Patents by Inventor Richard W. Parod
Richard W. Parod has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11031901Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Richard W. Parod, Richard E. Provaznik, Mark William Miller
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Publication number: 20190341874Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Applicant: LINDSAY CORPORATIONInventors: Richard W. Parod, Richard E. Provaznik, Mark William Miller
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Patent number: 9974245Abstract: A nozzle height adjustment subsystem for use with an irrigation system comprises a spool, a rotation device, and a control device. The spool includes a central hub and is configured to retain a drop hose to which a nozzle is attached. The rotation device is coupled to the spool and rotates the spool in a first direction or a second, opposite direction when it is activated. The control device includes electronic circuitry that is configured to generate a signal that activates the rotation device.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Richard W. Parod, Richard Edward Provaznik, Kurt Ivan Cook
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Publication number: 20180049381Abstract: A nozzle height adjustment subsystem for use with an irrigation system comprises a spool, a rotation device, and a control device. The spool includes a central hub and is configured to retain a drop hose to which a nozzle is attached. The rotation device is coupled to the spool and rotates the spool in a first direction or a second, opposite direction when it is activated. The control device includes electronic circuitry that is configured to generate a signal that activates the rotation device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Applicant: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Richard W. Parod, Richard Edward Provaznik, Kurt Ivan Cook
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Patent number: 8517289Abstract: An apparatus and method of moving a mobile tower using solar power are disclosed for use with an irrigation system. The disclosed improvement includes a solar panel with a collecting surface to convert light energy to electrical energy, an electrical charge source in communication with the solar panel to receive electrical energy, and a motor to drive a ground-engaging wheel in communication with the electrical charge source. The improvement also includes a direction control system for regulating rotation of the solar panel and a tilt assembly for adjusting the angle of the solar panel to maintain the disposition of the collecting surface in alignment with the direction of incoming sunlight. The method of moving the mobile tower includes collecting light energy with a solar panel, converting the light energy into electrical energy, and driving a wheel of the mobile tower with a motor powered by the converted electrical energy.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Richard W. Parod, Charles H. Meis
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Publication number: 20110121111Abstract: An apparatus and method of moving a mobile tower using solar power are disclosed for use with an irrigation system. The disclosed improvement includes a solar panel with a collecting surface to convert light energy to electrical energy, an electrical charge source in communication with the solar panel to receive electrical energy, and a motor to drive a ground-engaging wheel in communication with the electrical charge source. The improvement also includes a direction control system for regulating rotation of the solar panel and a tilt assembly for adjusting the angle of the solar panel to maintain the disposition of the collecting surface in alignment with the direction of incoming sunlight. The method of moving the mobile tower includes collecting light energy with a solar panel, converting the light energy into electrical energy, and driving a wheel of the mobile tower with a motor powered by the converted electrical energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: LINDSAY CORPORATIONInventors: Richard W. Parod, Charles H. Meis
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Patent number: 7878429Abstract: An apparatus and method of moving a mobile tower using solar power are disclosed for use with an irrigation system. The disclosed improvement includes a solar panel with a collecting surface to convert light energy to electrical energy, an electrical charge source in communication with the solar panel to receive electrical energy, and a motor to drive a ground-engaging wheel in communication with the electrical charge source. The improvement also includes a direction control system for regulating rotation of the solar panel and a tilt assembly for adjusting the angle of the solar panel to maintain the disposition of the collecting surface in alignment with the direction of incoming sunlight. The method of moving the mobile tower includes collecting light energy with a solar panel, converting the light energy into electrical energy, and driving a wheel of the mobile tower with a motor powered by the converted electrical energy.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Lindsay CorporationInventors: Richard W. Parod, Charles H. Meis
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Publication number: 20100140370Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: Lindsay Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Richard W. Parod, Charles H. Meis
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Patent number: 7686234Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Lindsay Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard W. Parod, Charles H. Meis
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Publication number: 20090166451Abstract: An apparatus and method of moving a mobile tower using wind energy are disclosed for use with an irrigation system. The disclosed improvement includes a rotor assembly operable to be rotated by the movement of passing air, a generator of electrical energy driven by the rotation of the rotor assembly, an electrical charge source in communication with the generator, and a motor to drive a ground-engaging wheel in communication with the electrical charge source. The method of moving the mobile tower includes rotating wind-receiving elements of a rotor assembly with wind energy in passing air, generating electrical energy from the wind energy, and driving a wheel of the mobile tower with a motor powered by the generated electrical energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: LINDSAY CORPORATIONInventors: Richard W. Parod, Charles H. Meis
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Publication number: 20090084615Abstract: An apparatus and method of moving a mobile tower using solar power are disclosed for use with an irrigation system. The disclosed improvement includes a solar panel with a collecting surface to convert light energy to electrical energy, an electrical charge source in communication with the solar panel to receive electrical energy, and a motor to drive a ground-engaging wheel in communication with the electrical charge source. The improvement also includes a direction control system for regulating rotation of the solar panel and a tilt assembly for adjusting the angle of the solar panel to maintain the disposition of the collecting surface in alignment with the direction of incoming sunlight. The method of moving the mobile tower includes collecting light energy with a solar panel, converting the light energy into electrical energy, and driving a wheel of the mobile tower with a motor powered by the converted electrical energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: LINDSAY CORPORATIONInventors: Richard W. Parod, Charles H. Meis
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Patent number: 7007871Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2001Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Lindsay Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Richard W. Parod, Charles H. Meis
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Publication number: 20020162908Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2001Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: Richard W. Parod, Charles H. Meis