Traveling sprinkler incorporating automatic water supply valve docking station
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B05B-003/00
B05B-003/18
A01G-025/09
A01G-025/00
출원번호
US-0921296
(2004-08-19)
등록번호
US-7300004
(2007-11-27)
발명자
/ 주소
Sinden,Joseph Daniel
Ness,Rex Daniel
Leinweber,Chad Daniel
Berrier,Richard John
Nelson,Craig
Nelson,Barton R.
출원인 / 주소
Nelson Irrigation Corporation
대리인 / 주소
Nixon & Vanderhye, PC
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
22인용 특허 :
34
초록▼
A docking station module for fluidly connecting a mobile irrigation apparatus to a stationary hydrant water supply valve mounted on a water supply pipe, the module comprising a hydrant valve actuator resiliently suspended from a frame for floating movement in at least three mutually substantially pe
A docking station module for fluidly connecting a mobile irrigation apparatus to a stationary hydrant water supply valve mounted on a water supply pipe, the module comprising a hydrant valve actuator resiliently suspended from a frame for floating movement in at least three mutually substantially perpendicular directions relative to the hydrant water supply valve.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A docking station module for fluidly connecting a sprinkler on a mobile irrigation apparatus to a stationary hydrant water supply valve mounted on a water supply pipe, the module comprising a frame; a hydrant valve actuator in fluid communication with a hose adapted to feed w
What is claimed is: 1. A docking station module for fluidly connecting a sprinkler on a mobile irrigation apparatus to a stationary hydrant water supply valve mounted on a water supply pipe, the module comprising a frame; a hydrant valve actuator in fluid communication with a hose adapted to feed water from the hydrant water supply valve to a sprinkler, said hydrant valve actuator resiliently suspended from said frame for floating movement in at least three mutually substantially perpendicular directions relative to said frame and to said hydrant water supply valve. 2. The docking station module of claim 1 wherein said hydrant valve actuator is suspended from the frame by a plurality of vertically-oriented springs. 3. The docking station module of claim 2 wherein said plurality of springs comprise four coil springs. 4. The docking station module of claim 1 wherein said hydrant valve actuator is sandwiched 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. 5. The docking station module of claim 4 wherein each housing supports a second pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes. 6. The docking station module of claim 5 wherein said first and second pair of cooperating guide wheels, said pair of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers, said inwardly-facing 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. 7. The docking station module of claim 4 wherein said axially spaced, forward and rearward rollers are substantially hourglass-shaped. 8. The docking station module of claim 1 wherein said frame supports a portable power supply for driving the mobile irrigation apparatus. 9. The docking station module of claim 8 wherein said power supply comprises a pair of 12-volt batteries. 10. The docking station module of claim 1 wherein said frame mounts a first pair of substantially vertically-oriented guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending forward of and angling laterally away from said docking station. 11. The docking station module of claim 10 wherein said frame mounts a second pair of substantially vertically-oriented guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending rearward of and angling laterally away from said docking station. 12. The docking station module of claim 11 and further including a first substantially horizontally-oriented guide wing extending forwardly of, and angling upwardly away from, said docking station. 13. The docking station module of claim 12 and further including a second substantially horizontally-oriented guide wing extending rearwardly of, and angling upwardly away from, said docking station. 14. The docking station module of claim 1 wherein said hydrant valve actuator comprises a plunger adapted to move into and out of the hydrant water supply valve. 15. The docking station module of claim 14 and further comprising at least one pressure accumulator tank carried on the mobile irrigation apparatus and fluidly connected to said hydrant valve actuator for supplying water under pressure to a chamber above said plunger, thereby moving said plunger downwardly into the hydrant to open said water supply valve. 16. The docking station module of claim 15 wherein the pressure accumulator is adapted to be refilled with water from the water supply pipe. 17. The docking station module of claim 16 wherein each of said docking stops is driven by a respective actuator. 18. A docking station module for fluidly connecting a mobile irrigation apparatus to a stationary hydrant water supply valve mounted on a water supply pipe, the module comprising a hydrant valve actuator resiliently suspended from a frame for floating movement in at least three mutually substantially perpendicular directions relative to the hydrant water supply valve; wherein said hydrant valve actuator is suspended from the frame by a plurality of vertically-oriented springs; and wherein said module includes a housing and at least one pair of resiliently substantially horizontally-oriented, compressible tie rods that are connected by means of universal bushings between said frame and said housing. 19. The docking station module of claim 18 wherein at least one pair of resiliently substantially horizontally-oriented, compressible tie rods are connected by means of universal bushings between said frame and said hydrant valve actuator. 20. The docking station module of claim 19 wherein said at least one pair of tie rods comprises two pair of tie rods, one pair on each of two opposite sides of the hydrant valve actuator. 21. A docking station module for fluidly connecting a mobile irrigation apparatus to a stationary hydrant water supply valve mounted on a water supply pipe, the module comprising a hydrant valve actuator resiliently suspended from a frame for floating movement in at least three mutually substantially perpendicular directions relative to the hydrant water supply valve; and wherein said hydrant valve actuator is attached to a housing, said housing provided with a tapered shroud extending forward of the housing for guiding the docking station module into alignment with the hydrant water supply valve. 22. The docking station module of claim 21 wherein at least one docking stop is pivotally secured to a rearward end of said housing for movement between retracted and extended positions such that, in use, and when in said extended position, said docking stop will be engaged by the water supply valve, causing the mobile irrigation apparatus to stop. 23. The docking station module of claim 22 wherein a docking stop limit switch is mounted on said rearward end of said housing and adapted for engagement by said water supply valve, said docking stop limit switch located forward of said docking stop such that tripping of said limit switch by said water supply valve will cause said docking stop to be moved from said retracted to said extended position. 24. The docking station module of claim 22 wherein a second docking stop is pivotally secured to a forward end of said housing for movement between retracted and extended positions. 25. A traveling sprinkler apparatus comprising: a cart adapted for movement along a path defined by water supply pipe having a plurality of spaced hydrants thereon; a sprinkler mounted on said cart; a power source carried on the cart for moving the cart along the path; a docking station including a housing having a body portion and a valve actuator adapted for successively engaging the plurality of spaced hydrants, and for opening valves contained in said hydrants, said docking station resiliently suspended from said cart for substantially free-floating movement relative to said cart and to said hydrants; and a hose operatively connected between said valve actuator and said sprinkler. 26. The traveling sprinkler of claim 25 wherein the cart includes a substantially rigid frame, said docking station resiliently suspended from said frame by a plurality of vertically arranged coil springs. 27. The traveling sprinkler of claim 26 wherein at least one pair of resiliently substantially horizontally-oriented, compressible tie rods are connected between said frame and said housing, using universal bushings to permit said floating movement. 28. The traveling sprinkler of claim 27 wherein said at least one pair of tie rods comprises two pair of tie rods, one pair on each of two opposite sides of the hydrant valve actuator. 29. The traveling sprinkler of claim 28 wherein said two pair of tie rods are secured between said frame and said housing by universal bushings. 30. The traveling sprinkler of claim 26 wherein said frame mounts a first pair of substantially vertically-oriented guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending forward of and angling laterally away from said docking station. 31. The traveling sprinkler of claim 30 wherein said frame mounts a second pair of substantially vertically-oriented guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending rearward of and angling laterally away from said docking station. 32. The traveling sprinkler of claim 31 and further including a first substantially horizontally-oriented guide wing extending forwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station. 33. The traveling sprinkler of claim 32 and further including a second substantially horizontally-oriented guide wing extending rearwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station. 34. The traveling sprinkler of claim 25 wherein said housing includes a pair of housings, and said hydrant valve actuator is sandwiched between said pair of housings, said pair of 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. 35. The traveling sprinkler of claim 25 wherein said housing includes a pair of housings, each of said pair of housings support two pair of cooperating guide wheels for rotation about horizontal axes, and adapted to engage upper and lower surfaces of a flange on each of said hydrants. 36. The traveling sprinkler of claim 35 and further comprising at least one pair of laterally-spaced, hour-glass-shaped guide rollers mounted on said body portion for rotation about substantially vertical axes, and adapted to engage side surfaces of said flange. 37. The traveling sprinkler of claim 25 wherein said power source comprises a pair of batteries supported on said frame. 38. The traveling sprinkler of claim 37 wherein said pair of batteries are 12-volt batteries. 39. The traveling sprinkler of claim 25 wherein at least one docking stop is pivotally secured to a rearward end of said housing for movement between retracted and extended positions such that, in use, and when in said extended position, said docking stop will be engaged by the water supply valve, causing the cart to stop. 40. The traveling sprinkler of claim 39 wherein a docking stop proximity switch is mounted on said at least one docking stop, said proximity switch located at a forward end of said docking stop such that tripping of said proximity switch by approach of said water supply valve will cause power to said cart to be cut. 41. The traveling sprinkler of claim 25 including a PLC carried on the cart and adapted to control movement of the cart and operation of the sprinkler. 42. The traveling sprinkler of claim 25 wherein said cart includes a pair of drive wheels operatively connected to said power source; and at least one pair of guide wheels adapted to follow the water supply pipe. 43. The traveling sprinkler of claim 42 wherein said guide wheels rotate about axles arranged at an acute angle relative to horizontal. 44. The traveling sprinkler of claim 25 including a tapered shroud extending forwardly of said housing. 45. The traveling sprinkler of claim 25 wherein said docking station includes a first frame, said docking station and said first frame supported for lateral movement on a pair of horizontal rails extending between side rails of the cart. 46. The traveling sprinkler of claim 45 wherein said docking station is normally resiliently centered along said pair of horizontal rails. 47. The traveling sprinkler of claim 25 and further comprising at least one pressure accumulator tank carried on the mobile irrigation apparatus and fluidly connected to said hydrant valve actuator for supplying water under pressure to a chamber above said plunger, thereby moving said plunger downwardly into the hydrant to open said water supply valve. 48. The traveling sprinkler of claim 47 wherein the pressure accumulator is adapted to be refilled with water from the water supply pipe. 49. The traveling sprinkler of claim 39 wherein a second docking stop is pivotally secured to a forward end of said housing for movement between retracted and extended positions. 50. The traveling sprinkler of claim 46 wherein said hydrant valve actuator comprises a plunger adapted to move into and out of the hydrant water supply valve. 51. The traveling sprinkler of claim 50 and further comprising at least one pressure accumulator tank carried on the mobile irrigation apparatus and fluidly connected to said hydrant valve actuator for supplying water under pressure to a chamber above said plunger, thereby moving said plunger downwardly into the hydrant to open said water supply valve. 52. The traveling sprinkler of claim 51 wherein the pressure accumulator is adapted to be refilled with water from the water supply pipe. 53. The traveling sprinkler of claim 25 wherein the cart includes a substantially rigid frame and wherein said docking station is resiliently suspended from a docking station supporting frame movable relative to said rigid frame in a direction transverse to said path. 54. The traveling sprinkler of claim 53 wherein said rigid frame includes a pair of rigid rails and said docking station supporting frame is provided with rollers engaged with said rails for permitting rolling movement of said docking station in opposite directions along said rails. 55. The traveling sprinkler of claim 54 wherein said docking station and said docking station supporting frame are resiliently centered along said rails. 56. An automatic traveling sprinkler comprising: a cart including a cart frame; a plurality of wheels attached to said cart frame, including a pair of drive wheels for moving said cart between a plurality of water supply valves projecting upwardly from a water supply pipe; a power supply supported on said cart frame and operatively connected to said pair of drive wheels; a sprinkler mounted on said cart frame; a floating docking station resiliently suspended from said cart frame for movement in plural directions relative to said cart frame, said docking station supporting a valve actuator adapted to engage and open one of said water supply valves when said docking station has aligned said valve-actuating cylinder with said one water supply valve; and a hose extending between said valve-actuating cylinder and said sprinkler. 57. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 56 wherein said power supply comprises a pair of 12-volt batteries. 58. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 56 wherein a plunger within said valve actuator is adapted to engage and open said water supply valve. 59. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 56 wherein the water supply pipe is above ground, and said plurality of wheels include at least one pair of guide wheels adapted to engage and follow the water supply pipe. 60. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 56 wherein said at least one pair of guide wheels comprises two pairs of guide wheels, one pair adjacent the other, at a forward end of said cart. 61. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 60 wherein said two pairs of guide wheels have respective axes of rotation arranged at opposite acute angles relative to ground. 62. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 61 wherein said opposite acute angles are between about 30째-45째. 63. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 57 wherein said drive wheels are operatively connected through a transverse drive shaft to a gearbox motor powered by said pair of 12-volt batteries. 64. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 56 and further comprising a programmable logic controller supported on said cart frame for controlling movement of said cart, and operation of said sprinkler and said valve-actuating cylinder. 65. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 56 wherein said docking station includes a housing and a tapered shroud for guiding the docking station into alignment with the water supply valve. 66. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 56 wherein at least one docking stop is pivotally secured to a rearward end of said housing for movement between retracted and extended positions such that, when in said extended position, said docking stop will be engaged by the water supply valve, causing the cart to stop. 67. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 66 wherein a docking stop proximity switch is mounted on said docking stop, said proximity switch mounted on a forward end of said docking stop such that tripping of said proximity switch by approach of said water supply valve will cause power to said cart to be cut. 68. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 66 wherein a fluid actuator is operatively connected to said at least one docking stop by a plurality of links. 69. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 68 wherein said at least one docking stop is secured to a shaft rotatably supported on said rearward end of said housing, a drive link on said shaft connected to said plurality of links. 70. The automatic traveling sprinkler of claim 56 wherein said docking station is resiliently suspended from said cart by a plurality of tie rods and a plurality of elongated coil springs. 71. An automatic sprinkler comprising a wheeled cart having a frame and an electromechanical drive thereon for moving the cart along a path defined by a plurality of spaced water supply valves; a docking station mounted on said frame for free-floating movement in at least three mutually perpendicular directions relative to said frame and adapted to align with and engage, successively, individual ones of said plurality of water supply valves as the cart approaches the water supply valves, wherein the docking station supports a valve actuator having a plunger operable to open the water supply valve; and a pressure accumulator supported on said cart frame and arranged to supply the valve actuator with water under pressure. 72. An automatic traveling sprinkler comprising: a cart including a cart frame; a plurality of wheels attached to said cart frame, including a pair of drive wheels for moving said cart between a plurality of water supply valves projecting inwardly from a water supply pipe; a power supply supported on said cart frame and operatively connected to said pair of drive wheels; a sprinkler mounted on said cart frame; and a floating docking station resiliently suspended from said cart frame for limited movement in plural directions relative to said cart frame, said docking station supporting a valve-actuating cylinder adapted to engage and open one of said water supply valves when said docking station has aligned said valve-actuating cylinder with said one water supply valve; wherein said docking station includes a housing and a tapered shroud for guiding the docking station into alignment with the water supply valve; and wherein said docking station is resiliently suspended from said cart for free-floating movement relative to said cart. 73. An automatic traveling sprinkler comprising a cart; first means on the cart for moving the cart along a path defined by a water supply pipe; second means for aligning with, engaging and actuating, successively, a plurality of water supply valves arranged along the pipe; a sprinkler mounted on the cart and in fluid communication with said second means; and third means mounted on said cart for controlling operation of said first and second means. 74. A method of operating a water supply valve actuator carried on a wheeled mobile irrigation cart having at least one sprinkler thereon comprising: (a) moving the wheeled mobile irrigation cart to a position where the water supply valve actuator is aligned directly over a water supply valve supported on a water supply pipe; (b) driving a valve actuator component downwardly into the water supply valve to open the water supply valve, using water under pressure stored in at least one pressure accumulator supported on the wheeled mobile irrigation cart, thereby permitting water to flow to the sprinkler through a hose converted to the water supply valve actuator; (c) after a predetermined time interval, halting flow of water to the sprinkler and recharging said at least one pressure accumulator with water from the water supply pipe; then (d) withdrawing the valve actuator component from the water supply valve; and (e) moving the wheeled mobile irrigation cart to another water supply valve on the water supply pipe. 75. A method of operating a water supply valve actuator carried on a wheeled mobile irrigation cart having at least one sprinkler thereon comprising: (a) moving the wheeled mobile irrigation cart to a position where the water supply valve actuator is aligned directly over a water supply supported on a water supply pipe; (b) driving a valve actuator component downwardly into the water supply valve to open the water supply valve, using water in a pressure accumulator mounted in the wheeled mobile irrigation cart obtained from a previously opened water supply valve to thereby feed water through a hose converted to said water supply valve actuator to said sprinkler; and (c) before withdrawing the valve actuator component, recharging the pressure accumulator with water for use in opening the next water supply valve to be opened.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (34)
Meyer Larry P. (Walla Walla WA), Access assembly for underground irrigation systems and accessing assembly cooperable therewith.
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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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