Valmont Industries, Inc.

Mark Moeller

Tracy A Thatcher

John A Kastl

Craig S Malsam

The present invention provides a system and method for using a small, wireless gyroscopic sensor to monitor end gun operations. Further, the present invention provides a system and method for using an accelerometer to detect vibrations at the end gun. According to further preferred embodiments, the present invention includes a diagnostic application which receives gyroscopic sensor data and accelerometer data. The diagnostic applications of the present invention preferably include logic and threshold limits which are applied to the received data. The present system preferably provides notifications and warnings based on detected changes in rotational motion, orientation changes and vibration levels in and around the end gun.

System and method for detecting end gun status

The present invention provides a system and method for calculating the water flow rates applied by corner arm sprinklers. According to a first embodiment, the present invention provides a system and method for controlling and balancing the flow rates of corner arm sprinklers to provide targeted discrete, controlled uniform and non-uniform water distribution rates across a given field.

System, method and apparatus for computing and managing the flow rate within an irrigation corner assembly

The present invention provides a system and method for detecting and aligning the orientation of a displayed irrigation system. According to first preferred embodiment, the method preferably may include the steps of: initializing a controller; polling sensors and initiating the detection of a center pivot location; detecting the position of an outer drive tower; calculating the relative orientation between the center pivot and the outer drive tower; detecting and recording the position of magnetic north; calculating image display data for the irrigation span; transmitting image display data to a display device; displaying the irrigation span at a user selected azimuth and displaying other displayed items at an angle offset from the user selected azimuth; monitoring changes to orientation; recalculating image display data if any orientation change is detected; and retransmitting the image display data.

System and method for detecting and aligning the orientation of an irrigation system within a display

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for detecting and adjusting the position of an irrigation span. More particularly, the present invention provides a system and method for detecting and removing deflection stresses from irrigation spans caused by corner arm positioning.

System and method for detecting and removing deflection stresses from irrigation machine spans

The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing sensor data related to an irrigation system. According to a preferred embodiment, the system includes algorithms for analyzing real-time, near real-time and historical data acquired from sensors in communication with a mechanized irrigation machine. Further, the algorithms of the present invention system may analyze collected sensor data to determine if an event has occurred or is predicted to occur. Further, the algorithms of the present invention may provide commands to an irrigation machine and notifications to users. According to further aspects of the present invention, the algorithms of the present invention may preferably apply machine learning and other data analysis tools to detect maintenance patterns, geographic trends, environmental trends, and to provide predictive analysis for future events.

System and method for the integrated use of predictive and machine learning analytics for a center pivot irrigation system

The present invention provides an alternative communication path which uses a buried wired and a buried wire oscillator to transmit data between a centrally located pivot panel and an end tower control panel. According to a first preferred embodiment, a pivot panel of the present invention preferably includes a machine controller, a smart relay board, a modem, a guidance controller and a buried wire oscillator. According to a further preferred embodiment, a tower control panel of the present invention preferably includes a tower board controller, a modem, and a data antenna.

System, method and apparatus for providing an improved data path within a mechanized irrigation system

The present invention provides an improved valve assembly and valve controller for controlling the movement of fluid for irrigation. In according with a preferred embodiment, the present invention teaches a system and method for monitoring the status of a valve assembly and for providing 'proof of placement' for selected applicants. According to further preferred embodiments, the present invention includes a valve assembly including a valve controller for applying an electric current to a latch valve thereby switching the latch valve from a first flow state to a second flow state. According to a further preferred embodiment, the valve assembly of the present invention preferably further includes a state/current detector which preferably measures the active current being applied to the latch valve and outputs the measured waveform for analysis.

System and method for latching solenoid activation detection for VRI and other irrigation uses

A system and method for detecting and identifying power line carrier controlled devices within an irrigation system having a PLC BUS and a plurality of PLC powered devices. A preferred method includes: initializing a controller; transmitted an identification signal onto the PLC BUS; receiving the transmitted identification signal by a first powered device in the transmission line; recording the signal strength of the received identification signal by the first powered device; reducing the level of the received identification signal by a given increment; receiving the transmitted identification signal by a second powered device in the transmission line; recording the signal strength of the received identification signal by the second powered device; reducing the level of the received identification signal by a given increment; and receiving the transmitted identification signal at the controller.

System and method for detecting and identifying power line carrier controlled devices within an irrigation system

The present invention provides a system for aligning drive towers within an irrigation system. According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a system and method for cascading alignment of independent drive systems. According to a preferred embodiment, a preferred method may include the steps of: transmitting controller timing data to the first intermediate drive tower and the second intermediate drive tower; assigning a first correction time slot to the second intermediate drive tower; assigning a second correction time slot to the first intermediate drive tower; receiving first alignment data by the second intermediate drive tower; receiving second alignment data by the first intermediate drive tower; performing a first alignment correction based on the first alignment data received by the second intermediate drive tower; and performing a second alignment correction based on the second alignment data received by the first intermediate drive tower.

System and method for cascading alignment of independent drive systems

The present invention provides a method for aligning spans using real-time kinetics (RTK) data communicated through a power line carrier system. According to a further preferred embodiment, the method of present invention includes the steps of: receiving a first set of GPS location data and second set of RTK data; comparing the first set of GPS location data with the second set of RTK data; calculating RTK error correction data; creating an RTK error correction data signal containing RTK error correction data; modulating the RTK error correction data signal for transmission on a power line carrier; transmitting the RTK error correction data signal through a power line BUS onto a power line to a last drive tower; de-modulating the RTK error correction data signal; calculating the location of the last drive tower using the RTK error correction data; calculating a straight, center line between the pivot and the last drive unit; calculating the relative distances between each intermediate drive tower and the calculated center line; and controlling the speed or average run time of each intermediate drive tower to reduce distance between their current locations and the calculated center line.

System and method for position correction using power line carrier communications

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.

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Valley, NE, United States of America

Mark Moeller