Abstract: A sprinkler assembly including a pressure regulator and a flow stop element combined in a single assembly. In one embodiment, the sprinkler includes a sprinkler body in fluid communication with a water supply to provide water to the sprinkler, a riser movably mounted in the sprinkler body and in fluid communication with the sprinkler body such that the riser rises up and out of the sprinkler body when water is provided to the sprinkler, a nozzle assembly mounted on a top end of the riser and in fluid communication with the riser; and a regulation element mounted in the riser and in contact with a portion of the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly holds the regulation member in an open position to allow flow of water to the nozzle assembly and to maintain a substantially constant water pressure in the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a riser with a nozzle assembly rotatable mounted thereon. The nozzle assembly includes a pressure regulator and flow control element.

Abstract: A moisture probe or sensor including an attachment element configured for attachment to a plant, bush or tree to determine a moisture content of the plant bush or tree. The moisture probe including a transceiver configured to transmit a moisture signal indicative of the moisture content of the plant, tree or plant.

Abstract: A protective nozzle top assembly includes a center recess to protect the attached retractable nozzle assembly when the sprinkler is in its non-operating condition. In an embodiment, the protective nozzle top assembly includes a secondary top surface positioned over a conventional primary top surface with water and dirt drainage between the two in order to provide dirt protection as well as protection from contact with lawn equipment, personnel and auto tires.

Abstract: Adjustable arc of coverage spray nozzle assembly for irrigation where the spray is characterized by the water jets which are cyclically deflected at a high frequency such that they break up into fan shaped water droplet patterns in which the fluid distribution and droplet size can be controlled. Jet deflection is accomplished with energy in the pressurized liquid itself. Multiple fluidic oscillating stream nozzle cavities are molded into a circular plate surround and adjustable arcuate length orifice valve so that one or a series of these fluidic discharge nozzles can be selected to have pressurized water to provide a selectable arc of coverage around a single sprinkler nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A sprinkler head nozzle assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing including an inlet for pressurize water and an outlet downstream of the inlet, a valve member, operable to extend and reduce an arcuate opening at the outlet of the housing, wherein the size of the arcuate opening indicates the arc of coverage of the sprinkler head nozzle assembly and a rotating distributor, mounted on a central shaft extending through the housing and the valve member, and operable to deflect a flow of water from the arcuate opening out of the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A sprinkler head nozzle assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing including an inlet for pressurize water and an outlet downstream of the inlet, a valve member, operable to extend and reduce an arcuate opening at the outlet of the housing, wherein the size of the arcuate opening indicates the arc of coverage of the sprinkler head nozzle assembly and a rotating distributor, mounted on a central shaft extending through the housing and the valve member, and operable to deflect a flow of water from the arcuate opening out of the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A controller for use in an irrigation system includes a selector, an indicator associated with the selector for identifying parameters selected to be set for use in controlling the irrigation system, indicia positioned on a top surface of the controller which cooperate with the selector to indicate the parameter being selected and a display for displaying information regarding the selected parameters; wherein the indicator includes a program display position for displaying information regarding all parameters related to a selected program of operation of the controller.

Abstract: A rotating distributor for use in a rotary type sprinkler is conically shaped and includes a plurality of water channels provided on a bottom surface thereof to guide water from a center axis of the distributor radially outward to an outer circumference of the distributor. The grooves are provided to collect and guide the water with a minimum of spray and turbulence and to impart rotation on the distributor. The depth of the grooves may be used to control flow and range as desired. An elevation control ring may be provided to vary the elevation angle of water leaving the grooves to control range. A kick angle control element may be provided to modify a kick angle at an outer circumferential end of selected grooves to provide speed control, if desired.

Abstract: A cyclone vacuum cleaner includes two suction fan stages, three stages of separation, plus a HEPA filter and allows capturing of wet or dry material in bag-less or bagged configuration in non-porous paper or plastic bags as well as ordinary garbage bags with pull tie tops for removal, with no suction loss. A steam generator may be added to provide substitute working vacuum fluid to the normal air for dirt pickup. Acoustic sound dumping may also be provided in the architecture of the assembly.

Abstract: A controller for use in an irrigation system includes a selector, an indicator associated with the selector for identifying parameters selected to be set for use in controlling the irrigation system, indicia positioned on a top surface of the controller which cooperate with the selector to indicate the parameter being selected and a display for displaying information regarding the selected parameters; wherein the indicator includes a program display position for displaying information regarding all parameters related to a selected program of operation of the controller.

Abstract: A rotating distributor for use in a rotary type sprinkler is conically shaped and includes a plurality of water channels provided on a bottom surface thereof to guide water from a center axis of the distributor radially outward to an outer circumference of the distributor. The grooves are provided to collect and guide the water with a minimum of spray and turbulence and to impart rotation on the distributor. The depth of the grooves may be used to control flow and range as desired. An elevation control ring may be provided to vary the elevation angle of water leaving the grooves to control range. A kick angle control element may be provided to modify a kick angle at an outer circumferential end of selected grooves to provide speed control, if desired.

Abstract: A double walled thermal container includes an outer container with an inner container mounted therein. Structural support is provided by an internal connection between the inner container and the outer container to minimize stress on the connection point. A separate elastomeric seal is preferably provided to prevent moisture from entering the area between the inner and outer containers.

Abstract: A cyclone vacuum cleaner includes two suction fan stages, three stages of separation, plus a HEPA filter and allows capturing of wet or dry material in bag-less or bagged configuration in non-porous paper or plastic bags as well as ordinary garbage bags with pull tie tops for removal, with no suction loss. A steam generator may be added to provide substitute working vacuum fluid to the normal air for dirt pickup. Acoustic sound dumping may also be provided in the architecture of the assembly.

Abstract: A simple hearing enhancement device that takes the normally adequately loud sound levels and optimizes selective frequency gain of the patient's ear passage to improve speech comprehension.

Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler nozzle assembly including a pressure regulator having a low friction seal for a riser assembly in which the regulator is installed. The pressure regulator includes a movable portion, a fixed portion located upstream of the movable portion, and connectable to a water inlet, and a biasing member such as a spring which applies a force to the movable portion according to a pressure differential between the water inlet pressure and a reference pressure. The fixed and movable portions move relative to each other according to the force provided by the biasing member to provide a variable flow restriction which maintains the desired pressure. The low friction seal is a diaphragm connected at one end to the movable member and anchorable at another end in the nozzle head.

Abstract: A simple hearing enhancement device that takes the normally adequately loud sound levels and optimizes selective frequency gain of the patient's ear passage to improve speech comprehension.

Abstract: A hearing enhancement device using wave amplification in the outer ear cavities of a user and transducer placement to provide frequency based enhancement of speech and music sounds without blocking the user's auditory canal.

Abstract: A speed limiting mechanism for a turbine-driven fluid distribution apparatus usable with compressible fluid such as compressed air and incompressible fluid such as water. In one form, a flow restrictor is located in the turbine discharge flow path, with the turbine discharge port area selected in relation to the turbine inlet port area according to the desired turbine speed with compressed air. In another form, the incoming fluid flows downstream along the surface of the turbine stator, and is then diverted to enter the rotor chamber in the proper direction. A bleed area on the stator which permits a portion of a compressible fluid which has expanded as it flows along the stator surface to flow to bypass the turbine rotor. In another embodiment, a valve may be provided upstream from the turbine to selectively divert at least a portion of the pressurized fluid around the turbine when the pressurized fluid air or a combination of air and water.

Abstract: A cone valve assembly including an upper valve member with a conical top portion and a stepped and spiraled top surface and a lower valve member including a central opening with a stepped and spiraled valve surface surrounding the central opening. The upper valve member is mounted in the lower valve member such that the lower valve member is rotatable and axially movable relative to the upper valve member. Rotation of the lower valve member allows for the adjustment of an arcuate slot opening that provides a conically shaped discharge stream of water from the cone valve nozzle assembly directly onto the rotating distributor to provide the desired arc of sprinkler coverage.