Linear-feed irrigation apparatus and related method
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B05B-003/00
B05B-003/18
B05B-009/00
B05B-001/20
B05B-001/14
B05B-003/02
출원번호
US-0892494
(2004-07-16)
발명자
/ 주소
Sinden,Joseph D.
Ness,Rex D.
Leinweber,Chad D.
Berrier,Richard J.
Nelson,Craig
Rupar,Robert
출원인 / 주소
Nelson Irrigation Corporation
대리인 / 주소
Nixon &
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
5인용 특허 :
23
초록▼
A linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation includes a linear-move machine with a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated. The truss assembly is oriented transverse to
A linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation includes a linear-move machine with a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated. The truss assembly is oriented transverse to the specified direction, and a supply pipe is arranged in the specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated. The supply pipe mounts a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along the pipe, each of the hydrants enclosing a water supply valve. A docking station is supported at one end of the truss assembly closest to the supply pipe, and is adapted to engage and open successive ones of the water supply valves in the plurality of hydrants. The docking station assembly includes a docking station that is suspended from a frame for floating movement about at least three mutually perpendicular axes.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation comprising: a linear-move machine including a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss ass
What is claimed is: 1. A linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation comprising: a linear-move machine including a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss assembly oriented transverse to the specified direction; a supply pipe arranged in said specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated, said supply pipe mounting a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along said pipe, each of said hydrants enclosing a water supply valve; and a docking station supported at one end of said truss assembly closest to said supply pipe, and adapted to engage and open successive ones of said water supply valves in said plurality of hydrants, said docking station assembly including a docking station suspended from a first frame for floating movement about at least three mutually perpendicular axes. 2. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said first frame is secured to a trolley movable in a direction substantially transverse to said specified direction. 3. The linear water feed system of claim 2 wherein said trolley is secured to an elongated side beam on said one end of said truss assembly, said side beam oriented in said specified direction; said trolley, first frame and docking station adjustably movable in opposite directions along said side beam. 4. The linear water feed system of claim 3 wherein said docking station is suspended from an upper portion of said first frame by a plurality of springs. 5. The linear water feed system of claim 3 wherein a plurality of compressible tie rods extend substantially horizontally between said docking station and a lower portion of said first frame. 6. The linear water feed system of claim 2 wherein said trolley comprises a pair of rails extending between fixed plates at opposite ends of said rods, said rails extending substantially transversely of said specified direction, said first frame including rollers engaged with said rails to permit said first frame to roll along said rails between said fixed plates. 7. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said truss assembly is supported by a plurality of towers, each tower having a pair of wheels; one of said plurality of towers comprising a drive tower supported on a pair of drive wheels, said docking station assembly supported on said drive tower. 8. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said docking station is suspended from an upper portion of said first frame by a plurality of springs. 9. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of spring-loaded, compressible tie rods extend substantially horizontally between said docking station and a lower portion of said first frame. 10. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said first frame mounts a first pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending forward of and angling laterally away from said docking station. 11. The linear water feed system of claim 10 wherein said first frame mounts a second pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending rearward of and angling laterally away from said docking station. 12. The linear water feed system of claim 11 and further including a first substantially horizontal guide wing extending forwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station. 13. The linear water feed system of claim 12 and further including a second substantially horizontal guide wing extending rearwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station. 14. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator located between a pair of housings, said housings each supporting at least one pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes, a pair of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers for rotation about parallel vertical axes, an inwardly-facing open channel member, and a side guide roller projecting through an aperture in said open channel member. 15. The linear water feed system of claim 14 wherein each housing supports a second pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes. 16. The linear water feed system of claim 15 wherein said first and second pair of cooperating guide wheels, said pair of axially spaced rollers, said open channel member and said side guide roller of each housing together define a docking space adapted to receive a horizontally oriented flange on each of said hydrants. 17. The linear water feed system of claim 14 wherein said axially spaced, forward and rearward rollers are substantially hourglass-shaped. 18. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said docking station supports a forward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position. 19. The linear water feed system of claim 18 wherein said docking station supports a rearward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position. 20. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of hydrants include a riser fixed to said supply pipe, and a substantially cylindrical water supply valve housing attached to said riser, said cylindrical water supply valve housing enclosing a water supply valve, said housing provided with an exterior radial flange adapted to be engaged by said docking station. 21. The linear water feed system of claim 20 wherein said radial flange is round. 22. The linear water feed system of claim 20 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator including a piston/cylinder component movable into and out of engagement with said water supply valve in said hydrant. 23. The linear water feed system of claim 22 wherein said piston/cylinder includes cylindrical portions extending in opposite directions from a piston portion therebetween, said piston/cylinder supported in a generally cylindrical housing having an enlarged diameter portion, said piston portion confined to movement in said enlarged diameter portion. 24. The linear water feed system of claim 23 wherein a first rolling diaphragm is connected between an upper end of said piston portion and said housing to define a first cavity in said enlarged diameter portion. 25. The linear water feed system of claim 24 wherein a second rolling diaphragm is connected between a lower end of said piston portion and said housing to define a second cavity in said enlarged diameter portion. 26. The linear water feed system of claim 25 wherein said first and second cavities are in selective fluid communication with a source of liquid under pressure. 27. The linear water feed system of claim 26 wherein said liquid is water. 28. The linear water feed system of claim 27 wherein, when said docking station is aligned with said hydrant, and when liquid under pressure is supplied to said first cavity, said piston/cylinder is extended into said hydrant to engage and open said water supply valve. 29. The linear water feed system of claim 28 wherein said water supply valve is normally biased to a closed position, and when liquid in said first cavity is vented to atmosphere and liquid under pressure is supplied to said second cavity, said piston/cylinder is withdrawn from said hydrant; permitting said water supply valve to move to the closed position. 30. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said water supply pipe is above ground. 31. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said water supply pipe is below ground. 32. The linear water feed system of claim 1 including means for guiding the linear-move machine in said specified direction. 33. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said docking station and said hydrant are provided with cooperating means for opening and closing said water supply valve. 34. The linear water feed system of claim 1 and further comprising means for automatically moving said docking station along said side beam to predetermined locations at predetermined times. 35. A linear water feed for use in agricultural irrigation comprising: a linear water feed machine including a wheel-mounted truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss assembly oriented transverse to the specified direction; a supply pipe arranged in said specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated, said supply pipe mounting a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along said pipe, each of said hydrants enclosing a water supply valve; and a hydrant docking station supported on a first frame that is attached to an end of said truss assembly closest to said supply pipe, adapted to locate, engage and open successive ones of said water supply valves in said plurality of hydrants, said docking station supported for movement on a trolley in a direction substantially transverse to said specified direction, wherein said trolley includes a pair of parallel rails extending beyond said wheeled truss assembly, and further wherein said first frame is provided with plural rollers engaged with each of said parallel rails. 36. The linear water feed of claim 35 wherein means are provided for resiliently holding said trolley in a generally laterally-centered position along said rails. 37. The linear water feed of claim 35 wherein said trolley is movably mounted on an elongated side beam on said end of said truss assembly, said side beam oriented in said specified direction; said trolley adjustably movable in opposite linear directions along said side beam. 38. The linear water feed of claim 37 wherein means are provided for locking said trolley at locations along said side beam. 39. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein said docking station is suspended from said first frame by a plurality of springs. 40. The linear water feed system of claim 39 wherein a plurality of compressible tie rods extend substantially horizontally between said docking station and a lower portion of said first frame. 41. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein said first frame mounts a first pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending forwardly of and angling laterally away from said docking station. 42. The linear water feed system of claim 41 wherein said first frame mounts a second pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending rearward of and angling laterally away from said docking station. 43. The linear water feed system of claim 41 and further including a first substantially horizontal guide wing extending forwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station. 44. The linear water feed system of claim 43 and further including a second substantially horizontal guide wing extending rearwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station. 45. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator located between a pair of housings, said housings each supporting at least one pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes, a pair of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers for rotation about parallel vertical axes, an inwardly-facing open channel member, and a side guide roller projecting through an aperture in said open channel member. 46. The linear water feed system of claim 45 wherein each housing supports a second pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes. 47. The linear water feed system of claim 46 wherein said first and second pair of cooperating guide wheels, said pair of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers, said open channel member and said side guide roller of each housing together define a docking space adapted to receive a horizontally oriented flange on each of said hydrants. 48. The linear water feed system of claim 45 wherein said pairs of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers are substantially hourglass-shaped. 49. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein said docking station supports a forward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position. 50. The linear water feed system of claim 49 wherein said docking station supports a rearward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position. 51. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein each of said plurality of hydrants include a riser fixed to said supply pipe, and a substantially cylindrical water supply valve housing attached to said riser, said cylindrical water supply valve housing enclosing a water supply valve, said housing provided with an exterior radial flange adapted to be engaged by said docking station. 52. The linear water feed system of claim 51 wherein said radial flange is round. 53. The linear water feed system of claim 51 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator including a piston/cylinder component movable into and out of engagement with said water supply valve. 54. The linear water feed system of claim 53 wherein said piston/cylinder includes cylindrical portions extending in opposite directions from a piston portion therebetween, said piston/cylinder supported in a generally cylindrical housing having an enlarged diameter portion, said piston portion confined to movement in said enlarged diameter portion. 55. The linear water feed system of claim 54 wherein a first rolling diaphragm is connected between an upper end of said piston portion and said housing to define a first cavity in said enlarged diameter portion. 56. The linear water feed system of claim 55 wherein a second rolling diaphragm is connected between a lower end of said piston portion and said housing to define a second cavity in said enlarged diameter portion. 57. The linear water feed system of claim 56 wherein said first and second cavities are in selective fluid communication with a source of liquid under pressure. 58. The linear water feed system of claim 57 wherein said liquid is water. 59. The linear water feed system of claim 58 wherein, when said docking station is aligned with said hydrant, and when liquid under pressure is supplied to said first cavity, said piston/cylinder is extended into said hydrant to engage and open said water supply valve. 60. The linear water feed system of claim 59 wherein said water supply valve is normally biased to a closed position, and when liquid in said first cavity is vented to atmosphere and liquid under pressure is supplied to said second cavity, said piston/cylinder is withdrawn from said hydrant; permitting said water supply valve to move to the closed position. 61. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein said docking station and said hydrant are provided with cooperating means for opening and closing said water supply valve. 62. A linear water feed for use in agricultural irrigation comprising: a linear water feed machine including a wheel-mounted truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss assembly oriented transverse to the specified direction; a supply pipe arranged in said specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated, said supply pipe mounting a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along said pipe, each of said hydrants enclosing a water supply valve; and a docking station supported on a first frame that is attached to an end of said truss assembly closest to said supply pipe, and adapted to engage and open successive ones of said water supply valves in said plurality of hydrants; wherein said docking station is supported at said one end of said truss assembly by means for allowing said docking station to move in up and down, side-to-side and front to back directions, and for allowing said docking station to simultaneously tilt and swivel relative to said first frame. 63. The linear water feed system of claim 62 wherein said first frame mounts a first pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending forward of and angling laterally away from said docking station. 64. The linear water feed system of claim 63 wherein said first frame mounts a second pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending rearward of and angling laterally away from said docking station. 65. The linear water feed system of claim 64 and further including a first substantially horizontal guide wing extending forwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station. 66. The linear water feed system of claim 65 and further including a second substantially horizontal guide wing extending rearwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station. 67. The linear water feed system of claim 62 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator located between a pair of housings, said housings each supporting at least one pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes, a pair of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers for rotation about parallel vertical axes, an inwardly-facing open channel member, and a side guide roller projecting through an aperture in said open channel member. 68. The linear water feed system of claim 67 wherein each housing supports a second pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes. 69. The linear water feed system of claim 68 wherein said first and second pair of cooperating guide wheels, said pair of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers, said open channel member and said side guide roller of each housing together define a docking space adapted to receive a horizontally oriented flange on each of said hydrants. 70. The linear water feed system of claim 67 wherein said pairs of axially spaced, forward and rearward rollers are substantially hourglass-shaped. 71. The linear water feed system of claim 62 wherein said docking station supports a forward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position. 72. The linear water feed system of claim 71 wherein said docking station supports a rearward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position. 73. The linear water feed system of claim 62 wherein each of said plurality of hydrants include a riser fixed to said supply pipe, and a substantially cylindrical water supply valve housing attached to said riser, said cylindrical water supply valve housing enclosing a water supply valve, said housing provided with an exterior radial flange adapted to be engaged by said docking station. 74. The linear water feed system of claim 73 wherein said radial flange is round. 75. The linear water feed system of claim 73 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator including a piston/cylinder component movable into and out of engagement with said water supply valve. 76. The linear water feed system of claim 75 wherein said piston/cylinder includes cylindrical portions extending in opposite directions from a piston portion therebetween, said piston/cylinder supported in a generally cylindrical housing having an enlarged diameter portion, said piston portion confined to movement in said enlarged diameter portion. 77. The linear water feed system of claim 76 wherein a first rolling diaphragm is connected between an upper end of said piston portion and said housing to define a first cavity in said enlarged diameter portion. 78. The linear water feed system of claim 77 wherein a second rolling diaphragm is connected between a lower end of said piston portion and said housing to define a second cavity in said enlarged diameter portion. 79. The linear water feed system of claim 78 wherein said first and second cavities are in selective fluid communication with a source of liquid under pressure. 80. The linear water feed system of claim 79 wherein said liquid is water. 81. The linear water feed system of claim 80 wherein, when said docking station is aligned with said hydrant, and when liquid under pressure is supplied to said first cavity, said piston/cylinder is extended into said hydrant to engage and open said water supply valve. 82. The linear water feed system of claim 81 wherein said water supply valve is normally biased to a closed position, and when liquid in said first cavity is vented to atmosphere and liquid under pressure is supplied to said second cavity, said piston/cylinder is withdrawn from said hydrant, permitting said water supply valve to move to the closed position. 83. The linear water feed system of claim 62 wherein said docking station and said hydrant are provided with cooperating means for opening and closing said water supply valve.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (23)
Meyer Larry P. (Walla Walla WA), Access assembly for underground irrigation systems and accessing assembly cooperable therewith.
Nelson, Craig B.; Bauman, Mark A.; Ness, Rex D.; Sinden, Joseph Daniel; Leinweber, Chad Daniel, Continuous-feed linear irrigator with separate or integrated docking devices and related method.
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