US 8,011,602 B2 · Oscillating sprinkler that automatically produces a rectangular water distribution pattern

Abstract

Many areas watered by prior art oscillating sprinklers are substantially rectangular. However, prior art oscillating sprinklers typically produce generally or substantially elliptical water distribution patterns. This geometric incompatibility causes problems and inefficiencies. Embodiments of the current invention include an oscillating sprinkler that automatically produces a substantially rectangular water distribution pattern. The substantially rectangular water distribution pattern may be produced by automatically controlling the distance from the sprinkler that streams of water travel before impacting the ground. This is accomplished by automatically and sequentially opening and closing and/or restricting flow to select nozzles at select points and within select portions of the oscillation cycle. A current invention oscillating sprinkler may reduce waste water, may reduce run-off waste water, and may automatically provide water to the corner areas of typical substantially rectangular areas to be watered.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A system for automatically providing a substantially rectangular fluid distribution pattern, wherein the system comprises:

a regulatory insert, wherein:
the regulatory insert comprises a fluid supply opening configured to receive a fluid supply;
the regulatory insert defines at least one insert-aperture;
and
the regulatory insert is configured to provide the fluid supply from the fluid supply opening to the at least one insert-aperture;
an oscillating tube, wherein:
the oscillating tube rotates about the regulatory insert;
and
the oscillating tube defines a plurality of tube-apertures, wherein the plurality of tube-apertures comprises a first tube aperture, and wherein the first tube-aperture is configured to pass over at least one insert-aperture to vary the distance an amount of fluid passing through the first tube-aperture is projected from at least one of the plurality of tube-apertures;
wherein the at least one insert-aperture is configured to:
at either extreme of an oscillation period of the oscillating tube's rotation:
allow a greater flow rate to tube-apertures at opposite ends of the oscillating tube than a flow rate to a tube-aperture in a mid-section of the oscillating tube;
and
at a central portion of the oscillation period of the oscillating tube's rotation:
allow a lesser flow rate to tube-apertures at opposite ends of the oscillating tube than the flow rate to the tube-aperture in the mid-section of the oscillating tube.

12 more elements

A method for automatically providing a substantially rectangular fluid distribution pattern, wherein the method comprises:

providing a fluid flow to an oscillating tube, wherein the oscillating tube defines a plurality of tube-apertures along a length of the oscillating tube;
rotating the oscillating tube about an axis substantially parallel to the length of the oscillating tube;
inhibiting the fluid flow to at least one of the plurality of tube-apertures based at least partially on a rotational location of the oscillating tube;
wherein inhibiting the fluid flow to at least one of the plurality of tube-apertures comprises:
at either extreme of an oscillation period of the oscillating tube's rotation:
inhibiting a flow rate to a tube-aperture in a mid-section of the oscillating tube more than to tube-apertures at opposite ends of the oscillating tube;
and
at a central portion of the oscillation period of the oscillating tube's rotation:
inhibiting a flow rate to tube-apertures at opposite ends of the oscillating tube more than to the tube-aperture in the mid section of the oscillating tube.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Oscillating sprinkler that automatically produces a rectangular water distribution pattern

Life of this patent

Oscillating sprinkler that automatically produces a rectangular water distribution pattern

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16