The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 01, 1977
Filed:
Feb. 11, 1976
Loren R Townsend, Sidney, NB (US);
Other;
Abstract
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.