Lindsay Manufacturing Company

Deere + Company

Robert E Callies

Charles H Meis

Wayne D Choat

Mark Jeffery Nole

A distribution tube assembly for an irrigation system having a main supply line for conveying fluid therein includes a first end, a second end and an internal surface defining at least two fluid passageways, at least one of the fluid passageways being in fluid communication with the main supply line. The other fluid passageway may be in fluid communication with an alternate supply line. Adaptors and regulators may be attached to the distribution tube assembly. The distribution tube assembly permits irrigation to be performed by multiple fluid streams, allows for the incorporation of chemicals within the distribution tube assembly, and provides for selectable flow control.

Distribution tube assembly for irrigation

This invention relates to a fluid flow control method that enables a self-propelled irrigation machine to apply varying amounts of fluid as might be required to suitably treat the surface area affected by each of the individual fluid application devices thereon. The control method regulates the total volume of fluid emitted by each application device to a predetermined value as it responds to a suitable control signal to permit or prevent fluid flow. This fluid flow control method involves time-based rapid cycling of the flow control apparatus to provide continuously variable fluid flow as is required to meet the desired average output of each emitting device as the flow requirement varies from time to time as needed to produce a selected, pre-determined application rate throughout the treated surface area.

Flow control for irrigation machines

A normally closed regulator valve for controlling the pressure of flowing fluid and also for selectively fully enabling or stopping the flow. The regulator valve includes a valve housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage connected by a flow passage with a seat surrounding the flow passage. A valve member is movable toward and away from contact with the seat. A control housing is attached to the valve housing. An elongated rod connected at one end to the valve member has an opposite end extending into the control housing. A rod partition, which may take the form of a rigid piston or a flexible diaphragm, is connected to the opposite end of the elongated rod and is movable in the control housing in sealing relation with the walls thereof. A compression spring is provided to bias the rod partition and the valve member in directions either toward or away from sealing engagement with the flow passage seat. An auxiliary partition, which may take the form of a rigid piston or a flexible diaphragm, is positioned in the control housing on the side of the rod partition away from the seat. A spacer is engageable with the rod partition to maintain a minimum spacing between the rod partition and the auxiliary partition. Alternately, a cup-shaped member with an integral spacer could be on the rod partition. First and second ports and a vent port are formed in the control housing and can be alternately connected by conduits to deliver pressure to move the valve member toward or away from the valve seat. A solenoid operated control valve or similar device is positioned in the conduit leading from the inlet passage for controlling the flow of fluid in this conduit.

Pressure regulator and shut-off valve

A regulator valve has a housing with a seal member therein. First and second plungers are movable in the housing toward and away from the seal member. The plungers are sealed to the housing and have passages therethrough. The plungers are biased toward the seal member by fluid pressure at the housing outlet end. The plungers are biased away from the seal member by a spring. First and second diaphragms connected to the plungers engage the housing inner wall in sealing engagement so that fluid must flow through the passages. The diaphragms and housing define an expansion chamber. A port in fluid communication with the expansion chamber allows selectable introduction of pilot pressure into the expansion chamber to force the first plunger into engagement with the seal member and prevent flow through the passages. In an embodiment of the regulator valve, the water inlet may be oriented at some divergent angle with respect to a water outlet such as 90 degrees.

Combined pressure regulator and shut-off valve

A regulator for controlling the pressure of flowing fluid and also for selectively fully enabling or stopping the flow. The regulator valve includes a valve housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage connected by a flow passage with a seat surrounding the flow passage. A valve member is movable toward and away from contact with the seat. A control housing is attached to the valve housing. An elongated rod connected at one end to the valve member has an opposite end extending into the control housing. A rod piston is connected to the opposite end of the elongated rod and is movable in the control housing in sealing engagement with the walls thereof. A compression spring is provided to bias the rod piston and the valve member in directions either toward or away from sealing engagement with the flow passage seat. An auxiliary piston is positioned in the control housing on the side of the rod piston away from the seat. An extender is formed on the auxiliary piston and is engageable with the rod piston to maintain a minimum spacing between the rod piston and the auxiliary piston. Alternately a cup-shaped member with an extender could be on the rod piston. First and second ports and a vent port are formed in the control housing and can be alternately connected by conduits to deliver pressure to move the valve member toward or away from the valve seat. A solenoid operated control valve or similar device is positioned in the conduit leading from the inlet passage for controlling the flow of fluid in this conduit.

A regulator valve has a housing with a seal member therein. First and second plungers are movable in the housing toward and away from the seal member. The plungers are sealed to the housing and have passages therethrough. The plungers are biased toward the seal member by fluid pressure at the housing outlet end. The plungers are biased away from the seal member by a spring. First and second diaphragms connected to the plungers engage the housing inner wall in sealing engagement so that fluid must flow through the passages. The diaphragms and housing define an expansion chamber. A port in fluid communication with the expansion chamber allows selectable introduction of pilot pressure into the expansion chamber to force the first plunger into engagement with the seal member and prevent flow through the passages.

A cushion hydraulic cylinder is provided with a series of longitudinally separated metering orifices in the wall of the cylinder through which exhausted fluid is expelled. As the piston extends towards these metering orifices a seal sequentially cover and uncovers the metering orifices further restricting the flow of exhausted fluid. In addition the piston is provided with radial bores having one or more longitudinal passages which are in fluid communication with either the piston side of the cylinder or the rod side of the cylinder. The first longitudinal passage is provided with a passage orifice through which exhausted fluid can flow after a circumferential piston seal reopens a previously blocked metering orifice. The second longitudinal passage maybe provided with a check valve which prevents the flow of fluid in one direction.

Cushion hydraulic cylinder

A folding boom for a tri-fold row marker for an agricultural implement. The boom comprises three segments, an inboard segment pivotally coupled to the toolbar, a middle segment pivotally coupled to the inboard segment, and an outboard segment pivotally coupled to the middle segment. Control of the boom during folding and unfolding is maintained by a toggle link mechanism having a cam a cam follower and a system of pivots and linkages. Dynamic forces are dampened at both ends of the folding and unfolding by use of a cushion hydraulic cylinder with flow limiting structure at each end of the cylinder stroke.

Growing community of inventors

Leigh, NE, United States of America

Robert E Callies