Variable Outlet Aperture Size Patents (Class 239/257)
  • Patent number: 9242257
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a variable nozzle assembly. In one or more implementations, the variable nozzle assembly includes a support structure for connecting to a conduit. The variable nozzle assembly also includes a first plate portion translationally coupled to the support structure and a second plate portion fixedly coupled to the support structure, where the first plate portion and the second plate portion define a nozzle. A deflector is coupled to a mechanical actuator to cause the first plate portion to translate between a first position and a second position with respect to the second plate portion to control an opening characteristic of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Ricky D. McGee
  • Patent number: 8297533
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a riser having an inlet end and an outlet end and a nozzle rotatably supported at the outlet end of the riser. The nozzle has a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending stream forming channels. A gear drive is coupled for rotating the nozzle. A stationary arc plate has an upper surface adjacent a lower surface of the nozzle and includes a first aperture that directs water into terminal ends of the stream forming channels. A manually adjustable orifice plate is mounted in overlapping relationship with the stationary orifice plate. The adjustable orifice plate has a second aperture shaped and aligned with the first aperture so that manual rotation of the adjustable orifice plate increases or decreases an arc of an arc shaped water distribution pattern. A ratchet mechanism including radially deflectable tabs releasably locks the position of the adjustable orifice plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Dunn, Glendale Grizzle
  • Patent number: 7624934
    Abstract: Mechanisms and method of flow control for use in an oscillating sprinkler that varies the water stream height to lessen the adverse effects of wind on the water streams. The flow control mechanism varies water flow during rotation of a spray tube of a sprinkler to control the height of water streams in predetermined portions of the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Breedlove, Lawrence P Heren, Scott W. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7032836
    Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a base; an elongated stem having an inlet supported within the base; a nozzle and a stream deflector supported within the stem, the nozzle and stream deflector cooperating to define an arcuate orifice; a water distribution plate supported on one end of a shaft extending upwardly from the base, the water distribution plate located in axially spaced relationship to the nozzle and adapted to be impinged by a stream emitted from the nozzle. An externally threaded sleeve is fixed to an opposite end of the shaft; and an elastomeric throttle control member constructed with a smooth through-bore is engaged over the externally threaded sleeve to self-tap along the previously smooth bore. The throttle member is prevented from rotating such that rotation of the shaft causes the throttle control member to move axially relative to a flow restriction portion in the inlet, to thereby adjust flow rate through the stem and the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: George Sesser, Lee A. Perkins, Theodore J. Bren
  • Publication number: 20040227007
    Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a base adapted to be secured to a component supplying water under pressure; an arc adjustment ring rotatably mounted on the base; a nozzle and a stream deflector supported by an elongated stem carried by the base, the nozzle and the stream deflector cooperating to define an adjustable nozzle orifice; a water distribution plate secured to a shaft in the stem and located downstream of the nozzle; the stem and the nozzle axially movable relative to the base; and a drive train operatively connected between the arc adjustment ring and the nozzle to rotate the nozzle relative to the stream deflector to thereby adjust the nozzle orifice between a pair of limit positions. The stem is rotatable within the base upon over-rotation of the arc adjustment ring beyond either of the pair of limit positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: George L. Sesser, Lee A. Perkins, Steven T. McCoon
  • Patent number: 6736332
    Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a base adapted to be secured to a component supplying water under pressure; an arc adjustment ring rotatably mounted on the base; a nozzle and a stream deflector supported by an elongated stem carried by the base, the nozzle and the stream deflector cooperating to define an adjustable nozzle orifice; a water distribution plate secured to a shaft in the stem and located downstream of the nozzle; the stem and the nozzle axially movable relative to the base; and a drive train operatively connected between the arc adjustment ring and the nozzle to rotate the nozzle relative to the stream deflector to thereby adjust the nozzle orifice between a pair of limit positions. The stem is rotatable within the base upon over-rotation of the arc adjustment ring beyond either of the pair of limit positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: George L. Sesser, Lee A. Perkins, Steven T. McCoon
  • Patent number: 6660092
    Abstract: With a device for applying a coating agent onto a cyclically moved substrate, a uniform coating thickness may be achieved, although the rate of advance is not constant. At least one spray valve is provided which is permanently supplied with coating agent and the nozzle opening of which being adjustable with regard to the size of its effective discharge area in case of change of the rate of advance of the substrate according to the dependency, for a constant layer thickness of the coating agent, on the discharge rate of the coating agent out of the spray valve on the rate of advance of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Amtec Kistler GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Vögel
  • Publication number: 20030029931
    Abstract: A rotatable aerosol product 10 comprising an aerosol product 11 and a rotatable stand 12 attached to the bottom part of the aerosol product, wherein spray continues during rotation and the rotation frequency is 35 frequencies/minute or lower. A spray hole 13a of a nozzle 13 is positioned eccentrically from the rotation center and rotated by counteraction of spray from the nozzle 13. Rotation frequency is regulated by a friction force between a rotation member 31 and a fixed member 32 or a ball 33.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Shigekazu Zanma, Masazumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5307993
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler is provided having a stationary base portion, with a water inlet for attachment to a conventional garden hose, and a vertically oriented water outlet having a body portion rotatably secured thereto. A plurality of generally cylindrical arms extend radially from the body portion, with each arm having a nozzle unit disposed on the distal end thereof. Each nozzle unit includes a plurality of nozzles formed therein, and may be selectively positioned longitudinally so as to expose a different number of such nozzles to the water supply. The nozzle unit may be rotated relative to its respective arm, so that the water discharged through the nozzles operates to drive the body/arm assembly about the base. The rotational velocity of the body/arm assembly may be controlled by the user of the sprinkler by adjusting the rotational orientation of the plurality of nozzle units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Melnor Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergio G. Simonetti, Paul Aquilina
  • Patent number: 5253809
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a pan-shaped housing used to clean surfaces. Mounted on the top of the housing is a spinner assembly having a body containing a longitudinal passage. A tubular shaft rotatably mounted in the passage carries tubular arms located within the housing. The fluid flows from the hollow shaft into the arms and is discharged through nozzles having orifices mounted on the ends of the arms. The shaft has a head located in a chamber at one end of the passage. The diameter of the head is larger than the diameter of the passage and is dynamically balanced by the flow of fluid under pressure through the passage and chamber into the hollow shaft. The rotating shaft is laterally stabilized with a cylindrical boss attached to a cap threaded on the body. Alternatively, the upper end of the shaft has a cylindrical projection rotatably mounted in a recess in the cap to eliminate lateral movement and vibration of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Chaska Chemical Co.
    Inventors: Harold A. Poppitz, Harold A. Petsch