Irrigation system

Claim 2

A field irrigation system comprising an elongated waterdistributing pipe, means engaging a portion of said pipe with a pressurized water supply for the movement of water under pressure through said pipe, a plurality of laterally aligned mobile towers positioned along and supporting said pipe, a water motor on each tower for effecting a driving of the tower upon an energization of the motor, said towers including a first tower, the motor of which is continuously energized upon the presence of a pressurized water flow within said water-distributing pipe, the water motors on the remaining towers each being operative in response to a movement of an adjacent tower to a predetermined position relative thereto whereby a movement of the first tower, through an energization of the motor thereof, will effect a sequential movement of the remaining towers, movement of each of the remaining towers ceasing upon a movement thereof to a position relative to the adjacent tower less than said relative predetermined position, each tower including ground-engaging wheel means, the water motor on each of said remaining towers including a water wheel drivingly engaged with the associated ground-engaging wheel means, a water line extending from the water-distributing pipe to the water wheel, nozzle means on the water line directed to discharge water therefrom in a wheel driving manner against said water wheel, and a control valve in said water line for selectively opening said line to allow a flow of water therethrough, and means for operating the control valve and hence the water motor in response to movement of the adjacent tower comprising control cable means operatively engaged between the control valve and the adjacent tower for the control of the opening and closing of the control valve in response to a movement of this adjacent tower to a predetermined position.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1, wherein the means engaging a portion of said pipe with a pressurized water supply is engaged at a first end of said pipe and defines a pivotal mount for said pipe for a swinging of the pipe in a horizontal circular path thereabout, said first end of the pipe constituting the inner end of the pipe, said first tower supporting the outer end of said pipe and constituting the outermost tower, the remaining towers being aligned inwardly of the outermost tower along the length of said pipe.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2, wherein the adjacent tower controlling the movement of each tower is the next outer tower relative thereto along the length of the pipe.

Claim 5

The system of claim 3, wherein each water motor includes two nozzle means orientated to discharge against the associated water wheel to the opposite sides of the center of rotation thereof for effecting a selective rotation of the water wheel in opposite directions, and means for selectively controlling the flow of water to one or the other of the two nozzle means whereby a selective driving of the water wheel, and hence the water motor, in opposite direction is possible so as to effect a selective forward or reverse driving of the system.

Claim 6

The system of claim 4, including a control bar pivotally mounted between the ends thereof to each of the towers inward of the outermost tower and in alignment with the control valve thereon, a pair of flexible lines engaged with the opposite ends of said pivotally mounted control bar to the opposite sides of the pivotal mounting, and securing means on the outer ends of said flexible lines for a selective engagement of one or the other of said lines with the control valve for the operation thereof in response to a pivoting of the control bar, said cable means comprising a pair of control cables, one engaged with each end of said control bar and extending therefrom, over tower mounted guides, to the adjacent tower, said control cables crossing between the two towers and effecting, through a tensioning of one or the other of the control cables depending upon the direction of movement of the towers, a pivoting of the control bar and an opening of the control valve for an activation of the water motor.

Claim 7

The system of claim 5, wherein the pressurized water supply comprises a pump and motor means for said pump, and means for selectively deenergizing the pump motor means upon an excessive misalignment of said towers, said last-mentioned means comprising an elongated cable extending longitudinally along said system and across said towers, means mounting the opposite ends of said cable on the two extreme end towers, and guide means on selected ones of the intermediate towers receiving the cable therethrough and including means selectively cooperating with the cable whereby an engagement therebetween, effected by a misalignment of one or more of the towers, effects an automatic deenergization of the pump motor means which in turn terminates the flow of pressurized water and deenergizes the water motors.

Claim 8

The system of claim 6, wherein said misalignment signalling cable is electrically conductive and engaged with an appropriate safety switch on said pump motor means, said tower mounted guide means including an insulated section therein receiving the cable upon a proper alignment of the system, the means selectively engaged by the cable upon a misalignment of the towers being in the nature of an electrically conductive ground.

Claim 9

The system of claim 7, wherein each tower includes selectively mountable caster wheels depending below the ground-engaging wheel means and orientable at right angles thereto whereby a lateral traveling of the towers along the lengthwise direction of the system can be effected.

Claim 10

The system of claim 8, wherein said water-distributing pipe is sectional in nature with the sections thereof interlocked by flexible coupling means, and means mounting said pipe on each tower for limited movement relative thereto.

Claim 11

The system of claim 1, wherein each water motor includes two nozzle means orientated to discharge against the associated water wheel to the opposite sides of the center of rotation thereof for effecting a selective rotation of the water wheel in opposite directions, and means for selectively controlling the flow of water to one or the other of the two nozzle means whereby a selective driving of the water wheel, and hence the water motor, in opposite directions is possible so as to effect a selective forward or reverse driving of the system.

Claim 12

The system of claim 3, including a control bar pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof to each of the towers inward of the outermost tower and in alignment with the control valve thereon, a pair of flexible lines engaged with the opposite ends of said pivotally mounted control bar to the opposite sides of the pivotal mounting, and securing means on the outer ends of said flexible lines for a selective engagement of one or the other of said lines with the control valve for the operation thereof in response to a pivoting of the control bar, said cable means comprising a pair of control cables, one engaged with each end of said control bar and extending therefrom, over tower mounted guides, to the adjacent tower, said control cables crossing between the two towers and effecting, through a tensioning of one or the other of the control cables depending upon the direction of movement of the towers, a pivoting oF the control bar and an opening of the control valve for an activation of the water motor.

Claim 13

A field irrigation system comprising an elongated water-distributing pipe, means engaging a portion of said pipe with a pressurized water supply for the movement of water under pressure through said pipe, a plurality of laterally aligned mobile towers positioned along and supporting said pipe, a water motor on each tower for effecting a driving of the tower upon an energization of the motor, said towers including a first tower, the motor of which is continuously energized upon the presence of a pressurized water flow within said water-distributing pipe, the water motors on the remaining towers each being operative in response to a movement of an adjacent tower to a predetermined position relative thereto whereby a movement of the first tower, through an energization of the motor thereof, will effect a sequential movement of the remaining towers, movement of each of the remaining towers ceasing upon a movement thereof to a position relative to the adjacent tower less than said relative predetermined position, the means engaging a portion of said pipe with a pressurized water supply being engaged at a first end of said pipe and defining a pivotal mount for said pipe for a swinging of the pipe in a horizontal circular path thereabout, said first end of the pipe constituting the inner end of the pipe, said first tower supporting the outer end of said pipe and constituting the outermost tower, the remaining towers being aligned inwardly of the outermost tower along the length of said pipe, the pressurized water supply comprising a pump and motor means for said pump, and means for selectively deenergizing the pump motor means upon an excessive misalignment of said towers, said last-mentioned means comprising an elongated cable extending longitudinally along said system and across said towers, means mounting the opposite ends of said cable on the two extreme end towers, and guide means on selected ones of the intermediate towers receiving the cable therethrough and including means selectively cooperating with the cable whereby an engagement therebetween, effected by a misalignment of one or more of the towers, effects an automatic deenergization of the pump motor means which in turn terminates the flow of pressurized water and deenergizes the water motors, said misalignment signalling cable being electrically conductive and engaged with an appropriate safety switch on said pump motor means, said tower mounted guide means including an insulated section therein receiving the cable upon a proper alignment of the system, the means selectively engaged by the cable upon a misalignment of the towers being in the nature of an electrically conductive ground.

Claim 14

A field irrigation system comprising an elongated water-distributing pipe, means engaging a portion of said pipe with a pressurized water supply for the movement of water under pressure through said pipe, a plurality of laterally aligned mobile towers positioned along and supporting said pipe, a water motor on each tower for effecting a driving of the tower upon an energization of the motor, said towers including a first tower, the motor of which is continuously energized upon the presence of a pressurized water flow within said water-distributing pipe, the water motors on the remaining towers each being operative in response to a movement of an adjacent tower to a predetermined position relative thereto whereby a movement of the first tower, through an energization of the motor thereof, will effect a sequential movement of the remaining towers, movement of each of the remaining towers ceasing upon a movement thereof to a position relative to the adjacent tower less than said relative predetermined position, the means engaging a portion of said pipe with a pressurized water supply being engaged at a first end of said pipe and defining a pivotal mount for said pipe for a swinging of the pipe in a horizontal circular path thereabout, said first end of the pipe constituting the inner end of the pipe, said first tower supporting the outer end of said pipe and constituting the outermost tower, the remaining towers being aligned inwardly of the outermost tower along the length of said pipe, the pressurized water supply comprising a pump and motor means for said pump, and means for selectively deenergizing the pump motor means upon an excessive misalignment of said towers, said last-mentioned means comprising an elongated cable extending longitudinally along said system and across said towers, means mounting the opposite ends of said cable on the two extreme end towers, and guide means on selected ones of the intermediate towers receiving the cable therethrough and including means selectively cooperating with the cable whereby an engagement therebetween, effected by a misalignment of one or more of the towers, effects an automatic deenergization of the pump motor means which in turn terminates the flow of pressurized water and deenergizes the water motors, said misalignment signalling cable being electrically conductive and engaged with an appropriate safety switch on said pump motor means, said tower mounted guide means including an insulated section therein receiving the cable upon a proper alignment of the system, the means selectively engaged by the cable upon a misalignment of the towers being in the nature of an electrically conductive ground.

Claim 15

A field irrigation system comprising an elongated water-distributing pipe, means engaging a portion of said pipe with a pressurized water supply for the movement of water under pressure through said pipe, a plurality of laterally aligned mobile towers positioned along and supporting said pipe, a water motor on each tower for effecting a driving of the tower upon an energization of the motor, said towers including a first tower, the motor of which is continuously energized upon the presence of a pressurized water flow within said water-distributing pipe, the water motors on the remaining towers each being operative in response to a movement of an adjacent tower to a predetermined position relative thereto whereby a movement of the first tower, through an energization of the motor thereof, will effect a sequential movement of the remaining towers, movement of each of the remaining towers ceasing upon a movement thereof to a position relative to the adjacent tower less than said relative predetermined position, and speed control means on said first tower, said speed control means operatively engaging the water motor associated with said first tower for a selective partial deenergization thereof in response to an increase in the speed oF the first tower beyond a predetermined point.

Claim 16

A field irrigation system comprising an elongated water-distributing pipe, means engaging a portion of said pipe with a pressurized water supply for the movement of water under pressure through said pipe, a plurality of laterally aligned mobile towers positioned along and supporting said pipe, a water motor on each tower for effecting a driving of the tower upon an energization of the motor, said towers including a first tower, the motor of which is continuously energized upon the presence of a pressurized water flow within said water-distributing pipe, the water motors on the remaining towers each being operative in response to a movement of an adjacent tower to a predetermined position relative thereto whereby a movement of the first tower, through an energization of the motor thereof, will effect a sequential movement of the remaining towers, movement of each of the remaining towers ceasing upon a movement thereof to a position relative to the adjacent tower less than said relative predetermined position, and speed control means on said first tower, said speed control means operatively engaging the water motor associated with said first tower for a selective partial deenergization thereof in response to an increase in the speed oF the first tower beyond a predetermined point.

Claim 17

The system of claim 13, wherein each tower includes ground-engaging wheel means, the water motor on each of said towers including a water wheel drivingly engaged with the associated ground-engaging wheel means through a chain-type drive, a water line extending from the water-distributing pipe to the water wheel, nozzle means on the water line directed to discharge water therefrom in a wheel driving manner against the associated water wheel, said speed control means on said first tower including a control valve in said water line, and means for selectively partially closing said control valve comprising a cable hookup between said control valve and said chain-type drive for a selective operation of the valve in response to a selective slackening and tensioning of selected portions of said chain-type drive resulting from a variation in the speed of the ground-engaging wheel means relative to that directly attributable to the driving force of the water wheel.

Claim 18

The system of claim 3, including a control bar pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof to each of the towers inward of the outermost tower and in alignment with the control valve thereon, a flexible line engaged with a first end of said pivotally mounted control bar and extending therefrom into engagement with the control valve for operation thereof in response to a pivoting of the control bar, said cable means comprising a control cable engaged with the second end of the control bar and extending therefrom, over tower mounted guides, to the adjacent tower, said control cable effecting, through a selective tensioning thereof, a pivoting of the control bar and an opening of the control valve for an activation of the water motor.

Claim 19

The system of claim 1, wherein said water-distributing pipe is sectional in nature with the sections thereof interlocked by couplings, one such coupling comprising a generally circular member having adjacent opposite ends, the opposite ends thereof incorporating mounting flanges for the selective reception of bolts therethrough for a locking of the member about adjacent ends of a pair of pipe sections, a pair of split collars, one encircling each pipe section to each of the opposite sides of the coupling member, an elongated tie bar having opposed ends engaged with the two collars and overlying the coupling member, said tie bar including means for anchoring one end of a support cable utilized in conjunction with an adjacent tower.

Claim 20

A field irrigation system comprising a horizontally extending elongated water-distributing pipe, means pivotally mounting one end of said pipe in communication with a source of pressurized water, said pipe, outwardly from said one end, being supported by a plurality of self-propelled support towers, powered pump means associated with the source of pressurized water for the pressurized supply of water to the water-distributing pipe, misalignment signalling means engaged with said towers and powered pump means for the automatic deenergization of the pump means upon a misalignment of the towers, said misalignment signalling means including an electrically conductive cable extending from the powered pump means transversely across the towers along the length of the water-distributing pipe, positioning means on selected ones of said towers receiving said cable, said positioning means including insulating means supporting the cable, and a cable grounding area into which said cable moves upon a misalignment of said towers, the movement of the cable into one or more of the grounding areas effecting the deenergization of the powered pump means, and a halting of the pressurized flow of water.

Claim 21

A field irrigation system comprising a horizontally extending elongated water-distributing pipe, means pivotally mounting one end of said pipe in communication with a source of pressurized water, said pipe, outwardly from said one end, being supported by a plurality of self-propelled support towers, powered pump means associated with the source of pressurized water for the pressurized supply of water to the water-distributing pipe, misalignment signalling means engaged with said towers and powered pump means for the automatic deenergization of the pump means upon a misalignment of the towers, said misalignment signalling means including an electrically conductive cable extending from the powered pump means transversely across the towers along the length of the water-distributing pipe, positioning means on selected ones of said towers receiving said cable, said positioning means including insulating means supporting the cable, and a cable grounding area into which said cable moves upon a misalignment of said towers, the movement of the cable into one or more of the grounding areas effecting the deenergization of the powered pump means, and a halting of the pressurized flow of water.

Claim 22

The system of claim 17, wherein said positioning means includes a tubular wire guide receiving said cable therethrough, an elongated metal guide tube positioned tranversely across said cable, said tubular wire guide being mounted on said guide tube for transverse sliding therealong, said insulating Means including an elongated nonconductive plastic sleeve within said wire guide and between said wire guide and said guide tube, said cable grounding area constituting a grounding bar located toward each end of the guide tube within the path of transverse movement of the cable.

Claim 23

A field irrigation system including a series of pipe supporting self-propelled towers, each tower including a wheeled carriage, a structural frame projecting upwardly from said carriage, a water motor mounted on said frame in elevated position above the carriage, said water motor including a vertically orientated water wheel having a plurality of outwardly projecting arms peripherally thereabout, each arm mounting a pair of oppositely directed cups, said water wheel being centrally mounted for rotation, nozzle means orientated above and below the center of rotation of the water wheel and in alignment with the cups, water supply means communicating with each nozzle means, and means for directing water to selected ones of the nozzle means, ground engaging wheel means on said carriage, and a power transmitting train extending between the water wheel and the wheel means for effecting a driving of the wheel means in response to a rotation of the water wheel resulting from a discharge of water thereagainst from selected ones of the nozzle means, the oppositely directed cups in conjunction with selected ones of the nozzle means enabling a selective driving of the tower in opposite directions.

Claim 24

A field irrigation system including a series of pipe supporting self-propelled towers, each tower including a wheeled carriage, a structural frame projecting upwardly from said carriage, a water motor mounted on said frame in elevated position above the carriage, said water motor including a vertically orientated water wheel having a plurality of outwardly projecting arms peripherally thereabout, each arm mounting a pair of oppositely directed cups, said water wheel being centrally mounted for rotation, nozzle means orientated above and below the center of rotation of the water wheel and in alignment with the cups, water supply means communicating with each nozzle means, and means for directing water to selected ones of the nozzle means, ground engaging wheel means on said carriage, and a power transmitting train extending between the water wheel and the wheel means for effecting a driving of the wheel means in response to a rotation of the water wheel resulting from a discharge of water thereagainst from selected ones of the nozzle means, the oppositely directed cups in conjunction with selected ones of the nozzle means enabling a selective driving of the tower in opposite directions.

Claim 25

The system of claim 19, wherein the selected ones of said nozzle means discharge water simultaneously in opposite directions for effecting, in addition to a driving of the wheel means, a substantially even distribution of the discharging water over a predetermined area.

Claim 26

The system of claim 20, wherein the selected ones of the nozzle means includes, in each instance, a pair of oppositely directed nozzles, one located above the center of rotation of the water wheel and one located below the center of rotation of the water wheel, said nozzle discharging in generally opposed directions.

Claim 27

A field irrigation system including a series of pipe supporting self-propelled towers, each tower including a wheeled carriage, a structural frame projecting upwardly from said carriage, a water motor mounted on said frame in elevated position above the carriage, said water motor including a water wheel mounting pairs of oppositely directed cups at peripherally spaced points thereabout, said water wheel being centrally mounted for rotation, nozzle means oriented to the opposite sides of the center of rotation of the water wheel and in alignment with the cups, water supply means communicating with each nozzle means, and means for directing water to selected ones of the nozzle means, ground engaging wheel means on said carriage, and a power transmitting train extending between the water wheel and the wheel means for effecting a driving of the wheel means in response to a rotation of the water wheel resulting from a discharge of water thereagainst from selected ones of the nozzle means, the oppositely directed cups in conjunction with selected ones of the nozzle means enabling a selective driving of the tower in opposite directions.

Claim 28

A field irrigation system including a series of pipe supporting self-propelled towers, each tower including a wheeled carriage, a structural frame projecting upwardly from said carriage, a water motor mounted on said frame in elevated position above the carriage, said water motor including a water wheel mounting pairs of oppositely directed cups at peripherally spaced points thereabout, said water wheel being centrally mounted for rotation, nozzle means oriented to the opposite sides of the center of rotation of the water wheel and in alignment with the cups, water supply means communicating with each nozzle means, and means for directing water to selected ones of the nozzle means, ground engaging wheel means on said carriage, and a power transmitting train extending between the water wheel and the wheel means for effecting a driving of the wheel means in response to a rotation of the water wheel resulting from a discharge of water thereagainst from selected ones of the nozzle means, the oppositely directed cups in conjunction with selected ones of the nozzle means enabling a selective driving of the tower in opposite directions.

Claim 29

A field irrigation system comprising a horizontally extending elongated water-distributing pipe, said pipe being supported by a plurality of self-propelled support towers, a source of pressurized water communicated with said pipe, powered pump means associated with the source of pressurized water for the pressurized supply of water to the water-distributing pipe, misalignment signalling means engaged with said towers and powered pump means for the automatic deenergization of the pump means upon a misalignment of the towers, said misalignment signalling means including an electrically conductive cable extending from the powered pump means transversely across the towers along the length of the water-distributing pipe, positioning means on selected ones of said towers receiving said Cable, said positioning means including insulating means supporting the cable, and a cable grounding area into which said cable moves upon a misalignment of said towers, the movement of the cable into one or more of the grounding areas effecting the deenergization of the powered pump means, and a halting of the pressurized flow of water.

Claim 30

A field irrigation system comprising a horizontally extending elongated water-distributing pipe, said pipe being supported by a plurality of self-propelled support towers, a source of pressurized water communicated with said pipe, powered pump means associated with the source of pressurized water for the pressurized supply of water to the water-distributing pipe, misalignment signalling means engaged with said towers and powered pump means for the automatic deenergization of the pump means upon a misalignment of the towers, said misalignment signalling means including an electrically conductive cable extending from the powered pump means transversely across the towers along the length of the water-distributing pipe, positioning means on selected ones of said towers receiving said Cable, said positioning means including insulating means supporting the cable, and a cable grounding area into which said cable moves upon a misalignment of said towers, the movement of the cable into one or more of the grounding areas effecting the deenergization of the powered pump means, and a halting of the pressurized flow of water.