Abstract: An irrigation system is composed of a mobile sprinkler cart; a system water supply pipe supporting a plurality of hydrants adapted to be engaged by the mobile sprinkler cart and to supply water to a sprinkler supported on the cart; and an addressable electronic ID tag mounted on each hydrant. A main controller is programmed to control operation of the mobile sprinkler cart, and the ID tag is adapted to send at least hydrant identifying data to the main controller to thereby enable the main controller to move the mobile sprinkler cart to the hydrant.

Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a first housing carrying a center stem having an inlet at an upstream end and an outlet at a downstream end. A second housing is supported within the first housing and encloses a nozzle and a pressure regulator in axially-aligned relationship, defining a flowpath between the inlet and an orifice of the nozzle. The second housing is normally biased to a retracted position but is moveable to an extended position relative to the first housing and to the center stem. A surface of the pressure regulator cooperates with the outlet of the center stem as the second housing moves relative to the first housing to regulate pressure to the nozzle orifice.

Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a nozzle fixed within the sprinkler body, and a wobbler cage including a water deflector plate downstream of the nozzle mounted for rotating and wobbling motion relative to the sprinkler body. In certain embodiments, a viscous brake is fixed within the sprinkler body and includes a shaft rotatable about the longitudinal axis passing through the nozzle. The shaft is eccentrically coupled to the water deflector plate for slowing the rotating and wobbling motion of the wobbler cage and the water deflector plate.

Abstract: A stream redirecting device for a sprinkler comprising a shell-shaped body having a generally semi-circular shape in plan, with opposite inlet and outlet side edges, said body extending outwardly and upwardly from a base at a lower end and then upwardly and inwardly to a distal, arcuate edge at an upper end, with a maximum radius between said base and said arcuate edge; an inside surface of said shell-shaped body formed with a plurality of grooves between said inlet side edge and said outlet side edge, extending in a generally radial direction with entry ends adjacent said base and exit ends at said distal, arcuate edge; and wherein said grooves are formed with circumferential exit angles that vary substantially uniformly in opposite directions from a center one of said plurality of grooves to first and last of said plurality of grooves at said opposite inlet and outlet side edges, respectively.

Abstract: A sprinkler and side-loading nozzle insert assembly includes a sprinkler body provided with a flow passage and a nozzle insert seated in a complementary recess in said sprinkler body. The nozzle insert is rotatable to plural operating positions and it includes an elongated, substantially cylindrical insert body having an insert axis about which the nozzle insert rotates. A nozzle bore extends through the insert body on an axis transverse to the insert axis and alignable with the flow passage in one of the plural operating positions. A forward end face is provided with a turning knob and plural index tabs extending radially from the insert body at circumferentially-spaced locations proximate the forward end face. The index tabs are adapted to engage respective index notches in the sprinkler body as the insert body is rotated to the plural operating positions.

Abstract: A clip for holding a pair of nozzle inserts for use with an irrigation sprinkler includes at least two flexible attachment arms, each attachment arm provided with an elongated slot and a retention shoulder on an inside surface thereof, adjacent the elongated slot. Each attachment arm is adapted to be received in an opening in a respective nozzle insert and retained therein by the retention shoulder. A related tool includes a pair of gripper arms and a respective pair of jaws extending from the gripper arms, pivotally secured to one another. One jaw is formed with a pair of parallel prongs, and the other jaw is formed with a flat head projecting toward the pair of prongs. The jaws are adapted to engage the nozzle insert and disengage the retention shoulder to permit removal of the nozzle insert from the clip.

Abstract: A sprinkler and side-loading nozzle insert assembly includes, in a preferred arrangement, a sprinkler body provided with a flow passage along a sprinkler body axis and a nozzle insert spring-loaded received in a complementary recess formed in the sprinkler body. The nozzle insert has an axis of rotation transverse to the sprinkler body axis and is rotatable from an insertion position to plural operating positions. The nozzle insert is provided with an elongated, substantially cylindrical insert body including a nozzle bore extending through the insert body on an axis transverse to the axis of rotation and alignable with the flow passage in at least two of the plural operating positions. Plural index tabs extend radially from the insert body at circumferentially-spaced locations, and are adapted to engage respective plural index notches in the sprinkler body as the insert body is rotated to the plural operating positions.

Abstract: Internet-accessible system and method for customized design and on-site verification of agriculture irrigation systems includes one or more of: 1) sprinkler package configuration software operable on a user's PC or accessible via an Internet website, 2) Internet-accessible proprietary irrigation system registry database and user interface, 3) computer-controlled automated component selection and labeling system for placing barcode or RFID information on components, and 4) portable wireless location-aware communication device operable at or near an irrigation site for accessing the registry database and obtaining sprinkler package configuration information specific to a particular irrigation system based on location and/or a particular irrigation system component detected in proximity to the portable communication device.

Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a nozzle fixed within the sprinkler body, and a wobbler cage including a water deflector plate downstream of the nozzle mounted for rotating and wobbling motion relative to the sprinkler body. In certain embodiments, a viscous brake is fixed within the sprinkler body and includes a shaft rotatable about the longitudinal axis passing through the nozzle. The shaft is eccentrically coupled to the water deflector plate for slowing the rotating and wobbling motion of the wobbler cage and the water deflector plate.

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 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 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: Internet-accessible system and method for customized design and on-site verification of agriculture irrigation systems includes one or more of: 1) sprinkler package configuration software operable on a user's PC or accessible via an Internet website, 2) Internet-accessible proprietary irrigation system registry database and user interface, 3) computer-controlled automated component selection and labeling system for placing barcode or RFID information on components, and 4) portable wireless location-aware communication device operable at or near an irrigation site for accessing the registry database and obtaining sprinkler package configuration information specific to a particular irrigation system based on location and/or a particular irrigation system component detected in proximity to the portable communication device.

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, 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 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, 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.