Abstract: The present invention provides an improved pole assembly. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a first pole section which is formed by an inner shell wall surrounding a hollow inner cavity. According to a further preferred embodiment, the inner shell wall is formed as a first column of a given shape, which is formed of fiberglass reinforced polymer, and which is surrounded by a center fill layer. The center fill layer is preferably formed of SSC concrete which surrounds the inner shell wall. According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention preferably further includes an outer shell wall which is formed as a second column of a given shape, which surrounds the center fill layer.

Abstract: A new pole design for on-route vehicle charging systems. According to preferred embodiments, the improved pole design of the present invention includes a removable hinge to allow the structure to be shipped on standard height flatbed trailers, fully wired, from the manufacturing facility.

Abstract: Cellular base station antenna concealments, such as palm and tree concealments, utilize artificial branches with nonmetallic (e.g., polymeric) interfaces to avoid loose metal-to-metal connections to mitigate the generation of passive intermodulation (PIM) interference by the branches. Representative embodiments include “palm concealments” with low-PIM artificial palm fronds, and “tree concealments” with low-PIM artificial tree branches. That is, “low-PIM fronds” and “low-PIM tree branches” are two representative examples of “low-PIM branches” illustrating representative embodiments of the invention. The low-PIM palm frond includes a nonmetallic (e.g., polymeric) sleeve positioned between a metal frond shaft and a metal frond receiver. A first example of the low-PIM tree branch includes nonmetallic (e.g., polymeric) fastener isolators positioned between metal fasteners and a metal tree branch receiver. A second example of the low-PIM tree branch includes a nonmetallic (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved fire resistant composite pole and a method for producing the same. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the composite utility pole of the present invention includes a composite structure having integrally bonded layers of resin impregnated fiberglass extending along the length of the pole. According to a preferred embodiment, the composite structure of the pole includes an intumescent layer which includes: high temperature mineral fibers, exfoliating graphite, organic binders. and alumina trihydrate (ATH).

Abstract: An improved pipe connection system for attaching truss rods and other irrigation system components to an irrigation pipe. According to a first preferred embodiment, the attachment system of the present invention preferably includes a truss angle bracket assembly, a hitch channel lock assembly and a truss rod bracket assembly which are designed and positioned to attach to a single pipe section. According to a further preferred embodiment, the truss bracket assembly, the hitch channel lock assembly and the truss rod bracket assembly of the present invention are preferably each formed of single part/die surfaces which are laser-cut and bent on a transfer press to provide multiple sections formed from the single part/die surfaces.

Abstract: An improved irrigation system which includes a central angle iron assembly supporting a central hose connected between multiple connection modules. According to a preferred embodiment, the irrigation system includes multiple tower assemblies which support the central angle iron assembly. The central hose preferably runs within the central angle iron and between connecting nozzles which are attached to the central angle iron assembly. According to further preferred embodiments, the first and second connecting nozzles preferably each include multiple arms which extend over the walls of the central angle iron to secure each connecting nozzle to the central angle iron.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a gearbox expansion cap that allows a gearbox unit to breathe to atmosphere while preventing the ingress of water or other materials into the gearbox or gearbox oil. According to a first preferred embodiment, the expansion cap of the present invention includes a pressure relief plug to control gearbox pressures. Additionally, the present invention teaches air channels enclosed within a gearbox casting which mate with air channels provided within the expansion cap to channel air from the expansion cap into the atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved fire resistant composite pole and a method for producing the same. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the composite utility pole of the present invention includes a composite structure having integrally bonded layers of resin impregnated fiberglass extending along the length of the pole. According to a preferred embodiment, the composite structure of the pole includes an intumescent layer which includes: high temperature mineral fibers, exfoliating graphite, organic binders. and alumina trihydrate (ATH).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for providing variable rate application of applicants to discrete field locations. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a control device having software modules to allow for the execution of irrigation and chemical spray patterns according to specific prescriptions for each crop being sprayed. According to further preferred embodiments, the control device may use data from a variety of image sensors to create a selective, variable rate application of applicants. Using the imaging data, the system of the present invention may use a primary applicant system to broadly deliver a first selected application (e.g. water or the like) and use a separate system to deliver targeted applicants for specific plants or areas of a given field.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing drive tower current and voltage levels to determine drive wheel status. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention includes a machine analysis module which analyzes data from electrical sensing systems, GPS sensors, and gyroscopic sensors. According to a further preferred embodiment, the machine analysis module applies a current/voltage sensing algorithm which analyzes the status of the first and second drive wheels based on detected operating currents/voltages of selected motors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method which includes a machine learning module which analyzes data collected from one or more sources such as UAVs, satellites, span mounted crop sensors, direct soil sensors and climate sensors. According to a further preferred embodiment, the machine learning module preferably creates sets of field objects from within a given field and uses the received data to create a predictive model for each defined field object based on detected characteristics from each field object within the field.

Abstract: A string potentiometer attached between spans of an irrigation system. The string potentiometer is mounted on a first span with the measuring cable of the string potentiometer wrapped around a hitch socket or another structural element of an adjacent span. When the two spans move out of alignment, the measuring cable extends out from the potentiometer to wrap around the hitch socket or other structural element of the adjacent span. When the two spans move closer into alignment, the measuring cable retracts within the potentiometer and unwraps from around the hitch socket or other element of the adjacent span.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for an improved driveline coupler having a reversible saddle thereon which allows it to be configured to work with different sizes and shapes of shafts. The reversible saddle is configured on one side to work with one size of driveline shaft and configured on the opposite side to work with a different size driveline shaft so that, in the field, an operator can modify the driveline coupler from use with a first size of drive shaft to a second size of drive shaft easily and quickly by turning the saddle upside down.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method for detecting and adjusting the position of an irrigation span. More particularly, the present invention provides a system and method for detecting and removing deflection stresses from irrigation spans caused by corner arm positioning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing sensor data related to an irrigation system. According to a preferred embodiment, the system includes algorithms for analyzing real-time, near real-time and historical data acquired from sensors in communication with a mechanized irrigation machine. Further, the algorithms of the present invention system may analyze collected sensor data to determine if an event has occurred or is predicted to occur. Further, the algorithms of the present invention may provide commands to an irrigation machine and notifications to users. According to further aspects of the present invention, the algorithms of the present invention may preferably apply machine learning and other data analysis tools to detect maintenance patterns, geographic trends, environmental trends, and to provide predictive analysis for future events.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for irrigation control and data management. According to a preferred embodiment, an irrigation control system may include a data collection module which receives and stores system data generated by sensors and supporting systems including irrigation, drive, weather, sensor and electrical systems of a mechanized irrigation system. According to preferred embodiments, the system preferably also includes a system control module which transmits system control instructions to system components. Additionally, the present invention also includes a display module which provides a display of graphical user interfaces embedded with system data and selectable control instructions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing sensor data related to an irrigation system. According to a preferred embodiment, the system includes algorithms for analyzing real-time, near real-time and historical data acquired from sensors in communication with a mechanized irrigation machine. Further, the algorithms of the present invention system may analyze collected sensor data to determine if an event has occurred or is predicted to occur. Further, the algorithms of the present invention may provide commands to an irrigation machine and notifications to users. According to further aspects of the present invention, the algorithms of the present invention may preferably apply machine learning and other data analysis tools to detect maintenance patterns, geographic trends, environmental trends, and to provide predictive analysis for future events.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar power system for use with a mechanized irrigation system. According to a first preferred embodiment, the solar power system of the present includes solar panels which produce DC current which is used to power the irrigation system and to store water in an elevated storage tank. The systems of the present invention selectively use the water stored in the elevated storage tank to provide water pressure to the irrigation system. According to a further preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention preferably converts the power from the solar panels to AC current and uses AC current to power the movement of the irrigation system and other sub-systems.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for monitoring and providing maintenance updates for irrigation filters. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes one or more load cells at one or more of the mounting feet of an in-line filter to actively measure the increased weight of the filter during irrigation operations. According to a further preferred embodiment, the weight sensor of the present invention may transmit its data to a processing unit, where the weight is compared to one or more stored weight values. Preferably, when the detected weight exceeds a threshold level, the system may trigger notices and/or remedial actions.