Abstract: The present invention provides a system for combining the use of near real-time and/or real-time data acquired from an array of single purpose or integrated sensors mounted on a mechanized irrigation machine. According to a preferred embodiment, the integrated sensor of the present invention preferably provides for the collection of a variety data. According to a further preferred embodiment, the integrated sensor suite of the present invention may preferably include internally mounted sensors within a common housing which preferably includes a spectrometer, a radiometer and sensors to measure temperature, rainfall, relative humidity and barometric pressure. According to a further preferred embodiment, the number of integrated sensors mounted on a mechanized irrigation machine may preferably be determined based on a detected number of management zones and/or a detected location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which allows users to mount multiple pieces of equipment to a tower and it has the unique capability to adjust a steel frame to level without additional equipment. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a duel locking system that includes a taper adjusting bolt to adjustably position the frame level with the earth. Further, the dual locking system of the present invention preferably further includes the use of retaining bolts to keep the assembly positioned correctly. According to a further aspect of the present invention, once the taper adjusting bolt is in its desired position, the retaining bolts are preferably tightened to lock the frame in place, with the taper adjusting bolt acting as a redundant measure to help maintain the level state.

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 an improved fire resistant composite pole and a method for producing the same. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the composite utility pole of the present invention includes a composite structure having integrally bonded layers of resin impregnated fiberglass extending along the length of the pole. According to a preferred embodiment, the composite structure of the pole includes an intumescent layer which includes: high temperature mineral fibers, exfoliating graphite, organic binders. and alumina trihydrate (ATH).

Abstract: A delineator mounting system that includes an octagonal mounting apparatus for mating a traffic delineator to an in-ground mount. According to a first preferred embodiment, an exemplary delineator mounting system of the present invention includes an extended central housing having a lower end with an octagonal outer surface, an octagonal inner surface and a flared lower connecting surface. According to a further preferred embodiment, the extended central housing further includes an upper end having a cylindrical main body which includes an upper end exterior surface, an upper end interior surface, and a flared upper connecting surface.

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 provides a method and apparatus for energy absorption and vibrational dampening in a horizontal plane. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention discloses an apparatus for damping vibration of a pole which includes a housing with a horizontal floor having an inward curved surface for achieving vibration attenuation at a middle portion thereof to form an enclosed chamber. According to a further aspect of the first embodiment, at least one damping weight is preferably disposed in the inward curved surface and is preferably substantially spherical in shape. According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one dampening weight of the present may preferably include a hollow, inner cavity. According to further aspects of the present invention, the dampening weight preferably may further include a granular material located within the inner cavity.

Abstract: A method for making a prefabricated, prestressed module includes arranging one or more steel beams atop a supporting formwork element in a direction transverse to the supporting formwork element and arranging one or more precast deck elements across the one or more steel beams to create a substantially continuous surface. The one or more precast deck elements have pockets for receiving connectors that protrude from the one or more steel beams. The method also includes arranging the supporting formwork element to allow the one or more steel beams to bend into a cambered shape to impart compressive stresses to a bottom flange of the one or more steel beams and tension stresses to a top flange of the one or more steel beams and inserting grout into the pockets to hold the cambered shape and to bond the one or more precast deck elements to the connectors and the top flange.

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: To address the shortcomings presented in the prior art, the present invention provides a system and method to provide improved irrigation management through the detection of fast neutrons. According to a preferred embodiment, the fast neutron detector of the present invention includes a 4-He based noble gas detector, a power source, a signal processing circuit, and a resistor in series with a preamplifier and a shaping amplifier to produce a processed signal. According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention preferably further includes a signal channel analyzer and a pulse counter/rate meter. According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a controller which receives a count of detected fast neutrons and translates the detected number of fast neutrons into an irrigation map indicating the required levels of irrigation needed for selected areas of a given field based on the detected moisture levels.

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, method and apparatus for providing variable rate application of applicants to discrete field locations. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a control device having software modules to allow for the execution of irrigation and chemical spray patterns according to specific prescriptions for each crop being sprayed. According to further preferred embodiments, the control device may use data from a variety of image sensors to create a selective, variable rate application of applicants. Using the imaging data, the system of the present invention may use a primary applicant system to broadly deliver a first selected application (e.g. water or the like) and use a separate system to deliver targeted applicants for specific plants or areas of a given field.

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.

Abstract: A method for making a prefabricated, prestressed module includes arranging one or more steel beams atop a supporting formwork element in a direction transverse to the supporting formwork element and arranging one or more precast deck elements across the one or more steel beams to create a substantially continuous surface. The one or more precast deck elements have pockets for receiving connectors that protrude from the one or more steel beams. The method also includes arranging the supporting formwork element to allow the one or more steel beams to bend into a cambered shape to impart compressive stresses to a bottom flange of the one or more steel beams and tension stresses to a top flange of the one or more steel beams and inserting grout into the pockets to hold the cambered shape and to bond the one or more precast deck elements to the connectors and the top flange.

Abstract: Improved tub girders and related manufacturing methods are provided, such as for example for use in road construction in connection with concrete bridges. Disclosed improved tub girders may include upper flanges that extending inwardly or outwardly. Disclosed improved tub girders may be provided with camber along the length of the girders. Ends of the disclosed improved tub girders may be provided with diaphragms. Disclosed improved tub girders may include a base section including one more access ports for enabling inspection of the interior of the girders after installation. Disclosed improved tub girders may include a plurality of stud members extending upwardly from upper flanges for engaging with a concrete bridge deck. Disclosed tub girders may be providing with a coating, such as galvanized, aluminized or metalized, to fight corrosion and extend life and limit need for inspection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pull-out force compensating gearbox mount for an irrigation machine. According to an exemplary preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a system to counteract pull-out forces by inducing camber into the wheel gearbox and thus the tire. According to a further preferred embodiment, the tire of the present invention preferably begins to camber as a result of excessive pull-out force, with the bottom of the tire moving outwards relative to the top of the tire. This camber action is preferably applied to mitigate the pull-out forces. According to a further preferred embodiment, when excessive pull-out forces are reduced, the tire is then returned to its original position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved valve assembly and valve controller for controlling the movement of fluid for irrigation. In according with a preferred embodiment, the present invention teaches a system and method for monitoring the status of a valve assembly and for providing “proof of placement” for selected applicants. According to further preferred embodiments, the present invention includes a valve assembly including a valve controller for applying an electric current to a latch valve thereby switching the latch valve from a first flow state to a second flow state. According to a further preferred embodiment, the valve assembly of the present invention preferably further includes a state/current detector which preferably measures the active current being applied to the latch valve and outputs the measured waveform for analysis.