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A fully automated land irrigation system to irrigate regular and irregular shapes of land. The system includes an expanse of water delivery pipe moved laterally while irrigating adjacent to a stationary row of spaced access valves supplied by a water main. A swing arm is pivotally mounted to one end

A fully automated land irrigation system to irrigate regular and irregular shapes of land. The system includes an expanse of water delivery pipe moved laterally while irrigating adjacent to a stationary row of spaced access valves supplied by a water main. A swing arm is pivotally mounted to one end of the delivery pipe and a valve coupler is mounted to the opposite free swinging swing arm end. Valve connection is made and the delivery pipe irrigates while traveling to the next successive access valve. The coupler is then disconnected from the valve and the free swing arm end and coupler are ground pivoted to the next valve where connection is again made. Delivery pipe travel results in rotation of the swing arm about the valve connection. This rotation feature also enables the swing arm and the water delivery pipe to the pivoted about a valve as an anchor to a similar position on the opposite side of the water main. The invention includes a new apparatus for raising and lowering the swing arm end and coupler thus coupling and uncoupling to a valve. Also, vertical position measuring shortens the time spent coupling and uncoupling. A new coupler apparatus improves reliability and component life. A new delivery pipe navigator simplifies positioning of the delivery pipe relative to the row of access valves and provides geographic position information incorporated when selectively varying the amount of water being applied from along the delivery pipe length as the irrigator travels.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus to connect a movable irrigation water delivery pipe to a succession of water main access valves comprising:a connector attached to the delivery pipe and configured to selectively connect the delivery pipe to the individual access valves; wherein the connector comprises: a swing arm m

1. An apparatus to connect a movable irrigation water delivery pipe to a succession of water main access valves comprising:a connector attached to the delivery pipe and configured to selectively connect the delivery pipe to the individual access valves; wherein the connector comprises: a swing arm mounted to the water delivery pipe; a swing arm length adjuster mounted to the swing arm; and a sway inhibitor mounted to at least one of the swing arm or the swing arm length adjuster and configured to provide rigidity to at least one of the swing arm or the swing arm length adjuster.