Abstract: A rotating stream sprinkler of the type having a rotatable deflector with spiral vanes engaged by one or more water jets for imparting a rotary drive torque to the deflector, which converts the jets into a plurality of relatively small outwardly projected water streams swept over the surrounding terrain to irrigate adjacent vegetation. The sprinkler includes a speed governor having a turbine driven orbiter with first and second gears meshed respectively with a stator gear and a driven gear having different numbers of gear teeth, wherein the driven gear is carried by the deflector for rotation therewith. The turbine rotatably drives the orbiter on an eccentric axis, to react against the stator gear and thereby rotatably drive the driven gear and deflector with a substantial speed reduction. The speed governor thus regulates deflector speed for slowly sweeping the projected water streams over the adjacent landscape.

Abstract: A rotating stream sprinkler of the type having a rotatable deflector with spiral vanes engaged by one or more water jets for imparting a rotary drive torque to the deflector, which converts the jets into a plurality of relatively small outwardly projected water streams swept over the surrounding terrain to irrigate adjacent vegetation. The sprinkler includes a speed governor having a turbine driven orbiter with first and second gears meshed respectively with a stator gear and a driven gear having different numbers of gear teeth, wherein the driven gear is carried by the deflector for rotation therewith. The turbine rotatably drives the orbiter on an eccentric axis, to react against the stator gear and thereby rotatably drive the driven gear and deflector with a substantial speed reduction. The speed governor thus regulates deflector speed for slowly sweeping the projected water streams over the adjacent landscape.

Abstract: An improved rotating stream sprinkler of the type having a rotatable spray head with an offset nozzle port through which a water stream is projected outwardly, resulting in a reaction force for rotatably driving the spray head to sweep the water stream over a surrounding terrain area. The spray head is rotatably mounted on a body adapted for connection to a pressurized water supply, with interengaging bearing components providing predetermined friction brake torque resisting spray head rotation. By appropriately designing the nozzle port area and offset geometry, drive torque and brake torque is maintained at a substantially constant ratio for relatively slow and substantially constant spray head rotational speed over a range of normal water supply operating pressures. A downthrust spring retains the bearing components in engagement when the water supply is turned off, but does not contribute to friction brake torque when the water supply is turned on.

Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler is provided with an internally mounted and upwardly open debris cup for capturing debris such as dirt and pebbles falling into the sprinkler, to prevent such debris from contacting and interfering with an internally mounted rotary drive mechanism. The sprinkler includes a housing or case carrying a pop-up riser with a spray head thereon for projecting a stream of irrigation water over surrounding terrain and vegetation. The rotary drive mechanism includes a water-driven element such as a turbine coupled by a reduction gear unit or the like for rotatably driving the spray head in a manner sweeping the projected water stream over the surrounding terrain and vegetation. The debris cup is mounted within the sprinkler case generally at a lower end of a nozzle passage formed in the riser, and generally overlying the water-driven element, in a position to capture and retain debris falling into the sprinkler case through the nozzle passage.

Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler is provided with an internally mounted and upwardly open debris cup for capturing debris such as dirt and pebbles falling into the sprinkler, to prevent such debris from contacting and interfering with an internally mounted rotary drive mechanism. The sprinkler includes a housing or case carrying a pop-up riser with a spray head thereon for projecting a stream of irrigation water over surrounding terrain and vegetation. The rotary drive mechanism includes a water-driven element such as a turbine coupled by a reduction gear unit or the like for rotatably driving the spray head in a manner sweeping the projected water stream over the surrounding terrain and vegetation. The debris cup is mounted within the sprinkler case generally at a lower end of a nozzle passage formed in the riser, and generally overlying the water-driven element, in a position to capture and retain debris falling into the sprinkler case through the nozzle passage.

Abstract: An improved valve assembly having a valve member encased within a valve housing including a bonnet which is removably mounted on a lower or main valve body by one or more clamp members adapted for quick and easy disassembly without tools to facilitate access to the valve housing interior for service or maintenance. In a preferred form, the valve member is carried by a diaphragm for movement between closed and open positions in response to a solenoid actuator, for regulating the pressure within a control chamber acting upon the diaphragm. The clamp member or members are mounted on the housing bonnet for releasible clamp fit engagement with the main valve body. A bleed screw is mounted on the bonnet for selectively bleeding fluid such as air from the control chamber and normally engages and locks the clamp member or members in a position for retaining the bonnet and main valve body in assembled relation.

Abstract: A combined nozzle set and lift tool is provided for use with a pop-up sprinkler, wherein the lift tool comprises a tool body in the form of an injection molded runner formed integrally with a plurality of individual nozzle inserts. An elongated tool stem projects outwardly from the tool body and has protruding tabs at a tip end thereof for reception into an undercut recess formed in a pop-up sprinkler spray head to permit lifting of the spray head from a normal position spring-retracted substantially within a sprinkler housing or case, to an elevated position for facilitated access to the spray head. A selected one of the plurality of nozzle inserts can be separated from the lift tool as by snap-off detachment, whereupon the selected nozzle insert can be mounted on the elevated spray head to individually tailor the characteristics of a water stream projected therefrom during normal sprinkler operation.

Abstract: An improved solenoid actuated valve is provided of the type having a fluid pressure-operated diaphragm to move a valve head between open and closed positions. Fluid under pressure at a valve inlet is admitted through a diaphragm port to a control chamber for normally retaining the diaphragm and a valve head carried thereby in the closed position. A solenoid unit is actuatable to vent the control chamber to relieve pressure therein, whereby the fluid pressure at the valve inlet displaces the diaphragm to open the valve head. The opened valve head moves into close proximity with a flow control piston within the control chamber and cooperates therewith to meter fluid outflow from the control chamber in a manner maintaining a minimal or substantially zero pressure differential across the diaphragm. The position of the flow control piston is adjustable to variably select the open position of the valve head in accordance with a desired valve flow rate.

Abstract: A rotating stream sprinkler is provided with an improved spray head for sweeping one or more outwardly projected water streams through a prescribed arcuate spray path, wherein the spray head is adapted for enhanced self-flushing operation to prevent accumulation of grit and the like which could otherwise impair sprinkler performance. In the preferred form, the spray head is mounted at the upper end of a pop-up stem for movement to an elevated spraying position upon supply of water under pressure to the sprinkler. The water flows to the spray head and normally pressure-loads a plurality of valve balls onto a respective plurality of seats to prevent water flow through the seats to associated nozzle passages. A drive assembly rotates the spray head relative to a nonrotating cam positioned to lift one or more of the valve balls from their respective seats to permit outward discharge of one or more water streams through the nozzle passages, within the limits of the prescribed arcuate path.

Abstract: An improved locking assembly is provided for releasably locking a valve unit incorporated into a sprinkler housing or the like, wherein the locking assembly prevents the valve unit from being driven from the housing as a projectile by water under pressure at the upstream side of the valve unit. The valve unit includes a mounting ring normally held seated upon a shoulder seat within the base of the sprikler housing by the locking assembly including a stacked pair of snap rings installed into an enlarged housing lock groove thereby positioning a movable valve member in association with a valve seat to control water flow into the sprinkler housing. The valve unit is removable from the housing, for example, for maintenance purposes by removing the two snap rings one at a time.

Abstract: An improved bidirectional plug valve with increased C.sub.v or decreased insertion pressure loss is provided. The improvements reside in a unique combination of surprising structural parameters including an increase in the diffuser-to-dump transition radii, a high degree of dimension match for diffuser and plug chamber, an unconventionally large diffuser angle, and most surprisingly, a reduction in plug port size with a substantial corresponding reduction in plug size and dump area. The indicated structural features of the invention, combine synergistically to provide an unexpected C.sub.v improvement of approximately 50% and a substantial cost reduction for the valve operating mechanism.