Abstract: A method of controlling rotation of a water distribution plate supported on a shaft and adapted to rotate about an axis defined by the shaft by reason of impingement of a stream emitted from a nozzle on grooves formed in the plate, the method includes: (a) slowing the rotation of the water distribution plate intermittently so as to create intervals of relatively slow and relatively fast rotation and thereby correspondingly increase and decrease, respectively, a radius of throw of the stream or improve the uniformity of water distribution; and (b) continually changing circumferential locations of the intervals about the axis.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler includes a sprinkler body including a nozzle, a water-deflection plate supported for rotational movement relative to the sprinkler body, the water-deflection plate having one or more grooves configured to cause the water-deflection plate to rotate when impinged upon by a stream emitted from the nozzle; a first brake arranged to slow rotation of the water-deflection plate at all times; and a second brake arranged to further slow rotation of the water-deflection plate as a function of water pressure exerted on the water-deflection plate.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a housing assembly defining a fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end; a plunger having a tubular plunger body supported within the housing assembly for linear movement toward and away from a valve seat in response to fluid pressure at the outlet end. A sleeve is supported within the housing assembly and is engageable with the tubular plunger body, and an actuator collar is supported externally of the housing assembly and operatively attached to the sleeve such that rotation of the actuator collar in one direction from an open position to a closed position produces linear movement of the tubular plunger body, independent of the pressure at the outlet end, into engagement with the valve seat to thereby shut off the flow path within the regulator.

Abstract: A high-volume sprinkler head includes a barrel with a nozzle; a fixed portion and a relatively movable portion adapted for pivoting movement relative to the fixed portion. The barrel is mounted on an upper support base rotatable on a lower stationary base in opposite directions through an arc about a vertical axis. A fluid-operated actuator pivots the relatively movable portion of the barrel relative to the fixed portion of the barrel between first and second reaction angles that cause the barrel and the annular upper support base to rotate in opposite directions, about the substantially vertical axis, respectively, when a stream is emitted from the nozzle. A three-way valve in combination with adjustable stops on the stationary base may be used to pilot the actuator, with the adjustable stops determining the arcuate extent of the rotational movement of the sprinkler head.

Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body having an inlet bore at one end, and a nozzle carrier supporting at least one nozzle is attached to the sprinkler body for pivoting movement between a nozzle-offset position and a nozzle-installed position. The nozzle carrier is provided with a shut-off surface portion for shutting off flow through the sprinkler body when the nozzle carrier is moved to the nozzle-offset position.

Abstract: A mobile irrigation apparatus includes a frame assembly supporting at least one sprinkler and adapted for movement in a first direction along a path in a field to be irrigated; a docking station suspended from the frame assembly and adapted to engage and open one or more supply valves in a hydrant located in or adjacent the path for movement in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction, and at least one power actuator arranged to move the docking station in the second direction in response to at least one sensor to thereby facilitate lateral alignment of the docking station with the hydrant.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler includes a housing supporting a nozzle and a nozzle tube, the nozzle tube located axially adjacent an orifice of the nozzle with an axial gap therebetween. A water-deflection plate assembly is carried by the nozzle tube for rotation relative to the nozzle tube. The housing is formed with an exterior substantially annular funnel surrounding the nozzle and forming a collection trough for collection of excess water, and the housing formed with one or more apertures directing excess water in the collection trough to an internal area surrounding the orifice to be aspirated through the gap into a stream of water emitted from the nozzle orifice and through the nozzle tube such that the excess water is distributed by the water-deflection plate along with water emitted from the nozzle orifice.

Abstract: A sprinkler head with plural selectable nozzles includes a sprinkler body having inlet and outlet bores aligned along a first axis; a nozzle magazine rotatably supported on the sprinkler body, the nozzle magazine carrying at least two nozzles and provided with at least one shut-off surface portion located between the at least two nozzles. The nozzles are selectively rotatable into an operative position between the inlet and outlet bores, the nozzle magazine being rotatable about a second axis angularly offset from the first axis.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a housing assembly defining a main fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end. A tubular plunger body is supported within the housing assembly for linear movement toward and away from a valve seat in response to fluid pressure at said outlet end. An actuator sleeve is supported within the housing assembly and engaged with the tubular plunger body, and a pressure chamber defined in part by a shut-off diaphragm extends between the housing assembly and the actuator sleeve. A fluid port is arranged to supply pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber to thereby produce linear movement of the actuator sleeve and the tubular plunger body independent of the pressure at said outlet end, moving the tubular plunger body into engagement with the valve seat to shut off the flow path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides optimized installation site specifications for sprinkler head position and nozzle size for center pivot and/or linear movement type irrigation systems in which a plurality of sprinkler heads are typically mounted at multiple adjacent lateral positions along a water supply boom/line. A sprinkler head spacing and nozzle size computational apparatus and method is disclosed which employs a sprinkler precipitation depth-profile based modeling technique for determining and optimizing lateral positions and nozzle sizes for sprinkler heads disposed along the length of an irrigation system supply distribution boom/line. A required/desired irrigation application delivery rate/depth is specified by an irrigation system user/designer for one or more discrete segments along the irrigation system distribution boom/line according to specific irrigation needs.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a housing assembly defining a fluid flow path from an inlet end to an outlet end; a plunger having a tubular plunger body supported within the housing assembly for linear movement toward and away from a valve seat in response to fluid pressure at the outlet end. A sleeve is supported within the housing assembly and is engageable with the tubular plunger body, and an actuator collar is supported externally of the housing assembly and operatively attached to the sleeve such that rotation of the actuator collar in one direction from an open position to a closed position produces linear movement of the tubular plunger body, independent of the pressure at the outlet end, into engagement with the valve seat to thereby shut off the flow path within the regulator.

Abstract: A rotary pinch valve includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet; the valve body supporting a pinch tube and a pair of pivotally mounted pinch arms, the pinch tube forming part of an axial flowpath from said inlet to said outlet. A valve actuator dial is received on the valve body and formed with a pair of internal cam lobes engageable, respectively, with cam follower surfaces on each of the pair of pivotally mounted pinch arms upon rotation of the valve actuator dial to pivot the pair of pinch arms from an open position out of engagement with the pinch tube to a closed position where the pinch arms engage and close the pinch tube to thereby shut off flow through the valve body.

Abstract: A rotary, nutating sprinkler head includes a housing supporting a nozzle; a starter tube axially adjacent the nozzle and extending in a downstream direction, concentric with a vertical center axis of the sprinkler head. A spool assembly is loosely supported on the starter tube, the spool assembly including a double-flanged spool and a water-deflection plate carried by the spool, the water-deflection plate formed with one or more grooves shaped to cause the spool assembly to rotate when impinged upon by a stream emitted from the nozzle. Either the starter tube or the spool is provided with at least one tilting lug located to keep the spool assembly in a tilted or angularly offset orientation relative to the vertical center axis, thereby facilitating a wobbling action of the spool assembly during rotation.

Abstract: A pressure regulator housing assembly includes a lower housing and an upper housing; a plunger and diaphragm assembly supported within the lower and upper housings, the plunger movable toward and away from a valve seat. The diaphragm has a radially inner edge fixed to one end of the plunger and a radially outer edge clamped between an annular surface within said upper housing and a surface of a clamp ring locked against rotation relative to said upper housing thereby isolating said diaphragm from any contact with the lower housing. Upon assembly of the upper and lower housings requiring relative rotation therebetween, an upper edge of the lower housing is engaged by a lower surface of the clamp ring.

Abstract: A height adjustment assembly for a drop hose on an irrigation machine is composed of an elongated bracket having a first end provided with a pair of fittings, and a second opposite end provided with a drop hose retention ring; the drop hose retention ring formed with an opening adapted to permit a drop hose to slide through the opening, the opening defined by an interior surface provided with a pair of diametrically opposed open slots, and a pair of diametrically opposed locking recesses. A key lock fitting is adapted for connecting aligned hose ends of the drop hose and is provided with a pair of diametrically-opposed keys which, in use, are adapted to slide through the pair of opposed open slots and, upon ninety degree rotation of the diametrically-opposed keys, to be received in the pair of diametrically opposed locking recesses.

Abstract: A distributed control system is provided wherein a master controller inductively delivers power and data to a plurality of remote slave modules or controllers via a plurality of coupling loops formed along a length of transmission line. Each of the remote slave modules, in turn, inductively delivers return data to the master controller via the plurality of coupling loops. The use of inductive coupling provides an advantage over the state of the art because no direct galvanic electrical connection is required between the transmission line and the remote slave modules which promise to simplify installation and enhance long-term reliability. Example applications for the control system described herein include agricultural irrigation systems where individual sprinkler and valve components may be controlled collectively, individually, or in groups or subsets, to vary application rates according to prescribed irrigation parameters.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler includes: a shaft having a cam, the cam having a plurality of radially outwardly projecting cam lobes; a rotatable water distribution plate adapted to be impinged upon by a stream emitted from a nozzle causing at least the water distribution plate to rotate; a hesitator assembly including a stationary housing having a sealed chamber at least partially filled with a viscous fluid, with at least the cam and the cam lobes located within the chamber; a rotor ring located within the chamber in substantially surrounding relationship to the cam, the rotor ring loosely located within the chamber for rotation and translation, the rotor ring provided with at least two hesitator lobes projecting radially inwardly and movable laterally into and out of a path of rotation of the cam lobes, and a first plurality of radially outwardly projecting teeth selectively engageable with a second greater plurality of teeth provided on an inner wall of the housing; and wherein rotation of water distribution plate is

Abstract: A rotary, nutating sprinkler head includes a housing supporting a nozzle tube extending in a downstream direction, concentric with a vertical center axis of the sprinkler head; a spool assembly loosely supported on the starter tube, the spool assembly including a double-flanged spool and a water-deflection plate carried by the spool, the water-deflection plate formed with one or more grooves shaped to cause the spool assembly to rotate when impinged upon by a stream emitted from the starter tube; wherein one of the starter tube and the spool is provided with at least one tilting lug located to maintain the spool assembly in a tilted or angularly offset orientation relative to the vertical center axis, thereby facilitating a wobbling action of the spool assembly during rotation.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler includes a sprinkler body including a nozzle, a water-deflection plate supported for rotational movement relative to the sprinkler body, the water-deflection plate having one or more grooves configured to cause the water-deflection plate to rotate when impinged upon by a stream emitted from the nozzle; a first brake arranged to slow rotation of the water-deflection plate at all times; and a second brake arranged to further slow rotation of the water-deflection plate as a function of water pressure exerted on the water-deflection plate.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler includes a housing supporting a nozzle and a nozzle tube, the nozzle tube located axially adjacent an orifice of the nozzle with an axial gap therebetween. A water-deflection plate assembly is carried by the nozzle tube for rotation relative to the nozzle tube. The housing is formed with an exterior substantially annular funnel surrounding the nozzle and forming a collection trough for collection of excess water, and the housing formed with one or more apertures directing excess water in the collection trough to an internal area surrounding the orifice to be aspirated through the gap into a stream of water emitted from the nozzle orifice and through the nozzle tube such that the excess water is distributed by the water-deflection plate along with water emitted from the nozzle orifice.