Self-propelled irrigation system

Claim 2

A self-propelled irrigation system comprising: a. a plurality of laterally spaced intermediate mobile support units and an end mobile support unit arranged along a line; b. an elongated water distribution pipe defining said line and carried by said intermediate and end mobile units, said waterdistribution pipe being formed of a plurality of elongated sections, each of said intermediate support units having one end of a respective pipe section fixed on one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom; c. a central water-supply pipe connEcted to a water source; d. swivel means connecting said distribution pipe to said central supply pipe; e. hydraulic drive means carried by each of said intermediate and end mobile support units and operatively connected thereto for moving said distribution pipe around said central supply pipe as an axis; f. first motor means for supplying water to said distribution pipe; g. second motor means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to said respective drive means; h. joint means at the other side of each of said intermediate mobile support units from said respective pipe sections, said joint means movably receiving the free end of the pipe section fixed to the next adjacent support unit and permitting relative movement of said free end and increasing and decreasing the spacing between said pipe section free end and the end of the pipe section fixed to the respective support unit at which the joint means is located, said relative movement permitting said mobile support units to move laterally relative adjacent support units and to lead and trail adjacent support units and permitting radial extension and contraction of said distribution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile units, said joint means communicating adjacent sections of said distribution pipe for flow of irrigation fluid therethrough; i. first control means carried by each of said intermediate mobile support units and responsive to said movement of said free end of said respective distribution pipe section at said joint means for controlling said respective drive means; and j. second control means carried by each of said intermediate mobile units and responsive to radial extension and contraction of said distribution pipe beyond selected limits for stopping said second motor means.

Claim 3

A self-propelled irrigation system comprising: a. a central supply pipe connected to a source of irrigation fluid; b. an elongated distribution pipe connected to said central supply pipe, said distribution pipe being formed of a plurality of elongated sections; c. a plurality of intermediate mobile support units and an end mobile support unit longitudinally spaced along said distribution pipe for support thereof, each of said intermediate support units having one end of a respective pipe section fixedly mounted on one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom; d. drive means for driving said intermediate and end mobile units for moving said distribution pipe around said central supply pipe as an axis, said drive means including a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, a control valve at each intermediate mobile unit, said control valve communicating with said fluid under pressure, a hydraulic motor at each mobile unit, said hydraulic motor communicating with said fluid under pressure, said hydraulic motor at said intermediate mobile units communicating with said respective control valve, each of said hydraulic motors being operatively connected to said respective mobile units for driving same; e. joint means associated with said distribution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile units for permitting controlled movement of said distribution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile units, said joint means movably receiving the other end of the pipe section extending from an adjacent support unit thereby permitting each of said mobile support units to move laterally of and lead and trail adjacent support units; f. control means associated with each of said intermediate mobile units for controlling said drive means in response to movement of said distribution pipe at said respective intermediate mobile units; g. said joint means permitting longitudinal extension and contraction of said distribution pipe; h. said control means including a motor-driven pump for providing said pressure to said hydraulic fluid, activating means associated with said motor-driven pump for activating means to stop said motor-driven pump in response to movement to saiD mobile support units beyond selected limits, and switch means at each mobile unit operatively connected to said activating means at said motor-driven pump for activating same in response to longitudinal extension and contraction of said distribution pipe beyond selected limits; and i. said switch means including a loop member mounted on a flange adjacent the other end of a pipe section extending from each of said support units, a trip member mounted on each of said respective intermediate mobile units and positioned within said respective loop member whereby said trip member will engage said loop member in response to movement of said distribution pipe beyond the limits of said loop member thereby stopping said motor-driven pump.

Claim 4

A self-propelled irrigation system comprising: a. a central supply pipe connected to a source of irrigation fluid; b. an elongated distribution pipe connected to said central supply pipe, said distribution pipe being formed of a plurality of elongated sections; c. a plurality of intermediate mobile support units and an end mobile support unit longitudinally spaced along said distribution pipe for support thereof, each of said intermediate support units having one end of a respective pipe section fixedly mounted on one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom; d. drive means for driving said intermediate and end mobile units for moving said distribution pipe around said central supply pipe as an axis, said drive means including a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, a control valve at each intermediate mobile unit, said control valve communicating with said fluid under pressure, a hydraulic motor at each mobile unit, said hydraulic motor communicating with said fluid under pressure, said hydraulic motor at said intermediate mobile units communicating with said respective control valve, each of said hydraulic motors being operatively connected to said respective mobile units for driving same; e. joint means associated with said distribution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile units for permitting controlled movement of said distribution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile units, said joint means movably receiving the other end of the pipe section extending from an adjacent support unit thereby permitting each of said mobile support units to move laterally of and lead and trail adjacent support units; f. control means associated with each of said intermediate mobile units for controlling said drive means in response to movement of said distribution pipe at said respective intermediate mobile units; g. said joint means permitting longitudinal extension and contraction of said distribution pipe; h. said control means including a motor-driven pump for providing said pressure to said hydraulic fluid, activating means associated with said motor-driven pump for activating means to stop said motor-driven pump in response to movement to saiD mobile support units beyond selected limits, and switch means at each mobile unit operatively connected to said activating means at said motor-driven pump for activating same in response to longitudinal extension and contraction of said distribution pipe beyond selected limits; and i. said switch means including a loop member mounted on a flange adjacent the other end of a pipe section extending from each of said support units, a trip member mounted on each of said respective intermediate mobile units and positioned within said respective loop member whereby said trip member will engage said loop member in response to movement of said distribution pipe beyond the limits of said loop member thereby stopping said motor-driven pump.

Claim 5

A self-propelled irrigation system comprising: a. a plurality of laterally spaced intermediate mobile support units and an end mobile support unit arranged along a line; b. an elongated water-distribution pipe defining said line and carried by said intermediate and end mobile units, said water-distribution being formed of a plurality of elongated sections, each of said intermediate support units having one end of a respective pipe section mounted on one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom; c. a central water-supply pipe connected to a water source; d. swivel means connecting said distribution pipe to said central supply pipe; e. hydraulic drive means carried by each of said intermediate and end mobile support units and operatively connected thereto for moving said distribution pipe around said central supply pipe as an axis; f. first motor means for supplying water to said distribution pipe; g. second motor means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to said respective drive means; h. joint means at each of said intermediate mobile support units for movably receiving the other end of the pipe section extending from an adjacent support unit thereby permitting said mobile support units to lead the trail adjacent support units and permitting radial extension and contraction of said distribution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile units; i. first control means carried by each of said intermediate mobile support units and responsive to said movement of said other end of said respective distribution pipe section at said joint means for controlling said respective drive means; j. second control means carried by each of said intermediate mobile units and responsive to radial extension and contraction of said distribution pipe beyond selected limits and responsive to misalignment beyond selected limits for stopping said second motor means; k. distribution pipe sections each having a flange adjacent the other end thereof with the other end thereof being received within a sleeve at each respective intermediate mobile unit; l. said first control means has an elongated control structure having one end operatively connect to a control valve carried by said respective intermediate mobile unit and another end pivotally connected to a flange mounted adjacent the other end of a pipe section extending from an adjacent mobile unit and having the other end thereof movably received within a sleeve carried by said respective intermediate mobile unit, said control arm being adapted to transmit movement of said flange to said control valve; and m. said second control means is a switch carried by said respective intermediate mobile unit, said switch being operatively connected with said second motor means, said second control means having a trip member mounted on said respective intermediate mobile unit and positioned within a loop member mounted on said flange whereby said trip member will engage said loop member in response to movement of said flange beyond the limits of said loop member thereby stopping said second motor means.

Claim 6

A self-propelled irrigation system comprising: a. a plurality of laterally spaced intermediate mobile support units and an end mobile support unit arranged along a line; b. an elongated water-distribution pipe defining said line and carried by said intermediate and end mobile units, said water-distribution being formed of a plurality of elongated sections, each of said intermediate support units having one end of a respective pipe section mounted on one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom; c. a central water-supply pipe connected to a water source; d. swivel means connecting said distribution pipe to said central supply pipe; e. hydraulic drive means carried by each of said intermediate and end mobile support units and operatively connected thereto for moving said distribution pipe around said central supply pipe as an axis; f. first motor means for supplying water to said distribution pipe; g. second motor means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to said respective drive means; h. joint means at each of said intermediate mobile support units for movably receiving the other end of the pipe section extending from an adjacent support unit thereby permitting said mobile support units to lead the trail adjacent support units and permitting radial extension and contraction of said distribution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile units; i. first control means carried by each of said intermediate mobile support units and responsive to said movement of said other end of said respective distribution pipe section at said joint means for controlling said respective drive means; j. second control means carried by each of said intermediate mobile units and responsive to radial extension and contraction of said distribution pipe beyond selected limits and responsive to misalignment beyond selected limits for stopping said second motor means; k. distribution pipe sections each having a flange adjacent the other end thereof with the other end thereof being received within a sleeve at each respective intermediate mobile unit; l. said first control means has an elongated control structure having one end operatively connect to a control valve carried by said respective intermediate mobile unit and another end pivotally connected to a flange mounted adjacent the other end of a pipe section extending from an adjacent mobile unit and having the other end thereof movably received within a sleeve carried by said respective intermediate mobile unit, said control arm being adapted to transmit movement of said flange to said control valve; and m. said second control means is a switch carried by said respective intermediate mobile unit, said switch being operatively connected with said second motor means, said second control means having a trip member mounted on said respective intermediate mobile unit and positioned within a loop member mounted on said flange whereby said trip member will engage said loop member in response to movement of said flange beyond the limits of said loop member thereby stopping said second motor means.

Claim 7

A self-propelled irrigation system comprising: a. an elongated distribution pipe for carrying irrigation fluid, said distribution pipe being formed of a plurality of elongated sections; b. a plurality of spaced apart intermediate mobile support units and an end mobile support unit for movably supporting said distribution pipe, each of said intermediate support units having one end of a respective pipe section fixed on one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom; c. joint means at the other side of each of said intermediate mobile support units from said respective pipe sections, said joint means movably receiving the free end of the pipe section fixed to the next adjacent support unit and permitting relative movement of said free end and increasing and decreasing of spacing between said pipe section free end and the end of the pipe section fixed to the respective support units at which the joint means is located, said relative movement permitting each of said mobile support units to move laterally relative adjacent support units and to lead and trail adjacent support units carrying said distribution pipe therewith, said joint means communicating adjacent sections of said distribution pipe for flow of irrigation fluid therethrough; d. drive means operatively connected to each of said intermediate and end support units for driving same; and e. control means associated with each of said joint means and responsive to movement of said free end of the pipe sections toward and away from and angularly relative to said respective next adjacent support unit for controlling the drive means of said next adjacent support units.

Claim 8

A self-propelled irrigation system comprising: a. an elongated distribution pipe for carrying irrigation fluid, said distribution pipe being formed of a plurality of elongated sections; b. a plurality of spaced apart intermediate mobile support units and an end mobile support unit for movably supporting said distribution pipe, each of said intermediate support units having one end of a respective pipe section fixed on one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom; c. joint means at the other side of each of said intermediate mobile support units from said respective pipe sections, said joint means movably receiving the free end of the pipe section fixed to the next adjacent support unit and permitting relative movement of said free end and increasing and decreasing of spacing between said pipe section free end and the end of the pipe section fixed to the respective support units at which the joint means is located, said relative movement permitting each of said mobile support units to move laterally relative adjacent support units and to lead and trail adjacent support units carrying said distribution pipe therewith, said joint means communicating adjacent sections of said distribution pipe for flow of irrigation fluid therethrough; d. drive means operatively connected to each of said intermediate and end support units for driving same; and e. control means associated with each of said joint means and responsive to movement of said free end of the pipe sections toward and away from and angularly relative to said respective next adjacent support unit for controlling the drive means of said next adjacent support units.

Claim 9

The self-propelled irrigation system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes: a. a drive motor at each of said support units and operatively connected thereto; b. fluid pressure lines carried adjacent the distribution pipe for providing hydraulic fluid under pressure; c. a control valve at each of said intermediate mobile support units, said control valves each being connected to said fluid pressure lines; and d. fluid flow means at each of said intermediate mobile support units communicating said respective control valves with said respective drive motors.

Claim 10

The self-propelled irrigation system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said control means includes: a. an elongated control structure having one end operatively connected to said respective control valve and the other end operatively connected to the section of the distribution pipe adjacent the free end received in said respective joint means whereby movement of said free end of the pipe sections toward and away from and angularly relative to said next adjacent support unit is communicated to said respective control valve.

Claim 11

A self-propelled irrigation system comprising: a. an elongated distribution pipe for carrying irrigation fluid, said distribution pipe being formed of a plurality of elongated sections; b. a plurality of spaced apart intermediate mobile support units and an end mobile support unit for movably supporting said distribution pipe, each of said intermediate support units having one end of a respective pipe section mounted on one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom; c. joint means associated with said distribution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile support units for permitting each of said intermediate mobile support units to move toward and away from adjacent mobile support units; d. a drive motor operatively connected to each of said intermediate and end mobile support units for driving same, said drive motor at each of said support units being a hydraulic motor; e. power means operatively connected to each of said drive motors for supplying power thereto, said power means being a motor-driven pump for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to each of said respective hydraulic-drive motors; f. control means associated with each of said joint means for stopping said power means in response to a predetermined limit of said movement of said respective support unit toward and away from adjacenT support units; g. said control means including activating means dissociated with said motor-driven pump for starting and stopping same, and switch means associated with each of said intermediate mobile support units, each of said switch means being operatively connected to said activating means for stopping said motor-driven pump in response to said movement longitudinally of said respective intermediate mobile support units with respect to adjacent mobile support units beyond selected limits; and h. each of said sketch means including a loop member mounted on the elongated section of the distribution pipe adjacent the other end thereof, and a trip member mounted on said respective adjacent intermediate mobile support unit and positioned within said loop member, said member being operatively connected to said activating means for stopping said motor-driven pump upon engagement of said trip member with said loop member.

Claim 12

A self-propelled irrigation system comprising: a. an elongated distribution pipe for carrying irrigation fluid, said distribution pipe being formed of a plurality of elongated sections; b. a plurality of spaced apart intermediate mobile support units and an end mobile support unit for movably supporting said distribution pipe, each of said intermediate support units having one end of a respective pipe section mounted on one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom; c. joint means associated with said distribution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile support units for permitting each of said intermediate mobile support units to move toward and away from adjacent mobile support units; d. a drive motor operatively connected to each of said intermediate and end mobile support units for driving same, said drive motor at each of said support units being a hydraulic motor; e. power means operatively connected to each of said drive motors for supplying power thereto, said power means being a motor-driven pump for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to each of said respective hydraulic-drive motors; f. control means associated with each of said joint means for stopping said power means in response to a predetermined limit of said movement of said respective support unit toward and away from adjacenT support units; g. said control means including activating means dissociated with said motor-driven pump for starting and stopping same, and switch means associated with each of said intermediate mobile support units, each of said switch means being operatively connected to said activating means for stopping said motor-driven pump in response to said movement longitudinally of said respective intermediate mobile support units with respect to adjacent mobile support units beyond selected limits; and h. each of said sketch means including a loop member mounted on the elongated section of the distribution pipe adjacent the other end thereof, and a trip member mounted on said respective adjacent intermediate mobile support unit and positioned within said loop member, said member being operatively connected to said activating means for stopping said motor-driven pump upon engagement of said trip member with said loop member.

Claim 13

The self-propelled irrigation system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said joint means permit each of said intermediate mobile support units to lead and trail adjacent support units carrying said distribution pipe therewith, said control means including: a. a control valve carried on each of said intermediate mobile support units and operatively connected to said drive motor thereon and to said power means; and b. an elongated control structure extending between and operatively connected to said respective other end of said elongated section of said distribution pipe extending from an adjacent support unit and said control valve for regulating said respective drive motor thereby regulating travel speed of said respective intermediate mobile support unit.

Claim 14

The self-propelled irrigation system as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said control structures includes: a. an elongated first end portion having one end thereof operatively connected to said respective control valve, said control valve connection being a universal joint; b. an elongated bellcrank pivotally mounted on the other side of said respective mobile support unit intermediate its ends, one end of said bellcrank being operatively connected to the other end of said first end portion, said bellcrank connection being a universal joint; and c. an elongated second end portion having a universal joint intermediate its ends, one end of said second end portion being pivotally mounted adjacent said other end of said respective distribution pipe section of an adjacent support unit, another end of said second end portion being resiliently connected to the other end of said bellcrank.

Claim 15

A self-propelled irrigation system comprising: a. a central supply pipe connected to a source of irrigation fluid; b. an elongated distribution pipe connected to said central supply pipe, said distribution pipe being formed of a plurality of elongated sections; c. a plurality of intermediate mobile support units and an end mobile support unit longitudinally spaced along said distribution pipe for support thereof, each of said intermediate support units having one end of a respective pipe section fixedly mounted on one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom; d. drive means for driving said intermediate and end mobile units for moving said distribution pipe around said central supply pipe as an axis, said drive means including a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, a control valve at each intermediate mobile unit, said control valve communicating with said fluid under pressure, a hydraulic motor at each mobile unit, said hydraulic motor communicating with said fluid under pressure, said hydraulic motor at said intermediate mobile units communicating with said respective control valve, each of said hydraulic motors being operatively connected to said respective mobile units for driving same; e. joint means associated with said distribution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile units for permitting controlled movement of said distrIbution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile units, said joint means movably receiving the other end of the pipe section extending from an adjacent support unit thereby permitting each of said mobile support units to move laterally of and lead and trail adjacent support units; f. control means associated with each of said intermediate mobile units for controlling said drive means in response to movement of said distribution pipe at said respective intermediate mobile units; and g. each of said pipe sections having a flange adjacent the other end thereof, each of said control means including an elongated control structure having one end operatively connected to said control valve, and a flange adjacent the other end of a respective pipe section will be received within said joint means at said respective intermediate mobile unit and having another end of said control structure connected thereto whereby movement of said flange relative to the respective mobile unit adjusts communication between said control valve and said respective hydraulic motor thereby regulating travel speed of said respective intermediate mobile unit.

Claim 16

A self-propelled irrigation system comprising: a. a central supply pipe connected to a source of irrigation fluid; b. an elongated distribution pipe connected to said central supply pipe, said distribution pipe being formed of a plurality of elongated sections; c. a plurality of intermediate mobile support units and an end mobile support unit longitudinally spaced along said distribution pipe for support thereof, each of said intermediate support units having one end of a respective pipe section fixedly mounted on one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom; d. drive means for driving said intermediate and end mobile units for moving said distribution pipe around said central supply pipe as an axis, said drive means including a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, a control valve at each intermediate mobile unit, said control valve communicating with said fluid under pressure, a hydraulic motor at each mobile unit, said hydraulic motor communicating with said fluid under pressure, said hydraulic motor at said intermediate mobile units communicating with said respective control valve, each of said hydraulic motors being operatively connected to said respective mobile units for driving same; e. joint means associated with said distribution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile units for permitting controlled movement of said distrIbution pipe at each of said intermediate mobile units, said joint means movably receiving the other end of the pipe section extending from an adjacent support unit thereby permitting each of said mobile support units to move laterally of and lead and trail adjacent support units; f. control means associated with each of said intermediate mobile units for controlling said drive means in response to movement of said distribution pipe at said respective intermediate mobile units; and g. each of said pipe sections having a flange adjacent the other end thereof, each of said control means including an elongated control structure having one end operatively connected to said control valve, and a flange adjacent the other end of a respective pipe section will be received within said joint means at said respective intermediate mobile unit and having another end of said control structure connected thereto whereby movement of said flange relative to the respective mobile unit adjusts communication between said control valve and said respective hydraulic motor thereby regulating travel speed of said respective intermediate mobile unit.

Claim 17

The self-propelled irrigation system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said control structure includes: a. an elongated intermediate portion pivotally mounted on the other side of said respective mobile support unit, said pivotal mounting being intermediate the ends of said intermediate portion; b. an elongated first end portion having one end pivotally connected to one end of said intermediate portion and the other end operatively connected to said control valve on said respective intermediate mobile unit; and c. an elongated second end portion having one end connected to another end of said intermediate portion and the other end pivotally connected to said flange on said respective pipe section.

Claim 18

The self-propelled irrigation system as set forth in claim 11 wherein: a. said second end portion has a universal joint therein intermediate the ends thereof; and b. said connection of said one end of said second end portion to said other end of said intermediate portion is a resilient connection whereby movement of said flange beyond selected limits is not transmitted to said control valve.

Claim 19

The self-propelled irrigation system as set forth in claim 11 wherein: a. said intermediate portion of said control structure is a bellcrank; b. said pivotal connection of said one end of said bellcrank to said one end of said first end portion is a universal joint; and c. said operative connection of said other end of said first end portion to said control valve is a universal joint.