Adjustable Sprinkler Nozzle Assembly for Uniform Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sprinklers fail to provide uniform distribution and flow rate adjustment, especially when reducing the range, leading to unsatisfactory irrigation results on irregularly shaped areas due to the negative impact of break-up screws on coefficients of uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle housing assembly with a flow path including a main and angled portion, a valve element movable upstream of the nozzle, and a gear-driven mechanism for arc, flow rate, and stream angle adjustments from the top, maintaining high discharge energy and uniformity even at reduced ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a break-up screw is used for range reduction in conventional sprinklers, then the range can be reduced by 25%-30%, but the coefficients of uniformity are badly deteriorated and no flow rate adjustment is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the break-up screw component from the sprinkler system and replaces it with a valve element mounted at the junction between the main and angled portions of the flow path. This extraction eliminates the negative impact on distribution uniformity while maintaining the ability to reduce range through controlled flow rate reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical range adjustment using a break-up screw to flow rate control using a valve element. By adjusting the flow rate parameter through the valve, the system achieves range reduction while maintaining proper distribution coefficients, as the high discharge energy is preserved through optimized flow path design.
2Quantity of substance
If flow rate is reduced in conventional sprinklers, then water savings are achieved, but distribution uniformity deteriorates due to the break-up screw
Solution Approach 1:
The break-up screw is removed from the system, eliminating its harmful effect on distribution uniformity. The valve element provides clean flow rate control without disrupting the water distribution pattern, allowing water savings to be achieved while maintaining uniformity coefficients.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element acts as an intermediary component that controls flow rate without directly interfering with the water distribution mechanism. It mediates between the water supply and the spray nozzle, adjusting flow while preserving the integrity of the distribution pattern through its strategic positioning at the flow path junction.
3Quantity of substance
If range is reduced proportionally with flow rate reduction, then water savings of 30% are realized, but maintaining uniform coverage becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes from mechanical range adjustment to flow rate-based range control. By reducing flow rate through the valve element, the range reduces proportionally while the high discharge energy maintained by the optimized flow path geometry preserves distribution uniformity, achieving both water savings and uniform coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic control of flow rate through the valve element, allowing continuous adjustment of both range and water consumption. This dynamic control enables the system to maintain optimal distribution patterns across varying flow rates, ensuring uniform coverage is preserved even as range and water usage are reduced.
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
Enables 30% water savings by reducing range and flow rate proportionally while maintaining uniform coverage and high efficiency up to 46 feet, with easy setup and adjustment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a valve element mounted at a junction between the main portion and the angled portion of the flow path. The valve element is movable into and out of the flow path directly upstream of the nozzle such that a discharge velocity of fluid is directed toward the nozzle to provide a high flow entry velocity to the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
a driving mechanism mounted in the riser; and a nozzle housing assembly mounted on the riser and mechanically connected to the driving mechanism such that the driving mechanism rotates the nozzle housing assembly in a desired arc of coverage
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary driven sprinkler with adjustable flow rate and distance control where the change in distance of the coverage outwardly from the sprinkler is directly proportional to the change in flow rate. The flow rate at a selected sprinkler design pressure and installed nozzle may be indicated on the top of the sprinkler nozzle housing and its distance of coverage may be set. Also a changeable nozzle with a settable stream elevation angle may be provided using the nozzle retention screw.