Abstract: A fully automated irrigation system to irrigate regular and irregular shapes of land. The system includes a water delivery pipe assembly configured to travel linearly while irrigating adjacent to a stationary row of water main spaced access valves. The system includes an automated connector configured to supply water from the access valves to the water delivery pipe assembly. The connector includes a swing arm, a compensator, a valve coupler, a lift and a swinger. The swing arm facilitates positioning a coupler body above a next-up access valve and facilitates positioning the delivery pipe assembly. The compensator compensates for distance change between a coupled-to access valve and the delivery pipe assembly when the assembly travels. A coupler body resides at an outer end of the swing arm. The lift raises and lowers the swing arm to couple and uncouple respectively the coupler body along the row of access valves.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An irrigation system is disclosed that is configured to maintain a near straight alignment. In an implementation, an irrigation system includes multiple interconnected spans which are supported by multiple tower structures. Each tower structure includes a variable-speed drive unit for selectively driving a tower structure at a selected speed. The irrigation system also includes multiple sensors that are each associated with a corresponding span to determine an alignment of the corresponding span with respect to adjacent spans. Each of the sensors is in communication with a corresponding variable-drive control unit. Each of the variable-drive control units are configured to control the selected speed of a corresponding variable-speed drive unit to maintain the interconnected spans in a substantially linear orientation with respect to adjacent ones of the plurality of interconnected spans along a generally longitudinally oriented axis (e.g., maintain alignment of the spans with respect to each other).

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 laser alignment system is provided for a mechanized irrigation system with the laser alignment system being operatively connected to the drive tower motors of the irrigation system to maintain the spans of the irrigation system in alignment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for applying road marking material to a pavement surface. The apparatus includes a vehicle having a holographic sight and at least one road marking material applicator mounted thereon. In accordance with the method, an operator of the vehicle steers the vehicle to a desired position on the pavement surface based upon aiming information observable through the holographic sight.

Abstract: An irrigation system for conveying a fluid. The irrigation system comprises a a first irrigator span having a first end and extending to a distal end. A first drive system moves the first irrigator span. A second irrigator span extends from the distal end of the first irrigator span. A second drive system moves the second irrigator span. An alignment mechanism interconnects the first irrigator span and the second irrigator span to maintain alignment between the first and second irrigator spans within a predetermined limit. One of the drive systems is variable speed and the alignment mechanism includes a potentiometer for measuring the magnitude of misalignment between the first and second irrigation spans. The potentiometer is used to vary the speed of one of the drive systems to realign the first and second irrigator spans to maintain the predetermined limit.

Abstract: A high torque driveline coupler is provided for use in the driveline between a drive motor and a wheel drive of a sprinkler irrigation system. The coupler has first and second yoke assemblies with intermeshed pairs of legs, and a floating rubber member with radially extending arms positioned between the intermeshed legs of the yoke assemblies. The legs of the yoke assemblies and the floating rubber member are arranged to allow the coupler to be quickly and easily coupled and decoupled without the use of separate means for securing the yoke assemblies together. The coupler has a unique alignment system for aligning the floating member with the yoke assemblies. The alignment system includes first and second recesses formed in opposite sides of a center portion of the floating rubber member, and first and second projections extending from the first and second yoke assemblies, respectively.

Abstract: An alignment control is provided for long center pivot irrigation systems which include a center pivot structure having an elongated water pipe extending outwardly therefrom with the water pipe being supported upon a plurality of drive units which propel the water pipe around the center pivot structure. A first GPS control is positioned on the center pivot structure which functions as a stationary reference. A second GPS control is positioned on the center drive unit near the center length of the water pipe. A third GPS control is mounted on the last or outermost drive unit. A computer-operated control is operatively connected to the drive motor on the center drive unit.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for hydraulically powered center pivot irrigation systems which utilizes dual-spool, four-way hydraulic valves for controlling the movement of inner support towers, and a pressure controlled directional valve with a dedicated high pressure line to control the direction and speed of the outer tower and hence of the entire system. One of the spools controls the clockwise movement of the irrigation system, while the second spool controls system movement in the counter clockwise direction. Should an inner support tower malfunction and fail to move, the outer sections can be driven back into realignment by simply reversing the hydraulic pressure in the two primary lines.

Abstract: In the prior art, there is U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,611 which discloses a uni-directionally controlled hydraulically-actuatable center-pivot irrigation apparatus, having strategically located three-way valves. The instant invention discloses a dual-directionally controlled hydraulically-actuatable center-pivot irrigation apparatus having strategically located four-way valves, a dual-directional-valve, and other ancillary features interposed along hydraulic-control lines for the center-pivot irrigation apparatus. Accordingly, there are ancillary means for controlling the angular directional movement of the irrigation apparatus through a dual-directional-valve conveniently located at the center of a field to be irrigated by the apparatus.

Abstract: Correction steering for a linearly movable irrigation system, consisting of interconnected pipes carried by motorized irrigation towers, whereby at least one irrigation tower constitutes a steering unit for correction of the irrigation system in the case of an angular deflection occurring with respect to the guideway, which deflection is automatically detected by sensors arranged on a bar located in the area of the irrigation tower pertaining to the steering unit, which sensors are in operational contact with the guideway; the bar is a sensor arm (12) which is supported to rotate about a vertical axle (13); the axle (13) is arranged at one of the irrigation towers (1) of the steering unit and the sensor arm (12) is connected with the support (24) located at the outer end of the pipe (5).

Abstract: Apparatus for precise water and liquid chemical application to agricultural fields is provided comprising a control platform with two motors, each motor driving a separate set of drive wheels. The speed of the first platform motor being selectable, the speed of the second motor being controlled by a variable frequency AC motor controller which receives a signal from a linear position transducer which senses the positional relationship of the control platform to a pre-determined path so as to maintain the platform on a pre-determined path. A second variable frequency AC motor controller receives a signal from a second linear position transducer between the control platform and a plurality of span sections supported by a plurality of motorized, wheeled towers which is operable to maintain alignment between the towers and the control platform, and the span sections are provided with switches operable to switch the motors of the towers on and off momentarily as required to keep them in alignment with each other.

Abstract: Water irrigation apparatus comprises a water supply pipe divided into a plurality of sections each formed with a plurality of water outlets spaced along its length; pivotal connections connecting the ends of each section to the ends of the adjacent sections to form a line of sections articulated at their ends; a wheel carried by each section for propelling the respective section over the ground; and horizontal aligning means for each section effective to couple or decouple the wheel of each section to its respective section in response to the angle between it and the next adjacent section.