MXPA00001733A - An improved irrigation sprinkler - Google Patents

Abstract

An irrigation sprinkler having a tubular housing (1) having an inlet (2) and adapted to be coupled to a water supply source and an outlet (3) and in which is located an outlet nozzle including a sprinkler outlet. The housing accommodates flow control means (4) coupled at one end to said inlet (2) end and having an outlet which communicates with and is spaced from the sprinkler outlet (7) by a region defined within the housing and constituting an hydraulic quiet zone for ensuring that water flow arrives at the spray outlet with substantially symmetrical distribution and with minimal turbulence.

Description

IMPROVED IRRIGATION SPRAYER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an irrigation sprinkler and is particularly, but not exclusively, related to what are referred to as micro sprinklers or mini sprinklers designed to have a relatively low output flow rate (eg, 20 to 150 liters per hour).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A known problem which arises with the sprinklers, and in particular with the micro-sprinklers, of any of the rotary or static types, is related to the variation in the exit velocity, sprinkling range and distribution pattern as a consequence of variations in the inlet pressure to the sprinkler, whenever this arises as a result of variations in the main supply or as a result of variations in the terrain which results in different supply suppressions reached by different sprinklers. In an attempt to solve this particular problem, it has been known to associate the water supply to the sprinkler with REF .: 32842 a suitable pressure or means of flow control, by means of which it is desired to ensure that the water that reaches the nozzle of the sprinkler outlet is always at a substantially constant flow velocity, regardless of the pressure supply. An additional problem which arises is associated with sprinklers which one wishes to operate at a relatively low output speed. In order to obtain such a relatively low output speed and at the same time ensure that the spray output flow is of sufficient velocity to ensure maintenance of an adequate spray range, the use of nozzles with outflow openings has been involved every time. smaller. It has been widely appreciated that the smaller the outlet flow opening, the greater the danger that the opening will be blocked by sand and the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sprinkler in which part or all of the disadvantages referenced above are significantly reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, an irrigation sprinkler having a tubular housing is provided; entry and exit ends of the housing; an outlet nozzle including a sprayer outlet located fixedly within the outlet end; a baffle element juxtaposed with respect to the sprinkler outlet; a flow control means comprising a base member; a first coupling means for sealingly coupling the base member to the housing inlet; a second coupling means for coupling the base member to a water supply; a longitudinally directed wall member; transversely directed wall members integrally formed with the longitudinally directed wall member; a recess portion formed in the longitudinally directed wall member having an edge portion thereof; a flexible membrane resiliently adapted to be retained against the edge portion and to define with the recessed portion a flow control chamber; a flow control chamber outlet formed in the recessed portion; the wall portions define with an inner wall surface of the housing an inlet chamber which exposes a surface of the membrane remote from the recessed portion; a communication means for carrying out communication between the input chamber and the flow control chamber; and a supply inlet that is formed in the base member to carry out the communication between the water supply and the inlet chamber, the outlet of the sprinkler is communicated and is separated from the flow control chamber outlet by a region defined within the housing and constituting a hydraulic laminar flow zone to ensure that the water flow arriving at the sprinkler outlet has a substantially symmetrical distribution and with minimal turbulence. Preferably, the outlet of the sprinkler is formed in a manner that ensures the contraction of the cross-sectional area of the outwardly flowing jet, with respect to the cross-sectional area of a downstream end of the sprinkler outlet. Therefore, the output of the sprinkler can be a pronounced edge, a short hole or the pronounced reentry edge type. With such sprinkler outputs, it is ensured that the water reaches these outlets with a substantially symmetrical distribution and with minimal turbulence transported therein as a consequence of the water jet emerging from the outlet having a contracted diameter (i.e. it has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the outlet), and in this way a relatively high velocity output jet is obtained without having a sprinkler outlet whose dimensions are so small that it is easily blocked. The flow control means may be of the type of differential pressure control described and that forms the subject of our application for United States Patent No. 4,209,133 to which attention is directed for a full explanation of the mode of operation. As clearly described in this patent specification, the use of such a differential flow control means transported therewith, in addition to obtaining very effective flow control, has the distinct advantage that the flow control means is capable of Self-cleaning . When such a flow control means is used, and in particular the differential flow control means, together with the hydraulic laminar flow zone, an additional means, associated with the flow control unit, is preferably used to ensure that the water arising from the flow control unit passes, for example, through a meander path and therefore a water flow is induced from a preliminary laminar flow factor. The construction of the particular irrigation sprinkler according to the invention can be modified, if desired, to the situation where the flow outlet is not a pronounced edge cut orifice or of the reentry type but which, for example, can be of the conical type when the outlet is tapered in a downstream direction. With such modification, the requirements of a hydraulic laminar flow zone can be minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to demonstrate how it can be carried out in practice, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation view, longitudinally sectioned, of a micro-sprinkler according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the micro-sprinkler shown in Figure 1, taken along line II-II; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the micro-sprinkler shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a flow control element incorporated in the micro-sprinkler shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a further perspective view of the flow control element shown in Figure 4, illustrating an opposite side of the element; and Figures 6a and 6b schematically illustrate respectively different shapes of the nozzle parts of the outlet nozzle for use with micro-sprinklers, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED MODALITY As seen in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, a micro-sprinkler according to the present invention comprises a tubular housing 1 having an inlet end 2 and an outlet end 3. An irrigation flow control unit 4 extends within the tubular housing 1 via the inlet end 2 thereof and is releasably fixed thereto and is formed with a nipple 5 with screw thread (comprising a second coupling means) for coupling to an irrigation water supply (not shown). Integrally formed at the outlet end 3 of the housing 1 is an annular wall element 6 having a central sprinkler outlet 7. The wall element 6 is formed integrally with a tubular extension 6a which, in turn, is integral with a wider tubular baffle housing 6b, the latter being separated from the wall element 6 by an annular recess 6c. A rotary baffle 8 is located within the deflecting housing 6b and is formed with a bearing 9a directed downward so that it is rotatably positioned within the tubular extension 6a and with an upwardly directed and centrally supporting pin 9b which is rotatably positioned a bearing boss 10 integrally formed and which is downwardly dependent from a supporting bridge element 11. The latter has a mounting collar 12 which is mounted on the outlet end 3 of the tubular housing 1 so as to be placed around and effectively sealing the annular recess 6c and thus resting on the peripheral rim 13 thereof. When used, the micro-sprinkler is coupled, via the nipple 5, to a supply source (not shown) and the water flows into the housing 1 via the flow control unit so that it emerges therefrom and passes out of the outlet 7 of the sprinkler at an exit velocity which is substantially independent of the supply pressure of the water flowing into the sprinkler. Water flowing out of the outlet 7 of the sprinkler strikes the rotating deflector 8, causing it to rise and rotate so as to distribute water over a substantially circular area whose radius depends on the speed of the water flowing outward. The construction of the rotating baffle 8 and the support bridge 11 is standard and does not have bearings in the particular inventive features of the present invention and will therefore not be described in detail. Reference will now be made to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, for a detailed description of the construction of the flow control unit 4. As seen in the figures, the unit 4 comprises a base element 15 from which the inlet nipple 5 depends and which is formed with a pair of opposite coupling flanges 16 having respectively integrally formed turning fins 17. Integrally formed with the base member 15 and extending up therefrom is a substantially cylindrical cover 18 having a longitudinally extending partition wall 19., substantially central, having a central recessed portion 19a which is formed with a through outlet 20 and, separated therefrom in a direction toward the base member 15, a through inlet 21. The recessed portion 19a is formed with an edge 19b. The flow control unit 4 is formed with the most lower, intermediate and upper wall portions transversely directed, 22, 23 and 24, the lowermost wall portion 22 is placed with an O-ring 25. Extending radially from the cover 18, between the upper wall portion 24 and the intermediate wall portion 23, there is a series of longitudinally extending, laterally directed reinforcements 26 which define, along with the longitudinally extending dividing wall 19, a channel 27 flow outflow in communication with the outlet 20. The reinforcements 26 extend from a longitudinally extending recessed portion of the cylindrical cover 18, so that they are formed on either side of the reinforcements 26 of the flow channels 28 which respectively communicate with the meander output flow channel 27 and therefore with the output 20.

Arranged to be placed within the cover 18 in juxtaposition to the openings 20 and 21 is a resilient and flexible flow control membrane 29 which is supported against the edge 19b so that it is normally retained in a position separate from the inlet and the opening. outlet 20 and 21. The membrane 29 and the recessed portion 19a together define a flow control channel 21. A through-flow perforation 30 is formed in the base member 15 and the lower transverse wall 22. As can be seen particularly in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the innermost inlet end 2 of the tubular housing 1 is formed with a pair of diametrically opposed peripheral coupling flanges 31. The assembly of the micro-sprinkler is carried out with the insertion of the flow control unit 4 into the tubular housing and the bayonet-like coupling of the peripheral coupling flanges 31 within the flanges. 16 coupling directed inwards. When assembled in this way, the transverse walls, 22, 23 and 24 are sealably seated against the inner surface of the tubular housing 1, as well as the reinforcements 26. In this way, the water flowing through the nipple 5 of The inlet passes through the perforation 30, on the one hand, through an inlet chamber defined between the transverse walls 22 and 23 through the inlet 21 to the interior of the flow control chamber 32 and, on the other hand, into an interior control chamber 33 defined between the membrane 29, the upper and lower transverse walls 22 and 24 and the inner surface of the tubular housing 1. The provision of a flexible membrane 29 between the output and input control chambers 32 and 33 results in differential pressure control being exerted, as a result of which the water arising from the output control chamber 32 through the outlet 20 to the meander exit flow channel 27 at a substantially constant flow velocity. The passage of this flow of controlled flow water through the meander path results in the progressive reduction in the turbulence of this water flow, which finally passes, via the flow channels 28, into an area 34. extended top of the tubular housing defined between the upper transverse wall 24 and the upper annular wall 6 of the housing. The relative dimensions of this extended upper zone 34 are chosen so as to ensure that this zone serves as an effective hydraulic laminar flow zone where any turbulence remaining in the water flow is reduced to a minimum and where the water flowing in the same towards the outlet 7 of the sprinkler reaches it distributed substantially uniformly and symmetrically with respect to the outlet. The controlled flow outflow of the micro-sprinkler arises from the outlet 7 of the sprinkler, it impinges on the deflector 8 which consequently rotates, distributing the outflow on a circular path. The provision of a micro-sprinkler with a hydraulically effective laminar flow zone 34, as described with respect to the drawings, is of very specific importance when the outlet is formed with a short sharp-edged orifice or a tube-type exit. reentry (Borda) such as that illustrated schematically and respectively in figures 6a and 6b of the drawings. Figure 6a shows an outlet end 3 of the tubular housing 1 having therein located a hydraulically laminar-flow zone 34 and which is formed with a pronounced short edge bore 3a, while Figure 6b shows the end 3 of output formed with a 3b output of reentry tube type (Borda). Therefore, the common feature of the two orifices, and of the reentrant tube type output is to provide a very pronounced upstream end of the outlet, with the water arising therefrom undergoing a contraction in its dimensions transverse so that the area of water flowing outward is smaller than that of the downstream end of the outlet. Under this contraction, it is ensured that the spraying of outgoing flow arises with sufficient speed required to obtain an adequate spraying range while, at the same time, it ensures that the exit of outflow is not restricted by dimensions that make it more and more susceptible to blocking. Thus, for example, with the outlets of the orifice type sprinkler 3a and 3b and of the reentry type (Borda) as shown in figures 6a and 6b of the drawings, the cross-sectional area of the flow sprinkler that exits it can be, for example, between 60-70% of the cross-sectional area of the pronounced edge outlet. The fact that the area of the nozzle outlet is significantly greater than the cross-sectional area of the spray jet implies as a consequence that the opening can be relatively large and therefore less susceptible to blockage while, at the same time, The spray jet emerges with an adequate speed to ensure effective reach and distribution. In addition, the fact that the outgoing jet does not contact the perforation walls downstream of the outlet means that these walls remain relatively free of deposits. However, as already indicated, it is an essential requirement for the effective use of such an orifice or reentrant type outlets to ensure that the water reaching the outlet does so under effectively non-turbulent conditions and distributed symmetrically and for this purpose It is vital to provide a hydraulic laminar flow zone in the region of the tubular housing adjacent to the outlet. As already indicated, the initial effective reduction in turbulence of the water flow arising from the flow control unit is carried out by ensuring that the water passes through the meander exit channel 27 before arising within the zone 34 of hydraulic laminar flow. At the same time, the characteristics of the zone 34 with respect to ensuring that the water reaching the orifice or the exit of the reentry type under a substantially non-turbulent and symmetrically arranged arrangement, are such that the diameter of the housing portion enclosing the zone 34 should preferably be greater than 3-4 times the diameter of the nozzle outlet, while the length of this housing portion should preferably be greater than 10 times the outlet diameter. In a characteristic example of a micro-sprinkler according to the present invention, the following characteristic dimensions of the sprinkler are used, using a housing wherein the portion thereof encloses the flow control unit 4 and has a diameter of 12 mm, while the portion thereof that encloses the zone 34 has a reduced diameter of 7 mm and a length of 20 mm. The exit orifice of the nozzle has a pronounced edge diameter of 1.4 mm. It will further be noted that with such a nozzle outlet, the pronounced edges thereof are upstream and are located within the housing and therefore are not susceptible to damage originating from the outside. Although in the specific embodiment of the invention described above the micro-sprinklers have been illustrated with a rotating baffle, it will be appreciated that the essential aspects of the micro-sprinkler according to the present invention can be equally well used with a deflector of the static type. Further, although the invention has been specifically described for use with a micro-sprinkler having a type of re-entry type exit orifice (as necessary, as is done, the provision of a "laminar flow" zone between the control unit pressure and output), the construction of the general micro-sprinkler according to the present invention is also applicable in the case where the sprinkler outlet is of a conical convergent type, in which case, of course, the sprinkler jet of outlet is of a diameter substantially equal to the outlet downstream of the exit bore, but in this case the requirements of a "laminar flow" zone between the outlet and the flow control unit can be minimized.

In all cases, the construction of the micro-sprinkler according to the present invention consists, as it does, of a tubular housing which is releasably and sealingly positioned to the flow control unit (which projects therein) , ensures the provision of a construction which is capable of a very effective and simple sealing with a minimum number of separate parts. In addition, the provision of the outlet as an integral portion of the tubular housing, itself generates a production facility for all types of service for the nozzle outlet, such as cleaning the nozzle outlet and cleaning or replacing the unit. of flow control which can be carried out by means of a simple action of disassembling the housing of the flow control unit. Although the invention is equally applicable when using controlled flow units other than those based on a differential pressure control, the use of such a differential pressure controlled means is particularly advantageous for all the reasons which have been previously explained in our previous patent of the United States that include the distinctive advantage that such differential pressure control is capable of performing a "self-cleaning", thereby significantly minimizing damage that blocks the pressure control unit.

In addition, the provision by which water enters the flow control chamber 33 by means of an "orifice" type inlet 21 agrees with the inherent advantages with the use of such "orifices" (as explained above), at the consider that the use of a hole allows a significantly larger entry into the flow control chamber, so that it still minimizes more blocking damage in this region. It is also noted that the internal construction of the micro-sprinkler does not allow the collection of stagnant water when it is not in use (and therefore minimizes the damage of the production of algae that block or similar), evidencing that the water which can remain inside the tubular housing drains outwards, through the perforation 30. In addition, it will be observed in advance that the disassembling of the micro-sprinkler, both for the purpose of cleaning the outlet 7 as the removal and cleaning, or replacement of the unit 4 of flow control can be easily carried out by a relatively simple rotational movement of rotation of the fins 17 of the flow control unit 4 with respect to the tubular housing 1. The fact that the entire micro-sprinkler is effectively and statically sealed with with respect to the exterior in a single easily accessible position (the ring in O 25) is also a distinctive advantage in assembly and use.

The use of the O-ring 25 is essentially optional, since an effective seal can be carried out without it. It will further be noted that the rotating baffle 8, which is rotatably mounted within the outlet 7 and displaced upwards by the water pressure during operation, falls back by gravity when water pressure is no longer applied, so that effectively seal the upper end of the tubular housing preventing entry of insects and the like. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects or products to which it refers.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. An irrigation sprinkler having a tubular housing; entry and exit ends of the housing; an outlet nozzle including a sprinkler outlet fixedly positioned within the outlet end; a baffle element juxtaposed with respect to the sprinkler outlet; a flow control means comprising a base member separated from the outlet nozzle; a first coupling means for sealingly coupling the base member to the housing inlet; a second coupling means for coupling the base member to a water supply; the base member has a longitudinally directed wall and transversely directed walls formed integrally with the longitudinally directed wall; a recessed portion formed in the longitudinally directed wall having an edge portion thereof; a flexible membrane resiliently adapted to be retained against the edge portion and to define with the recessed portion a flow control chamber; a flow control chamber outlet formed in the recessed portion; the walls define with the inner wall surface of the housing an inlet chamber to which a surface of the membrane remote from the recessed portion is exposed; a communication means for carrying out communication between the input chamber and the flow control chamber; and a supply inlet formed in the base member to carry out the communication between the water supply and the inlet chamber; the output of the sprinkler communicates with the output of the flow control chamber.

2. The sprinkler according to claim 1, characterized in that the sprinkler outlet is separated from the base member by a region defined within the housing, the region is symmetrical in relation to the outlet nozzle and constitutes a hydraulic laminar flow zone to ensure that the flow of water reaches the exit of the sprinkler with a substantially symmetrical distribution and with minimum turbulence.

3. The sprinkler according to claim 1, characterized in that the sprinkler outlet is of the short edge orifice type pronounced.

4. The sprinkler according to claim 1, characterized in that the spray outlet is of the pronounced edge reentry type.

5. The sprinkler according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the sprinkler outlet is formed so as to ensure a contraction of the cross-sectional area of a jet flowing outward with respect to the cross-sectional area of a downstream end of the output of the sprinkler.

6. The sprinkler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hydraulic laminar flow area has a diameter greater than 3 to 4 times d and a length greater than 10 times d, where d is the diameter of the sprinkler outlet.

7. The sprinkler according to claim 1, characterized in that the sprinkler outlet is tapered in an upstream direction.

8. The sprinkler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow control means is of the differential pressure flow control type.

9. The sprinkler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication means is restricted.

10. The sprinkler according to claim 9, characterized in that the restricted communication means is constituted by a short hole with a sharp edge formed in the recessed portion.

11. The sprinkler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first coupling means is constituted by a pair of inwardly directed, diametrically opposite flanges formed on the base member in which they are adapted to be coupled in the form of a bayonet. with a corresponding pair of diametrically opposite, directed outwardly formed flanges formed adjacent to the entrance end of the housing.

12. The sprinkler according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinally directed wall member is further formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending, laterally directed edges, designed to define with an adjacent wall surface of the housing, a path of meander, one end of which communicates with the outlet opening and the opposite end of which communicates with the spray outlet. Y IMPROVED IRRIGATION SPRAYER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An irrigation sprinkler that has an accommodation (1) tubular and having an inlet (2) adapted to be coupled to a water supply source, and an outlet (3) and in which an outlet nozzle including an irrigation outlet is located. The housing accommodates a flow control means (4) coupled at one end to the inlet end (2) and that has an exit which communicates with and is separated 10 of the irrigation outlet (7) by a region defined within the housing and constituting a hydraulic immobility zone to ensure that the flow of water reaching the spray outlet with a substantially symmetrical distribution and with minimum turbulence.