Rigid Mount Orbitor Sprinkler Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sprinklers mounted on center pivots or other support structures face challenges in achieving even water distribution at wide spacings due to the exclusivity of maximum radius of throw and uniform sprinkling patterns, often resulting in donut-shaped patterns at low pressure and excessive vibration, which can lead to structural resonance and component wear.
Innovation Solution
A rigid mount orbitor sprinkler assembly that combines spinning and wobbling motions using a deflector plate configuration with a spool assembly, counterbalance weight, and spider barrier to reduce vibration and debris accumulation, allowing for even water distribution and reduced wear, while accommodating spider ingress to prevent nesting issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional sprinklers are mounted rigidly on center pivots to minimize hardware costs, then system hardware costs are reduced, but excessive vibration occurs causing structural resonance and component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spider barrier as an intermediary component between the sprinkler body and the support structure. This barrier serves as a mediator that allows controlled spider ingress while preventing them from reaching moving parts, thus protecting components from wear without requiring complex isolation mechanisms
2Ease of manufacture
If sprinklers are spaced far apart to minimize system hardware costs, then hardware costs are reduced, but even water distribution becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable deflector plate that can change its orientation and water distribution pattern during operation. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the sprinkler to maintain uniform water distribution across varying distances, enabling wider spacing between sprinklers while preserving distribution uniformity
3Device complexity
If the deflector plate is allowed to assume an on-center orientation at rest, then the sprinkler structure is simplified, but the sprinkler rotates on its center axis without wobbling reducing distribution uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an asymmetric feature in the form of a pitched deflector plate that is angled relative to the sprinkler body axis. This asymmetric positioning prevents the deflector plate from settling in a symmetric on-center orientation, thereby inducing the necessary wobble motion for uniform distribution while maintaining relatively simple sprinkler structure
4Adaptability or versatility
If spider ingress openings are provided in the cap, then spider refuge is accommodated, but debris from sandy water can accelerate sprinkler component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing specific localized features in the cap structure: spider ingress openings positioned at locations where spiders can access refuge areas, and a spider barrier positioned specifically to block debris paths to moving parts. This localized differentiation allows the system to accommodate spiders in certain areas while protecting critical components in other areas from debris wear
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 sprinkler assembly achieves even water distribution with reduced vibration and wear, enabling rigid mounting on center pivots, minimizing manufacturing costs, and preventing spider interference with moving parts, thus enhancing operational reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a deflector plate configuration that is configured for both spinning/rotating motion as well as orbital or wobbling motion around the center of a spool assembly
Implementation Method 2
The sprinkler incorporates structure to reduce drool that may fall in a concentrated area below the sprinkler
Implementation Method 3
The load from the deflected stream reverses direction at that speed, thus being the primary cause of vibration, but the mass and balance of the orbiting parts also affect the vibration
Implementation Method 4
A rigid mount orbitor sprinkler assembly incorporates a deflector plate configuration that is configured for both spinning/rotating motion as well as orbital or wobbling motion around the center of a spool assembly
Implementation Method 5
A spider barrier is disposed in engagement with the cap and defines an enclosure over the at least one spider ingress opening
Implementation Method 6
The inner wall may be tapered to accommodate orbital motion of the deflector plate assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A rigid mount orbitor sprinkler assembly (10) incorporates a deflector plate configuration (22) that is configured for both spinning/rotating motion as well as orbital or wobbling motion around the center of a spool assembly (32). The sprinkler includes a spider ingress opening (572) cooperable with a spider barrier (570) that in combination permit inevitable spider ingress while preventing spider access or contact with certain moving parts of the sprinkler.