Other

Loren R Townsend

Walter John Schmidt

Morris E Epp

A method and means for converting a water drive center pivot irrigation system to air drive is described whereby the more economical air drive is substituted for the water drive on each of the drive towers. The water drive cylinder on each of the drive towers of the system is modified to function as an air cylinder which is operatively connected to the trojan bar on the drive tower whereby actuation of the air cylinder will cause the trojan bar to be reciprocally moved to drive at least one of the drive wheels on the tower. An alignment panel is mounted on the drive tower and is connected to the air cylinder for controlling the operation of the same. The alignment panel is operatively secured to the existing alignment control apparatus on the drive tower so that the alignment panel will function in response to the alignment control apparatus. An air compressor is preferably placed at the well site and is connected to each of the alignment panels and to the drive cylinder on the lead tower for supplying air thereto under pressure.

Means for converting a water drive center pivot irrigation system to air

A pneumatic side roll wheel line irrigation system comprising an elongated irrigation pipe supported along the length by a plurality of spaced apart wheels mounted thereon with the pipe serving as an axle for the wheels. A pneumatic side roll mover apparatus is associated with the pipe intermediate the ends thereof for moving the pipe in a sideways direction over the area to be irrigated. The side roll mover apparatus comprises a wheeled frame means which is operatively secured to the pipe for causing the rotation of the pipe whereby the entire length of pipe will be rotated and moved. An air operated hydraulic pump is provided on the wheeled frame and is connected to a hydraulic motor. The drive assembly operatively connects the hydraulic motor to the pipe whereby actuation of the hydraulic motor will cause the rotation of the pipe and will cause the wheeled frame and pipe to be propelled in the sideways direction. Air is supplied under pressure to the air operated hydraulic pump by means of a pneumatic supply.

Pneumatic side roll mover

A reversible self-propelled center pivot sprinkler system comprising a central pivot having an overhead water supply pipe extending outwardly therefrom supported by a plurality of drive towers. A drive and control apparatus is provided on each of the towers to propel the towers and water supply pipe around the central pivot point in an aligned condition. The drive apparatus is connected to a trojan bar which is reciprocatably mounted on the tower and which is provided with an automatically controlled movable double dog on at least one end thereof for engagement with drive lugs on at least one of the drive wheels of the tower. The double dog is normally in position so that movement of the trojan bar in one direction will cause the dog to engage the wheel drive lugs so that the tower will be moved in a forwardly direction. The double dog is automatically moved to a second position so that the dog will engage the wheel drive lugs as the trojan bar is moving in a second direction to cause the tower to be moved rearwardly. The double dog comprises a hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to a reversible trojan bar dog having opposing dog surfaces. A double ratchet-type brake is provided on the tower to prevent the tower from undesirable rolling in a direction opposite to the direction of driving travel. The double ratchet-type brake may be operatively interconnected to the double dog whereby remote control or operation of the double dog also causes the double ratchet-type brake to be moved to permit the tower to roll in the desired direction while preventing undesirable rolling in the opposite direction.

Reversible self-propelled center pivot sprinkler system

A brake for a fluid-powered sprinkler system is provided for preventing the drive towers from rolling down inclines and for preventing the wind from rolling the drive towers. The fluid power may either be compressed air or water under pressure. An overhead water supply pipe extends outwardly from the center pivot point and is supported by a plurality of spaced-apart wheeled drive towers. In the preferred embodiment, an air-powered drive is provided on each of the towers to propel the towers and water supply pipe around the center pivot point. A control is provided on each of the towers for selectively operating the drive associated therewith to maintain the pipe and towers in an aligned condition as the water supply pipe is pivoted around the central pivot point. The control comprises a rotary cam plate having an alignment rod secured thereto which extends to the gimbal ring on a flexible joint positioned on the water supply pipe adjacent the tower. The rotary cam plate controls the operation of a first fluid-powered cylinder which is pivotally connected to a trojan bar mounted on the drive tower for reciprocating movement. The trojan bar is provided with downwardly extending dogs on its opposite ends which engage the drive wheels to rotate the same on actuation of the first fluid-powered cylinder. A brake member is rotatably mounted on at least one of the towers adjacent one of the drive wheels and is in operative engagement with the drive lugs extending from the drive wheels so that the brake member will be rotated by the drive lugs as the wheel is rotated. A second fluid-powered cylinder is mounted on the tower and has a cylinder rod extending therefrom which is connected to the brake member so that rotation of the brake member causes the cylinder rod to extend from the cylinder and to retract into the cylinder. The second cylinder normally prevents rotation of the brake member thereby preventing rotation of the wheel. A brake release apparatus is operatively connected to the second cylinder and to a lug actuated valve switch on the trojan bar to permit the cylinder rod to freely extend and retract when the valve switch is in engagement with one of the drive lugs when the trojan bar moves in one direction. If the tower moves faster than intended during the drive stroke, the second cylinder prevents rotation of the brake thereof. The second cylinder also prevents rotation of the brake member during the return stroke of the trojan bar.

Brake means for an air-powered sprinkler system

A brake for a fluid-powered sprinkler system is provided for preventing the drive towers from rolling down inclines and for preventing the wind from rolling the drive towers. The fluid power may either be compressed air or water under pressure. An overhead water supply pipe extends outwardly from the center pivot point and is supported by a plurality of spaced-apart wheeled drive towers. In the preferred embodiment, an air-powered drive is provided on each of the towers to propel the towers and water supply pipe around the center pivot point. A control is provided on each of the towers for selectively operating the drive associated therewith to maintain the pipe and towers in an aligned condition as the water supply pipe is pivoted around the central pivot point. The control comprises a rotary cam plate having an alignment rod secured thereto which extends to the gimbal ring on a flexible joint positioned on the water supply pipe adjacent the tower. The rotary cam plate controls the operation of a fluid cylinder which is pivotally connected to a trojan bar mounted on the drive tower for reciprocating movement. The trojan bar is provided with downwardly extending dogs on its opposite ends which engage the drive wheels to rotate the same on actuation of the fluid cylinder. A pump is mounted on at least one of the towers adjacent one of the drive towers and has a rotatable shaft extending therefrom. A brake member is mounted on the pump shaft and is in operative engagement with the drive lugs extending from the drive wheels so that the brake member will be rotated by the drive lugs as the wheel is rotated. The pump has a fluid circuit which normally prevents rotation of the brake member thereby preventing rotation of the wheel. A brake release apparatus is operatively connected to the pump and to a lug actuated switch on the trojan bar to permit the pump to freely rotate when the switch is in engagement with one of the drive lugs when the trojan bar moves in one direction. If the tower moves faster than intended during the drive stroke, the pump prevents rotation of the brake member. The pump also prevents rotation of the brake member during the return stroke of the trojan bar.

A reversible self-propelled center pivot sprinkler system for sprinkling or irrigating a relatively large area surrounding a central pivot comprising an overhead water supply pipe extending outwardly from the center pivot point and supported by a plurality of spaced-apart, wheeled towers. A drive apparatus is provided on each of the towers to propel the towers and water supply pipe around the central pivot point. A control apparatus is provided on each of the towers for selectively operating the drive apparatus associated therewith to maintain the pipe and towers in an aligned condition as the water supply pipe is pivoted around the center pivot point. The drive apparatus is connected to a trojan bar which is reciprocatably mounted on the tower and which is provided with a selectively movable double dog on at least one end thereof for engagement with drive lugs on at least one of the drive wheels of the tower. The double dog is normally in position so that movement of the trojan bar in one direction will cause the dog to engage the wheel drive lugs so that the tower will be moved in a forwardly direction. The double dog may be selectively moved to a second position so that the dog will engage the wheel drive lugs as the trojan bar is moving in a second direction to cause the tower to be moved rearwardly. The double dog may be either manually moved or automatically controlled through the use of power cylinders. A double ratchet-type brake is provided on the tower to prevent the tower from undesirable rolling in a direction opposite to the direction of driving travel. The double ratchet-type brake may be operatively interconnected to the double dog whereby remote control or operation of the double dog also causes the double ratchet-type brake to be moved to permit the tower to roll in the desired direction while preventing undesirable rolling in the opposite direction.

A brake for an air-powered sprinkler system is provided for preventing the drive towers from rolling down inclines and for preventing the wind from rolling the drive towers. An overhead water supply pipe extends outwardly from the center pivot point and is supported by a plurality of spaced apart wheeled drive towers. An air-powered drive is provided on each of the towers to propel the towers and water supply pipe around the center pivot point. A control is provided on each of the towers for selectively operating the drive associated therewith to maintain the pipe and towers in an aligned condition as the water supply pipe is pivoted around the central pivot point. The control comprises a rotary cam plate having an alignment rod secured thereto which extends to the gimbal ring on a flexible joint positioned on the water supply pipe adjacent the tower. The rotary cam plate controls the operation of a hydraulic cylinder which is pivotally connected to a trojan bar mounted on the drive tower for reciprocating movement. The trojan bar is provided with downwardly extending dogs on its opposite ends which engage the drive wheels to rotate the same on actuation of the hydraulic cylinder. A brake is mounted on the drive tower and is urged into engagement with the inside of the drive wheel rim by a spring means to prevent undesirable rotation of the drive wheel. An air cylinder is operatively connected to the brake shoe to move the brake shoe out of frictional engagement with the drive wheel rim as the trojan bar is driving the drive wheels.

A brake for an air-powered sprinkler system for preventing the drive towers from rolling down inclines and for preventing the wind from rolling the drive towers. An overhead water supply pipe extends outwardly from the center pivot point and is supported by a plurality of spaced apart wheeled drive towers. An air-powered drive mechanism is provided on each of the towers to propel the towers and water supply pipe around the center pivot point. A control mechanism is provided on each of the towers for selectively operating the drive mechanism associated therewith to maintain the pipe and towers in an aligned condition as the water supply pipe is pivoted around the central pivot point. The control mechanism comprises a rotary cam plate having an alignment rod secured thereto which extends to the gimbal ring on a flexible joint positioned on the water supply pipe adjacent the tower. The rotary cam plate controls the operation of a hydraulic cylinder which is pivotally connected to a trojan bar mounted on the drive tower for reciprocating movement. The trojan bar is provided with downwardly extendings dogs on its opposite ends which engage the drive wheels to rotate the same on actuation of the hydraulic cylinder. A brake is mounted on the drive tower and is urged into engagement with the inside of the drive wheel rim by a spring means to prevent undesirable rotation of the drive wheel. An air cyclinder is operatively connected to the brake to move the brake out of frictional engagement with the drive wheel rim as the trojan bar is driving the drive wheels.

Growing community of inventors

Sidney, NB, United States of America

Loren R Townsend