IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0300946
(2011-11-21)
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등록번호 |
US-8789768
(2014-07-29)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Hunnicutt, Steven Brian
- Walker, Samuel C.
- Jahan, Rowshan
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery, LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
276 |
초록
▼
A variable arc sprinkler may be set to numerous positions along a continuum to adjust the arcuate span of the sprinkler. The sprinkler includes a nozzle body and a valve sleeve that helically engage each other to define an arcuate slot that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired ar
A variable arc sprinkler may be set to numerous positions along a continuum to adjust the arcuate span of the sprinkler. The sprinkler includes a nozzle body and a valve sleeve that helically engage each other to define an arcuate slot that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired arcuate span. The sprinkler may include a flow rate adjustment device that may be adjusted by actuation or rotation of an outer wall portion of the sprinkler. Rotation of the outer wall portion may cause a throttle control member to move axially to or away from an inlet, or may cause one or more restrictor elements to open or close, to control the flow rate of the sprinkler.
대표청구항
▼
1. A variable arc nozzle comprising: a deflector having an underside surface contoured to deliver fluid generally radially outwardly therefrom through an arcuate span; anda nozzle body defining an inlet, an outlet, a first valve portion, and a second valve portion, the inlet capable of receiving flu
1. A variable arc nozzle comprising: a deflector having an underside surface contoured to deliver fluid generally radially outwardly therefrom through an arcuate span; anda nozzle body defining an inlet, an outlet, a first valve portion, and a second valve portion, the inlet capable of receiving fluid from a source, the outlet capable of delivering fluid to the underside surface of the deflector, the first valve portion defining an internal helical surface, and the second valve portion defining an external helical surface that adjustably cooperates with the internal helical surface of the first valve portion to define between the helical surfaces an arcuate slot that is adjustable in size to determine the arcuate span;wherein the nozzle body includes a wall extending axially downstream from the arcuate slot for redirecting fluid flow from the arcuate slot to the underside surface of the deflector. 2. The variable arc nozzle of claim 1 further comprising an arc adjustment member and a bore in the deflector, the arc adjustment member extending through the deflector bore and engaging the second valve portion for rotation of the second valve portion to adjust the size of the arcuate slot. 3. The variable arc nozzle of claim 2 wherein the second valve portion defines a bore and includes an internal splined segment for interlockably engaging a corresponding splined segment of the arc adjustment member. 4. The variable arc nozzle of claim 3 wherein the second valve portion and arc adjustment member are configured such that rotation of the arc adjustment member beyond a predetermined position causes the arc adjustment member to continue to rotate without corresponding rotation of the second valve portion. 5. The variable arc nozzle of claim 2 wherein the deflector includes an open upper end and wherein the nozzle further comprises a cap for mounting to the upper end of the deflector, the cap having an interface configured to engage the arc adjustment member for rotation of the member to adjust the size of the arcuate slot. 6. The variable arc nozzle of claim 2 further comprising at least one biasing element for applying a predetermined pre-load force to urge the second valve portion against the first valve portion. 7. The variable arc nozzle of claim 6 wherein the at least one biasing element has a first end and a second end, the first end operatively coupled to the arc adjustment member and the second end operatively coupled to the second valve portion. 8. The variable arc nozzle of claim 1 wherein the second valve portion comprises a molded generally cylindrical second valve body and an overmolded portion, the overmolded portion defining the external helical surface. 9. The variable arc nozzle of claim 1 wherein the second valve portion further defines a fin projecting radially outwardly from the second valve portion for channeling fluid flow to define an edge of fluid flowing through the arcuate slot. 10. The variable arc nozzle of claim 1 wherein the first valve portion of the nozzle body comprises an overmolded portion defining the internal helical surface. 11. The variable arc nozzle of claim 1 wherein the second valve portion comprises a first fin projecting radially outwardly from the second valve portion and wherein the nozzle body comprises a second fin projecting radially inwardly from the first valve portion, the first and second fins channeling fluid flow to define first and second edges of fluid flowing through the arcuate slot. 12. The variable arc nozzle of claim 1 further comprising a flow rate adjustment device positioned downstream of the inlet to regulate flow to the deflector. 13. The variable arc nozzle of claim 12 wherein the nozzle body further comprises a collar and wherein the flow rate adjustment device comprises a throttle control member located downstream of the inlet, the collar operatively coupled to the throttle control member for axial movement of the throttle control member toward and away from the inlet. 14. The variable arc nozzle of claim 12 wherein the flow rate adjustment device defines an opening and has at least a first flow restrictor element and a second flow restrictor element, the elements cooperating to variably adjust the opening between a closed position, wherein the opening is almost completely obstructed, and an open position, wherein less than half of the opening is obstructed. 15. The variable arc nozzle of claim 1 further comprising a speed control brake coupled to the deflector for regulating the rotational speed of the deflector. 16. The variable arc nozzle of claim 1 wherein the arcuate slot directs fluid outwardly and the wall is disposed radially outwardly of the arcuate slot such that the wall redirects fluid exiting the slot axially towards the underside surface of the deflector. 17. A nozzle comprising: a deflector having an underside surface contoured to deliver fluid generally radially outwardly therefrom;a collar rotatable about the central axis and defining an internal surface and an external actuation surface, the external actuation surface being at an exterior of the nozzle and to be actuated by a user; anda moveable valve body having an external surface for coupling to the internal surface of the collar;wherein rotation of the collar causes movement of the valve body for opening and closing of a valve for adjusting the amount of fluid flow through the nozzle. 18. The nozzle of claim 17 wherein the valve body comprises a throttle control member rotatable about the central axis and wherein rotation of the collar causes rotation of the throttle control member and movement of the throttle control member in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis. 19. The nozzle of claim 18 wherein the throttle control member has a central hub defining an internal bore and wherein the nozzle further comprises a post for engagement with the central hub of the throttle control member. 20. The nozzle of claim 19 further comprising an inlet upstream of the throttle control member, rotation of the collar causing the throttle control member to move axially to or away from the inlet. 21. The nozzle of claim 20 wherein the central hub of the throttle control member is internally threaded for engagement with corresponding threads of the post, rotation of the throttle control member causing it to move along the threads in an axial direction to or away from the inlet. 22. The nozzle of claim 18 wherein the internal surface of the collar defines a first splined surface and wherein the external surface of the throttle control member defines a second splined surface for interlocking engagement with the first splined surface of the collar. 23. The nozzle of claim 18 wherein the throttle control member comprises a ring having the external surface on the outside circumference thereof and a plurality of ribs joining the ring to a central hub, the ribs defining flow passages for the flow of fluid therethrough. 24. The nozzle of claim 18 wherein the throttle control member comprises one or more arcuate segments, each having a splined surface on the outside circumference thereof, the one or more arcuate segments projecting radially outwardly from a central hub. 25. The nozzle of claim 18 wherein the collar and throttle control member are configured such that rotation of the collar beyond a predetermined position causes the collar to continue to rotate without corresponding rotation of the throttle control member. 26. The nozzle of claim 17 wherein the valve defines a flow opening and comprises at least a first flow restrictor element and a second flow restrictor element, the elements cooperating to variably adjust the flow opening between a closed position, wherein the flow opening is almost completely obstructed, and an open position, wherein less than half of the flow opening is obstructed. 27. The nozzle of claim 26 comprising a total number of restrictor elements, n, wherein n is greater than two, such that the flow restrictor elements shift relative to one another to increase or decrease the size of the flow opening of the valve, each restrictor element having a shutter and a central hub that define at least in part an arcuate flow aperture therethrough, the shutter extending approximately 1/n of the way about the hub to obstruct the flow opening. 28. The nozzle of claim 17 wherein the collar comprises a cylindrical portion having the internal surface for engagement with the external surface of the valve body. 29. The nozzle of claim 17 wherein the collar defines a substantially circumferential outer wall, the outer wall rotatable for opening and closing the valve. 30. A variable arc nozzle comprising: a deflector rotatable about a central axis and having an underside surface contoured to deliver fluid generally radially outwardly therefrom through an arcuate span;an arc adjustment valve including a first valve portion and a second valve portion, the first valve portion defining an internal helical surface and the second valve portion defining an external helical surface that adjustably cooperates with the internal helical surface of the first valve portion to form an arcuate slot that is adjustable in size to determine the arcuate span;a collar rotatable about the central axis and defining an internal surface; anda flow rate adjustment valve having an external surface for coupling to the internal surface of the collar;wherein rotation of the collar causes opening and closing of the flow rate adjustment valve for adjusting the amount of fluid flow through the nozzle. 31. A variable arc nozzle comprising: a deflector having an underside surface contoured to deliver fluid generally radially outwardly therefrom through an arcuate span;an inlet configured for receiving fluid from a source;an arc adjustment valve configured for delivering fluid to the underside surface of the deflector, the arc adjustment valve having a first valve portion and a second valve portion;wherein the first valve portion defines an internal helical surface and the second valve portion defines an external helical surface, the internal and external helical surfaces being adjustable relative to one another to define between the helical surfaces an arcuate slot that is adjustable in size to determine the arcuate span; anda surface extending axially downstream from the arcuate slot for redirecting fluid flow from the arcuate slot to the underside surface of the deflector.
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