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:
Apr. 27, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 08, 2001
Craig S. Malsam, Omaha, NE (US);
Valmont Industries, Inc., Valley, NE (US);
Abstract
A self-propelled irrigation machine including an elongated main boom pivoted at one end to a center pivot and supported on a plurality of self-propelled, non-steerable drive units. An extension boom is pivotally secured to the other end of the main boom for irrigating corner areas of the field. A steerable drive tower supports the extension boom and includes a pair of steerable drive wheels. The guidance and control for the extension boom includes a UWB receiver and a computer positioned on the steerable drive tower for receiving and processing UWB information as to the location of the steerable drive tower and for determining the optimal steer angle for the steerable drive wheels relative to the movement of the main boom. At least one UWB transmitters are located within receiving range of the UWB receiver. Signals transmitted by the UWB transmitters are received by the UWB receiver on the steerable drive unit and are used to determine current location and optimal steer angles relative to the main boom.