Abstract: An irrigation assembly has a main pipeline supported at intervals by mobile towers, a plurality of drop tube assemblies at spaced intervals along the pipeline and a collector positioned to receive water from the drop tube assembly. A plurality of targets are positioned on the ground in the paths of motion defined by the movement of the collectors. The targets may be dishes. Each dish preferably has a perforated drain that penetrates beneath the surface of the ground. Interaction between the collector and the target causes the water stored within the collector to be released into the target. The irrigation assembly may provide for underground irrigation without a collector where a dish or trough receives water from the drop tube assembly and underground drains allow for water to be dispersed below the ground.

Abstract: A distribution tube assembly for an irrigation system having a main supply line for conveying fluid therein includes a first end, a second end and an internal surface defining at least two fluid passageways, at least one of the fluid passageways being in fluid communication with the main supply line. The other fluid passageway may be in fluid communication with an alternate supply line. Adaptors and regulators may be attached to the distribution tube assembly. The distribution tube assembly permits irrigation to be performed by multiple fluid streams, allows for the incorporation of chemicals within the distribution tube assembly, and provides for selectable flow control.

Abstract: An irrigation assembly has a main pipeline supported at intervals by mobile towers, a plurality of drop tube assemblies at spaced intervals along the pipeline and a collector positioned to receive water from the drop tube assembly. A plurality of targets are positioned on the ground in the paths of motion defined by the movement of the collectors. The targets may be dishes. Each dish preferably has a perforated drain that penetrates beneath the surface of the ground. Interaction between the collector and the target causes the water stored within the collector to be released into the target. The irrigation assembly may provide for underground irrigation without a collector where a dish or trough receives water from the drop tube assembly and underground drains allow for water to be dispersed below the ground.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid flow control method that enables a self-propelled irrigation machine to apply varying amounts of fluid as might be required to suitably treat the surface area affected by each of the individual fluid application devices thereon. The control method regulates the total volume of fluid emitted by each application device to a predetermined value as it responds to a suitable control signal to permit or prevent fluid flow. This fluid flow control method involves time-based rapid cycling of the flow control apparatus to provide continuously variable fluid flow as is required to meet the desired average output of each emitting device as the flow requirement varies from time to time as needed to produce a selected, pre-determined application rate throughout the treated surface area.

Abstract: A regulator valve has a housing with a seal member therein. First and second plungers are movable in the housing toward and away from the seal member. The plungers are sealed to the housing and have passages therethrough. The plungers are biased toward the seal member by fluid pressure at the housing outlet end. The plungers are biased away from the seal member by a spring. First and second diaphragms connected to the plungers engage the housing inner wall in sealing engagement so that fluid must flow through the passages. The diaphragms and housing define an expansion chamber. A port in fluid communication with the expansion chamber allows selectable introduction of pilot pressure into the expansion chamber to force the first plunger into engagement with the seal member and prevent flow through the passages.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting first and second shafts has a male cross member pinned to the first shaft and a female body member clamped onto the second shaft. The female body member has a housing with internal splines interlocking with mating external splines on the cross member. A longitudinally split clamp has a sill portion integral with the female body member and a half clamp member engageable with the sill portion. The split clamp has a single locking bolt which reduces the time required for installation. The external splines are relieved at one end to allow the coupler to tolerate some misalignment between the shafts.

Abstract: An irrigation machine distribution pipeline is protected against corrosion by a plastic liner within a steel pipeline. Access openings are spaced along the pipeline and aligned with apertures in the plastic liner. The liner extends the full length of the pipeline. The outside diameter of the liner is sufficiently less than the inside diameter of the pipeline to allow the liner to slide into the pipeline during installation of the liner. A plurality of plastic outlet fittings extend through each access opening and aperture. Each outlet fitting is in sealing engagement with the plastic liner and provides fluid communication from the interior of the plastic liner through the aperture to the exterior of the pipeline. With this construction none of the steel components of the pipeline comes in direct contact with the water.

Abstract: A flexible joint accommodates relative horizontal motion between the main pipeline of a center pivot irrigation machine and a swing span without unduly stressing the spans. The flexible joint has a spindle mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in a socket at the outer end of the main pipeline section. The spindle has a horizontal pivot shaft mounting an arm assembly for rotation about the shaft. The opposite end of the arm assembly carries a second pivot shaft pivotally mounting a link. The swing span is attached to the link. A brake is provided to limit coasting of the swing span.

Abstract: This is concerned with a drive for a center pivot or movable irrigation system and the like and is more specifically concerned with a gear drive arrangement which is structured and arranged so that service and performance is greatly simplified and improved.

Abstract: This is a coupling arrangement which is usable in an overhead irrigation system of the traveling or moving type more commonly known as center pivot and laterally moving irrigation systems. The present coupling arrangement is connected between the slightly spaced ends of two pipes which are generally aligned. A flexible coupling in the nature of a mechanical interlock is positioned within and between the ends of the pipes and a sealing arrangement is disposed around the coupling with the coupling itself being constructed and arranged to provide for and accept misalignment to some degree between the pipes and also for some swiveling. This is also an alignment arrangement for irrigation systems.

Abstract: An overhead irrigation system and a method of controlling it whereby a main irrigation pipe, supported on towers, is moved laterally across a field. The towers at the extremities of the pipe are independently driven while the remaining towers move in response to misalignment between pipe segments caused by the motion of the outside towers. Proper overall direction of the system is maintained by a path sensor which detects deviation from the designated path and corrects it by slowing down the tower at the end toward which the correction is required, thereby causing the entire unit to pivot about a point on or beyond and in line with the end of the unit. Two-way misalignment sensors are capable of propagating a path correction signal along the entire length of the unit and in either direction. An engine, generator and pump are mounted in a sling support hung from the pipe.

Abstract: This is concerned with a so-called center pivot irrigation system in which a string of pipe is supported on wheeled towers at intervals and pivots about a so-called center pivot or water supply either intermittently or continuously so that it waters or irrigates a generally circular area. This is more specifically concerned with an arrangement and a control for watering the corners or noncircular area of a field in a manner which is greatly simplified over a number of previous approaches.

Abstract: This is concerned with a so-called center pivot irrigation system in which a string of pipe is supported on wheeled towers at intervals and pivots about a so-called center pivot or water supply either intermittently or continuously so that it waters or irrigates a generally circular area. This is more specifically concerned with an arrangement and a control for watering the corners or noncircular area of a field in a manner which is greatly simplified over a number of previous approaches.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying water or other fluids from a stationary pipe to a moving pipe. The stationary supply conduit has a seam which can be opened and closed somewhat in the fashion of a zipper. An extractor is located inside the supply conduit and has a riser portion which protrudes through an opening in the seam. The extractor is moveable along the length of the supply conduit. Seam opening means create an aperture as the riser approaches while closing means are provided to refasten the seam after the riser has passed. Fluid seals isolate the seam opening from the fluid being carried. The extractor rides on spherical rollers and can include an evacuator tube which removes any water seeping through the seals.

Abstract: This is concerned with a water drive system for a center pivot irrigation system in which a string of pipe pivots in a circle or oscillates about a center pivot or upright with the pipe supported on towers at intervals and each tower being independently driven by a power mechanism which is operated by the pressure of the water in the string of pipe. It includes a mechanism to prevent one or more towers from rolling ahead on a downhill slope, a diaphragm valve arrangement for controlling the cycling of the drive, and an enlarged bellows or bladder for operating the water drive mechanism.

Abstract: This is concerned with a water-driven unit for a center pivot irrigation system in which the pressure of the water in the pipe extending out from the center pivot is used as the motive force for moving the towers about the center pivot.

Abstract: This is concerned with a water drive system for a center pivot irrigation system in which a string of pipe pivots in a circle or oscillates about a center pivot or upright with the pipe supported on towers at intervals and each tower being independently driven by a power mechanism which is operated by the pressure of the water in the string of pipe. It includes a mechanism to prevent one or more towers from rolling ahead on a downhill slope, a diaphragm valve arrangement for controlling the cycling of the drive, and an enlarged bellows or bladder for operating the water drive mechanism.

Abstract: A center pivot irrigation system and a method of operating it whereby noncircular areas outside of the circle described by the center pivot, for example the corners of a square field, may be irrigated. An extension is connected to the outermost tower of the main pipeline by an offset so that sprinkler units on the extension may be operated to irrigate the corners of the field when the extension is rotated.

Abstract: The adjacent extremities of two lengths of irrigation pipe are axially aligned in a spaced relationship within a longitudinally split, bolt closed coupler sleeve. The coupler sleeve has a diameter greater than that of the pipes and contains a one-piece sealing boot therein which sealably embraces the ends of the irrigation pipe. An open gimbal ring medially surrounds the coupler sleeve in a diametrically spaced relationship with respect thereto. Bracket members are mounted on the opposite sides of each pipe extremity in a longitudinally spaced relationship with respect to the coupler sleeve and a pair of arms extend from each bracket member to opposite pivotal connections with the gimbal ring, the axes of the pivotal connections of one pair being circumferentially spaced on said gimbal ring at 90.degree. from the pivotal connections of the other pair to enable the pipe lengths to freely, relatively and arcuately swing in any desired direction.

Abstract: This is concerned with a center pivot irrigation system made up of a series of pipe units flexibly interconnected end to end and supported by a series of towers which may be self-propelled with a coupling between adjacent sections which allows each section to rotate freely about its own axis relative to the other sections with substantial angulation between adjacent pipe sections in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.