US3659627A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collector ring for irrigation pipe systems
Assignee: Lindsay Corp
•
Filing: 1970-12-21
•
Granted: 1972-05-02
•
Expires: 1990-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A collector ring assembly for irrigation pipe systems which permits electrical power to be supplied from the center pivot assembly to the electrical motors on the self-propelled towers which support the pipe and propel the pipe around the pivot assembly in a predetermined path. The collector ring assembly comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed, vertically spaced electrical contacts which are fixed against rotation and which are electrically connected to a source of electrical energy. A brush or wiper assembly is rotatably mounted with respect to the electrical contacts and wipe upon the contacts as the irrigation pipe is moved around the center pivot assembly. The brushes are electrically connected to the electrical motors on the towers to provide electrical energy thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur L Zimmerer
- 👤 Bernard J Zimmerer
- 👤 Paul B Zimmerer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:14
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/09; A01G25/092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
In combination, a fixed water supply pipe including an upstanding pipe portion, a water delivery pipe means including a downwardly extending pipe portion operatively rotatably connected to said upstanding pipe portion, at least one tower means along said delivery pipe means for supporting said pipe means above the ground, said tower means including an electric power means thereon for pivotally moving said delivery pipe means around said upstanding pipe portion in a predetermined path, an electrical collector ring means mounted exteriorly of and around said downwardly extending pipe portion, said collector ring means including at least one ring shaped horizontally disposed electrical contact which is fixed against rotation with respect to said downwardly extending pipe portion, said collector ring means including a first support means which is secured to said downwardly extending pipe portion for rotational movement therewith, an electrical wiper means on said support means wipe upon said contact, a first lead means connected to and extending between said wiper means and said power means, and a second lead means connected to said electrical contact and extending to a source of electrical energy whereby electrical energy is supplied from said source through said collector ring means to said power means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In combination, a fixed water supply pipe including an upstanding pipe portion, a water delivery pipe means including a downwardly extending pipe portion operatively rotatably connected to said upstanding pipe portion, at least one tower means along said delivery pipe means for supporting said pipe means above the ground, said tower means including an electric power means thereon for pivotally moving said delivery pipe means around said upstanding pipe portion in a predetermined path, an electrical collector ring means mounted exteriorly of and around said downwardly extending pipe portion, said collector ring means including at least one ring shaped horizontally disposed electrical contact which is fixed against rotation with respect to said downwardly extending pipe portion, said collector ring means including a first support means which is secured to said downwardly extending pipe portion for rotational movement therewith, an electrical wiper means on said support means wipe upon said contact, a first lead means connected to and extending between said wiper means and said power means, and a second lead means connected to said electrical contact and extending to a source of electrical energy whereby electrical energy is supplied from said source through said collector ring means to said power means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said collector ring means has a sealed shield means extending therearound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein a vertically disposed sleeve means embraces said downwardly extending pipe portion, said downwardly extending pipe portion being rotatable with respect to said sleeve means, said ring shaped electrical contact extending around said sleeve means and being rigidly secured thereto, and a second support means secured to said sleeve means for rigidly supporting said sleeve means to prevent movement thereof, said first support means being rotatable with respect to said sleeve means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said first support means comprises a horizontally disposed plate means rigidly secured to said downwardly extending pipe portion above the upper end of said sleeve means, said sleeve means engaging said plate means to rotatably support said plate means, and means interconnecting said plate means and said wiper means whereby rotation of said downwardly extending pipe portion and said plate means will cause said wiper means to rotate with respect to said electrical contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said electrical contact means comprises a ring shaped, electrically insulative member having a vertically disposed first wall, and a electrically conductive strip secured to and extending around said wall, said strip being electrically connected to said second lead means, said wiper means wiping upon said strip as said downwardly extending pipe portion rotates with respect to said upstanding pipe portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said strip is removably secured to said insulative member for replacement thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein a plurality of towers support said pipe means and wherein a plurality of insulative members are secured together in a vertically stacked relationship, means securing said members together, said wiper means comprising a plurality of wiper elements wiping upon the strips of the insulative members, each of said wiper elements being electrically connected to one of the electric power means on said towers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein each of said insulative members comprises a ring shaped, horizontally disposed top wall having inner and outer peripheries on inner wall extending vertically downwardly from the inner periphery of said top wall, said first wall extending downwardly from said top wall outwardly of said inner supporting and spaced therefrom, said top wall of said member supporting the lower ends of the iNner and first walls of the member immediately thereabove.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said collector ring means has vertically spaced apart, horizontally disposed ring shaped plates which rotatably embrace said stacked insulative members adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, bolt assemblies connecting said plates, said wiper elements being secured to and supported by said bolt assemblies in a vertically spaced relationship.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein a drive pin means connects the uppermost plate of said ring shaped plates to said first support means so that said ring shaped plates, bolt assemblies and wiper elements will be rotated as said downwardly extending pipe portion is rotated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2892593A
Cited
US3259319A
Cited
US3352493A
Cited
US3335958A
Cited
US3353750A
Cited
US3406907A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-02 | 1975-11-01 | 1976-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-02 | 1979-11-01 | 1980-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-02 | 1983-11-01 | 1984-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |