Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a mounting plate for attachment to a rotatable axle, a plurality of elongate friction members for engaging a tire assembly, a plurality of first angular flanges extending radially outward and circumferentially in a first direction from the mounting plate, and a plurality of second angular flanges extending radially outward and circumferentially in a second direction, opposite the first direction, from the mounting plate. Each elongate friction member is disposed axially between one of the first angular flanges and one of the second angular flanges.

Abstract: A wheeled support tower for a travelling irrigation machine is provided. A tower frame includes at least two legs and a base beam interconnecting lower ends thereof and at least two wheels located towards two extremities of the base beam. The base beam that houses at least two drive shafts therein, and preferably the legs, are of a tubular construction. One or more center drives for rotating the drive shafts are also located within a housing forming part the base beam. The two legs and base beam may be arranged to form a generally triangular support tower. The drive shafts may be coupled to wheel boxes each of which houses a driving gear arrangement for an associated wheel hub. The wheel boxes are in a lower vertical position than the lower ends of the legs and fall at least partially within the width of the legs in plan view in the normal operative position thereof.

Abstract: A movable lighting apparatus for raising natural lawn grass includes a frame, main support legs supporting the frame, and casters attached to the lower ends of the main support legs. A movable beam is provided such that it can be advanced and retracted relative to the frame in a left-right direction. A stationary beam is fixed to the frame. A sub-support leg is provided at an advancement direction forward end portion of the movable beam so as to support a distal end of the movable beam when the movable beam is advanced. A caster is attached to the lower end of the sub-support leg. LED lamps are attached to the movable beam and the stationary beam. When the movable beam is retracted, the lower end of the caster of the sub-support leg is moved to a position above the lower ends of the casters of the main support legs.

Abstract: A control system for a suspended boom sprayer of a vehicle comprises: first and second sensors each configured to be disposed on respective first and second boom wings of the suspended boom sprayer and to provide an output responsive to a rotation of the first and second wings caused by a disturbance torque; a processor, configured to determine a differential acceleration between the first and second wings based on the outputs of the respective sensors, and to determine the disturbance torque corresponding to the differential acceleration; and at least one actuator, controllable to move one or both of the first and second wings in order to counter the disturbance torque.

Abstract: An anchoring device for a self-propelled irrigation system includes a screw pile and drive assembly that drives the screw pile into the ground to anchor a drive tower of the irrigation system to the ground. The screw pile is rotatably driven about a vertical axis and movable vertically relative to the drive tower. The drive assembly can include an electric motor with a suitable gear reduction that causes the screw pile to be rotated slowly with a large amount of torque. The drive assembly can be mounted stationary to the drive tower, or it can be mounted on tracks so as to move vertically together with the screw pile. A low voltage electrical system with one or more batteries can be used to power the electric motor. A solar battery charger or other charging system can be used to maintain an electrical charge in the batteries. A controller is provided to activate the drive assembly when adverse weather conditions are detected, or upon receiving a remote command from the operator.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a collapsible wheel and an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements attached to the central portion. Each of the mounting elements is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and may be pivotally attached to the central portion of the wheel and configured to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position. The tire may be positioned on the wheel when one or more of the mounting elements is in the retracted position, and the one or more mounting elements are moved to the extended position wherein the mounting elements engage and support the tire.

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: An irrigation system includes a central pivot; a main section pivotally connected to the central pivot; and at least one solar panel supported on the main section. A control system positions the main section relative to the central pivot so that the solar panel faces the sun.

Abstract: The current invention discloses several methodologies that mitigate shock loading and propensity to resonance in agricultural spray boom structures. These include a near planar linkage for decoupling the boom assembly from the vehicle. This serves to permit further aspects of the invention to: Use the combined mass of the booms and center section as the tuned mass of a tuned mass damper: Act as an enabling part of a boom compliant suspension system to mitigate shock loadings otherwise imposed on the boom system, and: Act as an enabling part of an active boom height and roll control systems to permit the accurate navigation of the boom over undulating terrain. Further aspects include the incorporation of tuned mass dampers in the boom structure and components; and the use of the mass and operation of the boom outboard “breakaway” sections as tuned mass dampers.

Abstract: An irrigation system and method for irrigating a field including a plurality of towers linked together by at least one rotatable torque tube. Each of the towers may comprise a frame, one or more wheels on which the frame may travel, a rotatable reel, and a line configured to be spooled onto the reel. A motor may be configured to rotate the torque tube, which may in turn actuate each of the reels to rotate simultaneously. One end of each of the lines may be anchored at a first location and the towers may be located at a second location. Rotation of the reels spools the lines onto the reels and thereby actuates the towers to travel from the second location to the first location. The irrigation system also comprises hoses to link one or more fluid-emitting devices positioned on each of the towers with a water source.

Abstract: An irrigation device includes a pipe conduit (2) which is connectable to a water source. An irrigation arm (10) is arranged at an end of the pipe conduit (2) which is away from the water source. The irrigation device also includes at least one pump (24) for delivering water from the water source to at least one sprinkler (22) formed on the irrigation arm (10). The at least one pump (24) is arranged within a connection conduit from the water source to the sprinkler (22). The connection conduit is formed by the pipe conduit (2) and the irrigation arm (10).

Abstract: An irrigation machine is selectively converted into a sprayer for applying chemicals that have been approved for use only by spraying equipment. A method is disclosed for irrigating and spraying crops using the same conduit connected to either an irrigation ground water source or a sprayer-approved chemical source, but at no time is the conduit connected to both sources simultaneously. The method includes connecting the input of a conduit to a ground water source, irrigating the crops with water from the ground water source, disconnecting the input of the conduit from the ground water source, connecting the input of the same conduit to a sprayer-approved chemical source, and spraying the crops with chemical from the chemical source.

Abstract: A wheel apparatus includes a hub that is configured to be received by an axle of an irrigation system. The wheel apparatus also includes a rim assembly that includes a plurality of substantially flat feet that form a faceted circular arrangement. A support structure is disposed between the hub and the rim assembly to at least partially support the rim assembly. At least one of the substantially flat feet is coupled to at least one of the plurality of spoke structures. The wheel apparatus also includes at least one cleat disposed on an outside surface of at least one of the plurality of substantially flat feet to provide traction to the rim assembly.

Abstract: A system comprising a spray boom including a pair of boom assemblies, means for measuring the position of the boom assemblies relative to the ground, a stabilising device mounted on each boom assembly for stabilising and damping vertical movement of the spray boom, activating means connected to the stabilising device, and computer controlling means, wherein the stabilising device is configured as a block movable on a track along the length of the boom assembly thereby displacing the centre of gravity of the spray boom, the activating means capable of moving the block along the boom assembly, the computer controlling means receiving information from the means for measuring the position of the boom assemblies relative to the ground on the vertical movement of the pair of boom assemblies, whereby the computer controlling means controls the vertical position of the stabilising device through the activating means in response to received information.

Abstract: This control system for an agricultural spraying machine (1), of which the boom (5) is equipped with a plurality of multi-nozzle units (9), is characterized in that it comprises means (15a to 15, 17a to 17e, 23) for piloting each multi-nozzle unit (9) according to data representative of the cartography of the plants to be treated.

Abstract: An adaptive support is provided for a flexible hose sprinkler head on an elevated irrigation supply line that includes a sprinkler support body and a hanger body. The sprinkler support body has a first inter-fitting contact surface. The body is disposed to support a downwardly extending flexible sprinkler hose. The hanger body has a second inter-fitting contact surface configured to mate with the first inter-fitting contact surface. The hanger body is disposed to support the sprinkler body at an elevated position. A method is also provided for changing elevation of a sprinkler head.

Abstract: Directional spray heads on each side of each tower over the wheels spray water behind the trailing wheel and not in front of the wheels. A control box activates the direction of travel of the wheels at the towers through a tower box at each tower. Solenoids wired to the tower box for switching power alternately to each wheel, switch the water flow via the solenoids to directional spray sprinklers spraying behind the trailing wheel.

Abstract: A spraying apparatus includes a nozzle connected to a pressurized liquid supply and dispensing a spray pattern from a discharge orifice of the nozzle A stroboscopic light source is mounted on one side of the nozzle and directs a pulsating light beam along the spray pattern such that the spray pattern is stroboscopically illuminated and visible to an operator on the opposite side of the nozzle. Continuous light can also be provided to illuminate the spraying apparatus for night operations.

Abstract: A sprinkler elevating apparatus is provided for use on an irrigation device. The sprinkler elevating apparatus includes a sprinkler support body and a midline hose coupling body. The sprinkler support body is configured to support the sprinkler at an elevated position relative to the irrigation device. The midline hose coupling body is carried by the sprinkler support body. The midline hose coupling body has a contact portion configured to affix to a midline section of a flexible hose drop of the irrigation device. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A track assembly for a mobile tower of an irrigation system includes: a mounting bracket configured to be attached to the mobile tower; a gearbox assembly and rotatable drive wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket; a drive wheel attached to the drive hub; rotatable tension wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket and spaced from the drive hub; a tension wheel attached to the tension wheel hub; and a track trained over the drive wheel and the tension wheel and driven by the drive wheel to propel the mobile tower.

Abstract: A spray injection analysis and nozzle configuration system is described having a user input unit that collects spray system input parameters and relays the collected parameters to a fluid performance matching unit and/or problem geometry unit for subsequent processing. The user inputs basic system parameters, including the desired spray fluid characteristics, to obtain suggested system configuration, including spray nozzle types and quantities. Accuracy of suggested spray nozzle type and configuration is increased via approximating the viscosity and/or surface tension parameters of the desired spray fluid with that of collected performance data. When a user already knows the desired spray nozzle type and associated system parameters, the user input unit routes this information to the problem geometry unit for creation of a problem geometry file, including calculation of the drop size distribution and spray velocity, and performance modeling via the fluid modeling unit.

Abstract: A spray injection analysis and nozzle configuration system is described having a user input unit that collects spray system input parameters and relays the collected parameters to a fluid performance matching unit and/or problem geometry unit for subsequent processing. The user inputs basic system parameters, including the desired spray fluid characteristics, to obtain suggested system configuration, including spray nozzle types and quantities. Accuracy of suggested spray nozzle type and configuration is increased via approximating the viscosity and/or surface tension parameters of the desired spray fluid with that of collected performance data. When a user already knows the desired spray nozzle type and associated system parameters, the user input unit routes this information to the problem geometry unit for creation of a problem geometry file, including calculation of the drop size distribution and spray velocity, and performance modeling via the fluid modeling unit.

Abstract: Directional spray heads on each side of each tower over the wheels spray water behind the trailing wheel and not in front of the wheels. A control box activates the direction of travel of the wheels at the towers through a tower box at each tower. Solenoids wired to the tower box for switching power alternately to each wheel, switch the water flow via the solenoids to directional spray sprinklers spraying behind the trailing wheel.

Abstract: An adaptive support is provided for a flexible hose sprinkler head on an elevated irrigation supply line that includes a sprinkler support body and a hanger body. The sprinkler support body has a first inter-fitting contact surface. The body is disposed to support a downwardly extending flexible sprinkler hose. The hanger body has a second inter-fitting contact surface configured to mate with the first inter-fitting contact surface. The hanger body is disposed to support the sprinkler body at an elevated position. A method is also provided for changing elevation of a sprinkler head.

Abstract: A manifold for ostomy bag irrigation, including an inlet member having a channel defined therein, a T-member having a channel defined therein and in fluid communication with the inlet member, a left tube having a plurality of apertures defined therein and having one end coupled to the T-member, a right tube having a plurality of apertures defined therein and having one end coupled to the T-member, a left cap having a channel defined therein and coupled to the second end of the left tube, and a right cap having a channel defined therein and coupled to the second end of the right tube.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Valves for use in irrigation systems include a moveable sealing member disposed within a valve body. The moveable sealing member is configured to close automatically the valve when the magnitude of a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet of the valve body reaches a predetermined threshold value and to open automatically the valve when the magnitude of the pressure differential falls below the predetermined threshold value. Irrigation systems include such valves and methods for flushing debris out of the irrigation systems using such valves.

Abstract: A self-propelled irrigation system has an elongated pipeline supported above a field by a plurality of drive towers. The drive towers each have a base beam assembly, a tower structure extending above the base beam assembly for supporting the elongated pipeline, and a plurality of drive wheel assemblies for moving the base beam assembly over a field. The drive assemblies include first and second drive assemblies mounted to respective ends of the base beam assembly. At least one of the drive towers also has a third drive assembly mounted to the base beam assembly between the first and second drive assemblies. The base beam assembly supporting the third drive assembly is articulated between its first and second ends and pivotally connected to the lower ends of the tower structure to allow the third drive assembly to move vertically relative to the first and second drive assemblies when traversing uneven terrain.

Abstract: A wheeled lawn sprinkler assembly for easily moving a lawn sprinkler around a large or small size yard which assembly contains a shut off valve, a collapsible wheel assembly and a collapsible support assembly.

Abstract: A flotation drive assembly for mechanized irrigation systems such as a corner pivot irrigation machine, a center pivot irrigation machine or a linear move irrigation machine wherein the flotation drive assembly improves upon the field traction of the mechanized agricultural irrigational systems and which improves the resistance to wheel track rutting that may occur during the normal operation of the systems. The flotation drive assembly of this invention is designed so that the gearbox which drives the wheel/tire assemblies at the opposite ends of the main frame of the drive unit or tower is mounted so as not to support the weight of the tower or the water contained therein.

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 sprinkler apparatus including a manifold is used with a nipple and a union. The manifold includes a pipe section and at least one port. There is a fitting on the port. The nipple has a proximal and distal end. A fitting is located at to the distal end of the nipple. One or more radially extending projections may be positioned around the circumference of the nipple. The fitting on the fitting on the distal end of the nipple may form a water-tight seal with a fitting on a valve without tightening with a wrench by mating the projections and indentations and applying a torque to the union. The union includes one or more indentations that may align with and mate with the projections to allow the union to slide over the nipple. The union has a fitting. The fitting on the union corresponds to and engages the fitting on the port.

Abstract: A spray nozzle assembly includes a pressure dependent variable spray orifice and an internal chamber which is at least partially bound by a flexibly deformable sidewall. At its distal end, the sidewall terminates at a distal face defining the spray orifice extending therethrough. A metering member extends distally from the internal chamber and through at least a portion of the spray orifice. As the pressure of a liquid supplied to the internal chamber by a liquid supply pathway varies, the flexibly deformable sidewall expands or contracts in response thereto. As the sidewall expands and contracts, the distal face moves relative to the metering member to change the effective size of the spray orifice.

Abstract: A linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation includes a linear-move machine with a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated. The truss assembly is oriented transverse to the specified direction, and a supply pipe is arranged in the specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated. The supply pipe mounts a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along the pipe, each of the hydrants enclosing a water supply valve. A docking station is supported at one end of the truss assembly closest to the supply pipe, and is adapted to engage and open successive ones of the water supply valves in the plurality of hydrants. The docking station assembly includes a docking station that is suspended from a frame for floating movement about at least three mutually perpendicular axes.

Abstract: A spray bar assembly conduit having a connecting area easily attachable to a connecting piece. The connecting area includes a first outwardly directed bead which contacts the connecting piece and a second inwardly directed bead. The connecting piece is preferably equipped with a connecting plug or locking device for securing the connecting piece axially in the connecting area with the connecting plug engaging with the first bead.

Abstract: A fertilizer system is provided using extraction of nitrogen compounds and other plant nutrients from combustion exhaust gases, and which is particularly suited for use with an agricultural irrigation system or engine driven plant care equipment including self-propelled tractors, mowers and the like. The system includes an exhaust chamber in communication with the motor driving a pump of the system for receiving the exhaust gases therethrough. Water is injected into the exhaust chamber for mixing with the exhaust so that the steam being formed absorbs various nitrogen compounds and other plant nutrients from the surrounding hot exhaust gases. The steam is subsequently condensed in a condensing chamber from which condensate is collected and dispensed into the inlet of the pump with water circulated therethrough.

Abstract: Valves for use in irrigation systems include a moveable sealing member disposed within a valve body. The moveable sealing member is configured to close automatically the valve when the magnitude of a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet of the valve body reaches a predetermined threshold value and to open automatically the valve when the magnitude of the pressure differential falls below the predetermined threshold value. Irrigation systems include such valves and methods for flushing debris out of the irrigation systems using such valves.

Abstract: Spraying apparatus (1) is provided that has two horizontally disposed upright spray arm assemblies (33) that each carry sprayers (43). Each spray arm assembly (33) has a sprayer (43) in an upper part (35) and a sprayer (43) in a lower part (37). The upper part (35) is able to move relative to the lower part (37) so the axis of spraying from the upper part (35) will be downwardly directed towards an upper part of crop to be sprayed. The spray arm assemblies (33) are mounted on respective arms (25) for moving laterally inwardly or outwardly relative to a longitudinal direction of a row of crop to accommodate for different width crops and/or different crop row widths.

Abstract: A water sprinkling apparatus primarily for trees includes a branched piping manifold in a substantially horizontal plane and forming a predetermined pattern, such as a U, an H, or a Y. At least three pipe fittings are disposed along the branched piping manifold to provide attachment of at least two sprinkler heads removably screwed into the pipe fittings. A common garden hose connection also attaches to the manifold and provides water supply to all the attached spray nozzles, which preferably offer adjustable spray patterns and distances.

Abstract: A roll-sprinkler system comprises with horizontal water conducting pipe portions as the supporting means for multiple wheels. The pipes conducting liquid to the sprinkler heads for irrigations have an opening adaptor allowing the system to connect with standard garden hose. The multi head sprinklers are mounted vertically to the horizontal pipes which are linked with wheels for easy displacing of the system during irrigation. The system may further comprise chemical tanks and valves controlling the tanks for adding chemicals into the irrigating water. The system may also be foldable or separable in two or three sections for shipping and storage. The system may further comprise a directional driving wheel, which is powered and can be programmed by an IC chip or controlled by a remote controller.

Abstract: Mobile towers of an irrigation system have drive wheel assemblies that propel the towers along the ground. At least certain of the wheel assemblies may comprise dual wheels that share a common axis of rotation but are separately driven by their own drive motor. By driving the two separate wheels in unison but with their own individual drive shafts, increased ground-engaging surface area can be obtained without a consequential increase in load for any one motor.

Abstract: A flow-through joint in an irrigation machine between the main pipeline section and a swing span, such as a corner span, permits a limited amount of generally linear displacement of the swing span within the joint for speed control or other purposes. A turret that rotates freely on the upright outlet port of the main pipeline section has a pair of coupling assemblies on opposite sides of the upright pivot axis through the outlet port, one of such coupling assemblies having a ball joint and the other being provided with relatively displaceable components. The arms of a connecting yoke on the inner end of the swing span are coupled with the ball joint on the one hand and the displaceable components on the other so as to provide the necessary swinging and pivoting motions while at the same time allowing displacing movement as necessary for control purposes.

Abstract: A selectively fillable ballast water tank is secured to the main frame of the drive units of a self-propelled irrigation machine. The water tank is selectively filled with water from the water pipeline when the system is going to remain stationary for a period of time, thereby reducing the risk that the drive unit will overturn when experiencing a high wind situation. The ballast water tanks are drained when the system is going to be used to irrigate.

Abstract: A water irrigation system may include a computer system, a sensing unit, an irrigation controller, and/or a water delivery system. The sensing unit may include a moisture gauge. The moisture gauge may include a capacitor coupled to a collector. The sensing unit may assess an amount of moisture in the collector and provide output that is a function of the amount of moisture in the collector to the computer system. The computer system may control irrigation of a zone to be irrigated at least partially based on the assessed amount of moisture in the collector. A method of controlling irrigation may include assessing an amount of moisture in a collector near or in a zone to be irrigated and controlling irrigation at least partially based on the assessed amount of moisture in the collector.

Abstract: An active compound supply system for a spraying device for spraying liquids, in particular for agricultural purposes, includes a carrier liquid tank, a carrier liquid pump, a plurality of spray nozzles and a carrier liquid line for connecting the carrier liquid tank, the carrier liquid pump and the spray nozzles. The system provides at least one active compound preliminary container, at least one metering pump for feeding active compound into the carrier liquid and an active compound forward-flow line from the active compound preliminary container to the metering pump.

Abstract: A boom assembly includes a frame, a boom, a boom stabilization cylinder, and a feedback cylinder. The boom is rotatably mounted to the frame to rotate about a first axis. The boom stabilization cylinder is coupled to the boom to resist rotational deflection of the boom about the first axis. The feedback cylinder is coupled to a counterbalancing weight. The feedback cylinder is hydraulically coupled to the boom stabilization cylinder. Movement of the boom stabilization cylinder to resist deflection of the boom causes corresponding movement of the feedback cylinder to lift the counterbalancing weight.

Abstract: The sprayer trailer has a trailer frame with a font end and a rear end. A pair of wheels are connected to the trailer frame. A hitch assembly includes a rear mast with a lower end connected to the trailer frame and a front mast with a front mast top end connected to a rear mast top end. A vertical guide assembly is mounted on the hitch assembly. A hitch connector assembly portion is mounted on a front mast lower end. A vertical guide assembly is mounted on the hitch assembly. A boom support frame is slidable on the vertical guide assembly. A sprayer boom center section is supported by the boom support frame. Nozzles on the boom center section move vertically between a lowered position below the rear mast and a raised position above the rear mast lower end.

Abstract: A linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation includes a linear-move machine with a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated. The truss assembly is oriented transverse to the specified direction, and a supply pipe is arranged in the specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated. The supply pipe mounts a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along the pipe, each of the hydrants enclosing a water supply valve. A docking station is supported at one end of the truss assembly closest to the supply pipe, and is adapted to engage and open successive ones of the water supply valves in the plurality of hydrants. The docking station assembly includes a docking station that is suspended from a frame for floating movement about at least three mutually perpendicular axes.

Abstract: Foldable boom inner wings are attached to a boom center frame through a rocker attached to a breakaway hydraulic cylinder pressurized to full stroke and connected to an accumulator. When a wing impacts an object, the impact load is transmitted through the fold cylinder and rocker into the breakaway cylinder. As the breakaway cylinder retracts to allow the wing to pivot, pressure builds in the system in three stages. First pressure builds along an accumulator pressure curve until a relief valve in the hydraulic system actives to initiate the second stage wherein oil is dumped through the relief valve. Thereafter, pressure is again allowed to build along the same accumulator curve to absorb impact hydraulically before the cylinder reaches full stroke. The staged pressure buildup prevents boom momentum from gaining and loads from increasing above the strength of the overall structure.

Abstract: A spray misting system for use with headwear having a front and rear, including an integrated reservoir and pump which contains a quantity of water, and a forward misting nozzle. The forward misting head is provided at the front of the headwear forwardly of the user to direct a fine, cooling, spray mist toward the user. A conduit connects the water reservoir with the forward misting nozzle, and a flow control valve allows the user to control the flow of water through the conduit. When desired the user operates a handle on the integrated reservoir and pump to initiate flow through the conduit to create a misting spray at the forward misting head which is directed toward the face and forehead of the user to effect cooling of the user.