Senninger Irrigation, Inc.

Theodore G Santiesteban

Daniel R Pinch

Gregory S Burcham

Jeffery S Mitchell

Davis T Bradberry

An irrigation sprinkler with two viscous brakes. The viscous brakes work in conjunction with each other to maintain a low RPM and also to rotate a water stream diffuser. The water stream is first directed toward a deflector that offsets the stream and angles it toward the area to be watered. The offset stream applies a torsional force on the deflector causing it to rotate. The stream is then interrupted intermittently by the diffuser that is rotating at a different RPM. The end result is a sprinkler that rotates slowly and breaks up the stream of water intermittently to create an even pattern of water on the area being sprinkled without using mechanical parts, such as ratchets or gearing. This is desirable for smooth operation and less chance of the operation being interrupted from contamination by dirt, insects, debris, etc. Also, a more random diffusion of the water is obtained.

Rotary sprinkler

The subject invention is a Kick-Starter (KS) which can be readily adapted to a variety of sprinkler head designs to increase start up efficiency, as well as efficiency and uniformity of water distribution during operation of the sprinkler head. The Kick-Starter is incorporated into a sprinkler head comprising a sprinkler body with a water inlet disposed therein, a nozzle orifice in fluid connection with said water inlet, and a water deflecting pad movably attached to said sprinkler body. The Kick-Starter mechanism comprises a KS pass-through hole and a KS deflector in fluid connection with said pass-through hole. The Kick-Starter mechanism is connected to the water deflecting pad in a configuration such that a water jet exiting the nozzle orifice will encounter the KS pass-through hole and contact the KS deflector, whereby the water is redirected at an angle causing a propulsive force that drives said water deflecting pad from its resting position and into increasing engagement with the water jet, and motion of the sprinkler head is thereby initiated. As the water deflecting pad is increasingly engaged by the water jet, the KS pass-through hole is progressively disengaged from the water jet. The Kick-Starter mechanism of the subject invention can be used in connection with a variety of sprinkler head designs, including wobbler type and spinner type sprinkler heads.

Kick-starter for sprinkler heads

A sprinkler head especially adapted for use in irrigation systems, such as center pivot irrigation systems, in which a long water conduit is connected at one end to a source of water under pressure. The sprinkler head has a body attached to a water supply and has a water inlet and a nozzle for directing water therefrom. The sprinkler head body has an upper body portion having a first interlocking member thereon and a lower body portion having a plurality of arms extending therefrom. A water deflecting head is removably attached to the sprinkler head body lower body portion below the plurality of downwardly extending arms to deflect water being emitted from a nozzle thereagainst. A weighted collar has a bore therethrough and has a second interlocking member thereon. The weighted collar has a weight greater than one quarter pound and is removably attached to the sprinkler head body upper body portion with a second interlocking member engaging the sprinkler upper body interlocking member. The weighted collar has a deflection surface positioned to deflect a portion of the water being deflected by the water deflection head. It also acts to shield the sprinkler head body from damage while adding weight to the sprinkler head for damping vibrations and wind resistance.

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Ocoee, FL, United States of America

Theodore G Santiesteban