Pattern Control By Synchronizing Flow Regulator Means With Cyclically Moving Distributor Patents (Class 239/97)
  • Patent number: 11306609
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an engine core defining a core flow path delimited by an engine casing, a washing device having a spraying member defining a conduit in fluid communication with a source of washing fluid, the spraying member having a spraying section for outputting the washing fluid from the conduit, the spraying member movable relative to the engine casing from a retracted position in which the spraying section is flush with a surface of the engine casing defining said core flow path, and an expanded position in which the spraying section protrudes beyond the surface of the engine casing into the core flow path
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Richard Ivakitch
  • Patent number: 11207700
    Abstract: Provided is a rotating spray device for a lubricant, wherein the rotating driving mechanism rotates to drive the rotating spindle, and the rotating spindle drives the upper and lower rotating spray trays to rotate, and compressed air and a lubricant are respectively fed into each pitch circle closed cavity formed between each of the rotating spray trays and the spray tray main body, and then are sprayed out through the nozzles on the rotating spray trays for uniform spray coating. The device can spray the same and uniform dosage of the lubricant to the working surfaces of the maximum pitch circles of upper and lower dies, play a role of uniform forging lubrication and reduce the forging defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinling Yang, Xiaoting Zhu, Jiansheng Wang, Weizhou Liu, Hongshen Zhang, Haibin Liu, Li Yang
  • Patent number: 11154019
    Abstract: A sprinkler system for lawns and landscaping is custom-fitted to each particular lot or area to be irrigated. Each in-ground, pop-up, rotating sprinkler head has a pattern defining plate fitted therein having a central opening made therein, as by laser cutting, solid particle deposition, or the like, the opening being congruent with the area to be watered, as adjusted for any sloped portions of the area. A pattern sampling aperture aligned with spray nozzles of the sprinkler rotates about the opening in the defining plate, feeding an amount of water to each radial line of the area about the sprinkler sufficient to reach from the sprinkler position out to the periphery. A speed control comprising a spring-biased cam and an opposing turbine wheel in the water flow slows spray head rotation at arc portions of longer water throw and speeds rotation where the throw is shorter, thus to obtain substantially uniform water coverage over all parts of the area served by each sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Robert E. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 11090675
    Abstract: A sprinkler height adjustment mechanism is described that can be used to increase the height of a top cover and a top of the riser relative to the sprinkler body. The height adjustment mechanism is particularly useful for sprinklers with compartments having removable tops, however, a similar design can also be adapted for sprinklers without compartments (e.g., components that connect to a sprinkler flange or the sprinkler riser).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, James T. Wright, III, Michael Williamson
  • Patent number: 10750924
    Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber with an access opening, a sump fluidly coupled to the tub, and a liquid recirculation circuit fluidly coupling the sump to the treating chamber. The liquid recirculation circuit includes at least one rotating spray tube having a longitudinal body axis defining a rotational axis. A plurality of spray nozzles are provided in the rotating spray tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick T. Roderick, Antony M. Rappette, Daniel Lottinville, David Brightbill, Matthew Jaske, Rodney Welch, Michael Lagness
  • Patent number: 8684283
    Abstract: A variable range sprinkler apparatus includes a sprinkler portion, a bypass unit housing a plurality of valves, and a water inlet portion. The sprinkler portion of the apparatus, which may be a rotary sprinkler unit, is attached to the bypass unit, and the bypass unit is coupled to the water inlet portion. Inside the bypass unit is a plurality of valves, at least one of which is adjustable, that are designed to open a water passage in the bypass unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Melnor, Inc.
    Inventors: Juergen Nies, Ha Van Duong, Vicky Ann Michael
  • Patent number: 8382009
    Abstract: A percussive sprinkler with adjustable discharge angle has a pedestal, adjusting ring, main body, percussion guide frame and sprinkler head driving rod. The percussive sprinkler is characterized by that, the height of the spacing for the driving rod retaining surface of the adjusting ring can be adjusted via an adjustor, such that the second end on the sprinkler head driving rod connected to the sprinkler head is abutted onto the driving rod retaining surface. When the main body of the percussive sprinkler is rotated, the sprinkler head driving rod will shift vertically along the circumferential path on the driving rod retaining surface, so the sprinkler head is driven to swing vertically with change of the discharge angle. In such a case, spray with different sprinkling distance can be generated by the sprinkler head, thus making up the shortcomings for more uniform sprinkling coverage with higher flexibility and applicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Cheng-An Wang
  • Patent number: 8251054
    Abstract: A machine for tracking the sun's movement and concentrating sunlight consists of a main frame which pivots in the north and south direction on a base having conduit for a heat medium (a liquid usually of the Glycol family the main frame supports the mirror frame that pivots 360 degrees East to West allowing the mirror to focus the sunlight onto the conduit heating the liquid medium producing a very high and concentrated amount of heat during the entire daylight period and can be used for a small business or residential heating. An optional prism can be attached to the mirror frame to focus sun rays onto the conduit for added heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Derrell G. Ashcraft
  • Publication number: 20100252649
    Abstract: A flux spraying system controls a flux sprayer to selectively spray soldering flux onto a printed circuit board (PCB) by a fixture. The fixture is disposed between the PCB and the flux sprayer, and comprises a plurality of openings corresponding to target areas of the PCB. The flux spraying system comprises a statistic module, a calculation module, and a control module. The statistic module records attributes of the fixture to determine spraying areas on the fixture. The calculation module calculates movement parameters of the flux sprayer, a movement length during a movement period and spraying segments of the flux sprayer, and spray duration of the flux sprayer based on the movement length during one movement period and the spraying segments of the flux sprayer. The control module directs the flux sprayer to coat the target areas of the PCB through the openings of the fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YUN-QI LIU, JIE GE, LEI NIE
  • Publication number: 20100084487
    Abstract: The spray head has a housing-mounted inflow passage for feed water, and a central first outflow passage. A second and a third outflow passage are offset in the circumferential direction with respect to an axis of rotation. Each of the outflow passages is connected to a corresponding water outlet for producing different spray jets. A control element having a connecting channel is disposed in the interior of the spray head and is rotatable about the axis of rotation by the actuating element. The actuating element can execute a lifting movement. In the starting position of the actuating element, the connecting channel exclusively connects the inflow passage to the first outflow passage. In the lifting position of the actuating element, the inflow passage is connected either to the second or the third outflow passage as a function of the actuating element and the associated rotational position of the control element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: KWC AG
    Inventors: Christian Gautschi, Michael Lehner
  • Publication number: 20100012746
    Abstract: A sprinkler for discharging liquid onto an area with a predetermined geometrically shaped perimeter whilst maintaining a substantially constant liquids precipitation over said area. The sprinkler comprises a housing fitted with a flow chamber accommodating a motor for rotating a sprinkler head mounted on the housing, the housing comprising a first nozzle and a second nozzle, in flow communication with the outlet end of the flow chamber. The first nozzle fitted for discharging liquid at a substantially short range. The sprinkler further comprises a dynamic liquid deflector associated with the second nozzle, and biased by an array of biasing elements, each adapted to dynamically bias the liquid deflector to a predetermined angle, thereby determine a deflection angle thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: CLEVER WATER SPRINKLER TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Yoel Zur
  • Patent number: 7600698
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning head for enabling pressurized cleaning liquid to act upon a surface to be cleaned, comprising at least one spray arm which is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation and on which is mounted at least one nozzle which can be fed with cleaning liquid by a pressure pump. The invention also relates to a surface cleaning device comprising said type of cleaning head. In order to further develop the surface cleaning device and the cleaning head in such a way that the surface cleaning device can be handled more easily, the invention proposes that the pressure pump is integrated into the cleaning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Felix Treitz
  • Patent number: 7246756
    Abstract: A water sprinkler for irrigating lawn and garden areas has two axes of movement, one transverse to the other. A barrel moves or oscillates on one horizontal axis to direct water spray from nozzles carried on the barrel across the length of the area, and the nozzle outlets also simultaneously move or oscillate on axes transverse to the barrel axis to spray water across the width of the area. As the nozzle outlets move or oscillate in the two transverse directions, the ground area is irrigated uniformly over time by application of water in a criss-cross pattern. The area sprayed can be surprisingly large compared with single-axis oscillators, or the area may be limited to a single row or a narrow rectangular area, by adjustment of the barrel and outlet movement and/or the water pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 7014125
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler (10) including a water inlet, a water outlet arranged for rotation about a rotation axis (14), a water director associated with the water outlet and a watering pattern determiner associated with at least one of the water outlets and the water director. The sprinkler (10) operates to cause the sprinkler (10) to have a substantially non-repeated watering pattern extending over more than 360 degrees about the rotation axis. The watering pattern is asymmetric with respect to the rotation axis (14) and is rotated for each successive rotation of the water outlet about the rotation axis (14) with respect to the watering pattern of the preceding rotation by a predetermined amount, whereby the successive rotations increase the angular uniformity of watering about the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Naan- Dan Irrigation Systems (C.S) Ltd.
    Inventor: Micael Lerner
  • Patent number: 6834814
    Abstract: An adjustable pattern irrigation device is provided with a head member that is pivotably coupled to a plurality of arm members that further serve as a break for incoming water. A cam and follower determine the trajectory of the tilting head member. A plurality of removable and interchangeable cams having an endless number of shapes provided different planned irrigation patterns. Adjustment plates are optionally coupled to the cams to allow for adjustments to the irrigation patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: Alfred James Beckman
  • Patent number: 6666384
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for application of treating liquids to a field, the apparatus comprising a plurality of irrigation units including nozzles for applying an adjustable amount of liquid over the field, motor devices for moving the irrigation unit over the ground, a system for delivering the liquid to the nozzles and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the nozzles in order to apply varying doses in several nozzle sections of the irrigation unit, the control circuit comprising a computer unit for receiving inputted data and for operating the control circuit, an independent control module in each irrigation unit, a plurality of sensors for detecting several parameters of the unit and an interface module connecting the independent control modules to each other and to the computer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Santiago Miguel Prandi
  • Patent number: 6494385
    Abstract: A controlling device for a rotating sprinkler is composed of a sleeve (10), a compressing block (21), a spring (22), a controller (23), a rotator (24), a cushion (25), and a shelter ring (26). The rotator (24) rotates with a rotating sprinkler (50) synchronously and operates with the controller (23) to construct a gap selectively therebetween so that a quantity of water flowing into the rotating sprinkler (50) is changed when the gap is formed or not. Whereby the controlling device arranges a substantially rectangular spraying arrangement of the rotating sprinkler (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventor: Hung-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 6290151
    Abstract: A guidance system for providing a steering control for a swing arm on a center pivot irrigation system is provided through the use of two satellite signal receivers. A first signal receiver is located at the center pivot to provide calculated position information for a comparison with the known position of the center pivot. An error signal is generated and is utilized to adjust position information provided by the second signal receiver to produce an improved position information for the swing arm. Such improved position information is compared to the desired path of travel for the swing arm and a steering signal is generated therefrom, which steering signal controls the steering of the swing arm along its desired path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Reinke Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke J. Barker, Darin J. Neff
  • Patent number: 6138928
    Abstract: A liquid suspension distribution system is provided which is essentially a conventional center pivot irrigation system, but which has the innermost sprinkler guns sequenced by way of a programmable logic control. The innermost sprinkler guns are sequenced on and off by the programmable logic controller so that an even distribution of the liquid manure or the like is achieved on the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob L. LaRue, Wendell E. Dorsett
  • Patent number: 6089160
    Abstract: A paint injector for digital printing in which paint is deposited in metered amounts on a print medium comprises a wheel rotatable by a shaft of a motor, an idler disposed in a paint reservoir, and an endless cable disposed around the wheel and the idler. The motor is preferably computer controlled such that the rotation of the wheel and thus movement of the cable is selectively controlled. As the wheel is rotated, paint contained within the paint reservoir coats the cable and is thus drawn by the cable in front of an air stream. The air stream pulls the paint from the cable and carries it toward the print medium. By employing a plurality of such paint injectors into a single print head, each containing a different color of paint, and secured to a computer controlled, movable carriage positioned over the print medium, a digital image can be painted by the print head on the print medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Dean Robert Gary Anderson
  • Patent number: 6045066
    Abstract: An irrigation system is disclosed which includes a center pivot support having an elongated main water boom pivotally connected thereto which extends outwardly therefrom. An elongated extension boom is pivotally connected at its inner end to the outer end of the main boom and is supported by a steerable drive tower. A corner arm sensor is provided for sensing the angle of the extension boom with respect to the main boom. A plurality of sprinklers are positioned on the extension boom along the length thereof and are controlled by a computer which is programmed with a table of sprinkler sequences. The computer calculates the areas being covered by the extension boom as the system is moved through the field and determines the best sprinkler sequence for the sprinkler on the extension boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Gerdes, Rudy R. Unruh
  • Patent number: 5489337
    Abstract: An organic material applying apparatus of the present invention includes a movable organic material discharge nozzle having an organic material discharge port for discharging an organic material at a position facing a semiconductor wafer. The opening width of the discharge port is adjustable. A movement time of the nozzle measured from a predetermined position of the semiconductor wafer at a predetermined velocity of relative movements of the nozzle and semiconductor wafer is detected by a movement time detecting device. A width of that portion of the semiconductor wafer, which the discharge port of the moved nozzle faces, is calculated by a wafer width calculating device on the basis of the movement time of the nozzle detected by the movement time detecting device. The opening width of the discharge port of the nozzle is adjusted by a nozzle discharge port opening width adjusting device in accordance with the wafer width calculated by the wafer width calculating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Wataru Nomura, Hiroshi Haraguchi, Masahiro Abe
  • Patent number: 5389148
    Abstract: A spray method and apparatus for uniformly coating a surface with a high degree of efficiency includes filling the pores of a porous sheet with a liquid and then directing compressed fluid from a nozzle into the sheet from one side to spray the liquid onto a surface spaced from an opposite side. Because the total volume of the pores is known, the volume of the sprayed liquid is also known. Moving the nozzle relative to the sheet and the substrate enables the entire surface to be uniformly coated. The size and distribution of the pores on the sheet define the distribution of the liquid sprayed onto the substrate. The coating may be a thick or a thin film of uniform thickness, or may even comprise a recognizable pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 5316219
    Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a spray device having a spray nozzle relative to a target substrate, which apparatus includes drive mechanisms for moving the spray device in the X, Y and Z directions, and separate mechanisms for rotating the spray nozzle relative to the spray device and for tilting the spray nozzle relative to the spray device and including a pressure regulator to vary the width of the spray pattern as the spray device moves relative to the target substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Christyson, William E. Donges, James J. Turner
  • Patent number: 5077653
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for spreading an active product in the liquid or pulverulent state over the ground in predetermined discrete zones of the surface thereof by selective programmation, the process being of the type in which the product is sprayed onto the ground via at least one boom presenting a plurality of spray nozzles, said process being characterized in that the individual flowrate of each nozzle, or group of nozzles, is monitored by appropriate control circuits, said nozzles being provided to that end with an appropriate regulating member, such monitoring being effected from a central programming unit adapted to regulate at any instant the spraying of the product at each nozzle or group of nozzles, as a function of its instantaneous position plumb with a determined discrete zone. The invention also relates to a spraying device associated with a micro-processor ensuring programmation of each nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventor: Christian Barlet
  • Patent number: 4819875
    Abstract: A contour control device for use with rotary irrigation sprinklers to water irregular areas about the sprinkler. The device includes a housing defining a chamber within which is disposed a throttling means comprising a flexible, resilient band and a plurality of adjustment pins which cooperate with a rotating inlet to the sprinkler to throttling the volume of water flow to the sprinkler in accordance with the rotary position of the sprinkler relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Rain Bird Consumer Products Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Glenn I. Beal
  • Patent number: 4613077
    Abstract: A sprinkler body, to be anchored in the ground or to some structure, includes a chamber and a fluid inlet to the chamber. A rotatable head assembly mounted on the body includes a ring gear within the chamber and an external head with a laterally directed nozzle for directing a stream of fluid to cover a selected area around the sprinkler. A fluid operated motor within the body chamber, driven by the fluid passing through the sprinkler, drives the ring gear through reduction gearing. A Variable flow control valve consists of a slide mounted in the head for controlling the flow of fluid to the nozzle. A programmed cam is mounted on the body and a cam follower mounted on the valve slide follows the cam to vary the valve opening in relation to the rotational position of the head relative to the body. The valve controls the volume and throw of the fluid stream so that the sprinkler covers uniformly an area of irregular noncircular configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventor: Jeffry D. Aronson
  • Patent number: 4534510
    Abstract: An area pattern controlled sprinkler comprises a nozzle rotatably mounted about a vertical axis through the sprinkler and driven by the energy of the water in the pressurized water supply line, a plunger also driven by the pressurized water to restrict and enlarge the nozzle, and a cam member controlling the displacement of the plunger so as to produce a water distribution pattern of predetermined configuration around the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Inventor: Isaac Rinkewich
  • Patent number: 4501391
    Abstract: A hose end pattern sprinkler has a sprinkler housing supported on a base with a hose end coupling for connecting a garden type hose to a water inlet of the housing, a pressure regulator having an inlet pressure balanced valve member which is adjustable externally of the housing for controlling the pressure of water flowing within the housing, a variable leaf spring stator for shaping water flow from the pressure regulator into a variable width stream in response to the water pressure, a water driven turbine including an impeller wheel having turbine vanes positioned to be impinged with water flowing past the variable leaf spring, a rotatable nozzle having an outer drive gear and triangular bottom nozzle inlets having apexes converging in a center bore, and an annular pattern plate of ring configuration having an internal gear, the plate being operable externally of the housing for moving the plate beneath the associated nozzle inlets with the pattern plate having a plurality of different configured pattern or
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Edwin J. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4471908
    Abstract: An improved sprinkler of the type adapted to rotate and create a redefined horizontal spray pattern around it. A rotating turbine drives a cylindrical nozzle assembly having a plurality of nozzle openings therein. The nozzle openings deliver streams of water of variable length and volume. A pattern defining disk is used to continuously and proportionately expose the nozzle openings to the source of pressurized water according to a preset function of the instantaneous rotational position of the nozzle opening as the cylindrical member turns to create the spray pattern. The nozzle openings supply a relatively constant volume of water to all portions of the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Edwin J. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4462545
    Abstract: A discrete device attachable to a rotary sprinkler head for varying the water pressure therein to constrain the water distribution to produce a desired irrigation pattern. The sprinkler head attachment-device includes a housing having an intermediate wall partitioning the housing into upper and lower water chambers with an orifice therebetween. A spindle having a cam rotatable with the sprinkler head is mounted within the upper chamber. A cam follower is pivoted into engagement with the cam by means of hydraulic pressure. A valve key portion of the cam follower constricts the flow of water through the orifice in a variable manner controlled by the shape of the cam whereby the desired spray pattern is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Inventor: Antonio Lourenco
  • Patent number: 4462546
    Abstract: A rotary indexing nozzle head is provided wherein a dome like structure includes a rotating nozzle part supported by bearings interiorly thereof. The exit portion of the nozzle member includes a flexible bellows like structure which expands under the influence of water pressure and causes a lip thereon to engage an appropriately spaced wall for holding the nozzle in a specific location until the water pressure is relieved whereupon the bellows structure contracts and removes the engaging lip from the adjacent wall. A nozzle is caused to index by the jet of water impinging upon the curved surface of the lip 34 thereby causing the nozzle member to move sidewise, that is to say rotationally, until the lip is moved out far enough by the water pressure to cause the lip to engage the adjacent wall of the dome. The walls of the dome are spaced around its periphery so as in effect to provide openings for the jet of water to come through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Caretaker Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Pitman
  • Patent number: 4281793
    Abstract: A vertical-axis water sprinkler with a reversibly rotating spray head has an internal control shell rotating with the spray head in a fixed housing. Adjustably fixed in the housing are a plurality of pattern defining plates. A pattern sampling disk with a specially contoured aperture therein is carried on a control shell within the housing and communicates from a water inlet in the housing to the spray head. The aperture sweeps across the face and edge of each of the pattern defining plates as the control shell rotates in the housing. The positions of the pattern defining plates control or limit the volume of water flow to the spray head, thereby generating a ground coverage pattern conforming to the relative positions of the plates.The speed of rotation of the spray head is made constant despite changes in the output flow rate by design selection of a friction bearing and of the surface areas of the control shell exposed to pressure forces in upward and downward directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Robert E. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 4269354
    Abstract: A water sprinkler develops any of several predetermined patterns of water coverage of regular or irregular shape and of varying sizes. The sprinkler includes first a plurality of pattern-defining apertures which are contoured to pass varying but predetermined amounts of water from a fixed sampling aperture as a sprinkler nozzle rotates in either or both angular directions about a vertical axis.Pattern size is incrementally adjustable in one embodiment by a member having tapered apertures of varying sizes interposed between the fixed sampling aperture and the pattern-defining apertures. Pattern size and shape are finely adjusted by a parallel flow line including a valve for providing small additional or slightly reduced flow volumes. Rounded patterns are effected entirely through the parallel flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Inventor: Robert E. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 4265403
    Abstract: A lawn sprinkler system has a plurality of sprinkler heads connected to a common water supply line. The sprinkling or irrigation, the rate of rotation and the contour of the area sprinkled all are controlled at each sprinkler head. A timer valve associated with a manually adjustable control setting regulates the sprinkling cycle at each head in response to rotation of the head, following which water is bypassed to the next sprinkler head in succession. Further, each sprinkler head contains a rotatable nozzle assembly which is adjustable to provide a spray pattern which will conform to different contours or areas to be sprinkled by each head independently of the other heads in the line in such a way as to afford the greatest possible water efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Advanced Products Development Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph A. Bonetti
  • Patent number: 4180210
    Abstract: A water sprinkler is described for developing predetermined but variable patterns of water coverage. The sprinkler includes a plurality of pattern-defining apertures which are contoured in accordance with desired patterns of water coverage to pass varying but predetermined amounts of water as a sprinkler nozzle rotates. A sampling aperture progressively samples the outputs of selected pattern-defining apertures in synchronism with the rotation of the sprinkler nozzle so as to conform the water output of the nozzle to that of the desired pattern of water coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Inventor: Robert E. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 3960327
    Abstract: A pattern control or programming device for a lawn sprinkler having a nozzle-equipped body rotating or oscillating on a generally vertical axis and having a movable guide element for controlling the elevation of discharge of water from the nozzle. A cam having a variable cam surface contour is engaged by a cam follower which imparts movement to the guide element to vary the elevation of water discharge from the nozzle at desired positions of the nozzle during rotary or oscillatory movements of the sprinkler body. A cam mounting structure operates to hold the cam in desired set contours of the cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1976
    Inventor: Richard A. Olson