US2814526A - Sprinkler head - Google Patents

Description

F. P. BLAIR SPRINKLER HEAD Nov. 26, 1957 2 Sheets-fSheet 1 Filed Aug. 26, 1955 m A l MJT m5... WPP! H Y B Nov. 26, 1957 F. P. BLAIR SPRINKLER HEAD 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26.. 1953 [lOl A INVENTOR. FRANK E' BLAIR BY M,

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nited States 'Patent SPRINKLER HEAD Application August 2,6, 1953, Serial No. 376,629

fClaims. (Cl. 299-48) The present invention relatesv in general to sprinkler headsl or nozzles for receiving fluid under pressure and discharging the same as a spray. More particularly the invention relates to. such sprinkler heads used for sprinkling gardens, lawns, and the like where a square or other predetermined rectilinear spray pattern is desired. In addition, various modifications. of' the invention iind utility in overhead tire protection sprinkler systems,A green houses, dishwashers, andmany other applications where a rectilinear spray pattern is desired.

Heretofore, repeated attempts have been made to achieve a square or'rectangular spray pattern with lawn sprinklers, such attempts meeting withv varying degrees of success. Inlawn sprinklers, and particularly in permanent installations,y a square or rectangular distribution` pattern is advantageous in that overlap is minimized and fewer sprinklers are requiredto uniformly cover a given area. For fire protection sprinkler systems and other uses where a maximum, spray covering with minimizing overlap is, sought, a rectilinear pattern` is, highly desirable.

Butf until the present invention, sprinklers4 purporting to Vachieve rectangular patterns have either employed perforated heads, deflection plates, reciprocating perforated, tubes, square oriiices, and the like. These. constructions have proved expensive, inaccurate,y andI often erratic in operation. s

Accordingly, it is, a principal objectA of this. invention to provide a simple, inexpensive,- sprinkler head having no, moving parts, and which will produce a predetermined,` evenly distributed, rectilinear spray pattern.

An additional object of the invention is tol provide a sprinkler head or nozzle construction which willV produce apredetermined rectilinear patternirrespective of whether the sprinkler is used in, an upright, inverted, or tilted.

position. l

Further objects and advantages of the invention will beGOme apparent, as the following description proceeds,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

Which.:

Figure y1 is a perspective, View of a typical lawn sprinkler exemplifying the invention said; sprinkler beingl in operation and producing aastplare` pattern.

Fig, 2,y is a, plan. View in, partial section of a sprinkler exemplifying the7 invention..

Fig. 3, isv a vertical full sectional, side view of the sprinkier, illustrated. in Fig., 2..

Fig. 4 is a perspective View 0f the internal control,y

ICC

Fig... 10 is an alternative construction of the control element shown in perspective in Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the internal control element shown sectioned in Figs. 8 and 12.

Fig. 12 is a full section of a sprinkler head such as that shown in Fig. 7 but intended for upright use.

Referringl more speciiically to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5,I the invention is there exemplified in an illustrative sprinkler 10 which in this case iinds particular utility as a lawn sprinkler. Water under pressure obtainable from an ordinary household supply is fed to the sprinkler 10 through a garden hose. AsV indicated in Fig.y 1, the sprinkler 1.0 discharges the water in av spray having a rectilinear distribution pattern. In the present instance, this pattern is a Square. It has. been found in actual practice, by placingat,` pans at, diierent locations underneath the spray pattern, that a percent even distribution results.

In addition, it has been observed that when a twenty-fivey footsquare, pattern has been achieved, the edges of the. square pattern will vary approximatelyy plus or minus, one-half a yfoot from a straight line connecting the effec-v tive corners of the pattern.

As, more fully shownin Figs. 2 and 3, the sprinkler lil. hasa hollow housing 11 of substantially flatcylin-` drical configuration..

two half shell sections, here shown as an uppersection 12. and alower` section 14; The upper section 12 of thehousing- 11 is provided with a principal discharge orice 15 situated centrally thereof. The dischargeend- Thehousing 1.1, an inlet 17 has beenV provided, of such a,

bore that ay conventional brass hose connector unit 18 canbe inserted therein.y It is contemplated that the hose' connector unit 1S. will. be cemented in place, anl inner flange 1.9 addditionally reinforcing it against outward disengagement'.

To provide a suitable ground'support for the sprinkler 14)., resort is ha d'toay pair of feet 20. Each of the latter may. conveniently.A be formed from heavy gauge wire or light rodi bent to define an attaching eye 21 at its inboard end. andy a, rela-tively large loop 22 at its outboard end. Invthe present instance, the loops 22 may be oiset vertically from. the eye portions 21. The feet 20 are secured to thehousing 1,1' iny a manner which permits them to be adjusted for leveling of theV sprinkler lior, alternatively, collapsed toA an inactive position alongside the housing 11l permitting the sprinkler to be compactly packaged as illustrated in, Fig,l 5.- In furtherance of such objective, the. lower section i4v of the sprinkler housing 11 is fashioned, with a hollow internal boss 2,3 which carries a mounting bolt 2 4; The latter is constrained against rotation` within the boss 23 and has a threadedr stem 25y which projects from the face of the lower housing section 14. The eyes 2.1i.y of the supporting feet 20- t onto the-stem' 25 andare retained there-on by means of a nut 2.6` and` lock washer 27.

Provision is made for discharging. from a `single circular orificea ysprinkler a sprayy of water or other fluid having; anv uninterrupted: trajectory and making a rectilinear pattern of distribution on an underlying receiving surface. This is accomplished by application of the ingenious con-V cept offimparting 'a swirl tor one portion -of the fluid within the housing at a gir/.en instant and controlling the remaining portion of; ysuchfluid so as to modify this swirl; and. thusA alter inf a predetermined manner the individual trajectories. ofk the discharged droplets of fluid. lSuch action is', meteoren., accomplished 'entirely Within the .sprinkler housing, and without resort to moving parts,

. Patented4 Nov. 26, 1957` For ease in manufacture out of` plastic, or metal, thehousing 11 may be assembled from,A

by a novel disposition of swirl jet defining means and control jet defining means.

Accordingly, in the particular embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the housing 11 has mounted therein `a control element 28 of disc-like form (Fig. 4). The element 28 is rigidly mounted within the housing as by being clamped between the upper and lower sections 12, 14 after the manner shown in lFig. 3. By reason of such arrangement, the element 28 defines -in one portion of the housing a supply cham'ber or passage 29 communicating with the fluid inlet 17, 'and :defines in another portion of the housing a swirl chanrber 30 `communicating directly with the discharge orifice 15. 'For the purpose of imparting a swirl to the uid entering the swirl chamber, the control element 28 has at or adjacent its periphery a suitable swirl jet defining means. vIn this case, the swirl jet defining means comprises a plurality of helical passages 31. For convenience and economy in manufacture, these passages 31 may be formed by cutting a number of substantially square threads in the periphery of the control element. However, the swirl jets may also be defined by slightly different forms of passages in the control element or the housing and disposed in tangential or angular relation to the swirl cham-ber 30, as in the control element 28b shown in Fig. 10.

In order to deiine the control jets for modifying the swirl produced within the chamber 30, the element 28 has a plurality of control jet passages 32. These passages communicate 'between the supply chamber 29 and the swirl chamber 30 and are situated in radially spaced relation with respect to the axis of the discharge orifice 15 and the lateral extremities of the swirl chamber 30. In addition, the passages 32 yare arranged in circumferentially spaced relation about the axis of the discharge orifice so as to define a geometric gure having substantially the same shape as the pattern of distribution to be effected fby the sprinkler. lSince the sprinkler is arranged in this particular case to produce a square pattern, the control jet passages 32 are arranged in a square about the axis of the discharge orifice. While a certain degree of tolerance may exist insofar as the axial dispositions of the control jet passages 32 are concerned, it has been found to be satisfactory if the passages 32 are disposed to direct their control jets ttransversely of the swirl produced in the chamber 30 by the swirl passages 31.

-In operation of the sprinkler 10, it will be appreciated that as the fluid to be sprayed enters the sprinkler :from the inlet 17 into the supply chamber 29, it will immediately 4begin to swirl, even in the supply chamber, as it must depart .from that chamber with a 'whirling action. An `additional swirling action augmenting the initial swirl is imparted to the fluid as it passes from the supply chamber 29 into the swirl chamber 30 through the swirl jet passages 31. In this connection, it will 'be observed that the swirl chamber 3i) attenuates in height as -it approaches the discharge orifice 15, due in this case to the conical configuration of the upper face of the control element 28. Naturally, as there is but a single outlet in the sprinkler housing 11, the uid in the supply and swirl chambers 29, 30 Iseeks to escape through the central spray orifice 15.

As the swirling fluid in the chamber 30 begins to Imigrate centrally toward the discharge orifice 15, a critical point in the hydraulic action is reached. It is during this phase of the fiuids migration from the swirl jet passage 31 to the discharge orifice 15 that the control jets superimpose their action upon the swirling fluid to achieve the predetermined pattern which is a principal object of the invention.

As indicated earlier herein, the swirl jet passages 31 in the illustrative sprinkler shown in the drawings have been located along the periphery of the control disc 28` with the control jet passages 32 radially` spaced therefrom. Good results can be `achieved if the control jet passages 32 are located midway between the periphery` of 4 the discharge orifice 15 and the inner edge of the swirl chamber 31; but in order to adjust the distribution pattern, the location of the control jet passages 32 may be correspondingly shifted in either direction from this midpoint.

The diameter of the control jet passages 32 relative to the swirl jet passages 31 can be varied to alter the distribution pattern of the spray. It has been observed in operation that a pattern more closely resembling that of a cloverleaf can lbe achieved as the control jet diameter is increased. On the -other hand, as the control jet diameter is decreased `from an optimal dimension, the pattern more closely resembles a bulging square. Further it has been observed that when the control and swirl jets are too close to each other, the action of the control jet is substantially overriden by the action of the swirl jet. On the other hand, as the location of the control jets more closely approaches the central discharge orifice, they behave the same as though they were in effect larger in diameter, that is, the pattern begins to assume the cloverleaf discussed above. In ygeneral the corners of the spray pattern do not coincide angularly with the control jet locations but are displaced at angles situated intermediate such locations. With larger control jet passages, however, the angular locations of the corners of the pattern more closely approximate the actual control jet passage locations. The results achieved, however, are independent of any theory.

It will be appreciated that with varying sizes and materials in the sprinkler housings, varying available liuid pressures, and varying dimensions of the control disc, along with varying viscosities of the fluids sprayed, the different sizes and locations of the control jets in relation to the swirl jets may be determined empirically until an optimum is achieved. If three control jets instead of four are used, a triangular pattern can -be achieved with the sprinkler shown in the drawings.

'In Figs. 1 through 5, and l0, the invention has been shown as embodied in a sprinkler for use on lawns, gardens, and the like. There is n'o intent to limit the invention to such usages, and as will be seen, the sprinkler head can Ibe adapted for other usages in fixed installa tions, as well as for discharge downwardly or also horizontally and any midway positions.

Referring now to Fig. 6, there is shown an installation of a permanent type sprinkler head 11a. The permanent sprinkler heads are arranged so that their distribution pattern overlaps slightly in such as would be desirable in a warehouse fire protection system. Naturally, the sprinkler heads 11a can be arranged closer together to achieve an overlap for wall wetting if desired. In addition, in a smaller room, the sprinkler heads may be located in the wall so that they will blanket additional areas in cooperation with ceiling sprinklers if they are used.

Referring now in greater detail to Fig. 7, a sprinkler head 11a of the type shown in the installation illustrated in Fig. 6 is there detailed. An inlet 17a is provided at the extremity of the permanent sprinkler head and may be conveniently fixed into a pipe T as shown. In greater detail, it will be seen in Fig. 8 that the internal position of the permanent sprinkler head retains the principal structural features of the lawn sprinkler head. The inlet 17a brings the water into a supply channel 29a from which it departs in a swirling action through the helical swirl jet passages 31a into the swirl chamber 30a. Control passages 32a, and their relation to the swirl jet passages 31a, are more clearly shown in the enlarged perspective view of the control element 28a which appears in Fig. l1. The discharge orifice 15a is located in the central portion of the swirl chamber 30a. It has chamfered discharge edges 16a provided at angles to suitably modify the discharge in accordance with the users wishes.

Fig. 12 illustrates another modification of the invention in the form of a separate density adjustment screw 35a. A slot 36a is provided in the top portion of the con- S trol element 28a allowing the user to increase or decrease the volume of fluid in the swirl chamber 30a by rotating the control element 28a on the threads of screw 35a. It is of course possible, but not shown, to provide means for also adjusting the control jet passages 32a with relation to the swirl jet passages 31a. Means for adjusting al1 of the variable factors described above affecting the pattern of the spray fall within the purview of this invention.

It is additionally contemplated that a spray nozzle, made in accordance with the present invention, could also be used in a side-mounted position in a dish washer, sending its spray uniformly throughout the entire inside area. In order to compensate for gravitational effects, a pair of the control jet locations in such an installation may necessarily have to be kmoved with relation to the discharge orifice. Such adjustments may be determined empirically for the particular installation.

While the invention is susceptible of various modications and alternative constructions, certain preferred embodiments have been shown in the drawings and described above in considerable detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A sprinkler head for distributing fiuid in a spray pattern having a plurality of corners, said head comprising, in combination, a hollow housing having a discharge orifice in one wall thereof, a control disc situated within said housing and dividing the interior of the latter into a supply chamber and a relatively fiat swirl chamber communicating with one another at the periphery of said control disc, the swirl chamber being situated adjacent the discharge orifice, a hose connection mounted on said housing and including an inlet opening communicating with the supply chamber for supplying pressure fluid thereto, means for imparting a swirl to the uid as it passes through the housing from the supply chamber to the swirl chamber, and means defining pattern jet passages in said control disc corresponding in number to the number of corners in said spray pattern, said pattern jet passages being situated to discharge into the swirl chamber at relatively widely spaced points which are also spaced radially from said discharge orifice and thereby to modify geometrically the pattern of spray issuing from the housing discharge orifice.

2. A sprinkler head as defined in claim l wherein the means for imparting a swirl to the fluid comprises at least one helical channel on the periphery of the control disc.

3. A spray shaper for distributing pressure fluid in a pattern having a plurality of corners, said spray shaper comprising, in combination, a housing having an orifice in one face thereof, a control surface inside said housing defining a relatively fiat chamber communicating directly with said orifice, passage means between said control surface and the interior of said housing and communciating with the chamber, said passage means being situated in radially spaced relation to the axis of the orifice, means in said control surface spaced radially from said housing orifice for defining control jets in said chamber corresponding in number to the corners of said pattern, said control jet means being surrounded by the passage means, and inlet means defining a source of pressure fluid for said passage and control jet means.

4. A sprinkler head comprising, in combination, a housing having a discharge orifice therein, a control disc dividing the inner portion of said housing into swirl and supply chambers, the swirl chamber communicating with the discharge orifice, the supply chamber having an inlet therein, hose coupling means associated with the inlet to the supply chamber, threads on the periphery of said control disc defining swirl channels for the passage of fluid from the supply chamber to the swirl chamber, means defining a plurality of pattern jets issuing from the control disc in radially spaced relation to said discharge orifice and disposed to modify the pattern of spray issuing from the discharge orifice, and a chamfered edge portion surrounding the discharge orifice to shape the trajectory of the fiuid spray issuing therefrom.

5. A discharge nozzle for use in a fire protection sprinkler system, comprising, in combination, a housing, means for admitting pressure fluid to said housing, one wall of said housing having a circular discharge orifice for the pressure fluid, a control button mounted within said housing and defining a swirl chamber between the control button and said one wall of said housing, the discharge orice being spaced from said control button by an amount less than the diameter of said swirl chamber, four control jet means in said control button located equidistant the axis of said discharge orifice, and swirl jet means located between said control jet means and the sides of said swirl chamber.

6. A discharge nozzle for use in a fire protection sprinkler system, comprising, in combination, a housing, inlet means for admitting pressure uid to said housing, one wall of said housing having a discharge orifice for the pressure fluid, a control surface within said housing defining a swirl chamber between the control surface and said one wall of said housing, the discharge orifice being spaced from said control surface by an amount less than the diameter of said control surface, control jet means located coaXially and concentrically with said discharge orifice and on said control surface, supply jet means located outward of said control jets, said inlet means supplying pressure fiuid to said control and supply jets.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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