Impact sprinkler

An Impact Sprinkler (sometimes called an impulse sprinkler) is a type of irrigation sprinkler in which the sprinkler head, driven in a circular motion by the force of the outgoing water, pivots on a bearing on top of its threaded attachment nut. Invented in 1933 by Orton Englehart, it quickly found widespread use. Though it has in many situations been replaced by gear-driven 'rotor heads', many varieties of impact sprinkler remain in use. An Impact Sprinkler (sometimes called an impulse sprinkler) is a type of irrigation sprinkler in which the sprinkler head, driven in a circular motion by the force of the outgoing water, pivots on a bearing on top of its threaded attachment nut. Invented in 1933 by Orton Englehart, it quickly found widespread use. Though it has in many situations been replaced by gear-driven 'rotor heads', many varieties of impact sprinkler remain in use. The original horizontal action impact drive sprinkler was invented by a Glendora, California citrus grower, Orton Englehart in 1933 and patented in 1935. Orton later sold it to Clem and Mary LaFetra who manufactured and marketed it under the brand name Rain Bird. The sprinkler head pivots on a bearing on top of its threaded attachment nut. The head is driven in a circular motion by the force of the outgoing water, and at least one arm extends from the head. The sprinkler arm is repeatedly pushed back into the water stream by a spring. The arm's striking the water stream scatters the stream and re-orients the flow slightly, enabling a uniform watering area around the sprinkler. Some full-circle impact heads feature a second, short range, opposing 'spreader' nozzle (see image), which fills the close range watering coverage role provided by the rapid 'return cycle' on part-circle heads.