Abstract:
A flow control device is comprised of a body/connector, a simplified sliding cord, a sealing device, and a stopper. The body/connector connects an overhead sprinkler to a supply line by means of male threaded ends. The body/connector is comprised of a wrench connector, which is located between the two male threaded ends, a guiding tube that sits on the top side of the body/connector with the assistance of the supporting ribs. The guiding tube guides the sliding cord up and down inside the flow control device and sprinkler. The sliding cord is made from a material that is flexible enough to bend inside the supply line and strong enough to return to its original straight shape. The stopper and the sealing device are connected to each other with the sliding cord. The sealing device sits against the sealing surface of the body/connector if the sprinkler head is missing. The stopper prevents the sealing device from making contact with the body/connector during normal operational conditions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHED 
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     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     This application relates to a fluid flow control device and in particular to a fluid flow control valve. The device will act as a check valve for the free flow of fluid from a broken sprinkler device. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Overhead irrigation systems, such as fire sprinklers or water sprinklers for outside usage, by nature are vulnerable to damage by outside forces. These irrigations systems are usually connected to an under ground supply line, by means of a riser/connector, extending them several inches out from the ground. The sprinkler head may or may not be movable. Usually the most susceptible part of the sprinkler to break is the sprinkler head, since it extends the farthest from the ground. During normal operational conditions the fluid will be forced out through the sprinkler head and it will create a fluid spray enlarging the area irrigated by the sprinkler. At the same time the sprinkler head will create a back pressure which allows the remaining sprinklers to perform in the same manner. When a sprinkler head or the entire sprinkler is broken, fluid is allowed to flow freely. As a result, it inhibits the irrigation system from performing properly. 
     Currently there are several flow control devices that attempt to stop the free flow of fluid from a broken sprinkler, but they have proven to be inadequate or too complicated, i.e. too many components. 
     Flow control devices that require springs are very unreliable and unpredictable since they require a constant fluid pressure along the supply line. If the pressure in the supply line is too small the device may not stop the free flow of fluid from a broken sprinkler. On the contrary, if the pressure is too high the device will close during normal operational conditions. Other devices will only stop the free flow of fluid from a broken sprinkler head, but if the sprinkler is broken from its base, the flow control device will not perform adequately and it will allow fluid to flow freely. 
     Further deficiencies with previous flow control devices include the premature shut off of the flow control device. This is due to the combination of air and water that is present in the supply line when the irrigation system is initially turned on. 
     Devices that are too complicated, i.e. too many components, are usually to costly, difficult to fabricate, and maintain. For example, flow control devices that require ball housings are fabricated with several components that have to be attached permanently. This process can be costly to fabricate and very difficult to repair if there is a malfunction with the ball housing or the ball. Another example is devices that require springs and or metal components. These components corrode over time due to their contact with the fluid in service and they require a great deal of maintenance which over time may not be cost effective. Further problems with the spring devices is that a wide range of springs need to be manufactured in order to accommodate to the different pressures that can be found in various irrigation systems, thus making these devices costly to fabricate. 
     SUMMARY 
     The flow control check valve for the free flow of fluid from a broken sprinkler is comprised of four main components: a body/connector, a sliding cord, a stopper, and a sealing device. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cross sectional view of the check valve  11 . 
         FIG. 2  illustrates three projections views (front, top, and right) and the isometric view of the check valve&#39;s body/connector  12 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the front view of the sliding cord  13  and the isometric views of both the sealing device  14  and stopper  15  prior to assembly. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the front view of the sliding cord  13  assembled with the sealing device  14  and stopper  15 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross sectional front view of the check valve  11  with a “T” connector  26  and a sprinkler assembly  22  without flow. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross sectional view of the check valve  11  operating with a “T” connector  26 , which is connected to a supply line (not shown), and the sprinkler assembly  22  during normal operational conditions. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cross sectional view of the check valve  11  operating with a “T” connector  26 , which is connected to a supply line (not shown), and the sprinkler assembly  22  during abnormal operational conditions. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a cross sectional view of the check valve  11  operating with a “T” connector  26 , which is connected to a supply line (not shown), and the sprinkler assembly  22  during abnormal operational conditions. 
       
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DRAWINGS - Reference Numerals 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                     
                   11. 
                   Check Valve 
                 
                 
                     
                   12. 
                   Body/Connector 
                 
                 
                     
                   13. 
                   Sliding Cord 
                 
                 
                     
                   13a. 
                   Sliding Cord Recess 
                 
                 
                     
                   13b. 
                   Sliding Cord Recess 
                 
                 
                     
                   14. 
                   Sealing Device 
                 
                 
                     
                   14a. 
                   Sealing Device Hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   15. 
                   Stopper 
                 
                 
                     
                   15a. 
                   Stopper Hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   16. 
                   Sealing Surface 
                 
                 
                     
                   17. 
                   Guiding Tube 
                 
                 
                     
                   18. 
                   Supporting Ribs 
                 
                 
                     
                   19. 
                   Male National Pipe Thread (MNPT) 
                 
                 
                     
                   20. 
                   Wrench Connector 
                 
                 
                     
                   21. 
                   Inner Hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   22. 
                   Sprinkler Assembly 
                 
                 
                     
                   23. 
                   Sliding Head 
                 
                 
                     
                   24. 
                   Filter 
                 
                 
                     
                   25. 
                   Cap Assembly 
                 
                 
                     
                   26. 
                   “T” Connector 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG.  1 -FIG.  8   
       FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the check valve  11 , which will be used for controlling the flow of the fluid, such as water, in an overhead irrigation system. The check valve  11  is comprised of four main components: a body/connector  12 , a sliding cord  13 , a sealing device  14 , and a stopper  15 . All four components of the check valve  11  can be made of plastic. The body/connector  12  can be made from plastic materials such as ABS, polypropylene, and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. Alternatively the body/connector  12  can be made from non-ferrous or ferrous materials such as aluminum, copper, brass and any other materials that will not react and deteriorate when coming into contact with the fluid. The sliding cord  13  can be made from nylon or a material that has the same mechanical properties as nylon, such as a steel cord. Nylon has a high point of elastic deformation, which allows the sliding cord  13  to return to its original “straight” position. The term “straight” is used to indicate that the sliding cord  13  will not permanently remain in a sharp bent position after being assembled with a “T” connector  26  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) or an elbow connector (not shown). The sealing device  14  and the stopper  15  can be made from ABS, polypropylene, and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. They can also be made from a non plastic material such as brass, aluminum, marble, etc. The material of both the sealing device  14  and the stopper  15  will be determined upon the application. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the three projection views (front, top, and right) and the isometric view of the check valve&#39;s body/connector  12 . The body/connector  12  has three main functions: 
     The first function of the body/connector  12  is to connect the sprinkler assembly  22  (shown in  FIG. 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ) to the supply line (not shown), by means of MNPT (Male National Pipe Thread)  19 . The MNPT  19  creates a mechanical seal between each connection. The MNPT  19  size connections, for instance ½-14 MNPT, will determine the size and dimensions for the rest of the components of the check valve  11 . The wrench connector  20  is shown as a solid diameter, which is the common configuration for nipples used to connect water sprinklers to the supply line (not shown). The wrench connector  20  can be manufactured with flat faces in order to facilitate the installation and removal of the check valve  11 . 
     The second function of the body/connector  12  is to act as a guide for the sliding cord  13  to glide up and down the sprinkler assembly  22  (shown in  FIG. 5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ). This function is accomplished with the guiding tube  17  and the supporting ribs  18 . The supporting ribs  18  allow the guiding tube  17  to stand in an upright position meanwhile allowing the fluid to go through the check valve  11  from the supply line (not shown) into the sprinkler assembly  22  during normal operational conditions. The inner hole  21  inside the guiding tube  17  is a conical shape, where the lower inside diameter is larger than the upper inside diameter. The upper inside diameter of the guiding tube  17  must be larger than the outside diameter of the sliding cord  13 ; therefore, allowing the sliding cord  13  to move freely inside the guiding tube  17 . 
     It should be noted that the guiding tube  17 , the supporting ribs  18 , and the body/connector  12  can be manufactured as a solid piece. Alternatively, the guiding tube  17  and the supporting ribs  18  can be manufactured as one piece and attached together to the body/connector  12  during the assembly process. In both cases all three components shall be concentric to each other in order to guarantee stability and the proper performance of the check valve  11 . 
     The third function of the body/connector  12  is to act as a check valve in conjunction with the sealing device  14 , the sliding cord  13 , and the stopper  15  for the free flow of fluid from a broken sprinkler assembly  22  (abnormal operational conditions). During abnormal operational conditions the sprinkler assembly  22  and the sealing device  14  will be forced into the sealing surface  16  of the body/connector  12 . The inner diameter of the sealing surface  16  must be slightly smaller than the major diameter of the sealing device  14 , for instance. −0.010″. This will guarantee that the sealing device  14  will create a tight seal against the sealing surface  16 ; therefore, preventing the flow of any fluid to go through the body/connector  12  and into the sprinkler assembly  22  during abnormal operational conditions. 
       FIG. 3  shows a front view of the sliding cord  13  and the isometric views of the sealing device  14  and the stopper  15 . Both the sealing device  14  and the stopper  15  will be manufactured with holes  14   a  and  15   a  respectively. The sealing device hole  14   a  and the stopper hole  15   a  will be attached to the sliding cord recess  13   a  and  13   b  respectively. In addition, the diameter of the stopper  15  could be smaller than the diameter of the sealing device  14 , but it shall not be big enough to block any fluid from flowing freely out of the sprinkler assembly  22 . The length of the sliding cord  13  is predetermined prior to the assembly of the checkvalve  11 , which is determined by the length of the sprinkler assembly  22 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the front views of the sliding cord  13 , the sealing device  14 , and the stopper  15  assembly. The sliding cord  13  and the stopper  15  can be manufactured as one solid piece. Both components shall be made from a bright color or painted with a bright color, i.e., red, yellow, neon green, etc. The use of bright colors in the sliding cord  13  and the stopper  15  will signal to a maintenance group or a home owner that there is a malfunction with the sprinkler assembly  22 . As a result, the sprinkler assembly  22  will need to be replaced or repaired. 
     Another modification can be made to both the sealing device  14  and the stopper  15 . Both can be manufactured as oval shapes lengthwise. However, the major diameter of the sealing device  14  and the stopper  15  will remain the same as they were in the initial design. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cross sectional front view of the check valve  11  with a “T” connector  26  and a sprinkler assembly  22  without fluid flow. The direction of the sealing device  14  should be in the opposite direction of the flow as shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . However, it is not necessary. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cross sectional view of the check valve  11  operating with a “T” connector  26 , which is connected to a supply line (not shown), and the sprinkler assembly  22  during normal operational conditions. The force of the fluid will push the stopper  15  against the filter  24  of the sprinkler assembly  22 . Keep in mind that a filter  24  may or may not be present inside the sprinkler assembly  22 . The filter  24  will act as a blocking device preventing the further movement of the stopper  15 , thus preventing contact between the sealing device  14  and the sealing surface  16 . It should be noted that if the sealing device  14  is assembled in the same direction as the fluid flow, the stopper  15  may or may not be resting against the filter  24 . 
     The body/connector  12  is performing two of its main functions in  FIG. 6 . It connects the sprinkler assembly  22  to the supply line (not shown) and guides the sliding cord  13  up and down the sprinkler assembly  22  using the guiding tube  17  and the supporting ribs  18 . During normal operational conditions, the fluid flow is allowed to move freely from the supply line (not shown) into the check valve  11  and into the sprinkler assembly  22 . However, during abnormal operational conditions the check valve  11  will stop the free flow of fluid from a broken sprinkler assembly  22  as shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the performance of the check valve  11  in which the sliding head  23  of the sprinkler assembly  22  is broken. The force from the fluid flow will push the sliding head  23  and the filter  24  out of the sprinkler assembly  22 . As a result, three different forces will act upon the sliding cord  13 , the sealing device  14 , and the stopper  15 . The first force is created by the pressure differential across the sprinkler assembly  22 , the second force is the fluid flow acting on the stopper  15 , and the third force is the fluid acting upon the sealing device  14 . Combined, all three forces will drive the stopper  15  and the sliding cord  13  out of the broken sprinkler assembly  22  while the sealing device  14  is forced into the sealing surface  16 , thus preventing the free flow of fluid from the broken sprinkler assembly  22 . Normal operational conditions will resume for the rest of the sprinkler devices in the irrigation system once the check valve  11  is in the closed position. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the performance of the check valve  11  in the event that the cap assembly  25  of the sprinkler assembly  22  is broken off entirely. In this event the sliding head  23 , the filter  24 , the cap assembly  25 , and the spring will be forced out of the sprinkler assembly  22 . The check valve  11  will work in the same manner as described in  FIG. 7 . The sealing device  14  will be forced into the sealing surface  16  preventing the free flow of fluid from the broken sprinkler assembly  22  and thus resumes normal operational conditions for the rest of the sprinkler devices in the irrigation system. 
     It should be noted that if the sealing device  14  is originally assembled in the same direction of the fluid flow, the check valve  11  will perform in the same manner during abnormal operational conditions as mentioned before. When the sprinkler head  23  breaks the pressure downstream from the broken sprinkler assembly  22  will decrease considerably. As a result, any force created by the downstream pressure on the sealing device  14  be smaller than the combined forces created by the pressure differential across the broken sprinkler assembly  22  and the fluid force acting upon the stopper  15 . Consequently, the sealing device  14  will be forced into the sealing surface  16  preventing the free flow of fluid from the broken sprinkler assembly  22  and will resume normal operational conditions for the rest of the sprinkler devices in the irrigation system. 
     A common sprinkler assembly  22  with a rising head is illustrated in  FIG. 5-FIG .  8 . However, the check valve  11  will function with any sprinkler device given that the sliding cord  13  length is properly sized for the length of each individual sprinkler and that the materials of the check valve  11  are compatible with the fluid in service.