CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(s)

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/017,375 filed May 3, 1996.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to rotary sprinklers and, more specifically, to the discharge nozzle or nozzles utilized by the sprinklers that direct the stream or streams of water away from the sprinkler towards the intended distance radius ofthe area to be watered by the sprinkler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical nozzles primarily increase the gallons per minute delivered by enlarging the primary delivery orifice on the nozzle. It is desirable in practice to increase or decrease the gallons per minute delivered by a sprinkler whenever multiple sprinklers are used within the same piping or valved delivery system that applies water to a given area which requires different patterns or radius from individual sprinklers within the system. The term "matched precipitation" refers to a system comprised of sprinklers within a particular system delivering about the same amount of water to a given area in the same amount of time regardless ofthe individual radius or areas the individual sprinklers are required to service. This means that a sprinkler set for a 180 degree radius (half circle) on the same circuit as a sprinkler set for a 90 degree radius, needs to deliver twice as much water as the sprinkler set for 90 degrees over the same amount of time. Since these sprinklers are on the same circuit there is no practical means of increasing or decreasing an individual sprinklers operating time.

The current method of attaining matched precipitation is by increasing the nozzle(s) orifice size to incrementally increase the discharge in gallons per minute. For example, a 90 degree sprinkler could use a nozzle set to deliver one gallon per minute, a 180 degree sprinkler could use a nozzle set to deliver two gallons per minute, a 270 degree sprinkler could use a nozzle set to deliver three gallons per minute, and a 360 degree sprinkler could use a nozzle set to deliver four gallons per minute by making the orifice correspondingly larger on the each individual sprinkler nozzle. This method achieves a poor degree of success, in fact, because the distance the nozzles throw the water stream increases as the gallons per minute increases thereby increasing the radius. Mechanical stream interfering devices are currently employed to compensate for the distance (radius) increase, but at great expense of application uniformity. Mechanical interfering devices (commonly screws that

extend into the water stream) produce unpredictable results and destroy the physical characteristics ofthe water stream. Uniformity of application is the goal of matching precipitation rates. Consequently, a need exists for a sprinkler nozzle which can uniformly distribute water without increasing the distance thrown.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the principle object ofthe present invention to increase the gallons per minute delivered by a spray nozzle in predictable quantities or units without appreciably increasing the radius or distance thrown by the resulting water stream.

This object is accomplished by having equal sized orifices (holes) in a nozzle or nozzles on a sprinkler, the number of which determines the total gallons per minute delivered. This is beneficial in many aspects, the primary one being to allow sprinklers (or sprinkler nozzles) to deliver about the same amount of water per square foot regardless ofthe portion of a circle (arc) the rotary sprinkler (or nozzle) covers without depending on radius reducers to deflect the spray stream in given confines to control the distance sprayed. This allows matched precipitation rates and preserves droplet sizes (stream characteristics) and distribution uniformity on sprinklers that rotate in part or full circle patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A is a face view of a nozzle with two primary orifices; FIG. IB is a face view of an alternative nozzle body of FIG. IA;

FIG. 2 A is a face view of nozzle with three primary orifices, which are staggered;

FIG. 2B is a face view of an alternative nozzle body of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a nozzle with three primary orifices showing the spray paths;

FIG. 4A-F are face views of alternative primary orifice configurations; FIG. 5 is a side view of a nozzle with three primary orifices;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of layout limits of orifices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in FIGS. 1 A-5 a nozzle body 4, which can be of varying forms, materials or configurations (including multiple nozzles on a single sprinkler), has orifices 1 that are ofthe same size or area 2, placed about the face 9 ofthe nozzle body 4 at a distance apart 3 determined by a ratio of orifice diameter or size to the distance 3 between the orifice (s) 1 that discharge a stream 6 of water when the nozzle body 4 is retained or attached to a

conductive waterway of a suitable sprinkler. If desired a reinforcing spray orifice 5 or orifices may be included on the face 9 ofthe nozzle body. The nozzle body 4 can be made using existing metal and plastics equipment and technology. Metal nozzles can be mold formed, machined and finished, or machined from blank stock. Plastic nozzles can be injection molded either as one piece or combined from separate moldings. Methods of retaining the nozzle body in the sprinkler can include clamping, threading and screw retention. The nozzle can also use pressure compensation devices (not shown).

The nozzle body 4 can be made in a variety of shapes to accommodate both the number of primary orifices and the sprinkler body. For example, FIGS. 4A-F illustrate the nozzle as circular or elliptical, or square or rectangular as shown in phantom. Other geometric shapes are also possible. The primary orifices (s) 1 can be of a variety of shapes providing they are approximately the same overall size 2 to allow similar gallonage flows at similar velocities. The distance 3 between the orifices 1 is sufficient so as to prevent the individual water streams 6 or jets from joining (with adjacent streams or jets) until such distance precludes or inhibits the adjoining streams' ability to add their momentum to the newly recombined spray stream. This distance 3 has the above stated ratio in the range of about 1 :2 to about 1 :10. The first number in this ratio being the diameter or area 2 ofthe orifice 1 , the second number being the distance 3 between the orifices measured from one orifice edge, expressed in orifice diameters 2. The exact distance depends on the exact orifice shape, conductive delivery system (stream straighteners or barrels) or configuration of the orifices. The orifices can be horizontally aligned, vertically aligned or staggered. As schematically depicted in FIG. 6, the orifices, if stacked, should not be placed in a zone that is eleven degrees 8 on each side of a vertical Azimuth (vertical being 0 degrees at top, 180 degrees at bottom). This allows orifice stacking in the remaining one hundred fifty-eight degrees 7 on the horizontal plane (the 90 degree to 270 degree Azimuth). This prevents an extra 'lift' to the upper stream, helping maintain the individual effective throw distance. Secondary orifices 5 can or may be added to the nozzle as close in area reinforcing sprays.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.