Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Distributor continuously moves relative to support during... – Spray fluid motor drive means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-09
2001-07-17
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Distributor continuously moves relative to support during...
Spray fluid motor drive means
C239S264000, C239S206000, C277S446000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260770
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is generally in the field of sprinklers and more specifically it is connected with sealing assembly for irrigation sprinklers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sprinklers, and in particular irrigation sprinklers, are often supplied with unclear water containing particulate matter such as sand or grit and other dirt, i.e. weeds, algae, etc.
The second group of dirt matter, i.e. weeds, algae, etc. may cause a problem as far as operation and functioning of the sprinkler, namely, it may cause clogging of water passages or may halt rotation of a rotary sprinkler. Overcoming such a problem is usually by introducing filtering means on the water supply line and/or filtering means fitted at a water inlet of the sprinkler or integral with the sprinkler.
However, filters suitable for screening the second group of dirt, have a mesh which will trap large dirt but will not trap the particulate matter. On the other hand, introducing filter means with finer mesh will rapidly occlude.
The problem with the particulate material entering sprinklers is that it usually consists of essentially hard material, i.e. quartz, grains, etc. which abrade components of the sprinklers and in particular moving components thereof, which bear against other components and even more so at sealing assemblies of the sprinklers.
Accelerated wear of sealing components influences the sprinkler's performances, may halt rotation of a rotary sprinkler and may cause water leakage.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a sprinkler with an improved sealing assembly which essentially reduces or overcomes the above problems. By another aspect of the invention there is provide a sealing assembly for use with irrigation sprinklers.
The term sealing assembly as used herein the specification denotes a dynamic sealing and bearing assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a rotary sprinkler comprising a stationary housing, a distribution member rotatable with respect to the housing, a stationary fluid supply member in flow communication with an inlet port of the housing and with the distribution member, and a sealing assembly.
The sealing assembly comprises at least one sealing ring made of an essentially hard, abrasion resistant material. One face of the sealing ring is rotationally fixed with respect to either the distribution member or one of the stationary housing and fluid supply member.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention the sealing assembly has at least two stacked sealing rings made of an essentially hard abrasion resistant material. A first extreme sealing ring is rotationally fixed with respect to the distribution member and a second extreme sealing ring is rotationally fixed with respect to at least one of the stationary housing and fluid supply member.
Preferably, the sealing rings are made of ceramic materials such as, for example, Alumina or Zirconia. However, other materials may also be suitable.
Still preferably, surfaces of the sealing rings facing other sealing rings are finished so as to ensure sealing and essentially frictionless motion therebetween. Such finishing may be grinding or polishing, depending on the material of which the sealing rings are made and on operational conditions of the sprinkler, i.e. cleanliness of the water.
However, according to a different embodiment a surface of one or both of sealing rings facing each other may be formed with a narrowed portion engaging the other sealing rings for reducing friction therebetween, and to prevent sticking of the sealing rings to one another.
By still another preferred embodiment of the invention the sealing assembly, a stationary resilient seal is mounted intermediate each of the extreme sealing rings and a seal seating is formed at the respective stationary housing or fluid supply member. Such stationary resilient seals provide, on the one hand, resiliency which absorbs force components acting on the distribution member so as to maintain fluid-tight sealing and, on the other hand, absorb axial forces and tolerances applied on the distribution member. Such force components may be resultant of reactionary forces. The resilient seals also provide some biasing force for biasing the sealing rings to ensure good surface contact with one another.
The sealing assembly is mounted on a stem portion of either the rotary distribution or of one of the stationary members.
The resilient sealing rings also prevent rotation of the extreme sealing rings. Alternatively, by another embodiment of the invention, an external surface of each of the extreme sealing rings is formed with surface irregularities for rotationally engaging with a corresponding surface of the distribution member and the at least one of the stationary housing and fluid supply member, respectively.
By another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sealing assembly for a rotary sprinkler of the type comprising a stationary housing, a distribution member rotatable with respect to the housing and a stationary fluid supply member being in flow communication with an inlet port of the housing and with the distribution member.
The sealing assembly has at least one sealing ring made of an essentially hard, abrasion resistant material. One face of the sealing ring is rotationally fixed with respect to either the distribution member or one of the stationary housing and fluid supply member.
Preferably, the sealing assembly includes at least two stacked sealing rings made of a hard, abrasion resistant materral. A first extreme sealing ring is rotationally fixed with respect to the distribution member and a second extreme sealing ring is rotationally fixed with respect to at least one of the stationary housing and fluid supply member.
In accordance with a different embodiment of the present invention, the sealing assembly is suitable also for bearing a radial load, in additional to the axial load, as described hereinabove. In accordance with such an embodiment, there are provided at least two stacked sealing rings made of an essentially hard abrasion resistant material. The sealing assembly includes a first sealing ring rotationally fixed with respect to the distribution number and a second sealing ring rotationally fixed with respect to at least one of the stationary housing and fluid supply member. The sealing rings have an essentially T-like projection shape, having a first, lateral portion, for bearing axial loads and a second, cylindrical portion, for bearing radial loads.
The arrangement in accordance with this embodiment is such that the two rings are coaxially mounted and wherein facing surfaces of the first and second portions are finished so as to ensure sealing and essentially frictionless motion therebetween.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this application, the facing coaxial surfaces, adapted for bearing radial load, are formed with a plurality of axially extending recesses for handling particles of dirt. Other features of the sealing rings as indicated hereinabove with reference to other embodiments, apply too.
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Epstein Arnon
Zur Yoel
Mamtirim Dan
Morris Lesley D.
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
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