Nutating Sprinkler Head

Abstract

A sprinkler head is disclosed having a fluid distribution cage configured to nutate between an upper sprinkler body plate and a lower sprinkler body plate. The sprinkler head has a projection to cause the fluid distribution cage to hang at a non-horizontal angle prior to initiation of nutation. The projection is configured to move or rotate away from the upper cage plate of the fluid distribution cage during nutation initiation. Preferably the projection is positioned on a gimbal ring that rotates in response to force asserted on the projection by the upper cage plate. Preferably the gimbal ring has two projections positioned on opposing sides of the axis of rotation of the gimbal ring.

Claims

1. A fluid distributing sprinkler head, comprising a fluid delivery tube with an attached fluid nozzle; a sprinkler body upper plate attached to a lower end of said fluid delivery tube; a fluid distribution cage freely attached to said fluid delivery tube lower end, said fluid distribution cage with a lower cage plate with a first and second side, and an upper cage plate with a first and second side, with said cage plates held in a spaced apart relationship by one or more cage arms; a sprinkler body lower ring attached to a lower end of said fluid delivery tube, said sprinkler body lower ring comprising at least one projection extending upward from said sprinkler body lower ring, wherein said upper cage plate is configured to hang freely from said at least one raised projection when said cage is without fluid and said sprinkler head is in a vertical position, wherein said upper cage plate defining a passage for said fluid delivery tube lower end; said lower cage plate first side having a generally peaked surface, said surface incised by spirally radiating grooves with a peak on said lower plate first side centrally positioned and having a beveled top surface; wherein said bevel on said lower plate configured for deflection by an initial jet of fluid from said fluid directing tube, to initiate a nutating motion in said cage after said initial deflection with said nutating motion maintained by the force of fluid on said spirally radiating grooves causing said upper cage plate to nutate between said sprinkler body upper plate and said sprinkler body lower plate, wherein said at least one raised projection is configured to move downward out of the path nutation of said upper cage plate when said upper cage plate contacts said at least one raised projection during initiation of nutation of said upper cage plate.

2. The sprinkler head of claim 1, wherein said sprinkler body lower ring comprises a gimbal and sprinkler body lower ring assembly having a gimbal ring positioned within said sprinkler body lower ring, wherein said at least one raised projection is positioned on an upper surface of said gimbal ring, wherein said gimbal ring is configured to rotate relative to said sprinkler body lower ring when said upper cage plate contacts said raised projection when said upper cage plate is nutating.

3. The sprinkler head of claim 2, wherein said at least one raised projection comprises at least two raised projections positioned on rotationally opposite sides of said gimbal ring.

4. The sprinkler head of claim 2, wherein said gimbal ring comprises two opposing gimbal axles, wherein said gimbal axles are positioned within bearing bosses of an internal circumference of said sprinkler body lower ring.

5. The sprinkler head of claim 4, wherein said gimbal ring is configured to prevent said gimbal axles from dislodging from said bearing bosses during nutation of said upper cage plate.

6. The sprinkler head of claim 5, wherein said gimbal ring comprises at least one lower projection extending from a bottom of said gimbal ring, wherein said projection is configured to prevent to said gimbal axles from dislodging from said bearing bosses during nutation of said upper cage plate.

7. The sprinkler head of claim 6, wherein said sprinkler body lower ring comprises an internal opening comprising a lip, wherein said lower projection is configured as a hook such that said hook is configured to contact said lip to prevent said gimbal from rotating such that said gimbal axles are dislodged from said bearing bosses.

8. The sprinkler head of claim 2, wherein said gimbal ring is connected to a gimbal support ring positioned interior to said gimbal ring by a pair of opposing bridges, wherein contact by said upper cage plate onto said at least one projection causes said gimbal ring to rotate about an axis defined by said pair of opposing bridges.

9. The sprinkler head of claim 8, wherein said gimble ring connected to said gimbal support ring, said bridges, and said gimbal ring comprise a gimbal assembly, wherein said gimbal assembly comprises spring steel.

10. The sprinkler head of claim 8, wherein said lower sprinkler body ring defines a lower sprinkler body shoulder, wherein said gimbal support ring is positioned on said lower sprinkler body shoulder.

11. The sprinkler head of claim 10, wherein said fluid distribution tube defines a fluid distribution tube shoulder, wherein said gimbal support ring is positioned between said lower sprinkler body shoulder and said fluid distribution tube shoulder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a sprinkler head in an initial position.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a sprinkler head in a second position after fluid has begun spraying through the nozzle of the sprinkler head.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a sprinkler head in a third position after fluid has begun spraying through the nozzle of the sprinkler head.

[0022] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a sprinkler head.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a gimbal and sprinkler body lower ring assembly.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a gimbal and sprinkler body lower ring assembly

[0025] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a gimbal and sprinkler body lower ring assembly.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of a sprinkler head.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective cross sectional view of an embodiment of a sprinkler head.

[0028] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a sprinkler head.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a gimbal ring assembly of a second embodiment of a sprinkler head. A gimbal ring assembly is provided on a shoulder 54 of the lower body ring and a shoulder 52 of a fluid delivery tube. The gimbal ring assembly in the depicted embodiment is a piece of spring steel provided with a pair of projections 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0030] While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.

[0031] A first embodiment of the disclosed technology is shown in FIGS. 1-7. FIGS. 1-7 utilize a gimble ring and lower sprinkler body ring assembly in which the gimble ring is configured to rotate via two opposing bearings positioned within opposing bosses located on an inner surface of the lower sprinkler body ring. A second embodiment of the disclosed technology is shown in FIGS. 8-11. FIGS. 8-11 illustrate a gimbal ring assembly that utilizes a gimbal ring connected to a gimbal mounting ring by two opposing bridges which provide an axis of rotation of the gimble ring relative to the gimble mounting ring. In each embodiment pressure applied by the lower surface of the upper cage plate onto one of the opposing projections causes the gimbal ring to rotate downward and away from the upper cage plate.

[0032] Each of the depicted embodiments illustrates a sprinkler head having an upper sprinkler body 1 and a lower sprinkler body ring 16 attached in a spaced apart relationship to a fluid delivery tube 9. A fluid distribution cage 2 is loosely positioned on the fluid delivery tube and configured to hang from the lower sprinkler body ring when the sprinkler head is in the off position. Each of the depicted embodiments has two opposing projections positioned on a gimbal ring. As discussed below the configuration and operation of the gimbal ring varies between the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-7 and 8-11.

[0033] In each of the depicted embodiments, water (or other liquid) enters the irrigation system from an external source via inflow tube 8. Water flows from the input tube through a constricting fluid nozzle the upper sprinkler body ring and out of the upper sprinkler body ring through fluid delivery tube 9. In a preferred embodiment the fluid input nozzle can be removed to allow for replacement of the fluid restricting nozzle. The fluid sprayed through the fluid delivery tube strikes a beveled surface 20 of the lower cage plate 5 of the fluid distribution cage 2. which has an upper cage plate 18 (also called a swash plate or ring) and a lower cage plate 5. Each of the cage plates has an upper or first surface and a lower or second surface. The upper and lower cage plates are connected to each other and held in a spaced apart relationship by one or more cage arms 6. The depicted embodiments are shown with three cage arms.

[0034] Fluid sprayed from the constricting nozzle through the fluid delivery tube 9 hits the upper surface of the lower cage plate 5 at the peak 28 of the lower cage plate 5. The peak preferably has a beveled top surface, which is positioned to cause the cage deflect to one side when first struck by a stream of fluid. The bevel is aligned perpendicular to the raised projections on the underside of the swash plate. The lower cage plate 5 includes a number of spirally radiating grooves 22 emanating from the peak that distribute fluid sprayed from the sprinkler body in an irrigation pattern. The depicted embodiment of the lower cage plate 5 has an upturned edge 24 around the periphery of the plate that further serves to direct fluid being distributed. A stream of fluid sprayed on the peak from the fluid distribution tube causes the cage to begin nutating around the fluid distribution tube. As the fluid stream continues, the cage nutates around the fluid distribution tube altering the angle and location on the cage that the fluid stream hits, thus continuously altering the fluid pattern distributed from the sprinkler head.

[0035] In each of the embodiments the sprinkler head in what is called a vertical orientation at rest (without fluid flowing through the sprinkler head) such that the fluid distribution cage 2 is resting in a tilted orientation on two projections formed in the gimbal ring 15.

[0036] Each of the depicted embodiments illustrates two projections 17 positioned on the top surface of a gimbal ring to cause the fluid distribution cage to hang at an angle relative to the sprinkler body 15 and fluid delivery tube when the sprinkler is off (or not running). The projections or bumps allow for the initiation of nutation when fluid is initially sprayed onto the fluid distribution cage.

[0037] FIGS. 1-11 illustrate the projections being positioned on a gimbal ring of a gimbal ring and lower sprinkler body ring assembly.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the sprinkler head of FIG. 1 after fluid has been sprayed from the nozzle onto the fluid distribution plate. The distribution cage has begun nutation but has not reached full nutation. The sprinkler body lower ring 16. The gimbal ring has opposing gimbal axles that are positioned within bearing bosses on an interior surface of the lower plate (illustrated in FIG. 6).

[0039] A weight 7 is shown in the depicted embodiments. The optional weight is utilized to dampen the vibrations caused by the nutation and help prevent wind from blowing the sprinklers away from vertical when they are hung over the crop on hose. Alternatively the weight can be integral with the sprinkler body.

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates the sprinkler head at a point in which the upper cage plate has contacted the projections on the upper surface of the gimbal ring. The gimbal has rotated on its bearings in the races in response to the contact from the upper cage plate. The rotation of the gimbal allows for the continued nutation of the distribution cage to reach full, continued nutation.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the illustrated sprinkler head. The fluid delivery tube can be provided as shown to be a unitary piece with the lower sprinkler body plate. The fluid delivery tube and plate can be manufactured as a single piece or alternatively welded, glued or otherwise connected to provide a single piece. Similarly the fluid delivery tube can be integral with the upper sprinkler body plate. Alternatively the fluid deliver tube can be provided as a separate piece from the upper sprinkler body plate and the lower sprinkler body plate as shown in the depicted embodiments. The depicted fluid delivery tube is configured to threadingly attach to the sprinkler body 1 and lower sprinkler plate 16.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the gimbal and sprinkler body lower ring assembly. The gimbal ring 15 is positioned within the lower sprinkler plate or ring 16 and configured to rock or rotate on the gimbal axles in response to the distribution cage contacting the projections 17 during initiation of nutation.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded of view the gimbal and sprinkler body lower ring assembly having the gimbal ring 15 separate from the sprinkler body lower ring 16. The depicted gimbal is equipped with two tabs 18 that are configured to interact with the lower sprinkler plate.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the gimbal and sprinkler body lower ring assembly depicting the rocking or rotation of the gimbal ring relative to the sprinkler body lower ring. The rocking of the gimbal is constrained by the tabs 18 interacting with a lip 21 defining an inner opening of the sprinkler body lower ring. The gimbal ring has rotated from contact from the distribution cage on the projections on the upper surface of the gimbal ring. The distribution cage continues nutation in response to fluid spraying on the cage and once it reaches an angle of nutation sufficient to avoid the projections on the gimbal ring, the gimbal ring rotates back to its horizontal position.

[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the sprinkler head. The depicted second embodiment provides the gimbal ring formed as a gimbal assembly. The gimbal assembly utilizes a gimbal ring 15 positioned exterior to a gimbal support ring. The gimbal support ring and the gimbal ring are concentric, and connected by two opposing bridges. Preferably the gimbal assembly is constructed from spring steel.

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the sprinkler head. The gimbal ring assembly 15 is illustrated in a void 58 within the lower sprinkler body ring.

[0047] FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of the second embodiment of the sprinkler head. The fluid delivery tube 9 is illustrated with shoulder 52 provided compressive force onto the gimbal support ring 29 of the gimbal ring assembly. The gimbal ring 15 is provided with a projections 17 for providing tilt to the fluid distribution cage prior to initiation of nutation.

[0048] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the gimbal ring assembly of the second embodiment of the sprinkler head. The projections 17 extend upward from gimbal ring. Two opposing bridges 60, 62 extend between the gimbal ring 15 and the gimbal support ring 29. In assembly, the gimbal support ring is positioned between or sandwiched between the shoulders of the lower sprinkler body ring and the fluid delivery tube. In operation, the upper cage plate exerts force on one or the other projections 17. The force causes the gimbal ring to rotate downward at that projection. The bridges flex to allow the opposing side of the gimbal ring to travel upward. The spring construction of the gimbal assembly allows the gimbal ring 15 to return to level when pressure relieved from the projection 17. In the depicted embodiment, the gimbal ring 15 is provided with a reinforcement rib formed into it so that the gimbal ring does not bend as it rotates. This allows the bridges to twist and allows the gimbal ring to rotate about the axis defined by the opposing bridges of the gimbal ring. When the cage is running after initiation it clears the started bumps and recenters and allows the recentering of the gimbal ring.

[0049] While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of this disclosure. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined herein.