Valmont Industries, Inc.

Other

Craig S Malsam

Bruce Kreikemeier

Marv Schulz

Jacob L LaRue

Mark Moeller

Dale A Christensen

Dennis Theilen

Mark G Schechinger

Joseph F Novotny

Hector Haget

Ron Flakus

Donald M Salazar

An irrigation system is disclosed that includes a variable nozzle control assembly disposed or coupled to the outer-most end of the structure of a self-propelled mechanized irrigation system. The variable nozzle control assembly may be configured to control the output water/applicant as a function of the mechanized irrigation system's location in the field. As the mechanized irrigation system travels an irrigation path, the variable nozzle control assembly may dynamically change the angle, trajectory, pressure, gallons per minute (GPM) flow (flow capacity) of the water and/or applicant released from the outer most end of the mechanized irrigation structure to provide sufficient irrigational coverage to the land.

Water distribution assembly for a self-propelled mechanized irrigation system

An irrigation system is disclosed that includes a control system for determining whether to apply a soil conditioning agent to an agricultural field is disclosed. In an implementation, the control system includes memory operable to store one or more modules and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to cause the processor to receive one or more signals representing a soil moisture characteristic from a soil sensor. The processor is also operable to determine whether to apply a soil conditioning agent to a soil based upon the soil moisture characteristic and to initiate operation of the irrigation assembly to apply the soil conditioning agent to the soil in response when the soil requires the soil conditioning agent.

Soil management system

The present disclosure is generally directed to an adjustable speed irrigation system having a control panel, at least one water conduit, at least one tower, and a position sensor. A user inputs a user-defined end destination at the user-defined arrival time into the control panel. The control panel receives a current position of the irrigation system from the position sensor. The control panel compares the current position to the user-defined end destination and calculates a new optimum ground speed required to reach the user-defined end destination at the user-defined time based on the current position of the irrigation system. The control panel then sends a signal to a speed control unit to adjust the speed of the irrigation system to match the new optimum ground speed.

Adjustable speed irrigation system and method of use

An applicant dispersal assembly is described that couples to an irrigation system. It is contemplated that the irrigation system may be a center pivot irrigation system, a linear move irrigation system, or the like. The applicant dispersal assembly is configured to receive an applicant and selectively adjust a flow rate of the applicant. In an implementation, the applicant dispersal assembly includes a pump assembly configured to couple to an irrigation conduit. The irrigation conduit is configured to provide an applicant to the pump assembly for dispersing over a cultivation area. The pump assembly is configured to pump the applicant and to selectively adjust a flow rate of the applicant. The applicant dispersal assembly also includes an applicant dispersal device that is coupled to the pump assembly. The applicant dispersal device is configured to disperse the applicant.

Irrigation system having an applicant dispersal assembly

An irrigation system is disclosed that includes a ground-based platform. In an implementation, an irrigation system includes a span of overhead irrigation equipment. The irrigation system also includes a ground-based platform for coupling with the span of overhead irrigation equipment. The ground-based platform includes a drive for moving the ground-based platform. The irrigation system also includes a linkage for coupling the span of overhead irrigation equipment with the ground-based platform. The linkage is communicatively coupled with the drive of the ground-based platform for communicating information regarding a change in at least one of a position, a direction, or a speed of the span of overhead irrigation equipment with respect to the ground-based platform. The drive of the ground-based platform is configured to use the information received from the linkage to coordinate movement of the ground-based platform with movement of the span of overhead irrigation equipment.

Harvesting machine

The present disclosure is directed to a mechanized irrigation system that includes an electronic controller equipped with a telemetry means configured to read wireless tire pressure monitors and transmit this information up to 2900 feet from the tires being monitored. Based on the ability to remotely monitor the tire pressure of a mechanized irrigation system, the operator can remotely determine when tire pressures are low and take the necessary corrective action to avoid costly down-time.

Self-propelled mechanized irrigation system with a tire pressure monitoring system

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).

Variable-speed irrigation system

The present disclosure is a mechanized irrigation system with an ability to provide the operator with the ability to remotely monitor actual crop growth and crop health, remotely determine the appropriate applicants, and remotely control the mechanized irrigation equipment to apply those applicants.

Self propelled mechanized irrigation system with a remote visual monitoring system

A dual span center pivot irrigation system comprising first and second center pivot span structures pivotally secured at their inner ends to a fixed center pivot structure. Each of the center pivot span structures are independently operable with the movements thereof being coordinated by suitable controls. The center pivot span structures may be operated in at least three different modes, namely: (1) independent wiper; (2) follow the leader; and (3) independent full circle.

Dual span center pivot irrigation system

A collector ring for use with a center pivot irrigation system which permits the mounting of a communication device above the span structure. The collector ring also includes a monitoring device which senses the angle or rotation of the span structure with respect to the fixed center pivot structure.

Collector ring for a center pivot irrigation machine

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.

Laser alignment system for a mechanized irrigation system

A method and means is disclosed for remotely reading the status of and controlling irrigation components and ancillary equipment. A handheld remote user interface (RUI) is provided which includes at least a display. The RUI has the ability to communicate with and control the irrigation components using built-in wireless telemetry technology. The RUI allows the user to read the status of and control the irrigation components and ancillary equipment from any location, without requiring the user to be at the irrigation component controls or at a specific location in the field. Software operational of the RUI generates one or more user screens with graphic user interfaces for quickly and easily monitoring and controlling the irrigation components and ancillary equipment.

Method and means for reading the status of and controlling irrigation components

A method and means is disclosed for remotely reading the status of and controlling irrigation components and ancillary equipment. A handheld remote user interface (RUI) is provided which includes a display and a keypad. The RUI has the ability to communicate with and control the irrigation components using built-in wireless telemetry technology. The RUI allows the user to read the status of and control the irrigation components and ancillary equipment from any location in the field, without requiring the user to be at the irrigation component controls or at a specific location in the field.

A self-propelled irrigation machine including an elongated main boom pivoted at one end to a center pivot and supported on a plurality of self-propelled, non-steerable drive units. An extension boom is pivotally secured to the other end of the main boom for irrigating corner areas of the field. A steerable drive tower supports the extension boom and includes a pair of steerable drive wheels. The guidance and control for the extension boom includes a UWB receiver and a computer positioned on the steerable drive tower for receiving and processing UWB information as to the location of the steerable drive tower and for determining the optimal steer angle for the steerable drive wheels relative to the movement of the main boom. At least one UWB transmitters are located within receiving range of the UWB receiver. Signals transmitted by the UWB transmitters are received by the UWB receiver on the steerable drive unit and are used to determine current location and optimal steer angles relative to the main boom.

Corner irrigation system including an ultra wide band (UWB) guidance system

A wheel track closing assembly is described for use with a drive unit of a mechanized irrigation system. Each of the wheel track closing assemblies includes an elongated rigid arm which is longitudinally and pivotally connected to either the drive wheel or the gearbox for the drive wheel. A replaceable soil-engaging member in the form of oppositely disposed shovels is secured to the free end of the rigid arm for engaging the soil adjacent the wheel track to move the soil into the wheel track to close the same. When the direction of movement of the drive tower is reversed, the drive wheels walk-over the soil-engaging members so that the soil-engaging members are repositioned in a trailing position with respect to the associated drive wheels.

Growing community of inventors

Omaha, NE, United States of America

Craig S Malsam