Abstract: A sprinkler controller is cooperable with a sprinkler assembly that receives fluid input from a pipe span. The sprinkler controller includes a microcontroller circuit, a motion sensor coupled with the microcontroller circuit, and a valve assembly including a modulator coupled with the microcontroller circuit and a valve coupled with the sprinkler assembly. The valve meters or controls an amount of fluid output from the sprinkler assembly, and the microcontroller circuit is programmed to control the valve assembly based on input from the motion sensor. With a series of sprinkler controllers in a center pivot irrigation system, the drop numbers for each of the sprinkler assemblies can be determined based on input from the motion sensors.

Abstract: A drop hose clamp for securing a drop hose in a center pivot irrigation system includes a bottom section positionable over a truss rod or in engagement with a span pipe, and a top section pivotally connected to the bottom section and displaceable between an open position and a closed position. With the top section in the closed position, the bottom section and the top section together define a channel that is configured to receive and secure the drop hose. The drop hose clamp may be secured to the truss rod or the span pipe using a connector positioned through a connector slot.

Abstract: An irrigation control system having an irrigation controller with a unique identifier and configured to execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics and determine global time, together with a power source, a global time receiver in communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide time from an outside source to the microcontroller and a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller configured to send messages including its unique identifier, predefined irrigation schedules, stored watering metrics and current global time. The system further includes a mobile computer having a microprocessor, a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions to the irrigation controller via a communication link and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules, and watering metrics.

Abstract: A pilot valve includes a housing, a motor secured in the housing and including a rotating output shaft, and a rocker disposed in the housing and coupled with the motor via a cam mechanism. The rocker is pivotable between a CLOSED position and an OPEN position by operation of the motor. The rocker includes a left-side boss and a right-side boss that are positioned in a path of the cam mechanism, where the left- and right-side bosses serve as cam stops in the CLOSED and OPEN positions, respectively. The housing may include features to better secure the motor, and the assembly may be configured to prevent unintended changes of state during periods of nonuse.

Abstract: A pilot valve includes a housing, a motor secured in the housing and including a rotating output shaft, and a rocker disposed in the housing and coupled with the motor via a cam mechanism. The rocker is pivotable between a CLOSED position and an OPEN position by operation of the motor. The rocker includes a left-side boss and a right-side boss that are positioned in a path of the cam mechanism, where the left- and right-side bosses serve as cam stops in the CLOSED and OPEN positions, respectively. The housing may include features to better secure the motor, and the assembly may be configured to prevent unintended changes of state during periods of nonuse.

Abstract: An irrigation control system having an irrigation controller with a unique identifier and configured to execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics and determine global time, together with a power source, a global time receiver in communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide time from an outside source to the microcontroller and a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller configured to send messages including its unique identifier, predefined irrigation schedules, stored watering metrics and current global time. The system further includes a mobile computer having a microprocessor, a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions to the irrigation controller via a communication link and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules, and watering metrics.

Abstract: An irrigation control system having an irrigation controller with a unique identifier and configured to execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics and determine global time, together with a power source, a global time receiver in communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide time from an outside source to the microcontroller and a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller configured to send messages including its unique identifier, predefined irrigation schedules, stored watering metrics and current global time. The system further includes a mobile computer having a microprocessor, a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions to the irrigation controller via a communication link and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules, and watering metrics.

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 assembly includes a sprinkler body with a water flow passage connected to a water source. The sprinkler body includes a recess. A nozzle insert is received in the recess and is positionable in the recess in multiple positions. The nozzle insert includes a nozzle bore extending therethrough and alignable with the water flow passage in at least one of the multiple positions. The nozzle insert may also include a handle with an opening therein. A nozzle clip has a proximal end securable in the handle opening, and in one embodiment, a spare nozzle is secured to a distal end of the nozzle clip. In some versions, a spring insert supports a spring in the recess.

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: An irrigation control system having an irrigation controller with a unique identifier and configured to execute irrigation schedules, collect, store and forward watering metrics and determine global time, together with a power source, a global time receiver in communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide time from an outside source to the microcontroller and a transceiver in communication with the microcontroller configured to send messages including its unique identifier, predefined irrigation schedules, stored watering metrics and current global time. The system further includes a mobile computer having a microprocessor, a wireless transceiver configured to receive the messages from the irrigation controller transceiver and transmit instructions to the irrigation controller via a communication link and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store predefined irrigation schedules, and watering metrics.

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 sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body having an inlet bore at one end, and a coupling element at an opposite end adapted to connect the sprinkler body to a water deflector plate. A multi-nozzle shuttle supports at least two nozzles and is attached to the sprinkler body axially between the inlet bore and the coupling element for swinging pivotal movement between two nozzle-installed positions. The multi-nozzle shuttle may also be provided with a shut-off surface portion for shutting off flow through the sprinkler body when the multi-nozzle shuttle is moved to a shut-off position. The shuttle may be moved manually or by a power actuator.

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 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 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: 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 head includes a sprinkler body having an inlet bore at one end, and a coupling element at an opposite end adapted to connect the sprinkler body to a water deflector plate. A multi-nozzle shuttle supports at least two nozzles and is attached to the sprinkler body axially between the inlet bore and the coupling element for swinging pivotal movement between two nozzle-installed positions. The multi-nozzle shuttle may also be provided with a shut-off surface portion for shutting off flow through the sprinkler body when the multi-nozzle shuttle is moved to a shut-off position. The shuttle may be moved manually or by a power actuator.

Abstract: A phase-change ink transfer printing process and apparatus (10) applies a thin layer of a liquid forming an intermediate transfer surface (12) to a heated receiving surface, such as a drum (14). Then an ink-jet printhead (11) deposits a molten ink image (26) onto the heated drum where it cools to the drum temperature and solidifies. After the image is deposited, a print medium (21) is heated by a preheater (27) to a predetermined temperature and fed into a nip (22) formed between the heated drum and an elastomeric transfer roller (23) that is biased toward the drum to form a nip pressure that is about twice the yield strength of the ink image. As the drum turns, the heated print medium is pulled through the nip to transfer and fuse the ink image to the print medium. When in the nip, heat from the drum and print medium combine to heat the ink in accordance with a process window (90), making the ink sufficiently soft and tacky to adhere to the print medium but not to the drum.