Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid atomizer particularly for high volume flow rates is disclosed. An enlarged tip with a plurality of orifices is provided to increase the flow rate. A gradual transition to the enlarged atomizer tip is provided to enhance performance. The atomizer provides a substantially cylindrical or slightly conical spray pattern and is particularly suited for use in a vertical orientation with the tip facing upwardly or in horizontal orientations. Titanium alloy bolts are used to clamp the front and rear sections of the atomizer together resulting in significant energy reduction and essentially eliminating bolt shearing.

Abstract: A drip irrigation emitter which provides for varying the length of the water flow path through the emitter in proportion to the pressure applied to it from the irrigation system. A housing defines an internal chamber in which a piston is disposed. The housing has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. The inner dimensions of the outlet end of the housing are reduced to generally conform with the periphery of the piston. The inlet end of the chamber is enlarged relative to the piston to allow generally free flow of water therearound. A generally helical groove extending along the periphery of the piston forms a water turbulence-producing passageway which varies in length depending upon the position of the piston within the outlet end of the chamber. A spring biases the piston toward the inlet end of the chamber. Pressurized water in the inlet end of the chamber moves the piston against the spring toward the outlet end.

Abstract: A liquid sprayer has a tank for storing liquid, a boom supporting spraying nozzles, and a pump and liquid control system for supplying liquid under pressure to the spraying nozzle in a manner that maintains substantially uniform liquid dispensing density independent of variations in the ground speed of the sprayer. A ground speed sensor, a liquid pressure sensor, and a liquid flow meter sends signals to a controller to regulate a valve that controls the rate of flow of liquid to the spraying nozzles.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve arrangement is provided for simultaneously opening or closing off the flow of fluid from a plurality of separate and distinct inlet fluid lines to a plurality of concentric fluid passageways connected to an internal mixing chamber having an outlet nozzle leading therefrom. The valve arrangement includes a spool valve axially slidable within a bore of a housing. This spool valve includes at least a central fluid passageway therethrough and another, concentric fluid passageway defined between the spool valve and the bore. When the spool valve is in the open position, the inlet fluid lines are in fluid communication with both the central passageway and the concentric passageway. Fluid flowing through these passageways enters into the interior mixing chamber and exits that chamber through the outlet nozzle. When the spool valve is in the closed position, flow from the inlet fluid lines to the passageways is cut off.

Abstract: A foam generating nozzle is provided for converting a liquid containing a gas maintained under pressure in solution in the liquid, to a foam for application to a substrate. Complete foaming of the solution is accomplished prior to discharge from the nozzle. This assures in some applications complete atomization before contact with the substance to be coated.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging a high pressure burst of air against a column of standing water behind an obstruction in a drain line to create shockwaves in the water column to remove the obstruction, including a hollow gun body having a discharge opening and a pistol grip handle connected to the gun body. A discharge valve is connected to a piston dividing the interior of the gun body into two chambers, the pressurization and de-pressurization of which is controlled by a trigger operated pilot valve. Air is quickly exhausted from a rearward chamber by depressing the trigger and pilot valve, causing the piston and valve to snap rearwardly to open the discharge opening and direct a burst of pressurized air from a forward chamber to exit through the discharge opening and into a drain line.

Abstract: A fluid atomizer or "air mist" nozzle or valve of this invention has an elongated nozzle body provided with a frontal exit port, a needle valve coaxially moveable therein and normally biased against a spring means so that its outlet end is just upstream of the nozzle exit port. The nozzle body is connected to a source of both water and air, as in the prior art. In this invention, the needle valve outlet position is controlled, vis-a-vis the nozzle body exit port, from the front of the fluid nozzle by providing a frontal control means for moving the nozzle body with respect to a fixed-in-place needle valve. The frontal control means is provided with both a rotatable and an axial motion and comprises preferably a control knob or ring threadably engaging the nozzle body near the frontal end thereof. The control knob is, in turn, mounted within a fixed flange plate, having a rearwardly extending cylindrical bore, for slideable axial movement within said cylindrical bore.

Abstract: Water irrigation apparatus comprises a water supply pipe divided into a plurality of sections each formed with a plurality of water outlets spaced along its length; pivotal connections connecting the ends of each section to the ends of the adjacent sections to form a line of sections articulated at their ends; a wheel carried by each section for propelling the respective section over the ground; and horizontal aligning means for each section effective to couple or decouple the wheel of each section to its respective section in response to the angle between it and the next adjacent section.

Abstract: The sprayer is designed to be operated on standing crops by utilizing a rounded boom with a deflector plate at the front to gently deflect the crops and induce mechanical turbulence into which the liquid to be sprayed is introduced so as to provide complete coverage of the crop. Large spans are accommodated by providing folding booms which are held in place by front and rear sets of cables. The height of the booms is adjustable to accommodate the particular crop being sprayed.

Abstract: A portable fire extinguisher apparatus is provided which is disposable comprising(a) a container which is suitable to be grasped in one hand that is adapted to receive fire extinguishing medium under pressure having a sealed outlet port in one end thereof; and(b) discharge means for said container which contains means for permanently opening said sealed outlet port that provides means for directing the flow of fire extinguishing medium dispensed from said container.

Abstract: This is concerned with a drive for a center pivot or movable irrigation system and the like and is more specifically concerned with a gear drive arrangement which is structured and arranged so that service and performance is greatly simplified and improved.

Abstract: A hose end nozzle assembly with a handle, a body with an internal mixing chamber, and a nozzle discharging from the mixing chamber. A dispenser opens into the mixing chamber. It includes a piston-cylinder assembly by means of which liquid held in the dispenser can be ejected into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A powder spray gun which, in the presently preferred embodiment, is particularly adapted for spraying a particulate powder spray onto the interior surfaces of containers and other target objects in a confined area. The apparatus includes a rigid tubular support member and a flexible powder transport tube. The rigid support member carries a high voltage cable having a charging electrode at one end. The flexible tube terminates in a discharge nozzle which may be adjustably mounted to the support member adjacent the charging electrode so as to permit variation of the angle at which the powder is released from the nozzle relative to the longitudinal axis of the support member. Intermediate the discharge nozzle and an upstream portion of the powder transport tube which is connected to the support member, the flexible tube is smoothly curved so as to prevent any sharp corners in the transport tube or the nozzle within which powder could collect and interrupt smooth, even discharge of powder from the gun.

Abstract: An improved trickle irrigation unit includes a selector dial for controlling water flow through a plurality of outlet ports. The trickle unit comprises a valve housing having a water inlet port opening into one side of a pressure chamber, the other side of which is defined by a plurality of recessed flow patterns each leading to a respective one of the outlet ports. A resilient valve flap within the pressure chamber is hydraulically seated over the flow pattern and includes an array of flow passages alignable with selected flow patterns to permit water flow thereinto from the pressure chamber, with the flap deforming into the selected flow patterns for pressure-responsive flow control of water to the associated outlet ports. The valve flap is rotatably carried by the selector dial for movement to different set positions to alter the number of flow patterns aligned with flap flow passages thereby correspondingly altering the number of outlet ports in flow communication with the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A fire protection system, having spaced outlet heads as water spray sources, the outlet heads having sets of outlet nozzles for providing concentric zones of water spray coverage, either 360.degree. or less than 360.degree. to achieve a generally uniform spray coverage for minimization and more effectiveness of water use. The outlets are adjustable as to both droplet size and direction of the spray dispensed; and remote control of actuation of individual outlet nozzles or of sets thereof further minimizes and makes more effective the water use.

Abstract: A diffuser for air or other fluids has a rigid body with a flat disc and a hollow boss defining a central opening. The perimeter of the disc is scalloped and is defined by alternating curved crests and valleys. A flexible elastomeric diaphragm overlays the top of the disc and has a rim portion with spaced recesses that receive the crests of the perimeter of the disc. The rim portion does not extend to the bottom of the valleys of the perimeter and as a result, air openings are defined between the rim portion and the bottoms of the valleys. Air under pressure admitted to the central opening will deform the diaphragm and allow air to escape through the air openings. A series of vanes may be formed on the underside of the disc radiating from the boss. The vanes, together with vane extensions formed on the underside of the diaphragm rim portion, define a compartment for each air opening so that bubbles released from one air opening do not mix or combine with bubbles from adjacent air openings.

Abstract: A small, but nevertheless high-flow fluidic oscillator has a dual level body portion including an interaction chamber in a first level. An inlet plenum supplies fluid to a supply nozzle which enters directly into the inlet end of the interaction chamber to direct a jet flow from the supply nozzle, through the interaction chamber and out of an outlet opening. A fluid passage is located at least partly in the second level of the body portion, and connecting passages on either side of the supply nozzle connect the fluid passage to the inlet end of the interaction chamber. The walls of the interaction chamber converge from the inlet end toward a neck portion and thereafter diverge and then converge again at the outlet so that a fluid column extends between the jet flow and the sidewalls of the interaction chamber, and moves cyclically back and forth through the fluid passage and the connecting passages to obtain interaction between the fluid column and the jet flow without the need for control nozzles.

Abstract: A spray gun for dispensing plural component foam forming materials includes a mixing chamber having a plurality of entry ports for the individual components. A sliding rod is used to open and close the entry ports and a solvent tank is disclosed for cleaning the mixing chamber to prevent clogging of the gun. The tank includes a tube which fits within the mixing chamber to force solvent therethrough as the gun is inserted into the tank. Slots in the gun body may also be provided to insure further cleaning.

Abstract: A spray aerator essentially of simple plastic parts having a swivel faucet attachment, a water conduit pipe, lateral openings in the pipe wall above its closed lower end, a spray housing slidable on the pipe, first and second housing inserts within the spray housing and slidable on the pipe, a flanged flexible snap retainer having downwardly depending legs and snapped over the lower pipe end into a groove to retain the spray housing and housing inserts on the pipe, a spray insert snapped over a ledge at the lower end of the spray housing, the spray insert having outer spray holes and an inner cylindrical tube for an aerator housing, an aerator assembly mounted in the aerator housing and supporting the first housing insert thereabove, and the snap mounting of the spray insert and snap retainer being the only means holding the spray aerator assembled and retained in the conduit pipe.

Abstract: A rotary spreader for particulate material having a hopper for the particulate material and an impeller adapted to broadcast the material as it is discharged from the hopper. The impeller has a ridge enclosing the central portion of the impeller and the impeller is mounted in close proximity to the hopper so that discharged material is contained within the enclosed central portion of the impeller to stop further flow of particulate material when the impeller is not rotating.