Sprinkler assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9889458-B2
Application number	US-201715456234-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 10, 2017
Priority date	Dec 17, 2004
Publication date	Feb 13, 2018
Grant date	Feb 13, 2018

Abstract

The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sprinkler comprising:
a sprinkler body;
a riser assembly:
positioned in said sprinkler body;
moving into, out of, and rotationally, relative to said sprinkler body; and,
having a nozzle through which water flows during operation of said sprinkler;

a main valve located within said sprinkler body;
a body compartment located between an outer wall of said sprinkler body and said riser assembly; said body compartment having a compartment wall separating said body compartment into a first sub compartment and a second sub compartment;
a cover that is removably disposed over said body compartment;
a pilot valve located within said first sub compartment and configured to open and close said main valve; and,
an electronics module located within said second sub compartment.

2. The sprinkler of claim 1 , further comprising a solenoid located in said first sub compartment; said solenoid being coupled to said pilot valve.

3. The sprinkler of claim 2 , wherein said solenoid is operationally connected to said electronics module.

4. The sprinkler of claim 3 , wherein said electronics module communicates water flow control signals to said solenoid so as to open or close said main valve.

5. The sprinkler of claim 4 , wherein a check valve is at least partially located in said first sub compartment and configured to open when said pilot valve is connected to it and configured to close when said pilot valve is removed from it.

6. The sprinkler of claim 5 , wherein said body compartment extends completely, radially around said riser assembly.

7. The sprinkler of claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle position sensor configured to sense a radial position of said nozzle.

8. The sprinkler of claim 7 , wherein said nozzle position sensor further comprises a magnet and a magnet sensor.

9. The sprinkler of claim 1 , further comprising a communication tube connecting between a check valve within said body compartment and an inner chamber of said main valve, and a rib extending radially out from said lower side of said sprinkler body, and further filling a space between said communication tube and a lower side of said sprinkler body.

10. A sprinkler comprising:
a sprinkler body;
a riser assembly:
positioned in said sprinkler body;
moving into, out of, and rotationally, relative to said sprinkler body; and,
having a nozzle through which water flows during operation of said sprinkler;

a main valve located within said sprinkler body;
a body compartment located between an outer wall of said sprinkler body and said riser assembly; said body compartment having a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall; said body compartment further having a first compartment wall, a second compartment wall, and a third compartment wall, that each extend between said radially inner wall and said radially outer wall, thereby creating a first sub compartment, a second sub compartment, and a third sub compartment within said body compartment;
a cover that is removably disposed over said body compartment;
a pilot valve located within said first sub compartment and configured to open and close said main valve; and,
an electronics module located within said second sub compartment.

11. The sprinkler of claim 10 , further comprising a solenoid located in said first sub compartment; said solenoid being coupled to said pilot valve.

12. The sprinkler of claim 11 , wherein said solenoid is operationally connected to said electronics module.

13. The sprinkler of claim 12 , wherein said electronics module communicates water flow control signals to said solenoid so as to open or close said main valve.

14. The sprinkler of claim 13 , wherein a check valve is at least partially located in said first sub compartment and configured to open when said pilot valve is connected to it and configured to close when said pilot valve is removed from it.

15. The sprinkler of claim 14 , wherein said body compartment extends completely, radially around said riser assembly.

16. The sprinkler of claim 10 , further comprising a nozzle position sensor configured to sense a radial position of said nozzle.

17. The sprinkler of claim 16 , wherein said nozzle position sensor further comprises a magnet and a magnet sensor.

18. The sprinkler of claim 10 , further comprising a communication tube connecting between a check valve within said body compartment and an inner chamber of said main valve, and a rib extending radially out from said lower side of said sprinkler body, and further filling a space between said communication tube and a lower side of said sprinkler body.

19. A sprinkler comprising:
a sprinkler body;
a riser assembly:
positioned in said sprinkler body;
moving into, out of, and rotationally, relative to said sprinkler body; and,
having a nozzle through which water flows during operation of said sprinkler;

a main valve located within said sprinkler body;
a body compartment located between an outer wall of said sprinkler body and said riser assembly; said body compartment having a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall; said body compartment further having a first compartment wall, a second compartment wall, and a third compartment wall, that each extend between said radially inner wall and said radially outer wall, thereby creating a first sub compartment, a second sub compartment, and a third subcompartment within said body compartment;
a cover that is removably disposed over said body compartment;
a pilot valve located within said first sub compartment and configured to open and close said main valve;
a solenoid located within said first sub compartment and connected to said pilot valve;
an electronics module located within said second sub compartment and operatively connected to said solenoid so as cause electrical activation of said solenoid.

Assignees

• The Toro Co

Inventors

• Lichte Leo James
• Zimmerman James
• Mckenzie Jeff
• Wright Iii James T
• Janku Peter

Classifications

• B05B15/70

  Arrangements for moving spray heads automatically to or from the working position · CPC title

• B05B1/3006

  the controlling element being actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed (B05B1/323 takes precedence; single-unit outlet valves actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed B05B11/0062) · CPC title

• A01G25/165

  Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations · CPC title

• B05B15/74

  driven by the discharged fluid · CPC title

• Y10S239/01

  Pattern sprinkler · CPC title