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.

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 linear irrigation system includes a linear irrigator movable in a first direction along a path of travel and including plural towers supporting a truss assembly extending laterally in a direction substantially perpendicular to the path of travel. The truss assembly carries a plurality of sprinklers connected to a water supply pipe. A plurality of hydrants are spaced along the water supply pipe, each hydrant having a valve, and a pair of laterally adjacent trolleys are mounted on an elongated frame for movement in two opposite directions, each trolley having a docking station and hydrant valve actuator, the docking stations resiliently suspended from said trolleys for movement in at least three mutually perpendicular directions and adapted to engage and disengage, successively, the plurality of hydrants on the supply pipe extending below and between the pair of trolleys.

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 dual-mode sprinkler includes a nozzle arranged to supply a stream to a rotatable water-distribution plate. The sprinkler can be adjusted between free-spinning and retarded or braked rotation, enabling multi-use applications for the sprinkler.

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 dual-mode sprinkler includes a nozzle arranged to supply a stream to a rotatable water-distribution plate. The sprinkler can be adjusted between free-spinning and retarded or braked rotation, enabling multi-use applications for the sprinkler.

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: An adjustable sprinkler including: a sprinkler head having a bearing mounted on a support, the sprinkler head rotatable on the bearing about a vertical axis; an arc adjustment plate mounted on the support for rotation about the axis relative to the support and to the bearing; first and second stops supported on the plate for arcuate movement about the axis, at least one of the stops movable relative to the plate, wherein the first and second stops define limits of rotational movement of the sprinkler head about the axis; and a fluid actuator for moving one of the stops relative to the other of the stops for varying the limits of rotational movement of the sprinkler head.

Abstract: A sprinkler device includes a sprinkler body having a longitudinal center axis, an inlet at one end and an outlet at an opposite end. A rotatable nozzle is supported within the body and defines a first flow path lying on the longitudinal center axis and a second flow path terminating at a discharge orifice offset from the longitudinal center axis. A rotor plate is supported on the nozzle for orbital motion about the longitudinal center axis and for rotation about a second axis offset from the longitudinal center axis. The rotor plate has a plurality of grooves formed therein, and arranged to cause the rotor plate to rotate about the second axis when a stream emitted from the nozzle impinges on the plate, such that the nozzle assembly is caused to rotate about the first axis.

Abstract: A sprinkler device comprising a sprinkler body having a longitudinal center axis, an inlet at one end and an outlet nozzle at an opposite end; and a rotor plate supported axially spaced and laterally offset from the outlet nozzle; the rotor plate mounted for orbital motion about the longitudinal axis and for rotation about a second axis offset from the longitudinal center axis, the rotor plate having grooves formed therein arranged to cause the distribution plate to rotate about the second axis when a stream emitted from the nozzle impinges on the plate, which, in turn, causes the rotor plate to orbit about the longitudinal center axis.

Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler assembly includes a cylindrical housing having a cap on an upper end thereof, the cap having an opening, a lower end of the cylindrical housing having an internal thread for attachment to a source of pressurized water. A stem is mounted in the cylindrical housing with a spring radially between the stem and the cylindrical housing for normally biasing the stem to a retracted position within the cylindrical housing. The stem is extendable through the opening in the first cap to an extended position when water under pressure is supplied to the cylindrical housing. The stem has a threaded upper end to which an alternative sprinkler head is attached. An adapter housing is received over the cap and secured to the cylindrical housing, the sprinkler housing having an open upper end, the adapter housing having a diameter sufficient to receive the alternative sprinkler head when the stem is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A nutating sprinkler assembly includes a sprinkler body having one end adapted to be coupled to a water supply conduit and an opposite end supporting a nozzle; at least one arm extending from the sprinkler body for supporting a removable cap assembly downstream of the nozzle, the cap assembly having a center body supporting a rotor plate having off-center grooves for distributing a stream exiting the nozzle and impinging upon the grooves. A spool bearing assembly having upper and lower bearing flanges is supported in the cap center body, and the center body mounts an interior ring loosely confining the spool bearing assembly and the rotor plate. The center body has an end wall formed with a post extending toward and received within a cavity of a lower spool bearing component of the spool bearing assembly when the rotor plate is in an at-rest position, thereby creating an unstable arrangement causing the rotor plate to tilt to an off-center position.

Abstract: A sprinkler comprises a body having an inlet end, an outlet end and a support structure extending beyond the outlet end. A tubular adapter is removably secured to the inlet end of the body, and a quick change nozzle is slidably interposed between the adapter and the body, such that part of the nozzle is received within the adapter and another part the nozzle including a discharge orifice which is received within the body and extends to the outlet end, wherein the nozzle is held in place by the adapter. A cap assembly is removably secured to the support structure, the cap assembly mounting a rotatable stream distributor plate in axial alignment with the discharge orifice.

Abstract: A modular sprinkler assembly includes a sprinkler body having an annular cap supporting ring and a nozzle for emitting a liquid stream to atmosphere. A cap assembly is removably secured to the cap supporting ring, the cap assembly including a stream distributor. The cap is formed with a top wall and an annular depending skirt, an interior surface of the skirt having at least one latch device formed thereon. The latch device includes a wedge-shaped surface portion and a land portion, and the cap supporting ring has at least one radially extending tab adapted to ride on the wedge-shaped surface portion and to seat on the land portion upon rotation of the cap relative to the sprinkler body. The cap assembly may support a pair of differently configured stream distributors facing in opposite directions, and in this cap construction, the cap is reversible, i.e., the cap can be inverted and reattached to the sprinkler body to take advantage of the additional stream distributor.

Abstract: A modular sprinkler or sprayhead assembly includes a sprinkler body including an inlet portion adapted for connection to a feed conduit, and an outlet portion for emitting water to atmosphere. A cap is removably attached to the sprinkler body, the cap mounting a distributor assembly (fixed or rotatable) adapted to receive and distribute water emitted from the outlet portion. The cap has a flexible and radially extending latching element releasably engaged within a detent provided on the sprinkler body for releasably holding the cap on the sprinkler body. The distributor assembly may include a brake housing provided with an annular groove, and the cap may then be provided with a hinged projection for releasable engagement with the annular groove. By this construction, the cap and associated distributor comprise a separable unit which is easily assembled and disassembled from the sprinkler body. In turn, the distributor/brake unit is easily assembled and disassembled from the cap.