Adjustable Arc Sprinkler Nozzle with Axial Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary stream sprinklers often waste water due to inefficient arc adjustment mechanisms, which can lead to uneven irrigation and clogging issues from narrow orifices, and lack flexibility in adjusting the arc of coverage.
Innovation Solution
A pop-up rotary stream sprinkler with a non-rotating arc adjustment sleeve that can be axially moved to selectively block stream forming ports, allowing for adjustable arc coverage and incorporating a reduction gear drive and flow control mechanisms to optimize water distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rotary stream sprinklers use narrow orifices for arc adjustment, then the arc coverage can be adjusted, but clogging issues occur and manufacturing precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The arc adjustment mechanism is segmented into multiple discrete positions (90°, 120°, 150°, 180°, 210°, 240°, 270°, 300°, 330°, 360°) rather than using a continuous narrow orifice. Each position is achieved by rotating the nozzle assembly to align specific ports with the water flow, eliminating the need for narrow adjustment orifices that are prone to clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
Different ports in the nozzle assembly have different functions: some ports are for water injection, others are for air injection, and others are blocked. This local differentiation allows precise control over the arc coverage at each position without requiring narrow orifices, as each port is optimally sized for its specific function.
2Area of stationary object
If spray head sprinklers are used to water smaller areas, then coverage is provided, but water is wasted due to high ejection rate causing water to flow off vegetation and blow away
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic assistance by injecting compressed air through dedicated air ports in the nozzle assembly. This air injection creates a pneumatic lift effect that extends the water stream distance and improves distribution uniformity, allowing smaller area coverage without excessive water ejection rates that cause waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the water stream by introducing air, which alters the stream velocity, trajectory, and breakup characteristics. This parameter modification allows the water to be distributed more efficiently over the target area, reducing runoff and waste while maintaining adequate coverage.
3Area of stationary object
If rotary stream sprinklers eject small individual streams to cover larger areas, then coverage area increases, but the device complexity increases with turbines and gear train reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex turbine and gear train reduction mechanisms from the sprinkler system. Instead of using mechanical rotation to create multiple streams, the system uses a stationary nozzle assembly with multiple ports that directly eject streams in different directions, achieving large area coverage without rotary mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coverage area is segmented into multiple zones by directing water through different ports at different angles. The nozzle assembly contains multiple ports arranged to cover different sectors, and by selectively opening different ports, the system can cover various areas without requiring mechanical rotation or complex drive mechanisms.
4Area of stationary object
If fixed spray head sprinklers eject fan-shaped water pattern at high rate, then coverage is provided, but manufacturing precision is reduced due to water blowing away and waste
Solution Approach 1:
Each port in the nozzle assembly is specifically designed with local quality optimized for its function - water ports, air ports, and blocked ports are differentiated. This allows precise control over water distribution characteristics in different directions, achieving uniform coverage without the excessive ejection rates that cause water to blow away and waste.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables precise control over the arc and radius of water distribution, reducing water waste and preventing clogging, while ensuring consistent irrigation across a wide range of areas from 90 to 360 degrees.
Implementation Method 1
The distributor head has spiral grooves that form the rotary streams
Implementation Method 2
The turbine is typically located at the bottom of the sprinkler, below the gear box that holds the gear train reduction, and above the stator where one is employed
Implementation Method 3
Rotary stream sprinklers sometimes incorporate a turbine and gear train reduction for slowly rotating the nozzle head or stream deflector
Implementation Method 4
Where the water directly provides the rotary force to the stream deflector, a brake or damper is employed to slow the rate of rotation of the stream deflector
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler includes a stream nozzle with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending stream forming ports. A non-rotating arc adjustment sleeve is mounted for axial movement relative to the stream nozzle to selectively block the stream forming ports to vary an arc of coverage of a plurality of streams of water ejected from the stream forming ports.