Abstract: An irrigation system for conveying a fluid is provided. The irrigation system comprises a first irrigator span having a first end and extending to a distal end. A first drive system moves the first irrigator span. A second irrigator span extends from the distal end of the first irrigator span. A second drive system moves the second irrigator span. An alignment mechanism interconnects the first irrigator span and the second irrigator span to maintain alignment between the first and second irrigator spans within a predetermined limit. One of the drive systems is variable speed and the alignment mechanism includes a potentiometer for measuring the magnitude of misalignment between the first and second irrigator spans. The potentiometer is used to vary the speed of one of the drive systems to realign the first and second irrigator spans to maintain the predetermined limit.

Abstract: An irrigation system (10) for conveying a fluid to a region (A) is provided. The irrigation system (10) comprises a main irrigation portion (16) having an end irrigator span (44). A corner irrigator span (42) extends radially from the end irrigator span (44). A control system (90) controls movement of the corner irrigator span (42). The control system (90) includes a linear movement control system (92) to control a corner drive unit (72) of the corner irrigator span (42) and a steering control system (94) controls a steering unit (74) of the corner irrigator span (42). The steering control system (94) includes a controller (100) that receives control signals from four electrical generators (102,104,106,108) to control the steering unit (74) such that the corner irrigator span (42) follows along an outer boundary (B) of the region (A).

Abstract: An irrigation system for conveying a fluid. The irrigation system comprises a a first irrigator span having a first end and extending to a distal end. A first drive system moves the first irrigator span. A second irrigator span extends from the distal end of the first irrigator span. A second drive system moves the second irrigator span. An alignment mechanism interconnects the first irrigator span and the second irrigator span to maintain alignment between the first and second irrigator spans within a predetermined limit. One of the drive systems is variable speed and the alignment mechanism includes a potentiometer for measuring the magnitude of misalignment between the first and second irrigation spans. The potentiometer is used to vary the speed of one of the drive systems to realign the first and second irrigator spans to maintain the predetermined limit.