Speed limiting turbine for rotary driven sprinkler
OwnerCarl L. C. Kah JR.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A speed limiting mechanisms for turbine-driven fluid distribution apparatus usable with compressible fluid such as compressed air and incompressible fluid such as water. In one form, a flow restrictor is located in the turbine discharge flow path, with the turbine discharge port area selected in relation to the turbine inlet port area according to the desired turbine speed with compressed air. In another form, the incoming fluid flows downstream along the surface of the turbine stator, and is then diverted to enter the rotor chamber in the proper direction. A bleed area on the stator which permits a portion of a compressible fluid which has expanded as it flows along the stator surface to flow to bypass the turbine rotor.
Claims38
A sprinkler comprising:
- a fluid inlet connectable to a source of water for normal operation, and to a source of compressed air to blow water out of the sprinkler to prevent freezing during cold weather;
- a turbine having a rotor which is driven by the incoming fluid and a flow directing stator;
- and
- speed control mechanism that limits the rotational speed of the turbine when the incoming fluid is compressed air, but has substantially no effect on the rotational speed when the incoming fluid is water.
A fluid distribution apparatus operable with compressible and incompressible fluids, the apparatus comprising:
- an inlet connectable to a source of incoming fluid for delivery through an outlet device;
- a turbine having a rotor driven by the incoming fluid to operate the outlet device, and a flow inlet stator that directs incoming fluid to drive the turbine rotor;
- and
- a speed control mechanism that limits the rotational speed of the turbine when the incoming fluid is compressible, but has substantially no effect on rotation speed when the driving fluid is incompressible.
A sprinkler having a water driven turbine for rotationally driving a nozzle assembly, said turbine having a flow inlet stator for directing flow onto the rotating turbine, and a turbine discharge flow area that is separately restricted upstream of a sprinkler nozzle to control the turbine speed when being run on air.
A sprinkler having a water driven turbine for rotationally driving a nozzle assembly said turbine having a flow inlet stator whose flow inlet areas are displaced from the turbine rotor and an air flow bleed area is provided prior to the flow being directed onto the turbine rotor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.