Rotary Stream Sprinkler Nozzle Offset Flutes Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary stream sprinklers fail to accurately and uniformly deliver a predetermined low precipitation rate over a desired shape of coverage due to clogging issues from grit and mineral deposits, and difficulty in rotating the stream deflector at low flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A sprinkler nozzle with a nozzle plate and a stream deflector featuring flutes that channel water in radial directions, allowing for successive streams to be ejected at different angles, creating a predetermined shape of coverage, and a gear train reduction system with a turbine located above the gear box to reduce clogging risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional rotary stream sprinkler uses a small orifice to achieve low flow rate, then the precipitation rate is reduced, but the orifice becomes blocked by grit and mineral deposits
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single small orifice into multiple larger orifices arranged in a circular pattern on the nozzle plate. Each orifice is larger than a conventional single orifice, making them less susceptible to clogging by grit and mineral deposits. The multiple orifices collectively deliver the required low flow rate, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving low precipitation rate and preventing clogging.
2Quantity of substance
If a conventional rotary stream sprinkler uses a small orifice to achieve low flow rate, then the precipitation rate is reduced, but it becomes difficult to rotate the stream deflector
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the water flow into multiple streams through multiple orifices, the invention provides sufficient total flow to rotate the stream deflector while maintaining low precipitation rate. The multiple smaller streams collectively generate enough rotational force on the stream deflector to overcome friction and enable rotation, even at low overall flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention arranges the multiple orifices in a circular pattern around the central axis of the stream deflector. This circular arrangement creates a distributed force pattern that effectively generates rotational torque on the stream deflector, enabling rotation even at low flow rates where a single orifice would be insufficient.
3Measurement precision
If a conventional rotary stream sprinkler uses an arcuate orifice six thousandths of an inch wide to achieve 3.6 gallons per hour, then the precipitation rate is accurate, but the orifice is too small and prone to blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the single narrow arcuate orifice (0.006 inches wide) with multiple larger orifices arranged in a circular pattern. Each individual orifice is significantly larger than the conventional single orifice, making them resistant to clogging by grit and mineral deposits. The collective flow through multiple orifices maintains the precise precipitation rate of 3.6 gallons per hour, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and reliability.
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 and uniform water distribution over a desired area, resisting clogging and maintaining low flow rates, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional rotary stream sprinklers.
Implementation Method 1
A rotary stream sprinkler sometimes incorporates a turbine and gear train reduction for slowly rotating the nozzle head or stream deflector
Implementation Method 2
A stream deflector is rotatably mounted adjacent the nozzle plate and has a plurality of flutes formed therein that face the nozzle plate. Each flute has an inner portion that can momentarily align with water flowing through the orifice in the nozzle plate during rotation of the stream deflector relative to the nozzle plate. Water flowing through the orifice will be channeled in a generally radial direction by the flute to form a stream of water that is ejected from the stream deflector.
Implementation Method 3
A rotary stream sprinkler sometimes incorporates a turbine and gear train reduction for slowly rotating the nozzle head or stream deflector
Data Source
AI summary
A sprinkler nozzle includes a nozzle plate having at least one orifice formed therein. A stream deflector is rotatably mounted adjacent the nozzle plate and has a plurality of flutes formed therein that face the nozzle plate. Each flute has an inner portion that can momentarily align with water flowing through the orifice in the nozzle plate during rotation of the stream deflector relative to the nozzle plate. Water flowing through the orifice will be channeled in a generally radial direction by the flute to form a stream of water that is ejected from the stream deflector. The flutes have a plurality of different tangential trajectories relative to the orifice in the nozzle plate so that in combination the streams of water successively ejected from the stream deflector establish a predetermined shape of coverage.