Abstract:
A pattern adjustable flow nozzle which maintains a constant fluid flow rate is disclosed. The flow nozzle is comprised of two parts, an inner tubular body and an outer tubular sleeve, rotatable one on the other. Orifices are disposed on the output end of the tubular body and tubular sleeve, and the superposition of those orifices in various rotational alignments determines the throw and pattern of the ejected fluid. Flow cavities on the inner tubular body allow for a constant rate of fluid flow over the range of orifice superpositions.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to flow nozzles. More specifically, this invention relates to a flow nozzle in which the pattern and throw of the fluid flow may be adjusted while maintaining a constant rate of flow. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     It is well known that sprinklers and other irrigation devices allow for user control of the throw (distance) and pattern of the water stream emanating from a flow nozzle. Common sprinklers are made up of one or more sprinkler turrets connected to a common fluid source at a stable base. Each turret contains a rotating mechanism so as to provide lateral coverage of the irrigation zone. The turret terminates in a flow nozzle, oriented at various angles to the ground, typically 15 degrees. Adjustable flow nozzles allow a user to adjust the pattern and throw of the fluid stream emanating from the flow nozzle on each sprinkler turret for coverage of different areas. Typically this control is made possible by a pattern adjustment screw. 
     Alternatively, a sprinkler turret can terminate in an adjustable flow nozzle, which, by rotational adjustment, may be set to a desired pattern and throw. Typically the rotational motion adjusts the relative orientation of two or more orifices aligned on adjacent plates. As the stream of fluid exits the inner orifice and enters the partially open outer orifice, the fluid flow is thereby deflected, altering the pattern and throw to a desired setting. 
     In addition, it is desirable that the flow nozzle provide complete distance coverage. Complete distance coverage entails providing irrigation to every point from the farthest ejection to the closest point to the sprinkler turret receives irrigation along the line of the ejected fluid. 
     Designs employing a pattern adjustment screw have the disadvantage of complex construction, which includes numerous separate parts to operate. The alternative adjustable flow nozzles, while exhibiting a simpler construction, have the disadvantage of altering the flow rate when the throw and pattern are adjusted. Such alteration of flow rate is undesirable, as devices such as sprinklers require even, predictable irrigation,and constant and proportional water flow to prevent over watering and to conserve water. 
     Thus there exists a need for a flow nozzle that exhibits a simple design, allowing for throw and pattern adjustment. There is a further need for a flow nozzle that produces a relatively constant flow rate across all throw-pattern settings In addition, there is a need for a flow nozzle that provides complete distance coverage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention may be embodied in a flow nozzle connectable to a fluid source have an inner tubular body and an outer tubular sleeve. The inner tubular body has an output end and a front surface. The outer tubular sleeve is mounted on the inner tubular body for relative rotational adjustment around an axis extending lengthwise of the inner tubular body and outer tubular sleeve. An outer discharge orifice is disposed on one end of the outer tubular sleeve adjacent to the output end of the inner tubular body. The front surface has a circular discharge orifice, and is in fluid communication with a circular flow cavity. The front surface also may have a T-shaped discharge orifice, and a rectangular discharge orifice. 
     The outer tubular sleeve has a plurality of grooves disposed on its outer surface. The grooves are aligned parallel to the axis of the outer tubular sleeve. The outer tubular sleeve has a control knob disposed on the outer surface of the outer tubular sleeve. The outer tubular sleeve may have at least two secondary knobs disposed on its outer surface. The secondary knobs may be spaced symmetrically with respect to the control knob. 
     The spray nozzle may be attached to a sprinkler turret. The sprinkler turret has an open end attachable to a fluid source under pressure and an opposite coupling end. The spray nozzle has an inner tubular body having an open coupler end and an opposite end. The opposite end has an inner discharge orifice allowing fluid communication through the opposite end. The spray nozzle has an outer tubular sleeve having an open end and an opposite discharge end. The outer tubular sleeve is mounted on the inner tubular body and is rotatable around an axis extending lengthwise of the inner tubular body and the outer tubular sleeve. An outer discharge orifice is disposed on the opposite end of the outer tubular sleeve. The outer tubular sleeve may be rotated relative to the inner tubular body. The relative rotational positions create a fluid passage with a variable output shape from the inner orifice through the outer discharge orifice. 
     The flow nozzle may be used with a sprinkler turret, which is connectable to a fluid source. The sprinkler turret has a connector-end matable with a fluid source and a cylindrical body in fluid communication with the fluid source through the connector end. A rotatable gun is connected to the cylindrical body, and the flow nozzle is coupled to the rotatable gun, in fluid communication with the cylindrical body. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flow nozzle according to one embodiment of the present invention mounted on a sprinkler turret. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flow nozzle of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the invention, showing an outer tubular sleeve mounted on an inner tubular body. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inner tubular body of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the outer tubular sleeve of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the inner tubular body of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 6 is a rear view of the inner tubular body of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of the flow nozzle of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 8 is a rear view of the flow nozzle of FIG. 1, with the outer tubular sleeve mounted on the inner tubular body. 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of the flow nozzle of FIG. 1 with the device rotated to a position of maximum throw. 
     FIG. 10 is a front view of the flow nozzle of FIG. 1 with the device rotated to a position of maximum deflection. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention, showing an outer tubular sleeve mounted on an inner tubular body. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a single circular inner orifice. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment according to the present invention, showing a smaller outer discharge orifice. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While the present invention is capable of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
     FIGS. 2-10 show a flow nozzle generally indicated at  20 , which is an embodiment of the present invention. The flow nozzle  20  may be mounted on a sprinkler turret  22  shown in FIG.  1 . The sprinkler turret  22  has a cylindrical body  200  with a connector  202  on one end matable with a garden hose or other fluid source. The fluid flow is operated by a ball joint lever  204 , which opens and closes an internal ball valve (not shown). The opposite end of the cylindrical body  200  has a rotatable gun  206  terminating in flow nozzle  20 . The cylindrical body  200  and rotatable gun  206  are preferably constructed of plastic, but other materials may be used. Fluid enters the sprinkler turret  22  at the connector  202  and exits via the flow nozzle  20 . The rotatable gun  206  may be set to rotate, via the rotation stops  208  and rotation lever  210 . The rotation of the rotatable gun  206  serves to provide lateral irrigation coverage. 
     FIGS. 2-10 show perspective, front, rear and cross-section views of the flow nozzle  20 , which includes an inner tubular body  24  and an outer tubular sleeve  26 . Turning more specifically to FIG. 3, the inner tubular body  24  has base  28  which is adapted to be connected to a sprinkler turret  22  in fluid communication with a fluid source, such that the inner tubular body  24  may not be rotated with respect to the sprinkler turret  22  and hence the ground. A rear ring  30  and forward ring  32  are arranged circumferentially on the inner tubular body  24  to facilitate the mounting, retention and rotational movement of the outer tubular sleeve  26 . 
     Turning more specifically to FIG. 5, the inner tubular body  24  has a front surface  33 . The front surface  33  has a circular inner discharge orifice  34 , a T-shaped inner discharge orifice  36 , a transverse rectangular orifice  38  and a vertical rectangular orifice  40 . All four discharge orifices  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40  are in fluid communication through the inner tubular body  24 . In general, the circular inner discharge orifice  34  ejects fluid the greatest distance, while the other three discharge orifices  36 ,  38 , and  40  provide shorter distance coverage. 
     The circular inner discharge orifice  34  ejects the fluid into a circular flow cavity  42 . An outer discharge orifice  44  is located on the outer tubular sleeve  26  so that fluid may pass through the circular flow cavity  42  into the outer discharge orifice  44 . As will be discussed below, the circular flow cavity  42  ensures that the flow rate remains constant when the outer discharge orifice  44  is only partially aligned with the circular inner discharge orifice  34 . The transverse rectangular orifice  38  and vertical rectangular orifice  40  eject the fluid into a spaced flow cavity  46 . The spaced flow cavity  46  reduces the throw of the ejected fluid from orifices  38  and  40 . The T-shaped inner discharge orifice  36  ejects the fluid directly. The T-shaped discharge orifice  36  is formed from a rectangular channel  48  and an additional flow channel  50 . It is to be understood that orifices  36 ,  38 , and  40  may be of different shapes and sizes for different throw and pattern. Additionally, either fewer or greater number of orifices may be used depending on the distance coverage desired. 
     The internal structure of the inner tubular body  24  may be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. The inner tubular body  24  has an open end  51  which forms an initial chamber  52  having a roughly cylindrical shape. The initial chamber  52  is bounded in part by a collar  53  that has a circular flow channel  54 . Fluid enters the inner tubular body at the initial chamber  52  and some of the fluid proceeds through the circular flow channel  54 . The circular flow channel  54  is lined with a plurality of flow veins  56 , which serve to make the fluid flow more uniform and thereby allow greater throw. 
     The outer tubular sleeve  26  is mounted on the inner tubular body  24 . The rear ring  30  and forward ring  32  seat the outer tubular sleeve  26  on the inner tubular body  24 , thereby allowing relatively free rotational movement. In addition, the rear ring  30  engages the retaining ring  58  on the outer tubular sleeve  26 , thereby ensuring that the outer tubular sleeve does not separate from the inner tubular body  24  during operation. 
     Turning more specifically to FIG. 4, the exterior surface of the outer tubular sleeve  26  has a plurality of grooves  60  running parallel to the axis of rotation of the outer tubular sleeve  26 . The grooves  60  ease operation of flow nozzle  20  by the operator, as they improve the grip when a user rotates the outer tubular sleeve  36 . 
     The outer tubular sleeve  26  also has a control knob  62  position ed above the center of a deflection tab  64 . The control knob  62  helps a user in rotating the outer tubular sleeve  26 . The deflection tab  64  forms the outer discharge orifice  44 . Stops (not shown) on the sprinkler turret  22  as shown in FIG. 1 can be positioned so that the rotational range of movement of the outer tubular sleeve  26  is limited, thereby defining the positions of the deflection tab  64  and outer discharge orifice  44  with respect to the inner discharge orifices  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40 . It is to be understood that various mechanisms may be used to limit the rotational range of the outer tubular sleeve  26 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the control knob  62  is limited in rotational movement to 120 degrees, and is mounted on the inner tubular body  24  so that its two rotational extremes create the juxtaposition of inner orifice  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40  and the outer discharge orifice  44  shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The outer tubular sleeve  26  has two secondary knobs  66  and  68  to provide additional grip and indicate the rotational limits of the outer tubular sleeve  26 . In addition, the stops (not shown) on the sprinkler turret  22  may be disposed so as to engage the secondary knobs  66  and  68  and limit rotational movement of the outer tubular sleeve  26 . 
     The flow nozzle  20  provides complete, adjustable coverage for irrigation applications. In particular, the flow nozzle  20  can be adjusted into a continuum of operative positions within the 120 degree range of rotational movement allowed by the stops (not shown). Of course, other ranges may be used. In particular, the fluid jets emanating from the T-shaped inner discharge orifice  36 , the transverse rectangular orifice  38  and the vertical rectangular orifice  40  are not covered by the deflection tab  64  in any of the rotational positions of the outer tubular sleeve  26 . Each of the three inner orifices  36 ,  38  and . 40  provide irrigation coverage at various distances short of the throw of the circular inner discharge orifice  34 . 
     As the outer tubular sleeve  26  is rotated by a user, the deflection tab  64  partially covers the circular inner discharge orifice  34 . The fluid flow impacts the deflection tab  64  and is deflected down, thereby reducing the throw of the fluid flow. Furthermore, the other three discharge orifices  36 ,  38 , and  40  are positioned such that, in its deflected position, the fluid flow from the circular inner discharge orifice  34  intersects with the other discharge flows to reduce their throws. In the deflected position, therefore, the flow nozzle  20  accomplishes complete irrigation coverage over a shorter throw. 
     When the flow nozzle  20  is in a position of deflected fluid flow, the flow rate of the flow nozzle  20  remains relatively constant, thereby ensuring even and predictable irrigation. In particular, the circular flow cavity  42  spaces the circular inner discharge orifice  34  from the deflection tab  64 . This spacing ensures that as the deflection tab  64  is rotated so as to obscure the circular inner discharge orifice  34 , the effective size of the discharge orifice remains relatively constant, thereby maintaining a constant flow rate. 
     Referring to FIGS. 11-13, a second embodiment of the invention is shown, generally indicated as a flow nozzle  100 . The flow nozzle  100  may be mounted on a sprinkler turret  22 . The flow nozzle  100  includes an inner tubular body  102  and an outer tubular sleeve  104 . The inner tubular body  102  has base  106  which is adapted to be connected to a sprinkler turret such as that shown in FIG. 1 which is in fluid communication with a fluid source. The inner tubular body  102  is not rotatable with respect to the sprinkler turret and hence the ground. A rear ring  108  and forward ring  110  are arranged circumferentially on the inner tubular body  102  to facilitate the mounting, retention and rotational movement of the outer tubular sleeve  104 . 
     The inner tubular body  102  has a front surface  112  with a circular inner discharge orifice  114 , which is in fluid communication through the inner tubular body  102  with a fluid source. The circular inner discharge orifice  114  ejects the fluid into a circular flow cavity  116 . An outer discharge orifice  118  is located on the outer tubular sleeve  104  so that fluid may pass through the circular flow cavity  116  into the outer discharge orifice  118 . As will be discussed below, the circular flow cavity  116  ensures that the flow rate remains constant when the outer discharge orifice  118  is only partially aligned with the circular inner discharge orifice  116 . It is to be understood that circular inner discharge orifice  114  may be of different shapes and sizes for different throw and pattern. 
     The outer tubular sleeve  104  is mounted on the inner tubular body  102 . The rear ring  108  and forward ring  110  seat the outer tubular sleeve  104  on the inner tubular body  102 , thereby allowing relatively free rotational movement. In addition, the rear ring  108  engages a retaining ring (not shown) on the outer tubular sleeve  104 , thereby ensuring that the outer tubular sleeve does not separate from the inner tubular body  102  during operation. 
     The exterior surface of the outer tubular sleeve  104  has a plurality of grooves  120  running parallel to the axis of rotation of the outer tubular sleeve  104 . The grooves  120  improve grip when a user rotates the outer tubular sleeve  104 . 
     The outer tubular sleeve  104  also has a control knob  122  positioned above the center of an deflection tab  124 . The control knob  122  helps a user in rotating the outer tubular sleeve  104 . The deflection tab  124  forms the outer discharge orifice  118 . 
     The control knob  122  is limited in rotational movement to 120 degrees, and is mounted on the inner tubular body  102  so that its two rotational extremes create the juxtaposition of inner orifice  112  and the outer discharge orifice  118 . In one rotation extreme, the circular inner discharge orifice  114  is completely un-obscured by the deflection tab  124 . In the other rotational extreme, the deflection tab  124  covers about half of the circular inner discharge orifice  114 , thereby deflecting the fluid stream substantially downward. 
     The spray nozzle  100  provides adjustable coverage for irrigation applications. In particular, the spray nozzle  100  can be adjusted into a continuum of operative positions within the 120 degree range of rotational movement allowed by the stops (not shown). Of course, other ranges of motion may be used. 
     As the outer tubular sleeve  104  is rotated by a user, the deflection tab  124  partially covers the circular inner discharge orifice  114 . The fluid flow impacts the deflection tab  124  and is deflected down, thereby reducing the throw of the fluid flow. 
     When the flow nozzle  100  is in a position of reduced throw, the flow rate of the flow nozzle  100  remains relatively constant, thereby ensuring even and predictable irrigation. In particular, the circular flow cavity  116  spaces the circular inner discharge orifice  114  from the deflection tab  124 . This spacing ensures that as the deflection tab  124  is rotated so as to obscure the circular inner discharge orifice  114 , the effective size of the discharge orifice remains relatively constant, thereby maintaining a constant flow rate. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method and system of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited by the foregoing descriptions but is intended to cover all modifications and variations that come within the scope of the spirit of the invention and the claims that follow.