Edwin O Hunter

US Patent:

40809803, Mar 28, 1978

Filed:

Jun 11, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/695176

Inventors:

Edwin J. Hunter - Rancho Santa Fe CA

Assignee:

The Toro Company - San Marcos CA

International Classification:

F16K 2400

US Classification:

137218

Abstract:

An improved backflow preventing valve having an inlet passage opening to an intermediate chamber via an improved inlet check valve with the intermediate chamber opening to an outlet passage via an improved outlet check valve. A diaphragm chamber communicates with the intermediate chamber having a diaphragm therein dividing the diaphragm chamber into an inlet pressure portion opening into the inlet passage and an intermediate pressure portion opening to the intermediate chamber. An exhaust passage opening to atmosphere communicates with the intermediate pressure portion whereby fluid normally flows from the inlet passage through the intermediate chamber to the outlet passage but upon attempted backflow of the fluid, the improved check valves close with a positive closing action to prevent such backflow and, upon failure of the outlet check valve, the diaphragm flexes to open to vent such backflowing fluid out the exhaust passage. Before failure of the outlet check valve, an improved relief valve associated with the diaphragm compensates for slight flexing of the diaphragm to prevent fluid spitting due to slight changes in the pressure of the incoming fluid while permitting fluid to be subsequently exhausted out of the exhaust passage.

US Patent:

48342890, May 30, 1989

Filed:

Mar 28, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/174240

Inventors:

Edwin J. Hunter - Rancho Santa Fe CA

International Classification:

B05B 1510

US Classification:

239205

Abstract:

A pop-up sprinkler unit for mounting beneath the surface of a soil formation includes an outer cylindrical housing for subsurface mounting with an inner housing carrying a nozzle and drive turbine with a protective sleeve of a grit resistant material reciprocably mounted between the inner and outer housings for extending with the inner housing up through a portion of the soil and includes a grit deflector on the housing surrounding the sleeve for deflecting grit from between the sleeve and housing when the inner housing and sleeve is retracted.

US Patent:

44074514, Oct 4, 1983

Filed:

Feb 23, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/236850

Inventors:

Edwin J. Hunter - Rancho Santa Fe CA

Assignee:

The Toro Company - San Marcos CA

International Classification:

A01G 2502

US Classification:

239 66

Abstract:

A water pressure controlled indexing means for an irrigation sprinkler system in which a plurality of pilot valves, each operating an associated sprinkler or group of sprinklers is provided, has a ratchet wheel including a plurality of ratchet teeth and which is associated with one of the pilot valves to control pilot valve operation in response to ratchet position of rotation, a pawl positioned by mounting means advancing the ratchet wheel tooth by tooth increments of advancement, water pressure responsive means for moving the pawl in a forward stroke and spring biasing means for normally moving the pawl in a return stroke of a given amount when system pressure is lowered a predetermined amount which is above a given value, a tooth gap provided on the ratchet wheel for defeating continued rotation thereof while said pawl is continued in driving strokes in response to system pressure drops above said given value and override means including an additional spring means normally holding the pawl against an override retrun stroke whereby a next ratchet tooth beyond tooth gap is engaged, the overriding means being activated by a reduction in system pressure below said given amount to cause the first biasing means to over come the second biasing means to move the pawl a greater extent then the normal return stroke to thereby engage the next ratchet tooth.

US Patent:

48673790, Sep 19, 1989

Filed:

Jun 26, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/878591

Inventors:

Edwin J. Hunter - Rancho Santa Fe CA

International Classification:

B05B 304

US Classification:

239240

Abstract:

A rotary stream sprinkler unit comprises a body having a water flow passage in which is disposed a multi-passage flow control unit having a plurality of passages, each configured to control the volume and pressure of a stream with multiple outlets at the outlet end of the housing, and a rotary distributor cap rotatably mounted at the outlet of the housing for rotating each of the outlet streams through a selected arc during the rotation thereof.

US Patent:

42263689, Oct 7, 1980

Filed:

Jan 23, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/871198

Inventors:

Edwin J. Hunter - Rancho Santa Fe CA

Assignee:

The Toro Company - San Marcos CA

International Classification:

B05B 130

US Classification:

239542

Abstract:

The present invention discloses a sprinkler head for use in drip irrigation systems. Irrigation fluid entering an inlet is directed through a path comprising a plurality of pressure dropping chambers before emerging through irrigation tubings connected to outlet openings from where the irrigation fluid emerges at a low pressure drip irrigation flow rate. In the preferred embodiment disclosed, the pressure dropping chambers comprise a plurality of series interconnected vortices disposed within stacked plates. The entire assembly can be disassembled for cleaning purposes. The assembly further incorporates an integral pressure regulator for performing an initial step decrease in the pressure of the irrigation fluid before the fluid enters the multiple chambered pressure dropping path. The integral pressure regulator is adjustable and calibrated in gallon per hour flow rates.

US Patent:

47968095, Jan 10, 1989

Filed:

May 15, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/049843

Inventors:

Edwin J. Hunter - Rancho Santa Fe CA

International Classification:

B05B 304
B05B 134
B05B 1510

US Classification:

239205

Abstract:

A two-stage pop-up sprinkler unit includes a cylindrical housing having a first telescoping sleeve reciprocably mounted in the housing and a second sleeve telescoping mounted within the first sleeve and containing the sprinkler head and driving mechanism, the first sleeve extending from the housing first for clearance of the ground surface and the second sleeve extends from the first sleeve with the head cleared to begin distributing water.

US Patent:

RE323861, Mar 31, 1987

Filed:

Nov 22, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/800794

Inventors:

Edwin J. Hunter - Rancho Santa Fe CA

Assignee:

The Toro Company - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B05B 316

US Classification:

239206

Abstract:

Improvements in sprinkler systems having fluid under pressure flowing therethrough and a sprinkler head with a pop-up nozzle actuated by fluid pressure. An impeller is actuated by the fluid flow to rotate the nozzle and thus rotate the spray of fluid therefrom. A transmission is disposed between the impeller and the nozzle for transmitting rotation of the impeller to the nozzle. The transmission is sealed off from the fluid passing through the system by a resilient expandable diaphragm at one end. A fluid pressure responsive seal is provided in the system in sealing engagement with the nozzle. The sealed-off portion of the transmission is completely filled with a lubricating medium which is free to selectively contract or expand against the diaphragm in response to varying ambient conditions encountered by the sprinkler head. The nozzle may also include means for varying the pattern of the sprayed fluid and may be comprised of molded plastic components which may be assembled together.

US Patent:

39814467, Sep 21, 1976

Filed:

Aug 22, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/499485

Inventors:

Edwin J. Hunter - Rancho Santa Fe CA

Assignee:

The Toro Company - San Marcus CA

International Classification:

A01G 2500

US Classification:

239 1

Abstract:

A water operated control apparatus and method for operating a controlled device is associated with moisture sensing apparatus for sensing the level of moisture available at a location and operating the controlled device in response thereto. Moisture sensing means is disposed at the location and is adapted to selectively pass air therethrough when the level of moisture at the location falls to a predetermined level, or prevent the passage of air therethrough when the level of moisture rises to a predetermined level. A housing is operatively connected to the sensing means and to a supply of water. A diaphragm is disposed in the housing in a manner forming a chamber therein, the interior of the chamber being in fluid communication with air passing through the sensing means. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a drain line of relatively small internal diameter is also in communication with the chamber and drains water from said supply in a hanging column of water such that the weight of the column of water pulls a partial vacuum in the chamber under the diaphragm when air is not being passed therein by the sensing means, as when the moisture level is above the predetermined level. Air from the sensing means relieves the negative pressure generated by the hanging column of water when the moisture level falls below the predetermined level.