Abstract: A data management system for an irrigation system and methods of controlling operations thereof are provided. The data management system directs data captured at a plurality of sensors on the irrigation system to a remote device. The data management system comprises a communication bus and a plurality of communications. The communication bus extends along the irrigation system. The plurality of communication systems are positioned on the irrigation system and are connected to the communication bus. Each of the communication systems is configured to receive signals representative of the data from one of the sensors and to transmit signals representative of the data, via wireless communication, to the remote device.

Abstract: A mobile irrigation system configured to support an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the mobile irrigation system comprising a number of irrigation spans, a control system, and a UAV support system. Each irrigation span includes a conduit section connected to conduit sections of adjacent irrigation spans for transporting an irrigation fluid from a fluid source to a field, a truss configured to support the conduit section, a number of fluid emitters, and a mobile tower connected to the truss for moving the truss, conduit section, and fluid emitters across the field. The UAV support system includes a docking station configured to receive the UAV and deploy the UAV to collect agricultural data or to carry out agricultural tasks and a data transfer module for transferring agricultural data from the UAV to a remote data storage system or edge processing devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scheduling and coordinating applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and water to fields while avoiding interferences between vehicles and other equipment may be implemented with a mobile irrigation system, a fertilizer applicator, a pesticide applicator, and a processing system. The processing system schedules and coordinates applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and water and prevents interferences between the machines primarily with data received from an irrigation schedule implemented by the irrigation system and data received from the fertilizer and pesticide applicators.

Abstract: Systems and method for coordinating movements of agricultural machines and irrigation systems on irrigated fields to avoid collisions and other interferences between the equipment may be implemented with a mobile irrigation system, a number of agricultural machines, and a processing system. The processing system receives and analyzes data from an irrigation schedule for the irrigation system and location data from the agricultural machines to detect possible interferences between the equipment and takes corrective action if likely interferences are detected.

Abstract: An irrigation system and method of controlling operations of the irrigation system are provided. The irrigation system comprises a plurality of mobile support towers, a plurality of structural supports, a fluid-carrying conduit, water emitters, a sensor, and a control system. The plurality of mobile support towers are configured to move across a field. The plurality of structural supports extend between the mobile support towers, and the fluid-carrying conduit is supported above the field by the plurality of structural supports. The water emitters are coupled with the fluid-carrying conduit and emit water from the conduit onto the field. The sensor is supported on one of the structural supports or mobile support towers and is configured to capture data associated with a residue cover of a portion of the field.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of mobile agricultural devices that includes establishing electronic communication with a plurality of transceivers mounted to the mobile agricultural devices. The method also includes building a three-dimensional model including a virtual representation of each of the mobile agricultural devices and displaying the three-dimensional model at a user interface having a display. The method further includes receiving location data regarding the mobile agricultural devices via the transceivers and adjusting at least one of the virtual representations of the mobile agricultural devices within the model to reflect the location data.

Abstract: A computing device for processing geospatial data associated with an irrigation system comprises a processing element in electronic communication with a memory element. The processing element is configured or programmed to receive sensor data over time from a plurality of sensors associated with the irrigation system, receive or determine geolocation data, link data from each sensor with geolocation data to form geospatial data, determine trends in the geospatial data for each sensor or a group of sensors, determine changes or adjustments in an operation of components of the irrigation system based on trends determined in the geospatial data, and output an electronic signal whose analog level or digital data value varies according to the changes or adjustments in the operation of components of the irrigation system.

Abstract: An irrigation system comprising a fluid-carrying conduit, two or more spaced-apart mobile towers, and a height-adjusting system. The two or more spaced-apart mobile towers are configured to support and move the conduit above a field. Each mobile tower includes a pair of legs, wheels, and a motor. Each leg has a first end coupled with the fluid-carrying conduit via a swivel connection and a second end. One of the wheels is connected to each of the second ends of the legs. The motor is for driving at least one of the wheels. The height-adjusting system is configured to move the second ends of the legs of each mobile tower relative to one another to raise or lower the irrigation system. The height-adjusting system may include an expansion mechanism for permitting adjustments to the height of the irrigation system or for applying a force to help make the adjustments.

Abstract: A wheel track monitoring system for an irrigation system monitors the condition of a wheel track and alerts an operator and/or automatically takes corrective action when a wheel track develops ruts or other conditions that may adversely affect operation of the irrigation system. The wheel track monitoring system includes a wheel track condition sensor, a location sensor, and a processing system. The processing system receives and stores wheel track condition data and location data from the sensors as the irrigation system travels across a field and creates a log of wheel track condition data for multiple locations in the field. The processing system also analyzes the wheel track condition data to determine if the condition of the wheel track is unacceptable at any locations in the irrigated field and generates a corrective action signal if the condition is unacceptable.

Abstract: An alignment control system for controlling an alignment of a plurality of mobile towers, each mobile tower supporting a section of conduit in an irrigation system comprises a plurality of tower angle measurement devices and a control processing element. Each tower angle measurement device is associated with a successive one of the mobile towers and is configured to measure an angle value which varies according to a rotation angle of the associated mobile tower relative to one or more of the other mobile towers. The control processing element is configured or programmed to receive the angle value from each tower angle measurement device, compare the angle value to a threshold angle value, and generate and transmit control signals, data, or both that include an activation hysteresis value to a drive motor associated with each mobile tower that has an angle value greater than the threshold angle value.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a mobile irrigation system that monitors the conditions or states of various electrical and/or mechanical components of the irrigation system and alerts an operator or automatically takes corrective action when conditions that may adversely affect operation of the irrigation system are detected. The monitoring system also monitors and records the locations of the irrigation system as it monitors the conditions or states of the electrical and/or mechanical components.

Abstract: An irrigation pipe assembly that utilizes a pipe that is made of a durable material, e.g., stainless steel or aluminum. During fabrication, the pipe is equipped with a plurality of components, i.e., a flange assembly, a truss mount, and an outlet, without drilling, welding, or the like. In this manner, a method of fabrication is provided that enables a plurality of components to be assembled to the pipe without compromising the integrity of the pipe material or treated surface so that galvanizing or painting is not required after the plurality of components have been fitted to the pipe.

Abstract: A fault notification system comprises a plurality of tower sensor units and a central processing element. Each tower sensor unit includes a tower safety sensor and a tower processing element. The tower safety sensor monitors a rotation angle of a mobile tower and output a signal that varies according to the rotation angle. The tower processing element is configured to receive the signal, compare a signal level of the signal with a range of signal levels indicating a normal rotation angle, and transmit a message that a fault has occurred and request that each drive motor shut down if the level of the signal is out of the range indicating a normal rotation angle. The central processing element is configured to receive the message from the tower processing element and transmit a signal to each tower processing element to output a signal to instruct each drive motor to shut down.

Abstract: A ponding monitoring and detection system monitors, detects, and predicts ponding in an irrigated field in essentially real-time. The ponding monitoring and detection system also monitors and records locations of detected and predicted ponding.

Abstract: A pipe liner for lining a fluid-carrying pipe, the pipe liner comprising an elongated flexible conduit and a flexible flange. The flexible conduit includes an outer wall forming an open-ended central channel for allowing fluids to be pumped therethrough. The flexible flange extends radially from one end of the elongated conduit and includes a number of fastener holes. The flexible conduit and the flexible flange are configured to be collapsed and pulled through the pipe such that the flexible flange can be connected to a rigid flange of the pipe via the fastener holes. The pipe liner is less prone to leak and is easier to transport and install.

Abstract: A center-pivot irrigation system having mobile towers interconnected by spans actuatable about a center-pivot, constant speed motors for each of the mobile towers, and variable gear ratio transmissions each driven by one of the constant speed motors and each driving one of the mobile towers. The irrigation system may also include a control system sending command signals to the variable gear ratio transmissions, independently increasing or decreasing a speed of the mobile towers via the variable gear ratio transmissions. The irrigation system may also include a sensors for providing alignment information regarding the spans to the control system. The control system may independently command the transmissions to speed up or slow down one of the mobile towers relative to alignment information received from the sensors.

Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of mobile agricultural devices that includes establishing electronic communication with a plurality of transceivers mounted to the mobile agricultural devices and building a model including a virtual representation of each of the mobile agricultural devices. The method also includes displaying the model at a user interface including a display and a gesture sensor. The method further includes receiving location data regarding the mobile agricultural devices via the transceivers and adjusting at least one of the virtual representations of the mobile agricultural devices within the model to reflect the location data.

Abstract: An irrigation system for providing irrigation to a crop comprising a plurality of mobile support towers, a conduit, a plurality of drive motors, a plurality of sensors, and a control system. The conduit carries fluid and is supported by the mobile support towers. The conduit includes a valve which can be opened to allow fluid flow through the conduit and closed to prevent fluid flow through the conduit. The drive motors propel the mobile support towers. The sensors generate data regarding the amount of fluid used to irrigate the crop. The control system controls the operation of the valve and the drive motors and is configured to calculate a price of forecasted yield loss, calculate a cost of irrigation, and terminate irrigation if the cost of irrigation is greater than the price of the forecasted yield loss.

Abstract: A control system for monitoring a motor and wheel drive gearbox of an irrigation system drive train. The control system includes a motor sensor for sensing an operating state of the motor and a gearbox sensor for sensing an operating state of the wheel drive gearbox. If the motor operating state exceeds a motor operating state threshold or changes too quickly, or if the wheel drive gearbox operating state exceeds a wheel drive gearbox operating state threshold or changes too quickly, the control system operates the drive train at a reduced capacity or in a modified mode such that the operating state is not exceeded or does not change too quickly.

Abstract: An irrigation system comprising a fluid-carrying conduit, two or more spaced-apart mobile towers, and a height-adjusting system. The two or more spaced-apart mobile towers are configured to support and move the conduit above a field. Each mobile tower includes a pair of legs, wheels, and a motor. Each leg has a first end coupled with the fluid-carrying conduit via a swivel connection and a second end. One of the wheels is connected to each of the second ends of the legs. The motor is for driving at least one of the wheels. The height-adjusting system is configured to move the second ends of the legs of each mobile tower relative to one another to raise or lower the irrigation system. The height-adjusting system may include an expansion mechanism for permitting adjustments to the height of the irrigation system or for applying a force to help make the adjustments.