The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 13, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 06, 1999
Kenneth L. Lawson, Rancho Cucamonga, CA (US);
Anthony Manufacturing Corp., Azusa, CA (US);
Abstract
An improved inlet control valve is provided for controlling water inflow to an irrigation sprinkler, wherein the inlet control valve exhibits improved tolerance to passage of small grit and debris. The inlet control valve includes a valve member normally engaging a valve seat to prevent water inflow to the irrigation sprinkler, and adapted for movement to a modulated open position to permit water inflow to the sprinkler at a regulated pressure. The valve member carries a flow restrictor disposed upstream from the valve seat to produce, when the valve member is in the open position, a first pressure drop which cooperates with a second pressure drop between the valve seat and valve member to regulate the water inflow pressure. The inclusion of the upstream flow restrictor and the associated first pressure drop effectively reduces the magnitude of the second pressure drop across the valve seat and thereby permits the valve member to open with an increased clearance relative to the valve seat. Such increased clearance enhances flush flow passage of grit and debris past the valve seat, with reduced risk of particulate entrapment between the valve member and valve seat.