Micro-stream rotator with adjustment of throw radius and flow rate

Abstract

A rotating stream sprinkler including a rotor plate supported on one end of a shaft for rotation, in an operative mode, relative to the shaft; a nozzle located along the shaft upstream of the rotor plate; the rotor plate formed with a chamber and one end of the shaft has a stator fixed thereto within the chamber, the fluid chamber at least partially filled with a viscous fluid; and wherein the chamber is at least partially closed at an upper end thereof by a rotor cap plate; and further wherein an underside of the rotor cap plate is provided with a first plurality of teeth and an upper surface of the stator is provided with a second plurality of mating teeth adapted to engage the first plurality of teeth to enable rotation of the rotor plate with the shaft in the adjustment mode. A flow rate adjustment mechanism includes a throttle member threadably mounted on the shaft for movement relative to the shaft, toward or away from an annular seat having a discontinuous edge such that the flow rate cannot be shut off by having the throttle member engage the seat.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rotating stream sprinkler comprising:
 a rotor plate supported on one end of a shaft for rotation, in an operative mode, relative to the shaft; a nozzle located along said shaft upstream of said rotor plate, said shaft and said nozzle supported within a base component of the sprinkler; said rotor plate formed with a chamber, with one end of said shaft having a stator fixed thereto within said chamber, said chamber at least partially filled with a viscous fluid; and wherein said chamber is at least partially closed at an upper end thereof by a rotor plate cap; and further wherein an underside of said rotor plate cap is provided with a first plurality of teeth and an upper surface of said stator is provided with a second plurality of teeth adapted to engage said first plurality of teeth to enable rotation of said rotor plate with said shaft in an adjustment mode.   
     
     
       2. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 1  wherein said rotor plate is movable axially on said shaft to enable engagement of said first and second plurality of teeth. 
     
     
       3. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 1  wherein said rotor plate is formed with a plurality of grooves in an exterior surface thereof adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle, said grooves configured to cause said rotor plate to rotate when said stream impinges on said grooves. 
     
     
       4. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 1  wherein said shaft has an opposite threaded end and a throttle member threadably mounted on said opposite end, such that when said shaft is rotated with said first and second plurality of teeth engaged in said adjustment mode, said throttle member moves axially on said shaft. 
     
     
       5. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 4  and further comprising a plurality of vertically arranged, circumferentially spaced ribs axially adjacent said throttle member and serving as a seat for said throttle member when said throttle member is moved to a most restrictive flow position. 
     
     
       6. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 5  wherein said throttle has a plurality of axial ribs on an exterior surface thereof and adapted to intermesh with a plurality of axially extending ribs on a spider member fixed within said sprinkler body, thereby preventing said throttle member from rotating. 
     
     
       7. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 6  wherein said spider member is mounted on said shaft axially between said nozzle and said throttle member. 
     
     
       8. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 7  wherein a threaded collar is press fit on said shaft and said throttle member is threadably mounted on said collar. 
     
     
       9. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 1  wherein said nozzle comprises radially inner and outer components, configured to emit a stream at an angle to a central axis of said sprinkler. 
     
     
       10. The sprinkler of  claim 1  wherein said distributor plate includes a chamber at least partially filled with a viscous fluid and wherein a stator is fixed to said shaft within said chamber. 
     
     
       11. A rotating stream sprinkler assembly comprising a sprinkler having an inlet, an outlet including a stationary nozzle; a rotatable stream distributor plate mounted on a shaft downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle and to distribute said stream, said shaft and said nozzle supported within a base component of the sprinkler; and means for adjusting the flow rate of water flowing to said nozzle. 
     
     
       12. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 11  wherein said nozzle is interchangeable with similar nozzles, each having a different sprinkling pattern. 
     
     
       13. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 12  wherein said means is accessible exteriorly of said sprinkler body. 
     
     
       14. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 11  wherein said distributor plate includes a chamber at least partially filled with a viscous fluid and wherein a stator is fixed to said shaft within said chamber. 
     
     
       15. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 11  wherein said nozzle is configured to emit the stream to atmosphere at an angle relative to a center axis of said sprinkler body. 
     
     
       16. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 15  wherein said shaft lies in said center axis, and wherein said nozzle includes a substantially conical deflector fixed on said shaft. 
     
     
       17. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 16  wherein said deflector mounts an annular shield extending toward said stream distribution plate. 
     
     
       18. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 16  wherein said nozzle and said conical deflector cooperate to emit the stream at an angle of about 20° relative to said center axis. 
     
     
       19. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 11  wherein said stream distributor plate is in the shape of a truncated and inverted cone with grooves formed therein, a radially inner edge thereof forming an apex, said apex lying radially outwardly of an orifice of said nozzle. 
     
     
       20. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 11  wherein said stream distribution plate has a plurality of circumferentially offset grooves so as to cause said plate to rotate when a stream from said nozzle impinges on said grooves. 
     
     
       21. A rotating stream sprinkler assembly comprising a sprinkler body having an inlet and an outlet including a stationary nozzle; a rotatable stream distributor plate mounted on a shaft for rotation relative to the shaft, the distributor plate located downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle and to distribute said stream; a flow rate adjustment mechanism comprising a throttle member threadably mounted on said shaft for movement relative to said shaft, toward or away from an annular seat having a discontinuous edge such that the flow rate cannot be shut off by having said throttle member engage said seat. 
     
     
       22. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 21  wherein said distributor plate rotates relative to said shaft during normal operation but rotates with said shaft during flow rate adjustment. 
     
     
       23. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 22  including means for preventing said throttle member from rotating with said shaft during said flow rate adjustment. 
     
     
       24. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 21  wherein said distributor plate includes a chamber at least partially filled with a viscous fluid and wherein a stator is fixed to said shaft within said chamber. 
     
     
       25. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 21  wherein said discontinuous edge is defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending ribs. 
     
     
       26. A rotating stream sprinkler comprising means for delivering liquid to a nozzle; means downstream of said nozzle for distributing liquid emitted from said nozzle in a desired sprinkling pattern; means for adjusting flow rate of water to said nozzle; and means for controlling a speed of rotation of said means for distributing said liquid. 
     
     
       27. A rotating stream sprinkler comprising a sprinkler body having an inlet and an outlet including a stationary nozzle; a rotatable stream distributor plate mounted on a shaft for rotation relative to the shaft, the distributor plate located downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle and to distribute said stream; said distributor plate having a chamber formed therein at least partially filled with a viscous fluid, and a stator fixed to said shaft within said chamber, wherein rotational speed of said rotatable stream distributor plate is viscously dampened; and a flow rate adjustment mechanism comprising a throttle member threadably mounted for movement relative to said shaft, toward or away from an annular seat upstream of said throttle member. 
     
     
       28. The rotating stream sprinkler of  claim 27  wherein said annular seat has a discontinuous edge such that the flow rate cannot be shut off by having said throttle member engage said seat. 
     
     
       29. A rotating stream sprinkler assembly including a sleeve having an inlet and an outlet including a stationary nozzle; a rotatable stream distributor plate mounted on one end of a shaft for rotation relative to the shaft, said shaft supported in said sleeve, the distributor plate located downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle and to distribute said stream; a flow rate adjustment mechanism comprising a throttle member threadably mounted on said shaft for movement within said sleeve, relative to said shaft, toward or away from an annular seat having a discontinuous edge such that the flow rate cannot be shut off by having said throttle member engage said seat. 
     
     
       30. A rotating stream sprinkler assembly comprising:
 a sprinkler having an inlet;   an outlet including a nozzle;   a rotatable stream distributor plate being positioned downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle;   a shaft disposed along a central axis of said rotatable stream distributor plate; and   a pair of throttle components positioned upstream of said nozzle, said pair of throttle components including a first throttle component fixed to said shaft and having at least one flow restriction aperture, and a second throttle component located axially adjacent to said first throttle component and having at least one flow port, wherein said shaft and said first throttle component are rotatable in an adjustment mode to rotate said first throttle component relative to said second throttle component such that said at least one flow restriction aperture rotates relative to said at least one flow port to increase or decrease flow through said nozzle thereby increasing or decreasing the radius of throw of water away from the sprinkler without changing the arc of coverage.   
     
     
       31. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 30, wherein said second throttle component is cylindrical. 
     
     
       32. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 30, wherein said first throttle component is press fit onto said shaft. 
     
     
       33. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 30, wherein said second throttle component at least partially radially encompasses said first throttle component. 
     
     
       34. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 30, wherein said nozzle is stationary. 
     
     
       35. The rotating stream sprinkler of claim 30 wherein said nozzle is interchangeable with similar nozzles, each adapted to produce a different sprinkling pattern. 
     
     
       36. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 30, wherein said first and second throttle components are adjustable to increase or decrease a flow opening through said sprinkler to increase or decrease flow through said nozzle. 
     
     
       37. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 36, wherein said flow opening is defined between said second throttle component and a bore of said sprinkler. 
     
     
       38. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 30, wherein said first and second throttle components are configured such that in a maximum restricted flow position, flow to said nozzle is not shut off. 
     
     
       39. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 30, wherein said shaft is normally non-rotatable in an operational mode. 
     
     
       40. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 30, wherein said second throttle component is disposed axially between said nozzle and said first throttle component. 
     
     
       41. A method of adjusting flow rate to a nozzle in a rotating stream sprinkler, the method comprising:
 rotating a shaft of said sprinkler whereby a first throttle component coupled to said shaft engages a second throttle component to move said second throttle component in a direction parallel to an axis of said shaft,   wherein said second throttle component is positioned upstream of said nozzle and axial movement of said second throttle component increases or decreases flow through said nozzle to increase or decrease the radius of throw of water away from the sprinkler without changing the arc of coverage; and wherein the shaft extends through a center of the nozzle.   
     
     
       42. The method of claim 41, further comprising:
 engaging a drive element of a distributor plate with a cooperative drive element coupled to said shaft whereby rotational movement applied to said distributor plate is transferred to said shaft; and   rotating said distributor plate.   
     
     
       43. The method of claim 41, wherein said rotating step includes moving said second throttle component between a first restrictive position and a second restrictive position. 
     
     
       44. The method of claim 41, wherein said rotating step includes constraining rotational movement of said second throttle component. 
     
     
       45. The method of claim 41, wherein said rotating step includes engaging threads of said first throttle component with threads of said second throttle component. 
     
     
       46. The method of claim 41, wherein said rotating step includes moving said second throttle component in an axial direction relative to a seated position in an adjustment mode to increase or decrease clearance between a bore formed said sprinkler and said second throttle component. 
     
     
       47. The method of claim 46, wherein said second throttle component is positioned against a discontinuous seat of said sprinkler when said second throttle component is positioned at said seated position. 
     
     
       48. The method of claim 47, wherein said discontinuous seat is positioned upstream of said second throttle component. 
     
     
       49. The method of claim 47, wherein said discontinuous seat is configured to allow flow between said second throttle component and said bore when said second throttle component is in said seated position. 
     
     
       50. The method of claim 49, wherein said seated position is a maximum restricted flow position for said second throttle component such that flow through said nozzle is a minimum when said second throttle component is at said seated position. 
     
     
       51. The method of claim 49, wherein said discontinuous seat comprises a plurality of ribs against which said second throttle member is positioned when at the seated position. 
     
     
       52. The method of claim 51, wherein said ribs extend axially within said bore, said ribs being disposed along an interior surface of said bore and extending inwardly toward a center of said bore. 
     
     
       53. The method of claim 47, wherein said discontinuous seat is axially fixed relative to said nozzle. 
     
     
       54. The method of claim 46, wherein said rotating step includes moving said second throttle component in an axial direction relative to a filter component in the adjustment mode to increase or decrease clearance between a bore of said filter component and said second throttle component to increase or decrease flow through said bore. 
     
     
       55. The method of claim 54, wherein said filter component comprises a discontinuous seat against which said second throttle component is positioned when at said seated position, said discontinuous seat allowing flow between said filter component and said second throttle component when said second throttle component is in the seated position. 
     
     
       56. The method of claim 55, wherein said discontinuous seat is formed at least in part by a plurality of ribs, said second throttle component being seated against said ribs when in the seated position. 
     
     
       57. The method of claim 56, wherein said ribs extend axially within said bore of said filter component, said ribs being disposed along an interior surface of said bore and extending inwardly toward a center of said bore. 
     
     
       58. The method of claim 25, wherein the shaft is disposed along a central axis of a rotatable stream distributor plate, and the first throttle component is coupled to said shaft, and the step of rotating said shaft comprises rotating the shaft and the first throttle component in an adjustment mode to rotate the first throttle component relative to the second throttle component. 
     
     
       59. A rotating stream sprinkler assembly comprising:
 a sprinkler having an inlet;   an outlet including a nozzle;   a rotatable stream distributor plate being positioned downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle;   a shaft disposed along a central axis of said rotatable stream distributor plate, said distributor plate being rotatable relative to said shaft in an operational mode; and   a pair of throttle components including a first throttle component fixed to said shaft and having at least one flow restriction aperture, and a second throttle component located axially adjacent to said first throttle component and having at least one flow port, wherein said shaft and said first throttle component are rotatable in an adjustment mode to rotate said first throttle component relative to said second throttle component such that said at least one flow restriction aperture rotates relative to said at least one flow port to increase or decrease flow through said nozzle thereby increasing or decreasing the radius of throw of water away from the sprinkler without changing the arc of coverage.   
     
     
       60. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 59, wherein impingement of said stream on said distributor plate causes said distributor plate to rotate in said operational mode to thereby distribute said stream. 
     
     
       61. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 59, wherein said shaft is normally non-rotatable in the operational mode. 
     
     
       62. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 59, wherein said second throttle component is disposed axially between said nozzle and said first throttle component. 
     
     
       63. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 59, wherein said pair of throttle components are positioned upstream of said nozzle. 
     
     
       64. A rotating stream sprinkler assembly comprising:
 a sprinkler having an inlet;   an outlet including a nozzle;   a rotatable stream distributor plate being positioned downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle;   a shaft disposed along a central axis of said rotatable stream distributor plate, said shaft being normally non-rotatable in an operational mode; and   a pair of throttle components including a first throttle component fixed to said shaft and having at least one flow restriction aperture, and a second throttle component located axially adjacent to said first throttle component and having at least one flow port, wherein said shaft and said first throttle component are rotatable in an adjustment mode to rotate said first throttle component relative to said second throttle component such that said at least one flow restriction aperture rotates relative to said at least one flow port to increase or decrease flow through said nozzle thereby increasing or decreasing the radius of throw of water away from the sprinkler without changing the arc of coverage.   
     
     
       65. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 64, wherein said second throttle component is disposed axially between said nozzle and said first throttle component. 
     
     
       66. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 64, wherein said pair of throttle components are positioned upstream of said nozzle. 
     
     
       67. A rotating stream sprinkler assembly comprising:
 a sprinkler having an inlet;   an outlet including a nozzle;   a rotatable stream distributor plate being positioned downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle;   a shaft disposed along a central axis of said rotatable stream distributor plate; and   a pair of throttle components including a first throttle component fixed to said shaft and having a plurality of flow restriction apertures, and a second throttle component located axially adjacent to said first throttle component and having at least one flow port, wherein said shaft and said first throttle component are rotatable in an adjustment mode to rotate said first throttle component relative to said second throttle component such that said plurality of flow restriction apertures rotate relative to said at least one flow port to increase or decrease flow through said nozzle thereby increasing or decreasing the radius of throw of water away from the sprinkler without changing the arc of coverage.   
     
     
       68. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 67, wherein said plurality of flow restriction apertures are formed between a plurality of radially extending lobes. 
     
     
       69. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 67, wherein said shaft is normally non-rotatable in an operational mode. 
     
     
       70. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 67, wherein said second throttle component is disposed axially between said nozzle and said first throttle component. 
     
     
       71. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 67, wherein said pair of throttle components are positioned upstream of said nozzle. 
     
     
       72. A rotating stream sprinkler assembly comprising:
 a sprinkler having an inlet;   an outlet including a nozzle;   a rotatable stream distributor plate being positioned downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle;   a shaft disposed along a central axis of said rotatable stream distributor plate; and   a pair of throttle components including a first throttle component fixed to said shaft and having at least one flow restriction aperture, and a second throttle component located axially adjacent to said first throttle component and having a plurality of flow ports, wherein said shaft and said first throttle component are rotatable in an adjustment mode to rotate said first throttle component relative to said second throttle component such that said at least one flow restriction aperture rotates relative to said plurality of flow ports to increase or decrease flow through said nozzle thereby increasing or decreasing the radius of throw of water away from the sprinkler without changing the arc of coverage.   
     
     
       73. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 72, wherein said shaft is normally non-rotatable in an operational mode. 
     
     
       74. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 72, wherein said second throttle component is disposed axially between said nozzle and said first throttle component. 
     
     
       75. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 72, wherein said pair of throttle components are positioned upstream of said nozzle. 
     
     
       76. A rotating stream sprinkler assembly comprising:
 a sprinkler having an inlet;   an outlet including a nozzle;   a rotatable stream distributor plate being positioned downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle;   a shaft disposed along a central axis of said rotatable stream distributor plate; and   a pair of throttle components including a first throttle component fixed to said shaft and having at least one flow restriction aperture, and a second throttle component located axially adjacent to said first throttle component between said nozzle and said first throttle component and having at least one flow port, wherein said shaft and said first throttle component are rotatable in an adjustment mode to rotate said first throttle component relative to said second throttle component such that said at least one flow restriction aperture rotates relative to said at least one flow port to increase or decrease flow through said nozzle thereby increasing or decreasing the radius of throw of water away from the sprinkler without changing the arc of coverage.   
     
     
       77. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 76, wherein said shaft is normally non-rotatable in an operational mode. 
     
     
       78. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 76, wherein said pair of throttle components are positioned upstream of said nozzle. 
     
     
       79. A rotating stream sprinkler assembly comprising:
 a sprinkler having an inlet;   an outlet including a nozzle;   a rotatable stream distributor plate being positioned downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle;   a shaft disposed along a central axis of said rotatable stream distributor plate; and   a pair of throttle components including a first throttle component fixed to said shaft and having at least one flow restriction aperture, and a second throttle component located axially adjacent to said first throttle component and having at least one flow port, wherein said shaft and said first throttle component are rotatable in an adjustment mode to rotate said first throttle component relative to said second throttle component such that said at least one flow restriction aperture rotates relative to said at least one flow port to increase or decrease flow through said nozzle thereby increasing or decreasing the radius of throw of water away from the sprinkler without changing the arc of coverage, wherein said throttle components do not move in an axial direction in said adjustment mode.   
     
     
       80. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 79, wherein said shaft is normally non-rotatable in an operational mode. 
     
     
       81. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 79, wherein said second throttle component is disposed axially between said nozzle and said first throttle component. 
     
     
       82. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 79, wherein said pair of throttle components are positioned upstream of said nozzle. 
     
     
       83. A rotating stream sprinkler assembly comprising:
 a sprinkler having an inlet;   an outlet including a nozzle;   a rotatable stream distributor plate being positioned downstream of said nozzle and having stream distribution grooves adapted to receive a stream from said nozzle;   a shaft disposed along a central axis of said rotatable stream distributor plate; and   a pair of throttle components including a first throttle component fixed to said shaft and having at least one flow restriction aperture, and a second throttle component located axially adjacent to said first throttle component and having at least one flow port, wherein said shaft and said first throttle component are rotatable in an adjustment mode to rotate said first throttle component relative to said second throttle component such that said at least one flow restriction aperture rotates relative to said at least one flow port to increase or decrease flow through said nozzle thereby increasing or decreasing the radius of throw of water away from the sprinkler without changing the arc of coverage, and wherein only the relative rotation of the first throttle component relative to the second throttle component causes an increase or decrease in the flow through said nozzle.   
     
     
       84. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 83, wherein said shaft is normally non-rotatable in an operational mode. 
     
     
       85. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 83, wherein said second throttle component is disposed axially between said nozzle and said first throttle component. 
     
     
       86. The rotating stream sprinkler assembly of claim 83, wherein said pair of throttle components are positioned upstream of said nozzle.