Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080290190 | SPEED LIMITING TURBINE FOR ROTARY DRIVEN SPRINKLER - A speed limiting mechanisms for turbine-driven fluid distribution apparatus usable with compressible fluid such as compressed air and incompressible fluid such as water. In one form, a flow restrictor is located in the turbine discharge flow path, with the turbine discharge port area selected in relation to the turbine inlet port area according to the desired turbine speed with compressed air. In another form, the incoming fluid flows downstream along the surface of the turbine stator, and is then diverted to enter the rotor chamber in the proper direction. A bleed area on the stator which permits a portion of a compressible fluid which has expanded as it flows along the stator surface to flow to bypass the turbine rotor. | 11-27-2008 |
20090173803 | ARC AND RANGE OF COVERAGE ADJUSTABLE STREAM ROTOR SPRINKLER - A sprinkler head nozzle assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a nozzle housing with an inlet for pressurized water and an outlet downstream of the inlet, a rotatable arc of coverage adjustment ring mounted on the housing such that rotation of the arc of coverage adjustment ring extends and reduces an arcuate exit opening, a range adjustment ring, or upstream flow area adjustment ring is also provided with an upstream flow area throttling element that increases or decreases the flow area as the range adjustment ring is rotated. | 07-09-2009 |
20090173804 | OSCILLATING NOZZLE SPRINKLER ASSEMBLY WITH MATCHED PRECIPITATION AND ADJUSTABLE ARC OF COVERAGE - An oscillating nozzle sprinkler with adjustable arc of coverage in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a nozzle, a nozzle drive mechanism operable to drive the nozzle through a set arc of coverage, an arc set mechanism coupled to the nozzle drive mechanism and operable to adjust the set arc of coverage for the nozzle drive mechanism; and a flow control mechanism operable to vary a nozzle flow area through which water flows through the nozzle and out of the sprinkler, the flow control mechanism coupled to the arc set mechanism such that the flow area is adjusted with the arc of coverage. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177330 | WIRELESS MOISTURE PROBE, RECEIVING CONTROLLER AND IRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEM - A control system for controlling at least one irrigation station in an irrigation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a moisture probe operable to gather moisture information regarding moisture present in soil at the irrigation station and to periodically transmit the moisture information wirelessly and a controller operable to receive the moisture information and operable to provide control signals to control the irrigation station based on the moisture information to maintain a desired moisture level at the water station. | 07-09-2009 |
20090257230 | CASSEGRAIN OPTICAL CONFIGURATION TO EXPAND HIGH INTENSITY LED FLASHLIGHT TO LARGER DIAMETER LOWER INTENSITY BEAM - A flashlight in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes an LED light source, a lens positioned opposite the LED light source, a convex mirror positioned substantially in a center of the inner surface of the lens, wherein light from the LED light source is reflected off the convex mirror back toward the LED light source and a concave mirror positioned opposite the convex mirror to reflect the light from the convex mirror as a wide diameter beam of light out of the flashlight through the lens. The convex mirror maybe replaced by a substantially flat, mirrored section of the lens if desired. | 10-15-2009 |
20090292401 | EXPANDABLE IRRIGATION CONTROLLER - An expandable irrigation controller for controlling a plurality of watering stations in an irrigation system includes a removable front panel and an inner housing, connected to the front panel. The removable front panel includes a plurality of manual controls operable to input instructions for a watering program, a memory operable to store the input instructions and a controller operable to execute the watering program. The inner housing includes a circuit board including control connectors which are connected electrically to the controller and a station module operable to provide an ON/OFF signal to at least one watering station of the irrigation system. The station module is electrically connected to the circuit board via the control connectors and the ON/OFF signal is provided based on instructions from the controller in accordance with the watering program. The control connectors are positioned in a substantially continuous line extending across the inner housing such that the station module is connectable to the control connectors at substantially any desired location. Multiple modules of different sizes may be mounted in the inner housing as desired. Control information may be provided via a radio frequency supply and received by a radio frequency module to be provided to the station modules and to external station modules in an external housing. | 11-26-2009 |
20100170963 | SPRINKLER TO TOP RISER AND HOUSING SEAL CARTRIDGE FOR GEAR DRIVE SPRINKLER - A riser seal cartridge for an irrigation sprinkler. The cartridge is formed of a rigid self support shell, and a sealing member formed of a resilient material covering the shell in areas which provide the seal. The sealing member includes a first portion which seals the top end of the sprinkler body, a second portion which seals an outer surface of the riser, a third portion which connects the first and second portions, and a fourth portion extending from the third seal portion which provides a seal for the support shell lower end portion. The first seal portion provides a high pressure seal to prevent leakage when the riser is in a fully extended position; and the second seal portion provides a low pressure seal during pressure build-up as the riser is extending. | 07-08-2010 |
20100327083 | ROTARY DRIVE SPRINKLER WITH FLOW CONTROL AND SHUT OFF VALVE IN NOZZLE HOUSING - A flow shut off or throttling valve is provided in a sprinkler nozzle housing to enable a nozzle to be changed without having to turn off a flow pressure source. The valve intersects a flow path through the nozzle housing and has an opening such that when the opening is aligned with the flow path, a flow stream can flow unobstructed through the flow path. The valve is movable between a fully open position in which the opening is aligned with the flow path and a closed position which blocks the flow stream from flowing to a nozzle disposed at an outlet passage of the flow path. The valve may be constructed to be either slidable or rotatable between the two positions, and is actuated by a gearing arrangement which is operable at the exterior of the nozzle housing. The external valve actuator may function as a physical barrier to retain the removable nozzle in the nozzle housing when the valve is open and to disengage the nozzle when the valve is closed. | 12-30-2010 |
20110035064 | EXPANDABLE IRRIGATION CONTROLLER - An expandable irrigation controller for controlling a plurality of watering stations in an irrigation system includes a removable front panel and an inner housing, connected to the front panel. The removable front panel includes a plurality of manual controls operable to input instructions for a watering program, a memory operable to store the input instructions and a controller operable to execute the watering program. The inner housing includes a circuit board including control connectors which are connected electrically to the controller and a station module operable to provide an ON/OFF signal to at least one watering station of the irrigation system. The station module is electrically connected to the circuit board via the control connectors and the ON/OFF signal is provided based on instructions from the controller in accordance with the watering program. The control connectors are positioned in a substantially continuous line extending across the inner housing such that the station module is connectable to the control connectors at substantially any desired location. Multiple modules of different sizes may be mounted in the inner housing as desired. Control information may be provided via a radio frequency supply and received by a radio frequency module to be provided to the station modules and to external station modules in an external housing. | 02-10-2011 |
20110036933 | ROTARY DRIVE SPRINKLER WITH FLOW CONTROL AND SHUT OFF VALVE IN NOZZLE HOUSING - A flow shut off or throttling valve is provided in a sprinkler nozzle housing to enable a nozzle to be changed without having to turn off a flow pressure source. The valve intersects a flow path through the nozzle housing and has an opening such that when the opening is aligned with the flow path, a flow stream can flow unobstructed through the flow path. The valve is movable between a fully open position in which the opening is aligned with the flow path and a closed position which blocks the flow stream from flowing to a nozzle disposed at an outlet passage of the flow path. The valve may be constructed to be either slidable or rotatable between the two positions, and is actuated by a gearing arrangement which is operable at the exterior of the nozzle housing. The external valve actuator may function as a physical barrier to retain the removable nozzle in the nozzle housing when the valve is open and to disengage the nozzle when the valve is closed. | 02-17-2011 |
20110150258 | EXTERNAL EAR INSERT FOR HEARING COMPREHENSION ENHANCEMENT - A simple hearing enhancement device that takes the normally adequately loud sound levels and optimizes selective frequency gain of the patient's ear passage to improve speech comprehension. | 06-23-2011 |
20110167718 | PRESSURIZED CHRISTMAS TREE WATERING SYSTEM - A watering system for a tree such as a Christmas tree, or other plant, in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a low pressure water source, a fluid connection line and an interface watering device connected to the tree. The interface watering device may be a cup, a stopper, or threaded fitting, for example that provides water from the water source via the line to the water source. A method for supplying fluid matter into plants or trees in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes drilling a hole into the plant stem or trunk and installing a pressure tight connection in the hole so that fluid may be forced into the plant or tree. | 07-14-2011 |
20110296648 | CENTRIFUGAL DIRT SEPARATION CONFIGURATIONS FOR HOUSEHOLD-TYPE AND SHOP-TYPE VACUUM CLEANERS - A cyclonic separation device in accordance with an embodiment of the present application preferably includes a first cyclone chamber having a cylindrical shape with a predetermined diameter, the first cyclone chamber including, a tangential inlet positioned on a first longitudinal end of the first cyclone chamber, a baffle plate positioned in the first cyclone chamber a predetermined distance from the tangential inlet, a tangential dirt outlet positioned on a second end of the cyclone chamber, opposite the inlet and on an opposite side of the baffle plate from the tangential inlet and a center exit duct mounted in the center of the cyclone chamber having an inlet opening positioned upstream from the baffle plate such the centrifuged fluid without particles flows into the center exit duct and out of the cyclone chamber. | 12-08-2011 |
20110309169 | ROTARY DRIVE SPRINKLER WITH FLOW CONTROL AND SHUT OFF VALVE IN NOZZLE HOUSING - A flow shut off or throttling valve is provided in a sprinkler nozzle housing to enable a nozzle to be changed without having to turn off a flow pressure source. The valve intersects a flow path through the nozzle housing and has an opening such that when the opening is aligned with the flow path, a flow stream can flow unobstructed through the flow path. The valve is movable between a fully open position in which the opening is aligned with the flow path and a closed position which blocks the flow stream from flowing to a nozzle disposed at an outlet passage of the flow path. The valve may be constructed to be either slidable or rotatable between the two positions, and is actuated by a gearing arrangement which is operable at the exterior of the nozzle housing. The external valve actuator may function as a physical barrier to retain the removable nozzle in the nozzle housing when the valve is open and to disengage the nozzle when the valve is closed. | 12-22-2011 |
20120012670 | SPRAY NOZZLE WITH ADJUSTABLE ARC SPRAY ELEVATION ANGLE AND FLOW - An adjustable spray nozzle with adjustable arc of coverage as well as spray elevation angle and flow rate. A very simple adjustable arc of coverage spray nozzle configuration is also disclosed which may be easily assembled for a particular precipitation rate and/or range of coverage at a selected nominal pressure. Also disclosed is a simple fixed arc of coverage spray nozzle with selectable ranges for a particular precipitation rate. | 01-19-2012 |
20120029660 | SPRINKLER CONTROLLER WITH DIAL POSITION FOR EACH FUNCTION AND PROGRAM CONTENT DISPLAY POSITION - A controller for use in an irrigation system includes a selector, an indicator associated with the selector for identifying parameters selected to be set for use in controlling the irrigation system, indicia positioned on a top surface of the controller which cooperate with the selector to indicate the parameter being selected and a display for displaying information regarding the selected parameters; wherein the indicator includes a program display position for displaying information regarding all parameters related to a selected program of operation of the controller. | 02-02-2012 |
20120118405 | SPRINKLER FLOW STOP AND PRESSURE REGULATOR COMBINATION - A sprinkler assembly including a pressure regulator and a flow stop element combined in a single assembly. In one embodiment, the sprinkler includes a sprinkler body in fluid communication with a water supply to provide water to the sprinkler, a riser movably mounted in the sprinkler body and in fluid communication with the sprinkler body such that the riser rises up and out of the sprinkler body when water is provided to the sprinkler, a nozzle assembly mounted on a top end of the riser and in fluid communication with the riser; and a regulation element mounted in the riser and in contact with a portion of the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly holds the regulation member in an open position to allow flow of water to the nozzle assembly and to maintain a substantially constant water pressure in the nozzle assembly. | 05-17-2012 |
20120153045 | PRESSURE REGULATOR IN A ROTATIONALLY DRIVEN SPRINKLER NOZZLE HOUSING ASSEMBLY - A rotary sprinkler in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a riser with a nozzle assembly rotatable mounted thereon. The nozzle assembly includes a pressure regulator and flow control element. | 06-21-2012 |
20120153051 | Pressure Regulating Nozzle Assembly with Flow Control Ring - An irrigation sprinkler and sprinkler nozzle assembly including a self contained pressure regulator and flow control ring, which can be assembled with a desired spray deflector, shrub bubbler or rotating stream distributor on the top of the nozzle assembly. The pressure regulator housing is incorporated into the center of the nozzle assembly and includes a reference pressure chamber connected to atmospheric pressure with a spring bias enclosed to bias a pressure responsive movable member that is connected to an upstream pressure balanced flow throttling valve. A combination deflector pop-up pressure regulating mechanism housed in the filter of the nozzle housing assembly is also shown. | 06-21-2012 |
20120205465 | SPEED LIMITING TURBINE WITH MOMENTUM ACTIVATED BYPASS VALVE - A speed limiting mechanism for a turbine-driven fluid distribution apparatus usable with compressible fluid such as compressed air and incompressible fluid such as water. In one form, a flow restrictor is located in the turbine discharge flow path, with the turbine discharge port area selected in relation to the turbine inlet port area according to the desired turbine speed with compressed air. In another form, the incoming fluid flows downstream along the surface of the turbine stator, and is then diverted to enter the rotor chamber in the proper direction. A bleed area on the stator which permits a portion of a compressible fluid which has expanded as it flows along the stator surface to flow to bypass the turbine rotor. In another embodiment, a valve may be provided upstream from the turbine to selectively divert at least a portion of the pressurized fluid around the turbine when the pressurized fluid air or a combination of air and water. | 08-16-2012 |
20120311814 | WET/DRY, NON-POROUS BAG/BAGLESS VACUUM ASSEMBLY WITH STEAM AND VARIABLE SPEED SETTABLE VACUUM MOTOR CONTROL WITH NO LOSS OF SUCTION - A cyclone vacuum cleaner includes two suction fan stages, three stages of separation, plus a HEPA filter and allows capturing of wet or dry material in bag-less or bagged configuration in non-porous paper or plastic bags as well as ordinary garbage bags with pull tie tops for removal, with no suction loss. A steam generator may be added to provide substitute working vacuum fluid to the normal air for dirt pickup. Acoustic sound dumping may also be provided in the architecture of the assembly. | 12-13-2012 |
20130175278 | DOUBLE WALLED THERMAL CONTAINER WITH RING SEAL - A double walled thermal container includes an outer container with an inner container mounted therein. Structural support is provided by an internal connection between the inner container and the outer container to minimize stress on the connection point. A separate elastomeric seal is preferably provided to prevent moisture from entering the area between the inner and outer containers. | 07-11-2013 |
20130228637 | SELECTABLE ARC AND RANGE OF COVERAGE SPRAY NOZZLE ASSEMBLY WITH MULTIPLE FLUIDIC FAN SPRAY NOZZLES - Adjustable arc of coverage spray nozzle assembly for irrigation where the spray is characterized by the water jets which are cyclically deflected at a high frequency such that they break up into fan shaped water droplet patterns in which the fluid distribution and droplet size can be controlled. Jet deflection is accomplished with energy in the pressurized liquid itself. Multiple fluidic oscillating stream nozzle cavities are molded into a circular plate surround and adjustable arcuate length orifice valve so that one or a series of these fluidic discharge nozzles can be selected to have pressurized water to provide a selectable arc of coverage around a single sprinkler nozzle assembly. | 09-05-2013 |
20140081469 | EXPANDABLE IRRIGATION CONTROLLER - An expandable irrigation controller for controlling a plurality of watering stations in an irrigation system includes a removable front panel and an inner housing, connected to the front panel. The inner housing includes a circuit board including control connectors which are connected electrically to the controller and a station module operable to provide an ON/OFF signal to at least one watering station of the irrigation system. The station module is electrically connected to the circuit board via the control connectors and the ON/OFF signal is provided based on instructions from the controller in accordance with the watering program. The control connectors are positioned in a substantially continuous line extending across the inner housing such that the station module is connectable to the control connectors at substantially any desired location. Multiple modules of different sizes may be mounted in the inner housing as desired. | 03-20-2014 |
20140109658 | PLANT STEM TREE BRANCH OR TRUNK MOISTURE PROBE - A moisture probe or sensor including an attachment element configured for attachment to a plant, bush or tree to determine a moisture content of the plant bush or tree. The moisture probe including a transceiver configured to transmit a moisture signal indicative of the moisture content of the plant, tree or plant. | 04-24-2014 |
20140124595 | PROTECTIVE NOZZLE TOP ASSEMBLY FOR POP-UP SPRINKLER - A protective nozzle top assembly for a pup-up sprinkler assembly includes a center opening to protect an attached retractable nozzle assembly when the sprinkler is in its non-operating condition. In an embodiment, the protective nozzle top assembly includes a secondary top surface positioned over a conventional primary top surface with water and dirt drainage between the two in order to provide dirt protection as well as protection from contact with lawn equipment, personnel and auto tires. | 05-08-2014 |
20140124596 | NOZZLE GUARD TOP FOR POP-UP SPRINKLERS - A protective nozzle top assembly includes a center recess to protect the attached retractable nozzle assembly when the sprinkler is in its non-operating condition. In an embodiment, the protective nozzle top assembly includes a secondary top surface positioned over a conventional primary top surface with water and dirt drainage between the two in order to provide dirt protection as well as protection from contact with lawn equipment, personnel and auto tires. | 05-08-2014 |
20140286516 | EXTERNAL EAR INSERT FOR HEARING COMPREHENSION ENHANCEMENT - A simple hearing enhancement device that takes the normally adequately loud sound levels and optimizes selective frequency gain of the patient's ear passage to improve speech comprehension. | 09-25-2014 |
20140339334 | WATER ROTATABLE DISTRIBUTOR FOR STREAM ROTARY SPRINKLERS - A rotating distributor for use in a rotary type sprinkler is conically shaped and includes a plurality of water channels provided on a bottom surface thereof to guide water from a center axis of the distributor radially outward to an outer circumference of the distributor. The grooves are provided to collect and guide the water with a minimum of spray and turbulence and to impart rotation on the distributor. The depth of the grooves may be used to control flow and range as desired. An elevation control ring may be provided to vary the elevation angle of water leaving the grooves to control range. A kick angle control element may be provided to modify a kick angle at an outer circumferential end of selected grooves to provide speed control, if desired. | 11-20-2014 |
20140353402 | ADJUSTABLE ARC OF COVERAGE CONE NOZZLE ROTARY STREAM SPRINKLER - A cone valve assembly including an upper valve member with a conical top portion and a stepped and spiraled top surface and a lower valve member including a central opening with a stepped and spiraled valve surface surrounding the central opening. The upper valve member is mounted in the lower valve member such that the lower valve member is rotatable and axially movable relative to the upper valve member. Rotation of the lower valve member allows for the adjustment of an arcuate slot opening that provides a conically shaped discharge stream of water from the cone valve nozzle assembly directly onto the rotating distributor to provide the desired arc of sprinkler coverage. | 12-04-2014 |
20150028128 | ADJUSTABLE ARC OF COVERAGE CONE NOZZLE ROTARY STREAM SPRINKLER WITH STEPPED AND SPIRALED VALVE ELEMENT - A cone valve assembly including an upper valve member with a conical top portion and an axially stepped and spiraled top surface and a lower valve member including a central opening with a stepped and spiraled valve surface or edge surrounding the central opening. The upper valve member is mounted in the lower valve member such that the lower valve member is rotatable and axially movable relative to the upper valve member. Rotation of the lower valve member allows for the adjustment of an arcuate slot opening that provides a conically shaped discharge stream of water from the cone valve nozzle assembly directly onto the rotating distributor to provide the desired arc of sprinkler coverage. | 01-29-2015 |
20150076253 | SPRAY NOZZLE WITH ADJUSTABLE ARC SPRAY ELEVATION ANGLE AND FLOW - An adjustable spray nozzle with adjustable arc of coverage as well as spray elevation angle and flow rate. A very simple adjustable arc of coverage spray nozzle configuration is also disclosed which may be easily assembled for a particular precipitation rate and/or range of coverage at a selected nominal pressure. Also disclosed is a simple fixed arc of coverage spray nozzle with selectable ranges for a particular precipitation rate. | 03-19-2015 |