Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for detecting and aligning the orientation of a displayed irrigation system. According to first preferred embodiment, the method preferably may include the steps of: initializing a controller; polling sensors and initiating the detection of a center pivot location; detecting the position of an outer drive tower; calculating the relative orientation between the center pivot and the outer drive tower; detecting and recording the position of magnetic north; calculating image display data for the irrigation span; transmitting image display data to a display device; displaying the irrigation span at a user selected azimuth and displaying other displayed items at an angle offset from the user selected azimuth; monitoring changes to orientation; recalculating image display data if any orientation change is detected; and retransmitting the image display data.

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 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 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 and method for calculating the water flow rates applied by corner arm sprinklers. According to a first embodiment, the present invention provides a system and method for controlling and balancing the flow rates of corner arm sprinklers to provide targeted discrete, controlled uniform and non-uniform water distribution rates across a given field.

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 fiber-optic communication system that allows high-bandwidth communications between components of an irrigation machine. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the present invention teaches a system and method for providing a two-way communications link between a pivot controller panel and distributed irrigation machine components. According to further preferred embodiments, the two-way communications link of the present invention may also convert optical signals to electrical signals and route those signals to the appropriate connected devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alternative communication path which uses a buried wired and a buried wire oscillator to transmit data between a centrally located pivot panel and an end tower control panel. According to a first preferred embodiment, a pivot panel of the present invention preferably includes a machine controller, a smart relay board, a modem, a guidance controller and a buried wire oscillator. According to a further preferred embodiment, a tower control panel of the present invention preferably includes a tower board controller, a modem, and a data antenna.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic braking system for an irrigation machine. According to an exemplary preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a drive controller which includes a power supplying circuit which signals an ON condition when a motive power request is input into the drive controller and an OFF condition when motive power is not input into the system. According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention further includes a 3-phase induction motor connected to apply torque to a drive shaft which is connected to a least one drive wheel. According to a further preferred embodiment, the power supplying circuit supplies 480V AC of motive power to the drive motor when the drive controller signals the ON condition and 10-80V DC of non-motive power to at least one phase of the motor when the drive controller signals the OFF condition.

Abstract: A system and method for providing power and alignment control within an irrigation system having at least two spans and a drive system for moving the spans.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and identifying power line carrier controlled devices within an irrigation system having a PLC BUS and a plurality of PLC powered devices. A preferred method includes: initializing a controller; transmitted an identification signal onto the PLC BUS; receiving the transmitted identification signal by a first powered device in the transmission line; recording the signal strength of the received identification signal by the first powered device; reducing the level of the received identification signal by a given increment; receiving the transmitted identification signal by a second powered device in the transmission line; recording the signal strength of the received identification signal by the second powered device; reducing the level of the received identification signal by a given increment; and receiving the transmitted identification signal at the controller.

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 for aligning drive towers within an irrigation system. According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a system and method for cascading alignment of independent drive systems. According to a preferred embodiment, a preferred method may include the steps of: transmitting controller timing data to the first intermediate drive tower and the second intermediate drive tower; assigning a first correction time slot to the second intermediate drive tower; assigning a second correction time slot to the first intermediate drive tower; receiving first alignment data by the second intermediate drive tower; receiving second alignment data by the first intermediate drive tower; performing a first alignment correction based on the first alignment data received by the second intermediate drive tower; and performing a second alignment correction based on the second alignment data received by the first intermediate drive tower.

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 fiber-optic communication system that allows high-bandwidth communications between components of an irrigation machine. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the present invention teaches a system and method for providing a two-way communications link between a pivot controller panel and distributed irrigation machine components. According to further preferred embodiments, the two-way communications link of the present invention may also convert optical signals to electrical signals and route those signals to the appropriate connected devices.

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 method for aligning spans using real-time kinetics (RTK) data communicated through a power line carrier system.