Abstract:
A sprinkler. A stationary base includes a turbine to drive an upper housing. A plurality of sprinkler nozzle assemblies mounted on the upper housing include low voltage solenoids that are energized via slip ring contacts, with a power discontinuous slip ring located on the base. When powered, the solenoids open to allow water to be directed from the nozzle in the sprinkler nozzle assembly. the nozzles are sized, shaped, and directed to apportion water as needed to provide average water quantities amongst parts of irregularly shaped parcels.

Description:
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     Not Applicable. 
     COPYRIGHT RIGHTS IN THE DRAWING 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The patent owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/801,867, filed Mar. 15, 2013, entitled WATER CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SPRINKLER NOZZLE, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety, including the specification, drawing, and claims, by this reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to lawn sprinklers, and more particularly, to lawn sprinklers adapted for use in watering a water receiving area having a non-uniform shape. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Water sprinklers of various designs have been utilized for many years. However, many of the currently utilized sprinklers are designed to provide water over a circular area that is of relatively uniform diameter. A few designs have the ability to water over selected receiving areas that are shaped as relatively circular arc portions. One of my prior patents, namely U.S. Pat. No. 7,988,071, issued Aug. 2, 2011, for a LAWN SPRINKLER, provides designs for attacking some aspects of the problem of watering irregularly shaped parcels. Also, my U.S. Provisional Patent Application filed Mar. 15, 2013, as Ser. No. 61/799,760, addresses such issues. The disclosure of each of those prior cases is incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference, 
     Significant amounts of water are wasted due to the inability of the general public to obtain and install lawn sprinklers that are capable of watering non-uniform or irregularly shaped areas specifically and exclusively where water is needed, rather than applying a water stream relatively indiscriminately over an area that may include features where water is not required, such as driveways or sidewalks. 
     Since water is increasingly scarce and/or increasingly costly in many locales (whether as a result of increased fees from the utility provider, or as a result of energy costs for pumping, or otherwise) there remains a need for a law sprinkler apparatus that can reliably provide the needed water over the required area, while minimizing or eliminating the application of water to adjacent areas which do not require the application of water. 
     Thus, there remains an unmet need for an improved lawn sprinkler with suitable features and mechanical workings that would direct available water to those areas needing water, while avoiding application of water to those areas which do not require watering. 
     SUMMARY 
     A lawn sprinkler has now been developed with water distribution nozzles that are provided with water via valves that are opened and closed according to a predefined pattern. By using such a lawn sprinkler apparatus, the volume of water actually applied to a particular portion of a lawn is appropriate for the size and shape of the area that is watered, even when the water is applied over an area having a non-circular shape or irregular geometric pattern. 
     In one embodiment, the sprinkler apparatus includes a base configured to confiningly receive a pressurized water flow, and a sprinkler nozzle assembly coupled to the base for rotating movement with respect to the base. A turbine drive mechanism is coupled to an upper housing on which a plurality of sprinkler nozzle assemblies are affixed. The drive mechanism includes water driven impeller and a gear train adapted for operatively driving the upper housing, and associated sprinkler nozzle assemblies, in rotary movement. 
     One or more, and in various embodiments, a plurality of solenoid operated water flow valves are provided to regulate the water flow outward from the nozzle in a predetermined pattern consistent with the size and shape of the area to be watered. A slip ring system for supply of electricity to the solenoid is provided. In an embodiment, water flow valves are provided in a normally closed position, wherein electrical energy urges the valve toward an open position. Thus, a spring in the solenoid urges the valve toward a closed position, by compression of the spring, unless the solenoid is energized. 
     A water outlet nozzle is provided to deliver water in a given direction, generally in a preselected area pattern. In an embodiment, the solenoid mechanism may be operative to open and close the water flow valves in response to the slip ring mechanism, so that the water outlet nozzles only discharge water in the desired amounts in a selected direction. 
     The foregoing briefly describes a lawn sprinkler apparatus having valves to regulate the flow of water to provide a substantially uniform quantity of water per unit area of lawn, even in non-circular or irregular geometric shapes. However, the developments described herein will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with careful examination of the accompanying figures of the drawing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING 
       In order to enable the reader to attain a more complete appreciation of the developments described herein, such developments will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures in which like reference numerals denote like elements, with respect to which mention thereof may not be repeated when using the same numbers or letters with only differing subscripts, for identical but repeated parts, or for very similar parts with only minor differences, which usage will be evident in the context of the specification and usage in these drawing figures, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of an embodiment for a lawn sprinkler for watering an irregular shaped lawn area, showing a plurality of nozzles, with nozzles having various diameter outlets, and showing use of a slip ring mechanism to energize and de-energize solenoid valves in an driven upper housing in which the plurality of nozzles are mounted. 
         FIG. 2  provides a vertical elevation view of an embodiment of a lawn sprinkler for watering an irregular shaped lawn area, showing a rotating upper housing with stationary base, wherein the sprinkler nozzle assemblies include nozzles and solenoid valves, wherein the solenoid valves are programmed by the slip ring locations to open and close valves, which in turn allocate water to selected nozzles. 
         FIG. 3  provides a perspective view of an embodiment for a sprinkler, wherein a slip ring energizes and de-energizes an electrical circuit for opening and closing valves in a sprinkler nozzle assembly, and wherein the sprinkler nozzle assembly is mounted on upper housing of a sprinkler for rotary movement. 
         FIG. 4  provides a partial perspective view of an embodiment for a sprinkler, with a vertical section taken between the solenoid valves and the joint between the sprinkler nozzle assembly and the upper housing, showing wiring from the slip ring to the area of each solenoid valve, for connection to the solenoid valves. 
         FIG. 5  provides a side elevation view of the partial perspective view taken at the same vertical cross section, again showing the use of a slip ring arrangement for energizing and de-energizing a solenoid for opening and closing a valve in a sprinkler nozzle assembly. 
         FIG. 6  provides a vertical pan view of an electrical system for use of a solenoid and slip ring arrangement for energizing and de-energizing a solenoid for opening and closing a valve in a sprinkler nozzle assembly; the view is taken as if the surface of the upper housing, and a portion of the base immediately there below, were rolled out flat, so that all of the circuits may be seen, as well as connections to the solenoid valves. 
         FIG. 7  provides a perspective of a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment for a lawn sprinkler for watering an irregular shaped lawn area, showing a plurality of sprinkler nozzle assemblies mounted on a upper housing, and an annular gear for driving the upper housing, which annular gear is driven by a pinion gear, which in turn is driven by a shaft and gear train driven by a water turbine mounted at the inlet to the sprinkler. 
         FIG. 8  provides a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment for a sprinkler having a upper housing rotatable by an impeller, showing the use of three solenoid valves, here showing the upper and the lower valves open, and the middle valve closed. 
         FIG. 9  provides a perspective of a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment for a lawn sprinkler for watering an irregular shaped lawn area, showing a plurality of sprinkler nozzle assemblies mounted on an upper housing, and showing annular gear for driving the upper housing, which annular gear is driven by a pinion gear, which in turn is driven by a shaft and gear train driven by a water turbine mounted at the inlet to the sprinkler. 
         FIGS. 10 ,  11 , and  12  provide diagrammatic views of the electrical system, to the extent interaction between a stationary contact and a slip ring turn a solenoid on at different locations during rotation. 
         FIG. 10  shows the use of a large diameter nozzle in a sprinkler nozzle assembly, with the solenoid energized so that water may be discharged from the nozzle. 
         FIG. 11  provides the use of a medium diameter nozzle in a sprinkler nozzle assembly, with the solenoid energized so that water may be discharged from the nozzle. 
         FIG. 12  provides the use of a small diameter nozzle in a sprinkler nozzle assembly, with the solenoid energized so that water may be discharged from the nozzle. 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of a non-circular lawn area that is to be watered, preferably with a relatively uniform volume of water per square foot of lawn wherever located, via a rotating sprinkler that provides water substantially along vectors of differing radial lengths from the sprinkler, showing watering along short vectors, where the amount of water delivered along the radial vector will be decreased. 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of the non-circular lawn area just illustrated in  FIG. 13  above, now showing watering along longer radial lengths from the rotating sprinkler, which as described herein will preferably be provided with a substantially uniform volume of water per square foot of lawn, wherever located, from the sprinkler nozzle assemblies provided on the sprinkler. 
     
    
    
     The foregoing figures, being merely exemplary, contain various elements that may be present or omitted from actual apparatus that may be constructed to provide various embodiments for covers for rotating sprinklers, or to various configurations for operation thereof, or to methods for use thereof. An attempt has been made to draw the figures in a way that illustrates at least those elements that are significant for an understanding of the components of an embodiment for useful low voltage slip ring energized multi-solenoid sprinklers as taught herein. However, various other elements for such apparatus, or for installation and use of the same, may be utilized in order to provide useful embodiments for covers for sprinklers, particularly for use on irregularly shaped water receiving parcels, according to the concepts disclosed herein. 
     In the various figures of the drawing, like features may be illustrated with the same reference numerals, without further mention thereof. Further, the foregoing figures are merely exemplary, and may contain various elements that might be present or omitted from actual implementations of various embodiments depending upon the circumstances. The features as illustrated provide an exemplary embodiment for a sprinkler that may control the amount of water provided to specific locations of a parcel of land, and to water volume applied along a radial length, at the same time, through selection of nozzle characteristics, and to regulation of the amount of water provided to such nozzles through a slip ring energized, solenoid controlled valve. An attempt has been made to draw the figures in a way that illustrates at least those elements that are significant for an understanding of the various embodiments and aspects of the invention. However, various other elements of a lawn sprinkler with valve and sprinkler assembly designs, or gear train designs, especially as applied for different variations of the functional components illustrated, as well as different embodiments such as a shape of components or final design of various elements, may be utilized in order to provide a useful, reliable, lawn sprinkler design constructed according to the designs described herein, that may be useful for minimizing waste of water, and in normalizing the application rate of water (on an irrigation volume per square foot or similar basis) over areas of a lawn, particularly for irregular or other non-circular lawn shapes. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Attention is directed to  FIG. 1  of the drawing, which provides a perspective view of an exemplary sprinkler  22  for watering a non-circular, irregular shaped lawn, such as lawns illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . In  FIGS. 13 , and  14 , it can be seen that sprinkler  22  is set up to water non-circular parcel of land  24 . In such parcel  22 , it can be seen that when sprinkler  22  is watering along relatively short radials R A , R B , and R C , the amount of water is needed along such radial lengths per unit of time is not as much as would be required for the same unit of time along the longer radial lengths R D , R E , and R F  as shown in  FIG. 14 . To address this problem, we have developed a novel sprinkler  22  in which a base  28  is provided having an upper housing  30  rotatably attached thereto. In an embodiment, the upper housing  30  may be set up mechanically to rotate in a selected direction as indicated by reference arrow  32  in  FIG. 1 . As upper housing  30  rotates, the water flow rate  34  from nozzles N (see  FIG. 2 ) starts or stops, or stays constantly on, or stays off, as required in order to regulate, limit, or prevent water from being delivered nozzles N 1 , N 2 , or N 3 . For the watering of relatively short radials R A , R B , and R C  as shown in  FIG. 13 , the amount of water provided through nozzles N may be reduced, for example by providing water to two rather than three nozzles N, as noted in  FIG. 8 , during the time that the group of nozzles N rotates through such angular direction(s). For the watering of relatively long radial lengths R D , R E , and R F , the water flow rate  34  increases, by selection of nozzles N with larger diameter D openings, or by using three of three nozzles N rather than two, in order to provide more water to via nozzles N for watering along the relatively longer radials R D , R E , and R F . Novel construction of sprinkler  22 , which enables such metered delivery of water to a parcel of land  24  will be further described below. 
     Attention is directed to  FIG. 1 , which shows a vertical perspective view for an embodiment of sprinkler  22 . The sprinkler  22  includes a base  28 , which is stationary relative to upper housing  30 , which rotates. Note, however, as mentioned below and shown in  FIG. 18 , an apparatus such as sprinkler  22  may be fitted with an outer housing  22   H  surrounding upper housing  30 , to hide the sprinkler nozzle assemblies, including solenoids S 1 , S 2  and S 3 , from view. 
     Returning now to  FIG. 1 , a rotatable upper housing  30  is mounted on sprinkler base  28 . At least one sprinkler nozzle assembly A 1  is secured to and rotatable with the upper housing  30 . Generally, a sprinkler nozzle assembly A 1  includes the solenoid S 1 , the related valve V 1 , and the output nozzle, N 1 . In most embodiments, a plurality of nozzle assemblies such as nozzle assemblies A 1 , A 2 , and A 3 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , will be provided. In various embodiments, nozzle assemblies may be provided in groups. For example, nozzle assemblies A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  constitute a first or A group of nozzle assemblies. In an embodiment a group may arranged in a vertically aligned fashion, as shown in  FIG. 3 , where A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  are located one above the other, along vertical centerline C A . In various embodiments, water may enter at the bottom as indicated by reference arrow W. 
     Attention is directed to  FIG. 7 , which shows a vertical cross sectional view of an embodiment for a sprinkler  22 . Pressurized water W is received at inlet  56  of lower housing  58  of base  28 . The lower housing  58  has an inner sidewall  60  that contains pressurized water W. The base  28  has a water W driven inlet turbine  62  operably fixed therein. A gear train  64  having an output gear  66  responsive to the inlet turbine  62  is provided. In an embodiment, output gear  66  is a pinion gear that drives annular gear  67  in upper housing  30 . In an embodiment, portions of the gear train  64  may be sheltered from flow of water W by a gear housing  68 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , a set of discontinuous slip ring contacts K is provided. The set of discontinuous slip rings  69  includes a ground ring  70  and powered segments  72  fixed on the base  28 . The powered segments  72  are connected with a low voltage power source (not shown) for energizing the solenoid valves S 1 , and the like. Each of the solenoids S 1  and the like have a hot, or powered contact  74  for intermittently receiving power from the discontinuous powered segments  72 . Likewise, each of the solenoids S 1  and the like have an electrical connection to ground contact  76  that slidingly interacts with the continuous ground ring  70 , as the upper housing  30  is rotated. In an embodiment, a single ground contact  76  may be provided for all solenoids S on a sprinkler  22 , or for all solenoids S in a group of solenoids. In any event, during rotation of the upper housing  30 , the discontinuous slip ring  72  contacts turn said solenoid valve on when adjacent the powered segments  72 , and off when not adjacent powered segments  72 , to thereby control output of water from a particular nozzle N in a sprinkler valve assembly V, by turning off solenoid S. Powered  88  and ground  90  electrical lines are diagrammatically shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIGS. 10 ,  11 , and  12  schematically show the rotary electrical contact/non-contact situation, as viewed from above. These figures also show different nozzles N having outlets of differing diameter D, wherein different coverage distances may be obtained for watering. 
     In various embodiments, a plurality of sprinkler nozzle assemblies may be provided, and a solenoid valve V may be provided for each sprinkler nozzle assembly A. In an embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 8 , for example, the upper housing may have a first side  100 , and a first group of sprinkler nozzle assemblies A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , etc., are provided on the first side  100 , each having a nozzle therein. In other embodiments, an upper housing may have a second side  200 , where a second group of sprinkler nozzle assemblies (not shown), each including nozzles, may be provided. In various embodiments, the upper housing  30  may include X sides, wherein X is a positive integer, and a group of sprinkler nozzle assemblies may be provided on each of the X sides. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , sprinkler nozzle assemblies A 1 , etc., in each group of sprinkler nozzle assemblies may be mounted in a vertical array, one above another. In various embodiments, the outlet diameter D of nozzles N in each group of sprinkler nozzle assemblies may vary between sprinkler nozzle assemblies in the vertical array. 
     It is to be appreciated that the various aspects, features, structures, and embodiments of a lawn sprinkler with flow regulator for substantially uniform delivery of water on a volume per square foot of lawn as described herein is a significant improvement in the state of the art. The lawn sprinkler design is simple, reliable, and easy to use. Although only a few exemplary aspects and embodiments have been described in detail, various details are sufficiently set forth in the drawing figures and in the specification provided herein to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention(s), which need not be further described by additional writing. 
     In the foregoing description, numerous details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed exemplary embodiments for providing lawn sprinklers for watering irregularly shaped parcels. However, certain of the described details may not be required in order to provide useful embodiments, or to practice selected or other disclosed embodiments. Further, the description may include, for descriptive purposes, various relative terms such as surface, adjacent, proximity, near, on, onto, and the like. Such usage should not be construed as limiting. Terms that are relative only to a point of reference are not meant to be interpreted as absolute limitations, but are instead included in the foregoing description to facilitate understanding of the various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Various items in the apparatus and in the method(s) described herein may have been described as multiple discrete items, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding such aspects and details. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that such items or sequence of operations are necessarily order dependent, or that it is imperative to fully complete one step before starting another. For example, the choice of where and how to mount a set of nozzles, or selection of outlet diameters of such nozzles, may be determined by a particular parcel to be watered, and may be different as regards installation particulars amongst various situations, for example, depending on water pressure available, and the amount of water desired to be directed to the parcel. Further, certain details of installation may not need to be performed in the precise or exact order of presentation herein. And, in different embodiments, one or more items may be performed simultaneously, or eliminated in part or in whole while other items may be added. Also, the reader will note that the phrase “an embodiment” has been used repeatedly. This phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment; however, it may. Finally, the terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” should be considered synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. 
     Various aspects and embodiments described and claimed herein may be modified from those shown without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages provided by developments described herein, and may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Embodiments presented herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive or limiting. This disclosure is intended to cover methods and apparatus described herein, and not only structural equivalents thereof, but also equivalent structures. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, the protection afforded to this invention should be limited only by the claims set forth herein, and the legal equivalents thereof.