Abstract:
A low capital investment system for irrigating a relatively large area field, comprising a mobile base, and a sprinkler mounted on the base and adapted to accumulate water from a water supply and to intermittently discharge accumulated water in an irrigating stream over the field. Apparatus is provided for propelling the base in a back and forth movement traversing a field, and for generally reversing the water discharge direction each time the direction of travel is reversed.The sprinkler includes a novel, resiliently expandable reservoir construction for accumulating relatively large volume, intermittent bursts, and a drive system which also provides relatively short range, continual irrigation. Separate sprinkler units can be used on a field concurrently, or a single unit can be moved over successive areas of a field until the whole field has been covered. The system may also be combined with a center pivot device to irrigate land that would otherwise be unused.
Abstract:
An accumulator-distributor for gathering a quantity of water under pressure and rapidly discharging the quantity of water in bursts whereby large agricultural areas can be watered from a low volume source of irrigation water is shown. An expandible chamber is provided having a flexible diaphragm as one wall thereof. Bias means carried by the flexible diaphragm are adapted to exert a pressure upon the valve member closing the outlet opening from the chamber an amount insufficient to retract the valve member against the differential pressure of the accumulated water acting on the valve member. A second member is adapted to contact and lift the valve member from the valve seat at the point of maximum expansion of the chamber whereby the differential pressure is removed from the valve member and the bias means is able to rapidly withdraw the valve member completely from the outlet opening from the chamber to allow the rapid and complete expulsion of the accumulated water therein in an optimal manner.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for operating a center pivot irrigation system including a plurality of span units, each having a drive carriage having a hydraulically driven motor means for operating associated carriage wheels in response to hydraulic fluid supplied thereto under pressure through hydraulic fluid lines from a source thereof, is operated by supplying hydraulic fluid at a selectable value of constant volume fluid flow to the system to drive the system at a selectable average speed about its center pivot, the flow rate of fluid to individual motor means of individual span units which are ahead or behind of a predetermined relative alignment with the other span units being varied in response to changes in angularity sensed between adjacent span units in both forward and backward directions relative to the direction of travel of the system about its center pivot while the constant volume fluid flow through the system is being maintained at a selectable constant flow rate. An improved hydraulic adjustable rate flow valve accommodates fluid flow in reversible directions while maintaining close control or metering capabilities over the fluid flow through the valve in either flow direction.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for sensing moisture by exposing water in a container to the atmosphere, sensing changes in the volume of the exposed water due to ambient weather conditions, controlling an electrical signal related to the sensed change and controlling the operation of an irrigation system, such as a plurality of solenoid-actuated pilot valves associated with sprinklers of the irrigation system, in response to the signal.
Abstract:
A water operated control apparatus and method for operating a controlled device is associated with moisture sensing apparatus for sensing the level of moisture available at a location and operating the controlled device in response thereto. Moisture sensing means is disposed at the location and is adapted to selectively pass air therethrough when the level of moisture at the location falls to a predetermined level, or prevent the passage of air therethrough when the level of moisture rises to a predetermined level. A housing is operatively connected to the sensing means and to a supply of water. A diaphragm is disposed in the housing in a manner forming a chamber therein, the interior of the chamber being in fluid communication with air passing through the sensing means. In one embodiment of the apparatus, a drain line of relatively small internal diameter is also in communication with the chamber and drains water from said supply in a hanging column of water such that the weight of the column of water pulls a partial vacuum in the chamber under the diaphragm when air is not being passed therein by the sensing means, as when the moisture level is above the predetermined level. Air from the sensing means relieves the negative pressure generated by the hanging column of water when the moisture level falls below the predetermined level. In another embodiment of the apparatus, the weight of water in a drain line is used to produce a positive pressure over the diaphragm when air is not passed by the sensing means. Air passing out through the sensor when the moisture level falls below a predetermined level relieves the pressure on the diaphragm. Movement of the diaphragm in response to the changing air pressure in the chamber may be used to operate a valve controlling flow of water through the chamber, or electrical contacts or a mechanical connection associated with the diaphragm which may in turn be connected to a controlled device or devices.The water operated control method includes the steps of connecting a moisture responsive air valve in air flow communication with a chamber, establishing a vertical column of water in a conduit in fluid flow communication with the chamber, placing the chamber in air pressure sensing relation with an air actuated device and operating the device in response to variations in air pressure acting upon the device when air is not passed by the air valve compared to when air is passed by the air valve.
Abstract:
An adjustable pressure check valve comprises a generally cylindrical body having a throughbore communicating with an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends thereof, an annular valve seat in the throughbore, a valve member having a sealing surface for engagement with the seat disposed in the bore for movement into and out of engagement with the seat, a compression spring disposed in the throughbore for biasing the valve member into engagement with the seat, and an adjusting member for adjusting the biasing force of the spring on the valve member.
Abstract:
A gear driven oscillating sprinkler head includes a reversible gear train for transmitting drive from a drive motor to the oscillating sprinkler head with a shifting mechanism, including a shiftable carrier on which a pair of driving pinions are mounted for shifting alternately into driving engagement with an internal ring gear, with a lost motion connection between a shifting arm and the carrier with a cam controlled shift retainer unit for maintaining the carrier in its engaging position until positively shifted by a shifting arm and over-center springs for biasing and maintaining the shifting arm to the alternate driving engagement positions.
Abstract:
A rotary stream sprinkler unit comprises a body having a water flow passage in which is disposed a flow control unit having a variable restriction in a passage to one or more arcuate passages configured to control the volume and pressure of a primary stream delivered to a rotary distributor head rotatably mounted at the outlet of the housing for dividing each primary stream into a plurality of final streams and rotating each of the final streams through a selected arc during the rotation of the rotary head.
Abstract:
A pop-up sprinkler unit for mounting beneath the surface of a soil formation includes an outer cylindrical housing for subsurface mounting with an inner housing carrying a nozzle and drive turbine with a protective sleeve of a grit resistant material reciprocably mounted between the inner and outer housings for extending with the inner housing up through a portion of the soil and includes a grit deflector on the housing surrounding the sleeve for deflecting grit from between the sleeve and housing when the inner housing and sleeve is retracted.
Abstract:
A rotary stream sprinkler unit comprises a body having a water flow passage in which is disposed a flow control unit having one or more passages configured to control the volume and pressure of a stream which strikes and rotates a rotary distributor head rotatably mounted at the outlet of the housing for dividing each stream into a plurality of final streams and rotating each of the final streams through a selected arc during the rotation of the rotary head with a damping device connected to the rotary head for controlling the rotational velocity thereof.