초록 ▼

Water is emitted directly onto the soil from drip lines pulled from a mobile drip irrigation device. The forward ends of the drip tubes are anchored and retained to establish relatively fixed intervals of spacing between the forward ends of the adjacent drip tubes to guide the drip tubes across the

Water is emitted directly onto the soil from drip lines pulled from a mobile drip irrigation device. The forward ends of the drip tubes are anchored and retained to establish relatively fixed intervals of spacing between the forward ends of the adjacent drip tubes to guide the drip tubes across the soil and through growing plants. A pressure-regulated constant-volume flow of water is emitted from ports in the drip tubes.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A mobile drip irrigation device having a water distribution conduit supported by a truss structure and motorized towers for movement above soil and having a plurality of elongated drip tubes operatively connected at their forward ends to receive water supplied from the water distribution conduit

1. A mobile drip irrigation device having a water distribution conduit supported by a truss structure and motorized towers for movement above soil and having a plurality of elongated drip tubes operatively connected at their forward ends to receive water supplied from the water distribution conduit and to contact and move over the soil during movement of the mobile drip irrigation device, each drip tube including a plurality of ports formed through the drip tube at predetermined intervals along the length of the drip tube to emit the water from the ports directly onto the soil to irrigate plants growing in the soil, the mobile drip irrigation device further comprising: an anchoring and retention structure which operatively retains the forward ends of the drip tubes at substantially fixed predetermined positions below the water distribution conduit and above the soil, the predetermined positions establishing relatively fixed intervals of spacing between the forward ends of the adjacent drip tubes;the anchoring and retention structure retaining the forward ends of the drip tubes against substantial movement away from the predetermined positions in directions both perpendicularly and longitudinally relative to the water distribution conduit;the anchoring and retention structure including at least one guide member operatively retaining the forward end of each drip tube to the truss structure to retain the forward end of the drip tube against substantial perpendicular movement relative to the water distribution conduit, andthe anchoring and retention structure operatively pulling the drip tubes from their forward ends to guide the drip tubes across the soil and through the plants during movement of the mobile drip irrigation device. 2. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 1, wherein: the predetermined positions of the forward ends of the drip tubes are within a distance of four feet above the soil. 3. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of substantially rigid drop tubes having upper and lower portions, the upper portion of each drop tube is connected to receive water from the water distribution conduit and the lower portion of each drop tube is connected to the forward end of one drip tube to supply the water to the connected drip tube; and wherein:the guide member operatively retains the forward end of the drip tube by extending between the truss structure and the lower portion of each drop tube. 4. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 3, wherein: the anchoring and retention structure connects to and retains the upper portion of each substantially rigid drop tube. 5. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 4, and wherein: the anchoring and retaining structure comprises an anchoring cable extending horizontally between adjacent motorized towers; andthe upper portion of each substantially rigid drop tube is connected to the anchoring cable to maintain the upper portion of each drop tube longitudinally relative to the water distribution conduit. 6. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 3, wherein the truss structure includes support frames located at spaced apart intervals along the length of the water distribution conduit and truss rods connected to the support frames and extending longitudinally along the water distribution conduit in front of and behind the water distribution conduit, and wherein: each guide member operatively extends from the lower portion of each drop tube to at least one truss rod. 7. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 6, wherein: each guide member comprises a plurality of guide wires;one guide wire extends forward from the lower portion of each drop tube to the truss rod in front of the water distribution conduit; andanother guide wire extends rearward from the lower portion of each drop tube to the truss rod behind the water distribution conduit. 8. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 1, wherein the anchoring and retention structure further comprises: at least one manifold positioned below the water distribution conduit and above the soil, the manifold connected to receive water from the water distribution conduit and to supply the water to a plurality of the drip tubes; and wherein:the forward ends of the plurality of drip tubes are connected to the manifold to receive the water from the manifold;the anchoring and retention structure retaining the manifold relative to the water distribution conduit to establish the predetermined positions from which the connected drip tubes are pulled and guided over the soil and through plants during movement of the mobile drip irrigation device, andthe guide member operatively retains the manifold to the truss structure. 9. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 8, wherein: the anchoring and retaining structure comprises an anchoring cable extending horizontally above and over the soil between adjacent motorized towers; andthe manifold is connected to the anchoring cable. 10. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 1, wherein each drip tube comprises: a leading section of relatively flexible hose at the forward end of each drip tube; anda water emitting section of relatively less flexible tubing connected to the leading section, the water emitting section including the water emitting ports for delivering water to the soil. 11. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 10, wherein: the leading section delivers all of the water received therein to the water emitting section. 12. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 10, wherein: the leading section has sufficient length to curve downwardly to orient the water emitting section essentially parallel to the soil. 13. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 10, wherein: the flexibility of the leading section is sufficient to guide the water emitting section through a reversal in direction of movement of the water distribution conduit without inducing a kink or permanent bend in either one of the leading section or the water emitting section. 14. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 10, wherein the water emitting section of the drip tube comprises: a plurality of constant-volume flow emitters located within the drip tube, each emitter associated with one of the ports, each emitter operatively responding to pressure of water within the drip tube to each deliver a constant-volume flow of water through the port with which each emitter is associated. 15. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a swivel coupling connected to the forward end of each drip tube to receive the water conducted from the water distribution conduit, the swivel coupling including an inlet portion which receives the water and an outlet portion which delivers the water to the drip tube, the inlet portion and the outlet portion operatively rotating with respect to one another while maintaining a fluid seal between the inlet and outlet portions. 16. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 15, wherein: the rotational movement of the inlet portion and the outlet portion is sufficient to guide the drip tube through a reversal in direction of movement of the water distribution conduit without inducing a kink or permanent bend in the drip tube. 17. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 14, wherein: the ports are positioned at fixed predetermined and equally spaced intervals along the length of the water emitting section of the drip tube. 18. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 1, wherein each drip tube comprises: a plurality of pressure responsive constant-volume flow emitters positioned within the drip tube and associated with the ports in the drip tube to deliver a constant-volume flow of water through each port. 19. A method of irrigating plants growing in soil by emitting water directly onto the soil from longitudinally positioned water emitting ports of elongated drip tubes pulled over the soil by a mobile drip irrigation device having a water distribution conduit supported by a truss structure and motorized towers for moving the water distribution conduit above and over soil, comprising: anchoring and retaining forward ends of the drip tubes at substantially fixed predetermined positions relative to the water distribution conduit to establish relatively fixed intervals of spacing between the forward ends of the adjacent drip tubes;operatively anchoring and retaining the forward ends of the drip tubes to the truss structure to retain the forward ends of the drip tubes against substantial movement from the fixed predetermined positions in a direction perpendicularly relative to the water distribution conduit;operatively anchoring and retaining the forward ends of the drip tubes to the motorized towers to substantially retain of the forward ends of the drip tubes against substantial movement from the fixed predetermined positions in a direction longitudinally relative to the water distribution conduit; andpulling and guiding the drip tubes across the soil and through the plants from the anchored and retained forward ends of the drip tubes with movement of the water distribution conduit by the mobile drip irrigation device. 20. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising: operatively anchoring and retaining the forward ends of the drip tubes above the soil at a distance of up to and including four feet above the soil. 21. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising: delivering water from the water distribution conduit to the forward end of each drip tube with a substantially rigid drop tube;connecting the forward end of each drip tube to a lower portion of each drop tube; andoperatively anchoring and retaining the lower portion of each drop tube to the truss structure to establish the predetermined position from which each connected drip tube is guided over the soil and through plants. 22. A method as defined in claim 21, further comprising: operatively anchoring and retaining an upper portion of each drop tube to the motorized towers to establish the lower portion of each drop tube at the predetermined position. 23. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising: delivering water from the water distribution conduit to a manifold which is separate from the water distribution conduit;connecting the forward end of each of a plurality of drip tubes to the manifold; andoperatively anchoring and retaining the manifold to establish the predetermined positions from which the drip tubes connected to the manifold are guided over the soil and through plants by operatively connecting the guide member from the manifold to the truss structure and by operatively connecting the anchoring member from the manifold to the motorized towers. 24. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising: constituting each drip tube from a leading section of relatively flexible hose and from a water emitting section of relatively less flexible tubing which is connected to the leading section, the water emitting section including the water emitting ports; andemitting the water directly onto the soil from the water emitting ports of the water emitting section. 25. A method as defined in claim 24, further comprising: curving the flexible hose section downwardly to orient the connected water emitting section essentially parallel to the soil. 26. A method as defined in claim 24, further comprising: guiding the water emitting section through a reversal in direction of movement of the water distribution conduit without inducing a kink or permanent bend in either one of the leading section or the water emitting section. 27. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising: delivering a constant-volume flow of water through each of the water emitting ports. 28. A mobile drip irrigation device having a water distribution conduit supported by a truss structure and motorized towers for movement above soil, comprising: a plurality of elongated drip tubes which contact and move over the soil during movement of the water distribution conduit, each drip tube including a forward end and a plurality of ports formed through the drip tube at predetermined intervals along the length of the drip tube to emit the water from the ports directly onto the soil to irrigate plants growing in the soil;a plurality of drop tubes having upper and lower portions, the upper portion of each drop tube is connected to the water distribution conduit to receive water from the water distribution conduit, the lower portion of each drop tube terminating at a position below the water supply conduit and above the soil, the lower portion of each drop tube connecting to the forward end of one drip tube to supply the water to the connected drip tube;a guide member operatively extending from the lower portion of each drop tube to the truss structure to retain the lower portion of each drop tube and the forward end of each drip tube against substantial movement perpendicularly relative to the water distribution conduit; andan anchor member operatively extending horizontally to at least one motorized tower and operatively connecting to and retaining the drop tube and the forward end of each drip tube against substantial movement longitudinally relative to the water distribution conduit; and wherein:the drop tube, the guide member and the anchor member establish substantially fixed positions of the forward ends of the drip tubes during movement of the drip tubes across the soil and through the plants during movement of the mobile drip irrigation device. 29. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 28, wherein: the drop tubes are substantially rigid. 30. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 29, wherein the truss structure includes support frames located at spaced apart intervals along the length of the water distribution conduit and truss rods connected to the support frames and extending longitudinally along the water distribution conduit in front of and behind the water distribution conduit, and wherein: a first guide member operatively extends from the lower portion of each drop tube to one truss rod in front of or behind the water distribution conduit and a second guide member operatively extends from the lower portion of each drop tube to the other truss rod. 31. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 28, wherein each drip tube comprises: a leading section of relatively flexible hose at the forward end of each drip tube; anda water emitting section of relatively less flexible tubing connected to the leading section, the water emitting section including the water emitting ports. 32. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 31, wherein: the leading section has sufficient length to curve downwardly to orient the water emitting section essentially parallel to the soil. 33. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 31, wherein: the flexibility of the leading section is sufficient to guide the water emitting section through a reversal in direction of movement of the water distribution conduit without inducing a kink or permanent bend in either one of the leading section or the water emitting section. 34. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 28, wherein the drip tube comprises: a plurality of constant-volume flow emitters located within the drip tube, each emitter associated with one of the ports, each emitter delivering a constant-volume flow of water through the port with which the emitter is associated. 35. A mobile drip irrigation device having a water distribution conduit supported by a truss structure and motorized towers for movement above soil and having a plurality of elongated drip tubes operatively connected at their forward ends to receive water supplied from the water distribution conduit and to contact and move over the soil during movement of the water distribution conduit, each drip tube including a plurality of ports formed through the drip tube at predetermined intervals along the length of the drip tube to emit the water from the ports directly onto the soil to irrigate plants growing in the soil, the mobile drip irrigation device further comprising: an anchoring and retention structure which operatively retains the forward ends of the drip tubes at substantially fixed predetermined positions below the water distribution conduit and above the soil, the predetermined positions establishing relatively fixed intervals of spacing between the forward ends of the adjacent drip tubes, the anchoring and retention structure operatively pulling the drip tubes from their forward ends to guide the drip tubes across the soil and through the plants during movement of the mobile drip irrigation device; andflexible connectors at the forward ends of the drip tubes which guide the drip tubes through a reversal in direction of movement of the water distribution conduit without inducing a kink or permanent bend in the drip tubes. 36. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 35, wherein each drip tube comprises: a leading section of relatively flexible hose at the forward end of each drip tube; anda water emitting section of relatively less flexible tubing connected to the leading section, the water emitting section including the water emitting ports for delivering water to the soil; and wherein:each flexible connector comprises the leading section of relatively flexible hose. 37. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 36, wherein: the leading section has sufficient length to curve downwardly to orient the water emitting section essentially parallel to the soil. 38. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 35, wherein: each flexible connector comprises a swivel coupling connected to the forward end of each drip tube, the swivel coupling including an inlet portion which receives the water and an outlet portion which delivers the water to the drip tube, the inlet portion and the outlet portion operatively rotating with respect to one another while maintaining a fluid seal between the inlet and outlet portions. 39. A method of irrigating plants growing in soil by emitting water directly onto the soil from water emitting ports of a plurality of elongated drip tubes pulled over the soil by a mobile drip irrigation device having a water distribution conduit which is moved over and above soil, each drip tube including a plurality of water emitting ports formed through the drip tube at predetermined intervals along the length of the drip tube to emit water through the ports directly into the soil to irrigate the plants, each drip tube receiving water supplied from the water distribution conduit, the method comprising: operatively anchoring and retaining forward ends of the drip tubes at substantially fixed predetermined positions relative to the water distribution conduit to establish relatively fixed intervals of spacing between the forward ends of the adjacent drip tubes by substantially retaining the forward ends of the drip tubes against movement from the fixed predetermined positions in a directions perpendicularly and longitudinally relative to the water distribution conduit;pulling and guiding the drip tubes across the soil and through the plants from the anchored and retained forward ends of the drip tubes with movement of the water distribution conduit by the mobile drip irrigation device; andflexibly retaining the forward ends of the drip tubes at their substantially fixed predetermined positions to guide the drip tubes through a reversal in direction without inducing a kink or permanent bend in the drip tubes. 40. A method as defined in claim 39, wherein each drip tube comprises a leading section of relatively flexible hose at the forward end of each drip tube and a water emitting section of relatively less flexible tubing connected to the leading section, the water emitting section including the water emitting ports, and wherein: flexibly retaining the forward ends of the drip tubes at their substantially fixed predetermined positions during a reversal in direction of movement of the water distribution conduit includes flexing the leading section to avoid inducing a kink or permanent bend in the water emitting section of the drip tube during a reversal in the direction of movement of the water distribution conduit. 41. A method as defined in claim 40, wherein: extending the leading section a sufficient length to curve downwardly to orient the water emitting section essentially parallel to the soil. 42. A method as defined in claim 39, wherein: flexibly retaining the forward ends of the drip tubes at their substantially fixed predetermined positions during a reversal in direction of movement of the water distribution conduit comprises:connecting a swivel coupling to the forward end of each drip tube; androtating an output portion of the swivel coupling relative to an inlet portion of the swivel coupling during a reversal in direction of movement of the water distribution conduit. 43. A mobile drip irrigation device having a water distribution conduit supported by a truss structure and motorized towers for movement above soil, comprising: a plurality of elongated drip tubes which contact and move over the soil during movement of the water distribution conduit, each drip tube including a forward end and a plurality of ports formed through the drip tube at predetermined intervals along the length of the drip tube to emit the water from the ports directly onto the soil to irrigate plants growing in the soil;a manifold positioned below the water distribution conduit and above the soil, the manifold connected to receive water from the water distribution conduit;the forward end of each drip tube connected to the manifold to move in conjunction with the manifold, each drip tube receiving water from the manifold;an anchor member operatively extending horizontally to at least one motorized tower and operatively connecting to and retaining the manifold and the forward end of each drip tube against substantial movement longitudinally relative to the water distribution conduit;a guide member operatively extending from the anchor member to the truss structure to retain each manifold and the forward end of each drip tube against substantial movement perpendicularly relative to the water distribution conduit; and wherein:the manifold, the guide member and the anchor member establish substantially fixed positions of the forward ends of the drip tubes during movement of the drip tubes across the soil and through the plants during movement of the mobile drip irrigation device. 44. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 43, wherein the truss structure includes support frames located at spaced apart intervals along the length of the water distribution conduit and truss rods connected to the support frames and extending longitudinally along the water distribution conduit in front of and behind the water distribution conduit, and wherein: a first guide member operatively extends from the anchor member to one truss rod in front of or behind the water distribution conduit and a second guide member operatively extends from the anchor member to the other truss rod. 45. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 43, wherein each drip tube comprises: a leading section of relatively flexible hose at the forward end of each drip tube; anda water emitting section of relatively less flexible tubing connected to the leading section, the water emitting section including the water emitting ports. 46. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 45, wherein: the leading section has sufficient length to curve downwardly to orient the water emitting section essentially parallel to the soil. 47. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 45, wherein: the flexibility of the leading section is sufficient to guide the water emitting section through a reversal in direction of movement of the water distribution conduit without inducing a kink or permanent bend in either one of the leading section or the water emitting section. 48. A mobile drip irrigation device as defined in claim 43, wherein the drip tube comprises: a plurality of constant-volume flow emitters located within the drip tube, each emitter associated with one of the ports, each emitter delivering a constant-volume flow of water through the port with which the emitter is associated.