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 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.