Adjustable Stream Rotor Sprinkler with Proportional Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprinkler nozzle assemblies face challenges in easily adjusting the range of coverage and flow rate while maintaining a constant range, as they often require complex axially movable adjustment mechanisms and are inconvenient to manufacture and assemble.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler head nozzle assembly with a rotatable arc of coverage adjustment ring and a range adjustment ring that interact to maintain a constant range of coverage by proportionally adjusting the upstream flow area as the arc of coverage changes, using axially stepped spiral surfaces and viscous damping for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex axially movable adjustment mechanisms are used to adjust range of coverage, then adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into two independent rotational rings: an outer ring for arc of coverage adjustment and an inner ring for range of coverage adjustment. Each ring handles a specific adjustment function through simple rotation, eliminating the need for complex axially movable mechanisms while maintaining full adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using axial movement to adjust range (as in prior art), the invention uses rotational movement of the inner ring to control a throttle valve. This inverts the conventional adjustment approach, replacing complex axial mechanisms with simple rotational operation that is easier to manufacture and assemble.
2Area of moving object
If arc of coverage is increased, then water coverage area is improved, but range of coverage decreases due to pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The inner ring is operationally linked to the outer ring such that when the outer ring is rotated to increase arc of coverage, the inner ring automatically rotates to adjust the upstream flow area. This feedback mechanism maintains proportional relationship between arc and range adjustments, ensuring constant range of coverage despite changes in arc width.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes two parameters simultaneously: the arcuate outlet opening size (controlled by outer ring) and the upstream flow area (controlled by inner ring). By coordinating these parameter changes, the system maintains constant discharge pressure and velocity, preserving range of coverage while adjusting arc of coverage.
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 easy adjustment of arc and range of coverage from the exterior, reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly costs, while maintaining a consistent range of coverage across different arc settings, suitable for both gear-driven and self-driven rotating deflectors.
Implementation Method 1
a range adjustment ring mounted on the nozzle housing for adjusting an upstream flow area in the nozzle housing to reduce a pressure of water provided to the arcuate water outlet opening such that the discharge velocity, and thus, the range of coverage of the water and flow rate are changed
Implementation Method 2
a viscous damping assembly including a rotor rotating with the deflector and a stator, a clearance between the rotor and the stator, wherein the clearance is adjustable to adjust a speed of rotation of the deflector
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler head nozzle assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a nozzle housing with an inlet for pressurized water and an outlet downstream of the inlet, a rotatable arc of coverage adjustment ring mounted on the housing such that rotation of the arc of coverage adjustment ring extends and reduces an arcuate exit opening, a range adjustment ring, or upstream flow area adjustment ring is also provided with an upstream flow area throttling element that increases or decreases the flow area as the range adjustment ring is rotated.