about its longitudinal axis; a casing fixedly mounted adjacent said distributing pipe; a fluid actuated' wheel journalled on said casing exteriorly thereof; a shaft journalled in said casing and projecting exteriorly of said casing; speed reducing means contained within said casing for transmitting rotary motion of said fluid actuated wheel to said shaft; means connecting said distributing pipe with said shaft for transmitting rotary movement of said shaft to said distributing pipe; and means controlled by movement of said distributing pipe for determining the direction of rotation of said fluid actuated wheel.

3. A device of the character disclosed, a rotatable water distributing pipe; a casing fixedly mounted adjacent said distributing pipe; a fluid actuated Wheel journalled on said casing; a member carried by said distributing pipe; speed reducing means contained within said casing for transmitting rotary motion of said fluid actuated wheel to said member; a valve chamber associated with said casing; a plurality of tubes communicating with said valve chamber and terminating in jets adjacent said fluid actuated wheel, said jets arranged for actuating said wheel in opposite directions; a valve within said casing; and means arranged to periodically actuate said valve for alternately directing fluid flow from one of said jets against said fluid actuated wheel for changing the direction of rotation of. the latter.

4. A device of the character disclosed, a water distributing pipe journalled for rotary movement about its longitudinal axis; a member associated with said pipe and movable therewith; a fluid motor fixedly mounted adjacent said distributing pipe including a fluid actuated wheel; means connecting said member and said fluid actuated wheel for transmitting rotary movement of said wheel to said distributing pipe; a chamber; a plurality of tubes communicating with said chamber and terminating in jets adjacent said fluid actuated wheel, said jets being arranged to actuate said wheel in opposite directions; a valve within said chamber; and means controlled by movement of said member for imparting reciprocating movement to said valve to alternately direct fluid flow from one of said jets against said fluid actuated wheel to reverse the direction of rotation thereof.

5. A device of the character disclosed, a revolubly supported distributing pipe; a relatively stationary casing; a member connected to said distributing pipe; a fluid actuated wheel journalled on said casing; means for transmitting rotary motion of said fluid actuated wheel to said member and distributing pipe; a valve chamber associated with said casing having a fluid inlet; a valve for controlling the flow of fluid to said valve chamber; a valve in said chamber; a pair of tubes projecting from said valve chamber and having fluid extruding jets positioned adjacent said fluid actuated wheel, said .jets being arranged to operate said wheel in opposite directions; and means controlled by the movement of the member for periodically changing the direction of movement of said member and distributing pipe.

6. A device of the character disclosed, a rotatably mounted distributing pipe; a casing fixed mounted; a fluid actuated wheel journalled on said casing; speed reducing gearing contained within said casing and adapted to transmit rotary motion of said fluid actuated wheel to said distributing pipe; a valve chamber carried by said casing having a fluid inlet; a valve in said chamber; a plurality of tubes in communication with said valve chamber and having fluid extruding jets positioned adjacent said fluid actuated wheel arranged to cause actuation of the Wheel in opposite directions; means controlled by the movement of said distributing pipe for actuating said valve to selectively direct the flow of fluid through said tubes to change the direc tion of rotation of the fluid actuated wheel.

7. A device of the character disclosed, a rotatable distributing pipe; a relatively stationary casing; a member carried by said distributing pipe; a fluid actuated wheel journalled on said casing; speed reducing gearing contained within said casing and adapted to transmit rotary motion of said fluid actuated wheel to the member carried by the distributing pipe; a valve chamber carried by said casing having a fluid inlet; a valve for controlling the flow oi fluid to said valve chamber; a valve in said chamber; a pair of tubes projecting from said valve chamber and having fluid extruding jets positioned adjacent said fluid actuated wheel, said jets being so arranged as to cause the wheel to operate in opposite directions; means controlled by the movement of the member connected to the distributing pipe for actuating said valve to alternately direct the flow of fluid through said tubes to change the direction of rotation of the fluid actuated wheel.

8. A device of the character disclosed, a fixedly mounted casing; a member mounted for oscillatory movement; a fluid actuated wheel j ournalled on said casing; speed reducing mechanism contained within said casing andadapted totransmit rotary motion of said fluid actuated wheel to oscillate said member; a valve chamber; a valve for controlling the flow of fluid to said chamber; a valve in said chamber; means communicating with said chamber for directing fluid against said fluid actuated wheel; and means controlled by movement of said member for actuating said valve to change the direction of fluid flow and reverse the direction of rotation of said wheel.

9. A device of the character disclosed, a relatively stationary casing; a member mounted for oscillatory movement; a fluid actuated wheel journalled on said casing; a plurality of fluid conveying tubes arranged adjacent said fluid actuated wheel for selectively directing jets of fluid against said wheel in difierent directions; speed reducing means within said casing adapted to transmit rotary motion of said wheel to the member to be oscillated; and means controlled by movement of the member to be oscillated to direct flow of fluid alternately through said tubes to change the direction of rotation of the fluid actuated wheel.

HAROLD N. FALL.