TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a sprinkling system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the sprinkling system which allows improved and customizable fluid distribution.

BACKGROUND

A sprinkling system (more specifically, an irrigational sprinkler) is a device used to irrigate agricultural crops, lawns, landscapes, golf courses, and other areas. The sprinkling system may be used for cooling purposes and for controlling airborne dust. An irrigational sprinkling system involves a method of applying liquid (say water) in a controlled manner in a way similar to rainfall.

However, there may be instances in which working with the sprinkling system may involve undesired overlaps, range constraints and other implantation challenges. In particular, such challenges may be more pronounced for applications involving complex landscape shapes. This may cause excess liquid to be deposited in the areas where there is sprinkling overlap. Further, the sprinkling system may have limited nozzles, or nozzles which allow undesirable droplet size. Such sprinkling system may result in practical challenges such as liquid evaporation due to the small droplet size and the like.

An example of a sprinkling system is provided in European patent 1,795,267 (hereinafter referred to as ’267 reference). The ’267 reference provides a sprinkling apparatus for irrigation of garden surface. The sprinkling apparatus includes nozzle arrangement with nozzles for releasing individual streams of streaming arrangement, where an adjusting device adjusts operating ranges of the arrangement by a regulating valve. The apparatus includes an electronic control device with a programmable memory that controls an adjusting unit depending on a rotational angular position of a nozzle arrangement during sprinkling operation. The nozzle arrangement includes a set of individual nozzles for releasing individual streams of a streaming arrangement. The adjusting device adjusts operating ranges of the streaming arrangement by the regulating valve that is variably controlled depending on the angular position. However, the ’267 reference falls short of providing an efficiently designed sprinkling system that provides desired liquid distribution at different distances relative to a sprinkling head of the sprinkling system.

Another example of a sprinkling system is provided in US patent US 9,914,143 B l (hereinafter referred to as ‘143 reference). The ‘143 reference provides a rotor-type sprinkler. A primary nozzle can be inserted in one of two positions to either increase or decrease the trajectory of the stream of water leaving the sprinkler. Particularly, the nozzle described in the ‘143 reference may provide the advantage that one single sprinkler may be used for outputting water at different distances. Therefore, the ‘143 reference proposes a nozzle turret assembly for an irrigation sprinkler which comprises a single nozzle carrier in which nozzles of various spray ranges and/or spray patterns can be used, and which can be configured to couple with multiple primary nozzles having different spray patterns, output ranges, flow rates, and/or trajectories. Thereby, the ‘143 reference provides a possibility to avoid using multiple different sprinklers for reaching different distances. However, the ‘143 reference is completely silent about providing an efficiently designed sprinkling system that comprises type of sections of the nozzles in the first nozzle set and type of sections of the nozzles in the second nozzle set configured to ensure desired liquid distribution at different distances relative to a sprinkling head of the sprinkling system.

Thus, there is a need of an improved sprinkling system that is designed to provide even, user-specific, and customized liquid distribution.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a sprinkling system. The sprinkling system includes a body that defines a liquid channel between an inlet and an outlet. The liquid channel allows flow of the liquid between the inlet and the outlet. The sprinkling system further includes a sprinkler head. The sprinkler head is coupled to the liquid channel around the outlet. The sprinkler head includes a plurality of nozzles. At least one nozzle from the plurality of nozzles constitute a first nozzle set and the rest of the plurality of nozzles constitute a second nozzle set. The sprinkling system is characterized in that a type of sections of the nozzles in the first nozzle set is different from a type of sections of the nozzles in the second nozzle set, and wherein the type of sections of the nozzles in the first nozzle set and the type of sections of the nozzles in the second nozzle set are configured to ensure desired liquid distribution at different distances.

Thus, the present disclosure provides a sprinkling system with different type of sections at the inlet and the outlet of the nozzles. The different type of sections leads to differently shaped nozzles, which may ensure desired liquid distribution at different distances, say relative to central axis of the sprinkling head of the sprinkling system. The differently shaped nozzles may also be able to produce liquid droplets of different shapes and sizes to provide different liquid stream having different profiles, ranges, and the like. Additionally, the differently shaped nozzles may be configured to ensure desired liquid distribution at different distances relative to a sprinkling head of the sprinkling system.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the type of sections include one or more of nozzle outlet sections and nozzle inlet sections. The different nozzle shapes due to different type of sections at the nozzle outlet and inlet ensure different liquid sprinkling trajectories, distances, areas, and desired liquid distribution at different distances. Thus, inadequate, or undesired liquid distribution such as distribution of liquid at only certain points of the irrigation area may be avoided.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the nozzles in the first nozzle set have the type of section as circular . Such nozzles may be well suited for providing desired liquid distribution at long distance. The distance may be of the scale of 1.5 meters or more, relative to the central axis of the sprinkling head of the sprinkling system.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the nozzles in the second nozzle set have the type of outlet section selected from one or more of a cone with a hemispherical base or a droplet shape. In particular with this application, the droplet shape of the nozzle outlet section implies that the section opening is narrowing at its one end while it forms an approximate circular contour on its other end. Such nozzles may be well suited for providing desired liquid distribution at narrow or shorter distance. The distance may be of the scale of 1.5 meters and less, relative to the central axis of the sprinkling head of the sprinkling system. These nozzles may provide substantially big liquid droplets in the liquid stream to negate the effect of wind while sprinkling.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the nozzles in the second nozzle set have the type of outlet section selected from the one or more of an oval or flat shape. In particular with this application, the flat shape of the nozzle outlet section implies that the section opening is straight at it approximately parallel sides while narrowing towards its two ends. Such nozzles are also well suited for providing desired liquid distribution at narrow or shorter distance. The distance may be of the scale of 1.5 meters and less, relative to the central axis of the sprinkling head of the sprinkling system. However, they may provide the shape and size of the liquid droplets different to that provided by the nozzles with droplet shape outlet section. Thus, the liquid stream with different shapes and sizes may be produced during sprinkling, when nozzles of different outlet section shapes are used simultaneously.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an angle of the plurality of nozzles is adjustable with respect to the sprinkler head. The angle adjustment of the nozzles may further improve or alter the sprinkling range, trajectory, or distances of the liquid stream on the irrigation field. Thus, more area on the irrigation field may be covered.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more nozzles of the first nozzle set and the second nozzle set define a first part and a second part. A shape of the first part of the first nozzle set is different from a shape of the second part of the first nozzle set. Similarly, a shape of the first part of the second nozzle set is different from a shape of the second part of the second nozzle set. A trajectory of liquid flow from the first nozzle set is different from the second nozzle set. The nozzles in the nozzle sets may be formed in two parts with different shapes to provide differently shaped nozzles on one sprinkler head. The user may then selectively operate the nozzles according to the required parameters such as sprinkling trajectory, area, or distance relative to the central axis of the sprinkler head.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sprinkling system is fixed to a ground surface, and the liquid is water. This may provide stability, safety to application of the sprinkling system. Further, the water as the liquid may find vast application in sprinkling of lawns, gardens, and the like.

Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sprinkler head of a sprinkling system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a partial side cross-sectional view of the sprinkler head of the sprinkling system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows another perspective view of the sprinkler head of the sprinkling system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a sprinkler head of the sprinkling system, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the sprinkler head of the sprinkling system of FIG. 4 along an axis A-A, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of the sprinkler head of the sprinkling system, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a top cross-sectional view of the sprinkler head of the sprinkling system of FIG. 6 along an axis B-B, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 8 shows an illustration of the sprinkling system for liquid trajectories at different distances, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 shows another partial side cross-sectional view of the sprinkler head of the sprinkling system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention may be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a sprinkling system 100. The sprinkling system 100 of the present disclosure may be any device which finds application in outdoor (such as gardens, lawns, and the like) or indoor installations to supply or spray liquid in a controlled manner as per the requirement of the installations. The present disclosure may be implemented with any sprinkling system having a plurality of nozzles, such as with a sprinkler head and like arrangement, to sprinkle liquid in accordance with different factors such as sprinkling range, area, profile, among any other user preferences. In some embodiments, the sprinkling system 100 may be designed for use as an in-ground sprinkler. The sprinkling system 100 may be fixed to a ground surface “S”. In some embodiments, the sprinkling system 100 may also be used for above-ground surface “S” liquid operations. The liquid may be water, or any other liquid finding applications as would be obvious to a person having knowledge in the art. The present disclosure exemplary refers to water as the liquid, without any limitation, as it finds vast application in sprinkling of lawns, gardens, and the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, the sprinkling system 100 includes a body 110 that defines a liquid channel 112 between an inlet 114 and an outlet 116. The liquid channel 112 allows flow of the liquid (say water) between the inlet 114 and the outlet 116. The inlet 114 may be coupled to a liquid supply line (not shown), such as a hose or in-ground piping. The sprinkling system 100 further includes a sprinkler head 120. The sprinkler head 120 is coupled to the liquid channel 112 around the outlet 116. The sprinkler head 120 includes a plurality of nozzles 122. The present disclosure illustrates six number of the nozzles 122 (as shown in FIG. 3), however actual implementation of the present disclosure may have any number, type, size, arrangement, and the like, of the nozzles 122.

In some embodiments, the sprinkling system 100 may include a drive mechanism (not shown) which may drive the rotation of the sprinkler head 120 about a central axis X-X’ relative to the ground surface “S”. Each of the plurality of nozzles 122 may discharge a liquid stream to a sprinkling area “A” or a target site. This may allow the sprinkling system 100 to produce different sprinkling profiles such as concentric sprinkling rings as the sprinkler head 120 is rotated about the central axis X-X’. The drive mechanism may include a motor (not shown), such as an electric motor e.g., stepper motor, or a motor with an encoder or a hydraulic motor that drives the rotation of the sprinkler head 120 relative to the ground surface “S”.

In some embodiments, the sprinkler head 120 may be manufactured by three-dimensional printing (also known as additive manufacturing or 3D printing). Use of three-dimensional printing (alternatively, 3D printing) provides versatility of using different materials along with low lead-time in manufacturing and design of the sprinkler head 120.

The sprinkler head 120, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 further includes a fist nozzle set and a second nozzle set. At least one nozzle from the plurality of nozzles 122’ constitutes the first nozzle set and the rest of the plurality of nozzles 122”, 122”’ constitutes the second nozzle set. In particular, FIGS. 4-7 illustrate another embodiment of the sprinkler head 120. A type of sections “Pl, Ml” of the nozzles 122’ in the first nozzle set is different from a type of sections “P2, M2” of the nozzles 122”, 122’” in the second nozzle set. In some embodiments, the one or more nozzles 122’, 122”, 122’” of the first nozzle set and the second nozzle set may define a first part “SI” and a second part “S2”. A shape of the first part “SI” of the first nozzle set is different from a shape of the second part “S2” of the first nozzle set. Similarly, the shape of the first part “SI” of the second nozzle set is different from the shape of the second part “S2” of the second nozzle set. Thus, the nozzles 122 in the nozzle sets may be formed in two parts with different shapes to provide differently shaped nozzles 122’, 122”, 122’” on a single sprinkler head 120. In some embodiments, the first part may have a conical shape and the second part may have a hemispherical shape. Thus, the nozzles 122 may have circular shape, droplet shape, oval shape, flat shape, or any other shape without limiting the scope of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the type of sections “Pl, Ml, P2, M2, M3” of the nozzles 122’, 122”, 122’” in the first nozzle set and the second nozzle set may provide different trajectories and distances “D” transverse by the liquid flowing through the nozzles 122’, 122”, 122’” of the first nozzle set and the second nozzle set, respectively. The different nozzle shapes may ensure different liquid sprinkling trajectories, distances “D”, and areas “A”.

As used herein, the type of sections “Pl, Ml, P2, M2, M3” include one or more of nozzle outlet sections “Pl, P2” and nozzle inlet sections “Ml, M2, M3”. The present disclosure allows different combination, arrangements of the nozzle inlet sections “Ml, M2, M3” to supply liquid i.e., water to the nozzle outlet sections “Pl, P2” to provide different ranges, projectiles or distance of water from different the nozzles 122’, 122”, 122”’ of the sprinkler head 120.

In some embodiments, the nozzles 122’ in the first nozzle set may have the type of section i.e., the nozzle outlet section “Pl” as circular or oval or any similar shape. Such nozzles are well suited for providing desired liquid distribution at long distance. The distance “D” may be of the scale of 1.5 meters or more, relative to the central axis X-X’ of the sprinkling head 120 of the sprinkling system 100. In some embodiments, the nozzles 122” in the second nozzle set may have the nozzle outlet section “P2” selected from one or more of a cone with a hemispherical base or a droplet shape. In particular with this application, the droplet shape of the nozzle outlet section “P2” implies that the section opening is narrowing at its one end while it forms an approximate circular contour on its other end. Such nozzles 122” are well suited for providing desired liquid distribution at narrow or shorter distance. The distance “D” may be of the scale of 1.5 meters and less, relative to the central axis X-X’ of the sprinkling head 120 of the sprinkling system 100. These nozzles 122” may provide substantially big liquid droplets in the liquid stream to negate the effect of wind while sprinkling. In some embodiments, the nozzles 122’” in the second nozzle set may have the type of the nozzle outlet section “Pl” selected from the one or more of an oval or flat shape. In particular with this application, the flat shape of the nozzle outlet section “P2” implies that the section opening is straight at it approximately parallel sides while narrowing towards its two ends. Such nozzles 122’” may be well suited for providing desired liquid distribution at narrow or shorter distance. The distance “D” may be of the scale of 1.5 meters and less, relative to the central axis X-X’ of the sprinkling head 120 of the sprinkling system 100. Further, the nozzles 122’” with the oval shaped outlet section “P2” may provide the shape and size of the liquid droplets different to that provided by the nozzles 122” with droplet shape outlet section “P2”. Thus, the liquid stream with different shapes and sizes may be produced during sprinkling, when nozzles 122”, 122’” of different outlet section shapes are used simultaneously. In some embodiments, the nozzles 122’, 122”, 122’” (as shown in FIG. 6) in the first and second nozzle set may have maze type of nozzle inlet sections “Ml”, “M2” (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7). The maze type of the nozzle inlet sections “Ml”, “M2” may force the liquid to travel longer distance, through some narrow channels (shown with the nozzle inlet sections “M2” in FIG. 5) of the nozzle inlet sections “Ml”, “M2” and in process lose some energy. Further, the sprinkling distance “D” (as shown in FIG. 8) may be less due to lesser energy in the liquid. The maze type of the nozzle inlet sections “Ml”, “M2” may have any shape such as, but not limited to, round, circular or oval shape, say as per desired range, droplet size of the of the nozzles 122’, 122”, 122”’.

FIG. 8 shows an illustration of the sprinkling system 100 sprinkling liquid at different distances (D = “DI”, “D2”, “D3”, “D4”, “D5”, “D6”) relative to the central axis X-X’ of the sprinkler head 120. The type of sections “Pl, Ml, P2, M2, M3” of the nozzles 122’, 122”, 122’” in the first nozzle set and the second nozzle set is such that to provide D6 > D5 > D4 > D3 > D2 > DI or different areas (A = “Al”, “A2”, “A3”, “A4”, “A5”, “A6”). The user may selectively operate the nozzles 122 according to the required parameters such as sprinkling trajectory, area “A”, or distance “D” relative to the sprinkler head 120. In some embodiments, the distances D6, D5, D4, D3, D2, DI may be 1000 cm, 840 cm, 690 cm, 540 cm, 390 cm, and 245 cm respectively, with respect to the central axis X-X’ of the sprinkling head 120. In general, the nozzles Nl, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) may generally find applications to sprinkle different areas “Al”, “A2”, “A3”, “A4”, “A5”, “A6” respectively.

In some embodiments, the user may operate droplet shaped nozzles 122” (with the nozzle outlet section “P2”), or oval or flat shaped nozzles 122’” formed likewise for sprinkling distances closer (say D <= 1.5 meters) to the sprinkler head 120. In particular, two nozzles N2, N3, shown towards front of the sprinkler head 120 in FIGS. 3 and 4, of the nozzles 122” may be suitable to sprinkle areas “A4”, “A5”. Such nozzles N2, N3 of the nozzles 122” along with nozzle N4, having the droplet shaped nozzle outlet section “P2”, may be suitable to sprinkle or irrigate substantial or the full sprinkle areas “A4”, “A5” as illustrated with heavy lines (marked with “P2”) in FIGS. 7.

In some embodiments, the user may operate round shaped nozzles 122’ (with the nozzle outlet section “Pl”) for sprinkling distances away from the sprinkler head 120. In particular, the nozzles 122’ may be suitable to sprinkle areas “A5”, “A6”. The present disclosure shows two nozzles N5, N6, shown towards rear of the sprinkler head 120 in FIGS. 3 and 4, of the nozzles 122’ which may be suitable to sprinkle limited portion of areas “A2”, “A3” as illustrated with heavy lines (marked with “Pl”) in FIGS. 8. Such nozzles N5, N6 of the nozzles 122”, having the round or circular shaped nozzle outlet section “Pl” shape, may be suitable to sprinkle or irrigate only single (or limited) points in areas “A2”, “A3”.

Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, an angle “a” (relative to the central axis X-X’) of the plurality of nozzles 122 disposed is adjustable with respect to the sprinkler head 120. The angle adjustment of the nozzles 122 may further improve or alter the sprinkling range, trajectory, or distances “D” of the liquid stream on the irrigation field. When the nozzle (say the droplet shaped nozzle 122”) is selectively operated, the sprinkling distance “D” may be varied within the range of D <= 1.5 meters by adjusting the angle “a” of the nozzle 122. Thus, inadequate, or undesired liquid distribution such as distribution of liquid at only one point of the irrigation area “A” may be avoided.

The present disclosure provides the sprinkling system 100 with different type of sections “Pl”, “Ml”, “P2”, “M2” at the inlet and the outlet of the nozzles 122. Further, the nozzles 122 may be formed with two parts “SI”, “S2” to produce round, droplet, oval or flat shaped nozzles. The differently shaped nozzles 122 may ensure desired liquid distribution at different distances “D” relative to the central axis X-X’ of the sprinkling head 120 of the sprinkling system 100. The differently shaped nozzles 122 may also be able to produce the liquid droplets of different shapes and sizes in a liquid stream.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims. LIST OF ELEMENTS

100 Sprinkling System

110 Body

112 Liquid Channel

114 Inlet

116 Outlet

120 Sprinkler Head

122, Nl, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6 Nozzles

122’ Nozzles

122” Nozzles

122”’ Nozzles

D Distance

DI Distance

D2 Distance

D3 Distance

D4 Distance

D5 Distance

D6 Distance

A Area

Al Area

A2 Area

A3 Area

A4 Area

A5 Area

A6 Area a Angle S Ground Surface

X-X’ Central Axis

Pl Nozzle Outlet Section/Type of Section

P2 Nozzle Outlet Section/Type of Section

Ml Nozzle Inlet Section/Type of Section

M2 Nozzle Inlet Section/Type of Section

M3 Nozzle Inlet Section/Type of Section

51 First Part

52 Second Part