US1668582A - Slow-speed-rotation facilitator for sprinkler heads - Google Patents

Description

May s, 1928.

W. A. BUCKNER SLOW SPEED ROTATION FACILITATOR FOR SPRINKLER HEADS Filed Sent. 18. 1926 Ema l v IN VEN TOR. W772 ;A. B u ckn er ATTORNEY Patented May 8, 1928.

[PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. BUCKNER, F FRESNO, CALIFORNIA.

SLOW-SPEED-IROTATION FACILITATOR FOR SPRINKLER HEADS.

' Application filed September 18, 1926. Serial No. 136,260.

This invention relates to improvements in irrigators, particularly of that type used for surface irrigation' The particular device covered by this application is a revolv ing sprinkler head used for surface irrigation of all kinds, particularly on extensive lawn surfaces, such as golf courses and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a control for rotary irrigating beads by which a positive slow speed rotation may be imparted to the rotary head in order to irrigate in as great a radius as possible and with the greatest economy.

. A further object is to provide a rotating head which will be without leaks and form no puddles around the rotating head and which will provide the positive action desired without a complication of gears or other operating mechanism.

lhese objects l accomplish by having a simple full floating rotary head with extending arms provided with discharge nozzles set at an angle to the horizon, so as to impart a very slight reactive rotary motion to the head. This rotary motion is maintained and controlled by a vibrating element which keeps the head in an unsteady position and prevents it from binding or setting in any fixed position which would prevent the rotation thereof under the reaction of the water discharging through the discharge nozzle.

dill

in the drawings:

Fig. 1 isa perspective view of one type of my improved rotary head showing the vibrating element." v

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal cross section of the vibrating element.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section-of the vibrating element taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. p

Fig. 4: is a vertical section through the free floating bearing for the rotary sprinkler head.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference, the numeral 1 designates the support for the sprinkler head which may be of any suitable stationary or transportable type. port is the water supply pipe 2 on the upper end of which is the rotatable head which Mounted on this sup may be of any desired type, but which for the purpose of this description is shown as a full floating head constructed substantially as follows:

On the upper end of the pipe 2 is mounted a bearing sleeve 3 havin discharge outlets 4 near its upper end. i pin 5 projects upwardly from the sleeve 3 and is slidable through a sleeve 6 011a cage 7 surrounding the discharge outlets 4, the lower side of the .cage surrounding the sleeve 3 in sliding re lation and being made water-tight by means of a packing nut 8. Surrounding the pin 5 above the sleeve 6 are washers 9 and 10 mounted in spaced relation, and between these washers is disposed a yieldable spring 11, the Whole being enclosed by a suitable cap 12. Pipes 13 and 14 communicate with the cage 7 and are provided with discharge nozzles 15 and 16 respectively. In practice the force of the water passing through the pipe 2, sleeve 3 and discharge outlets a: raises the cage 7 on the bearing sleeve 3 and pin 5 until the action of the spring 11 and the water pressure are equalized, which provides a full floating head for the sprinkler,

which will rotate in floating position under the reaction of the water discharging through the nozzles 15 and 16 when the latter are set at an angle to the horizon as shown. 7

In practice these nozzles are set at just such an angle as to set up a very slight rotary motion of the head and this rotary motionisfacilitated by maintaining the head in a state Lot vibration or agitation by means of a vibratory element set into on of the discharge pipes.

In the present invention this vibratory element comprises a specially constructed sprinkler element which in addition to setting up the vibration desired,also sprinkles the water in a radius close to the sprinkler head, as is necessary in a sprinkler of this type in order that the complete area around A trough-like member 18 is mounted on the member 17 so that such member 17 discharges substantially centrally into the trough. Upwardly extending flanges 19 are mounted on the end walls of the trotwh and support bearing pins 20 on a vertlcal ly suspended plate or vane 21 which sets vertically-above the center line of the inlet from the ipe 17.

Tile plate 21 above the pivotal pins 20 s provided with side flanges 22 and with d1- verging end flanges 23 at its upper end.

In practice when the water is discharged through the sprinkler head a part of the' water discharges through the ipe 17' and the stream of water passing t erethrough under pressure will impinge against the under face of the vane 21, and the stream Wlll be slightly deflected following the face of said vane, and upon reaching that part of the vane abovethe bearing pins 20 the force of the stream will tilt the vane in the oppd site direction. It will then be met on the other side by the same force of water and it will immediately swing back again so that there will be a constant back and forth motion of such vane. With this back and forth motion the lower end of the vane 21 will constantly strike the sides 18 of the trough-like member 18 and set up a constant vibration on the entire sprinkler head. This vibration will keep the head in an unsteady position and prevent it from binding or .coming to a stop in any one position so that the slow speed rotarymotion set up by the reaction of the water dischargin rom the inclined discharge nozzles 15 wil be maintained.

One of the main features of the construction of the vibratory sprinkler member just described is the trough-like member 18 surrounding the lower end 21, inasmuch as this structure prevents leakage and puddling around the sprinkler head, which is a very objectionable feature, particularly where sprinkler heads are used on golf courses or like places. If this trough-like element were not used the discharge of the water from the pipe 17 striking against the sides of the I vane 21 splits the stream of water as the vane passes from side to side, which would cause a leakage or drip off of the vane .first on one side and then on the other. This drip is so pronounced that it would cause a heavy puddling around the sprinkler which would.

ruin the commercial value of the same due to puddling.

By providing the trough-like structure on each s1de of the lower endof the vane this drip falls into the trough. The water then passing through the outlet from the pipe 17 into the trough, which is below the top edges of the sides l8" of the trough, forms an ejector which sucks upvthe, water in the trough and carries it upward with the stream, and

thus carries away this leakage or drippin without causing the same to puddle aroun the sprinkler.

While I have shown the type of full floating head specifically described herein, nevertheless the same rotary motion and vibratory motion described could be maintained with other forms of heads, hence I do not wish to be understood as confining the use of rpy invention to this particular type of hea From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I ave produced such a device as substantially fulfills the ob ects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as. i

do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described ineluding a rotatable sprinkler head and a member to keep the head in a state of vibration, such member including an oscillating vane, means whereby a stream of water discharged from the sprinkler will oscillate the vane, and means for limiting the oscillation of the vane, such latter means comprising a trough-like base into which the lower end of the vane projects whereby with the oscillation'of the vane it will strike the sides of the trough.

2. A device of the character described ineluding a rotatable sprinkler head and a" member to keep the head in a state of vibration, such member including an oscillating vane, means whereby a stream of water discharged from the s rinkler will oscillate the vane, and means fbr limiting the oscillation of the vane, such latter means comprising a trough-like basev into which the lower end of the vane projects whereby with the oscillation of the vane it will strike the sides of the trough, the stream being adapted to discharge into the bottom of the trou h below the top edges of the sides thereo 3. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable sprinkler head hav-v ing latera ly projecting discharge pipes and nozzles adjacent the outer ends thereof, one of said pipes having an intermediate nozzle, and an oscillating vane having its axis intersecting the axis of the latter noz'zle, said vane adapted to be oscillated by the stream from such'nozzle.

4. A device of the character described of said pipes having'an intermediate nozzle,

an oscillating vane having its axis intersecting the axis of the latter nozzle, said vane adapted to be oscillated by the stream from such nozzle, and means to limit the oscillation of such vane.

5. A device of the character described comprising a rotatable sprinkler head having laterally projecting discharge pipes and nozzles adjacent the outer ends thereof, one of said pipes having .an intermediate nozzle, an oscillating vane having its axis intersecting the axis of the latter nozzle, said vane adapted to be oscillated by the stream from such'nozzle, and means to limit the oscillation of such vane, such means including a trough-like base surrounding the nozzle, the vane projecting into the trough whereby with the oscillation of the vane it will strike the sides of the trough.

6. A vibrating element for connection with a nozzle of a rotating sprinkler head including a trough-like base having a central bottom orifice to fit the nozzle and a pivoted vane supported upward from the base and having its axis intersecting the axis of the orifice, the lower end of the vane projecting into the trough-like base.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM A. BUCKNER.

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