Abstract: A control system for a low-volume irrigation system includes a plurality of valve controllers for opening and closing valves; an irrigation system controller for controlling the valve controllers in accordance with an irrigation plan; and a graphical user interface for allowing a user to interact with the irrigation controller and to create the irrigation plan. The graphical user interface displays an irrigation zone list, an irrigation set list, and an irrigation plan field. The user interface has drag and drop functionality that permits an irrigation zone listing from the irrigation zone list to be dragged and dropped into any of the irrigation set listings in the irrigation set list and that permits an irrigation zone listing or an irrigation set listing to be dragged and dropped into the irrigation plan to create irrigation steps within the irrigation plan.

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 joint assembly for joining two pipes together comprises first and second liners and first and second pipe flanges. Each liner includes a sleeve and a liner flange with the liner flange coupled to one end of the sleeve. The first liner may be positioned within a first pipe and the second liner may be positioned within a second pipe. Each pipe flange includes an inner surface and an opposing outer surface with a plurality of circumferentially spaced plateaus positioned thereon. Each plateau has a height above the outer surface. The first pipe flange may be coupled to one end of the first pipe and the second pipe flange may be coupled to one end of the second pipe. The first and second pipe flanges may couple to one another such that each plateau on the first pipe flange contacts a corresponding plateau on the second pipe flange.

Abstract: A joint assembly for joining two pipes together comprises first and second liners and first and second pipe flanges. Each liner includes a sleeve and a liner flange with the liner flange coupled to one end of the sleeve. The first liner may be positioned within a first pipe and the second liner may be positioned within a second pipe. Each pipe flange is of generally annular disc shape with an inner surface, an opposing outer surface, an inner edge, and a radially-spaced outer edge. Each pipe flange includes an annular outer recess formed on the outer surface adjacent to the inner edge. The first pipe flange may be coupled to one end of the first pipe and the second pipe flange may be coupled to one end of the second pipe. Each liner flange may be positioned within the outer recess of a successive one of the pipe flanges.

Abstract: An airless flexible tire comprising a belt, drive lugs, and traction lugs. The drive lugs extend inwardly from the belt and form annularly spaced, rigid, high torque points. The traction lugs extend outwardly from the belt and are annularly offset from the drive lugs so as to form flexible sections that deflect radially inwardly when the tire engages the ground. Each traction lug has an effective height as a function of its actual height, the angle that the traction lug extends relative to a radial axis, the angle of the traction lug's distal surface, and the amount the tire deflects radially inwardly near the traction lug so as to at least partially equalize a rolling radius of the wheel to reduce torque generated near the high torque points.

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 airless flexible tire including traction lug pairs each having a forward facing traction lug and a rearward facing traction lug cooperatively forming a divided Z or reverse divided Z shape. Each traction lug includes a lateral section and a central section. The central section extends from an end of the lateral section so as to straddle a centerline of the airless flexible tire and includes a number of discrete sidewalls. The discrete sidewalls are different sizes and angled relative to each other. The central sections of paired traction lugs form a space dividing portions of the Z or reverse Z shape. The central sections of nearest traction lugs of adjacent traction lug pairs form a space dividing the adjacent traction lug pairs.

Abstract: An irrigation system includes a central pivot and a series of mobile towers connected to the central pivot and to one another by support structure. Each mobile tower has wheels and a motor for driving at least one of the wheels. A control system operates the motors to maintain alignment of the mobile towers and the central pivot while preventing power usage of the system from exceeding a maximum power threshold. The control system determines in which sequence to operate the motors to maintain alignment of the mobile towers while operating no more than a selected number of the motors simultaneously.

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: An irrigation system broadly comprising a number of irrigation spans and a control system configured to operate single speed drive motors of the irrigation spans in a start-up mode, full speed mode, and wind-down mode. In the start-up mode, the motor controller gradually increases the drive motor speed from 0 rpms to a full speed by ramping a voltage applied to the drive motor from a starting voltage to a full speed voltage according to a start-up voltage profile over a start-up time interval. In the full speed mode, the motor controller operates the drive motor at a full speed voltage. In the wind-down mode, the motor controller gradually decreases the drive motor speed from full speed to 0 rpms by ramping the voltage applied to the drive motor from the full speed voltage to an ending voltage according to a wind-down voltage profile over a wind-down time interval.

Abstract: An irrigation system includes a central pivot and a series of mobile towers connected to the central pivot and to one another by support structure. Each mobile tower has wheels and a motor for driving at least one of the wheels. A control system operates the motors to maintain alignment of the mobile towers and the central pivot while preventing power usage of the system from exceeding a maximum power threshold. The control system determines in which sequence to operate the motors to maintain alignment of the mobile towers while operating no more than a selected number of the motors simultaneously.

Abstract: A control system for a low-volume irrigation system includes a plurality of valve controllers for opening and closing valves; an irrigation system controller for controlling the valve controllers in accordance with an irrigation plan; and a graphical user interface for allowing a user to interact with the irrigation controller and to create the irrigation plan. The graphical user interface displays an irrigation zone list, an irrigation set list, and an irrigation plan field. The user interface has drag and drop functionality that permits an irrigation zone listing from the irrigation zone list to be dragged and dropped into any of the irrigation set listings in the irrigation set list and that permits an irrigation zone listing or an irrigation set listing to be dragged and dropped into the irrigation plan to create irrigation steps within the irrigation plan.

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 wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel and an airless flexible tire with certain performance characteristics of a pneumatic tire. The rigid wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements removably attached to a radially outer margin of the central portion. The tire is mounted on the wheel and engages the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space. The tire is configured such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure, thereby minimizing ground penetration and soil disruption. The tire may include one or more tension elements embedded in the tire to increase the tire's strength and resilience.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel and an airless flexible tire with certain performance characteristics of a pneumatic tire. The rigid wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements removably attached to a radially outer margin of the central portion. The tire is mounted on the wheel and engages the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space. The tire is configured such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure, thereby minimizing ground penetration and soil disruption. The tire may include one or more tension elements embedded in the tire to increase the tire's strength and resilience.

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 suspended pipe assembly comprising a first suspended pipe, a second suspended pipe, a third suspended pipe, and a number of suspenders for suspending the pipes from an elevated pipe or pipes of a mobile irrigation system or other fluid distribution system. The first suspended pipe and second suspended pipe are connected together via a fixed joint. The second suspended pipe and third suspended pipe are connected together via a live joint such that the second suspended pipe and third suspended pipe can expand longitudinally relative to each other. Additional suspended pipes can be connected to each other via alternating fixed and live joints. The suspenders allow the suspended pipes to expand longitudinally relative to the elevated pipe and prevents the suspended pipes from warping side-to-side.

Abstract: A lateral move irrigation system more effectively irrigates a field by minimizing the portions of the field that receive no irrigation. The irrigation system includes a plurality of mobile towers, a plurality of elongated support structures attached to and extending between the towers, and a fluid delivery system. Each mobile tower has wheels and a motor for driving the wheels. A safety circuit stops the motors on all the mobile towers when any of the towers reaches an end-of-run position. Location determining components determine locations of the mobile towers as they traverse a field, and a control system stops or slows any of the towers before they trigger the safety circuit so that lagging mobile tower may catch up before the safety circuit shuts down or reverses all the motors.

Abstract: A system for actively managing the implementation of locally and remotely entered speed or application rate commands for an irrigation system. The irrigation system includes drive motors, local and remote speed controllers, and a speed manager. The local speed controller allows for entering a first speed of the irrigation system in terms of a first duty cycle for powering a distal motor. The remote speed controller allows for entering a second speed in terms of a second duty cycle for powering the distal motor. The speed manager determines whether the most recent speed command originated from the local speed controller, in which case the distal motor is run in accordance with the first duty cycle and the second duty cycle is ignored, or from the remote speed controller, in which case the distal motor is run in accordance with the second duty cycle and the first duty cycle is ignored.