Linear-feed irrigation apparatus and related method Number:7,140,563 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Linear-feed irrigation apparatus and related method

Abstract: A linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation includes a linear-move machine with a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated. The truss assembly is oriented transverse to the specified direction, and a supply pipe is arranged in the specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated. The supply pipe mounts a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along the pipe, each of the hydrants enclosing a water supply valve. A docking station is supported at one end of the truss assembly closest to the supply pipe, and is adapted to engage and open successive ones of the water supply valves in the plurality of hydrants. The docking station assembly includes a docking station that is suspended from a frame for floating movement about at least three mutually perpendicular axes.

Patent Number: 7,140,563 Issued on 11/28/2006 to Sinden,   et al.

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Inventors:	Sinden; Joseph D. (Walla Walla, WA), Ness; Rex D. (Walla Walla, WA), Leinweber; Chad D. (Walla Walla, WA), Berrier; Richard J. (Walla Walla, WA), Nelson; Craig (Walla Walla, WA), Rupar; Robert (Walla Walla, WA)
Assignee:	Nelson Irrigation Corporation (Walla Walla, WA)
Appl. No.:	10/892,494
Filed:	July 16, 2004

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Current U.S. Class:	239/722 ; 239/148; 239/159; 239/161; 239/723; 239/726; 239/749
Current International Class:	B05B 3/00 (20060101); B05B 1/20 (20060101); B05B 3/02 (20060101); B05B 3/18 (20060101); B05B 9/00 (20060101)
Field of Search:	239/722,723,725,726,728,729,730,739,749,146,148,161,159

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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U.S. Patent Documents

	2750228		June 1956		Engel
	3444941		May 1969		Purtell
	3463175		August 1969		Rogers
	3575200		April 1971		Imeson
	3592220		July 1971		Reinke
	3608827		September 1971		Kinkead
	3679135		July 1972		Grosch
	3710818		January 1973		Imeson
	3729016		April 1973		Von Linsowe
	3972477		August 1976		Laureau
	4036436		July 1977		Standal
	4182493		January 1980		Murray
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	4240461		December 1980		Harvey
	4252275		February 1981		Standal
	4274584		June 1981		Noble
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	4412655		November 1983		Noble
	4413783		November 1983		Ostrom et al.
	4421274		December 1983		Noble
	4442974		April 1984		Noble
	4442976		April 1984		Noble
	4467962		August 1984		Noble
	4489888		December 1984		Rinkewich
	4522338		June 1985		Williams
	4553699		November 1985		Bengtsson
	4682736		July 1987		Wieck
	4730773		March 1988		Meyer
	4809910		March 1989		Meyer
	4842204		June 1989		Debruhl, Jr.
	4877189		October 1989		Williams
	6431475		August 2002		Williams

Foreign Patent Documents

	2 026 293		Feb., 1980		GB
	WO 87/00724		Feb., 1987		WO

Primary Examiner: Hwu; Davis
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

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Claims

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What is claimed is:

1. A linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation comprising: a linear-move machine including a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss assembly oriented transverse to the specified direction; a supply pipe arranged in said specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated, said supply pipe mounting a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along said pipe, each of said hydrants enclosing a water supply valve; and a docking station supported at one end of said truss assembly closest to said supply pipe, and adapted to engage and open successive ones of said water supply valves in said plurality of hydrants, said docking station assembly including a docking station suspended from a first frame for floating movement about at least three mutually perpendicular axes.

2. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said first frame is secured to a trolley movable in a direction substantially transverse to said specified direction.

3. The linear water feed system of claim 2 wherein said trolley is secured to an elongated side beam on said one end of said truss assembly, said side beam oriented in said specified direction; said trolley, first frame and docking station adjustably movable in opposite directions along said side beam.

4. The linear water feed system of claim 3 wherein said docking station is suspended from an upper portion of said first frame by a plurality of springs.

5. The linear water feed system of claim 3 wherein a plurality of compressible tie rods extend substantially horizontally between said docking station and a lower portion of said first frame.

6. The linear water feed system of claim 2 wherein said trolley comprises a pair of rails extending between fixed plates at opposite ends of said rods, said rails extending substantially transversely of said specified direction, said first frame including rollers engaged with said rails to permit said first frame to roll along said rails between said fixed plates.

7. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said truss assembly is supported by a plurality of towers, each tower having a pair of wheels; one of said plurality of towers comprising a drive tower supported on a pair of drive wheels, said docking station assembly supported on said drive tower.

8. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said docking station is suspended from an upper portion of said first frame by a plurality of springs.

9. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of spring-loaded, compressible tie rods extend substantially horizontally between said docking station and a lower portion of said first frame.

10. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said first frame mounts a first pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending forward of and angling laterally away from said docking station.

11. The linear water feed system of claim 10 wherein said first frame mounts a second pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending rearward of and angling laterally away from said docking station.

12. The linear water feed system of claim 11 and further including a first substantially horizontal guide wing extending forwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station.

13. The linear water feed system of claim 12 and further including a second substantially horizontal guide wing extending rearwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station.

14. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator located between a pair of housings, said housings each supporting at least one pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes, a pair of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers for rotation about parallel vertical axes, an inwardly-facing open channel member, and a side guide roller projecting through an aperture in said open channel member.

15. The linear water feed system of claim 14 wherein each housing supports a second pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes.

16. The linear water feed system of claim 15 wherein said first and second pair of cooperating guide wheels, said pair of axially spaced rollers, said open channel member and said side guide roller of each housing together define a docking space adapted to receive a horizontally oriented flange on each of said hydrants.

17. The linear water feed system of claim 14 wherein said axially spaced, forward and rearward rollers are substantially hourglass-shaped.

18. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said docking station supports a forward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position.

19. The linear water feed system of claim 18 wherein said docking station supports a rearward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position.

20. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of hydrants include a riser fixed to said supply pipe, and a substantially cylindrical water supply valve housing attached to said riser, said cylindrical water supply valve housing enclosing a water supply valve, said housing provided with an exterior radial flange adapted to be engaged by said docking station.

21. The linear water feed system of claim 20 wherein said radial flange is round.

22. The linear water feed system of claim 20 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator including a piston/cylinder component movable into and out of engagement with said water supply valve in said hydrant.

23. The linear water feed system of claim 22 wherein said piston/cylinder includes cylindrical portions extending in opposite directions from a piston portion therebetween, said piston/cylinder supported in a generally cylindrical housing having an enlarged diameter portion, said piston portion confined to movement in said enlarged diameter portion.

24. The linear water feed system of claim 23 wherein a first rolling diaphragm is connected between an upper end of said piston portion and said housing to define a first cavity in said enlarged diameter portion.

25. The linear water feed system of claim 24 wherein a second rolling diaphragm is connected between a lower end of said piston portion and said housing to define a second cavity in said enlarged diameter portion.

26. The linear water feed system of claim 25 wherein said first and second cavities are in selective fluid communication with a source of liquid under pressure.

27. The linear water feed system of claim 26 wherein said liquid is water.

28. The linear water feed system of claim 27 wherein, when said docking station is aligned with said hydrant, and when liquid under pressure is supplied to said first cavity, said piston/cylinder is extended into said hydrant to engage and open said water supply valve.

29. The linear water feed system of claim 28 wherein said water supply valve is normally biased to a closed position, and when liquid in said first cavity is vented to atmosphere and liquid under pressure is supplied to said second cavity, said piston/cylinder is withdrawn from said hydrant; permitting said water supply valve to move to the closed position.

30. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said water supply pipe is above ground.

31. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said water supply pipe is below ground.

32. The linear water feed system of claim 1 including means for guiding the linear-move machine in said specified direction.

33. The linear water feed system of claim 1 wherein said docking station and said hydrant are provided with cooperating means for opening and closing said water supply valve.

34. The linear water feed system of claim 1 and further comprising means for automatically moving said docking station along said side beam to predetermined locations at predetermined times.

35. A linear water feed for use in agricultural irrigation comprising: a linear water feed machine including a wheel-mounted truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss assembly oriented transverse to the specified direction; a supply pipe arranged in said specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated, said supply pipe mounting a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along said pipe, each of said hydrants enclosing a water supply valve; and a hydrant docking station supported on a first frame that is attached to an end of said truss assembly closest to said supply pipe, adapted to locate, engage and open successive ones of said water supply valves in said plurality of hydrants, said docking station supported for movement on a trolley in a direction substantially transverse to said specified direction, wherein said trolley includes a pair of parallel rails extending beyond said wheeled truss assembly, and further wherein said first frame is provided with plural rollers engaged with each of said parallel rails.

36. The linear water feed of claim 35 wherein means are provided for resiliently holding said trolley in a generally laterally-centered position along said rails.

37. The linear water feed of claim 35 wherein said trolley is movably mounted on an elongated side beam on said end of said truss assembly, said side beam oriented in said specified direction; said trolley adjustably movable in opposite linear directions along said side beam.

38. The linear water feed of claim 37 wherein means are provided for locking said trolley at locations along said side beam.

39. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein said docking station is suspended from said first frame by a plurality of springs.

40. The linear water feed system of claim 39 wherein a plurality of compressible tie rods extend substantially horizontally between said docking station and a lower portion of said first frame.

41. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein said first frame mounts a first pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending forwardly of and angling laterally away from said docking station.

42. The linear water feed system of claim 41 wherein said first frame mounts a second pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending rearward of and angling laterally away from said docking station.

43. The linear water feed system of claim 41 and further including a first substantially horizontal guide wing extending forwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station.

44. The linear water feed system of claim 43 and further including a second substantially horizontal guide wing extending rearwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station.

45. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator located between a pair of housings, said housings each supporting at least one pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes, a pair of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers for rotation about parallel vertical axes, an inwardly-facing open channel member, and a side guide roller projecting through an aperture in said open channel member.

46. The linear water feed system of claim 45 wherein each housing supports a second pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes.

47. The linear water feed system of claim 46 wherein said first and second pair of cooperating guide wheels, said pair of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers, said open channel member and said side guide roller of each housing together define a docking space adapted to receive a horizontally oriented flange on each of said hydrants.

48. The linear water feed system of claim 45 wherein said pairs of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers are substantially hourglass-shaped.

49. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein said docking station supports a forward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position.

50. The linear water feed system of claim 49 wherein said docking station supports a rearward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position.

51. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein each of said plurality of hydrants include a riser fixed to said supply pipe, and a substantially cylindrical water supply valve housing attached to said riser, said cylindrical water supply valve housing enclosing a water supply valve, said housing provided with an exterior radial flange adapted to be engaged by said docking station.

52. The linear water feed system of claim 51 wherein said radial flange is round.

53. The linear water feed system of claim 51 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator including a piston/cylinder component movable into and out of engagement with said water supply valve.

54. The linear water feed system of claim 53 wherein said piston/cylinder includes cylindrical portions extending in opposite directions from a piston portion therebetween, said piston/cylinder supported in a generally cylindrical housing having an enlarged diameter portion, said piston portion confined to movement in said enlarged diameter portion.

55. The linear water feed system of claim 54 wherein a first rolling diaphragm is connected between an upper end of said piston portion and said housing to define a first cavity in said enlarged diameter portion.

56. The linear water feed system of claim 55 wherein a second rolling diaphragm is connected between a lower end of said piston portion and said housing to define a second cavity in said enlarged diameter portion.

57. The linear water feed system of claim 56 wherein said first and second cavities are in selective fluid communication with a source of liquid under pressure.

58. The linear water feed system of claim 57 wherein said liquid is water.

59. The linear water feed system of claim 58 wherein, when said docking station is aligned with said hydrant, and when liquid under pressure is supplied to said first cavity, said piston/cylinder is extended into said hydrant to engage and open said water supply valve.

60. The linear water feed system of claim 59 wherein said water supply valve is normally biased to a closed position, and when liquid in said first cavity is vented to atmosphere and liquid under pressure is supplied to said second cavity, said piston/cylinder is withdrawn from said hydrant; permitting said water supply valve to move to the closed position.

61. The linear water feed system of claim 35 wherein said docking station and said hydrant are provided with cooperating means for opening and closing said water supply valve.

62. A linear water feed for use in agricultural irrigation comprising: a linear water feed machine including a wheel-mounted truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss assembly oriented transverse to the specified direction; a supply pipe arranged in said specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated, said supply pipe mounting a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along said pipe, each of said hydrants enclosing a water supply valve; and a docking station supported on a first frame that is attached to an end of said truss assembly closest to said supply pipe, and adapted to engage and open successive ones of said water supply valves in said plurality of hydrants; wherein said docking station is supported at said one end of said truss assembly by means for allowing said docking station to move in up and down, side-to-side and front to back directions, and for allowing said docking station to simultaneously tilt and swivel relative to said first frame.

63. The linear water feed system of claim 62 wherein said first frame mounts a first pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending forward of and angling laterally away from said docking station.

64. The linear water feed system of claim 63 wherein said first frame mounts a second pair of substantially vertical guide wings on respective opposite sides of said docking station, extending rearward of and angling laterally away from said docking station.

65. The linear water feed system of claim 64 and further including a first substantially horizontal guide wing extending forwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station.

66. The linear water feed system of claim 65 and further including a second substantially horizontal guide wing extending rearwardly of and angling upwardly away from said docking station.

67. The linear water feed system of claim 62 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator located between a pair of housings, said housings each supporting at least one pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes, a pair of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers for rotation about parallel vertical axes, an inwardly-facing open channel member, and a side guide roller projecting through an aperture in said open channel member.

68. The linear water feed system of claim 67 wherein each housing supports a second pair of vertically aligned cooperating guide wheels for rotation about parallel horizontal axes.

69. The linear water feed system of claim 68 wherein said first and second pair of cooperating guide wheels, said pair of axially spaced forward and rearward rollers, said open channel member and said side guide roller of each housing together define a docking space adapted to receive a horizontally oriented flange on each of said hydrants.

70. The linear water feed system of claim 67 wherein said pairs of axially spaced, forward and rearward rollers are substantially hourglass-shaped.

71. The linear water feed system of claim 62 wherein said docking station supports a forward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position.

72. The linear water feed system of claim 71 wherein said docking station supports a rearward dock stop mounted for movement between operative and inoperative positions and adapted to engage said hydrants in the operative position.

73. The linear water feed system of claim 62 wherein each of said plurality of hydrants include a riser fixed to said supply pipe, and a substantially cylindrical water supply valve housing attached to said riser, said cylindrical water supply valve housing enclosing a water supply valve, said housing provided with an exterior radial flange adapted to be engaged by said docking station.

74. The linear water feed system of claim 73 wherein said radial flange is round.

75. The linear water feed system of claim 73 wherein said docking station supports a water supply valve actuator including a piston/cylinder component movable into and out of engagement with said water supply valve.

76. The linear water feed system of claim 75 wherein said piston/cylinder includes cylindrical portions extending in opposite directions from a piston portion therebetween, said piston/cylinder supported in a generally cylindrical housing having an enlarged diameter portion, said piston portion confined to movement in said enlarged diameter portion.

77. The linear water feed system of claim 76 wherein a first rolling diaphragm is connected between an upper end of said piston portion and said housing to define a first cavity in said enlarged diameter portion.

78. The linear water feed system of claim 77 wherein a second rolling diaphragm is connected between a lower end of said piston portion and said housing to define a second cavity in said enlarged diameter portion.

79. The linear water feed system of claim 78 wherein said first and second cavities are in selective fluid communication with a source of liquid under pressure.

80. The linear water feed system of claim 79 wherein said liquid is water.

81. The linear water feed system of claim 80 wherein, when said docking station is aligned with said hydrant, and when liquid under pressure is supplied to said first cavity, said piston/cylinder is extended into said hydrant to engage and open said water supply valve.

82. The linear water feed system of claim 81 wherein said water supply valve is normally biased to a closed position, and when liquid in said first cavity is vented to atmosphere and liquid under pressure is supplied to said second cavity, said piston/cylinder is withdrawn from said hydrant, permitting said water supply valve to move to the closed position.

83. The linear water feed system of claim 62 wherein said docking station and said hydrant are provided with cooperating means for opening and closing said water supply valve.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus used for agricultural irrigation, and more specifically, to a linear water feed mechanism that automatically and successively engages and disengages spaced hydrants mounted on a water supply pipe extending alongside or through a field to be irrigated.

Mobile irrigation systems having elevated boom or truss assemblies carrying multiple sprinklers are typically of the center pivot-type or the linear- (or lateral-) move-type. In a center-pivot machine, the elevated truss assembly pivots about an upright standpipe that supplies water to the sprinklers attached to the truss assembly. In a linear-move machine, the elevated truss assembly is carried on mobile, wheeled towers that move the machine linearly along a path that is perpendicular to the elevated boom or truss. Typically, the linear-move machine travels from one end of a field to the other and back again, and sprinkling typically occurs in both directions.

While linear-move machines can irrigate more area than center-pivot machines by reason of the resulting rectangularly-shaped irrigation pattern, the linear-move machines have proven to be problematic in several respects. The most significant problem relates to the manner in which water is supplied to the machine. In some cases, the machine travels alongside an open ditch or canal from which water is continuously removed. Ditch water is typically filled with dirt and/or debris that can clog the sprinkler nozzles. In other cases, one or more hoses are dragged by the machine the length of the field, requiring one or more manual attachment/detachment procedures and attendant issues of hose management. In still other cases, complex mechanisms have been proposed for automatic docking with hydrants spaced along the length of a water supply pipe. One of the problems with this arrangement is that the hydrant risers have had to be held firmly in concrete or welded onto steel pipe. Alignment mechanisms have been complex and costly to maintain. As a result, reliable docking under various conditions has proven to be an elusive goal, and we are unaware of any automatic docking mechanisms that have achieved a significant degree of commercial success to date.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a unique "floating" docking station assembly that can be added to essentially any new or existing linear-move machine. The docking station assembly is supported and controlled so as to reliably and effectively capture each hydrant, open the hydrant water-supply valve to permit water to be supplied to the sprinklers on the truss assembly, close the valve, and then disengage from the hydrant for movement with the machine to the next hydrant. The "floating" docking station as described herein also minimizes the load placed on the hydrant, thus permitting a simpler main line construction.

The docking station per se is formed by a pair of housings sandwiched about a hydrant valve actuator. The two housings support multiple pairs of guide wheels adapted to engage a round plate or flange on the hydrants. The housings also support docking stops and related mechanical and electrical hardware for halting the movement of the machine and docking station when properly aligned with the hydrant valve, opening and closing the valve, and subsequently permitting the resumption of machine movement after the allotted sprinkling time has expired. The docking station is resiliently suspended, or hung, from a supporting frame that, in turn, supports related hydraulic and electrical hardware as described in further detail below.

Two pairs of vertically-oriented, angled guide wings respectively mounted on the front and back of the docking station supporting frame, along with one pair of horizontally-oriented front and back guide wings, assist in "capturing" the hydrants on the water supply pipe. In this regard, the docking station is operable in opposite forward and rearward directions of movement of the linear-move machine, with no change or adjustment in any of the component parts. For purposes of this application, therefore, any use of "front" or "forward," etc. is intended to refer to the ends of the machine, docking station, etc. that lead in the direction of initial movement of the machine, i.e., along a path P.sub.1 as shown in FIG. 1. Use of "back" or "rearward," etc. is intended to refer to the opposite ends of the machine, docking station, etc. that trail in the movement along path P.sub.1 but that lead in movement in the opposite direction along a path P.sub.2.

To ensure consistent and effective hydrant engagement via interaction with the guide wings, the docking station is arranged and supported so as to permit several degrees of movement:

1. The docking station is resiliently suspended or hung from its supporting frame by elongated coil springs (or equivalents) extending vertically between the docking station and the docking station supporting frame to enable up and down or vertical movement, but also to facilitate front-to-back, side-to-side and compound movements, i.e., tilting and twisting movements.

2. Spring-loaded, compressible tie rods extend horizontally between the supporting frame and docking station utilizing swivel bushings to enable front-to-back horizontal movement, but also to facilitate the limited vertical, side-to-side and compound movements.

3. The docking station and its supporting frame are also movable laterally on a carriage or trolley along a pair of rails extending perpendicularly to the path of movement of the machine so as to permit a wide range of lateral adjustment to accommodate a similarly wide range of hydrant misalignment situations.

In addition to movements that relate to hydrant capture, the docking station trolley is also movable to any number of positions along a rigid side beam secured to one side of a drive tower of the linear-move machine. This allows for manual or automatic adjustment of the water distribution pattern between the forward and return movements of the linear-move machine, or for subsequent forward movements along the path as further described herein.

In order to facilitate the docking operation, a new hydrant design has been adopted for use with the docking station of the linear-move machine. The hydrant in accordance with an exemplary embodiment includes a standard vertical pipe or riser fixed to the water supply pipe. At the upper end of the riser, a valve housing is attached by any suitable means and incorporates a spring-loaded valve assembly. The upper end of the valve housing is formed with an exterior, round, horizontal flange or plate that cooperates with the docking station during capture of the hydrant. The valve itself projects above the top of the flange to facilitate alignment with the hydrant valve actuator on the docking station. Alternatively, existing hydrant risers with compatible valves may be modified simply to include the round flange or plate to facilitate capture. Another alternative is the use of a conversion kit to render existing hydrants compatible with the docking station.

The hydrant valve actuator carried by the docking station includes a housing that incorporates a piston/cylinder, the piston portion of which is movable within an enlarged chamber in the actuator housing. "Extend" and "retract" cavities are formed on either side of (i.e., above and below) the piston portion (or simply "piston") with the assistance of a pair of rolling diaphragms attached between the piston and the actuator housing. Briefly, water under pressure introduced into the "extend" diaphragm cavity will push the piston/cylinder downwardly such that the lower edge of the cylinder will engage the hydrant valve and push it downwardly away from the valve seat to open the valve. Water can then be supplied to the sprinklers on the truss assembly via another conduit connecting the valve actuator to a distribution pipe on the truss assembly. When a pre-programmed sprinkling time has expired, water under pressure introduced into the "retract" cavity will drive the piston/cylinder upwardly and back into the hydrant valve actuator, closing the valve prior to movement to the next hydrant.

It is another feature of the invention to facilitate different operating modes for the linear-move machine. For example, the machine may be used in a simple start/stop irrigation mode where the docking station is fixed to the side beam at the desired location, and the machine moves from hydrant to hydrant, stopping at each for a pre-programmed period of time for sprinkling. The water supply is cut off by a main control valve while the machine moves to the next hydrant.

It is also possible to manually adjust the position of the docking station along the side beam to vary the sprinkling pattern, for example, on the return path of the linear-move machine, to thereby provide more uniform application of water in the irrigated field. Alternatively, well-known drive and control devices may be utilized to automatically move the docking station along the side beam from one position to another.

In another mode, a second movable side beam may be mounted adjacent the first fixed side beam. The docking station is mounted on the second movable beam (or telescoping arm) for movement from one end of the arm to the other, while the telescoping arm itself is movable from an extended forward position to an extended rearward position relative to the fixed beam. This arrangement allows the docking station to engage a first hydrant, with the docking station at the forward end of the telescoping arm, and the telescoping arm in its extended forward position. As the linear-move machine (and fixed beam) moves forwardly, the telescoping arm slides (relative to the fixed side beam and hence the machine as a whole) to an extended rearward position, causing the docking station to be driven to the rearward end of the telescoping arm. After disengagement from the first hydrant valve, the telescoping arm and docking station are moved to their extended forward positions for engagement with the second hydrant valve. This cycle is repeated as the linear-move machine continues to travel the length of the field.

In a full automatic mode, additional hardware changes are required. In the exemplary embodiment, parallel inner and outer fixed beams are attached to the end tower of the linear-move machine, and a docking station is mounted for reciprocatory movement on each. Flexible hoses connect each docking station to the distribution pipe on the truss assembly of the linear-move machine. At the same time, the water supply pipe is modified to the extent that alternate hydrants are offset in opposite lateral directions from the supply pipe to permit engagement with the respective inner and outer docking stations. The docking stations are movable along the respective inner and outer fixed beams by any suitable drive mechanism. In an exemplary mode of operation, the outer docking station will be located at the forward end of the outer fixed beam and engage a first outer hydrant. As the linear-move machine moves forward, the outer docking station will remain engaged and the inner docking station will move along the inner fixed beam and into engagement with the first inner hydrant. The outer docking station will disengage the first outer hydrant and move forward on the fixed outer beam, as the linear-move machine continues to move forward. This "leap-frog" process is repeated as the linear-move machine continues to travel along its path. In this way, no periodic shutdowns of the machine are required.

In all cases, the various operations of the linear-move machine and docking station(s) are controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) located on the drive tower of the linear-move machine, operatively connected to a series of solenoids carried by the docking station supporting frame that control the various mechanical movements of the components. The PLC may be electronically "inserted between" the linear-move machine's PLC and the linear-move machine itself to permit seamless integration of the operation of both the linear-move machine and one or more docking stations.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention relates to a linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation comprising a linear-move machine including a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss assembly oriented transverse to the specified direction; a supply pipe arranged in the specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated, the supply pipe mounting a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along the pipe, each of the hydrants enclosing a water supply valve; and a docking station supported at one end of the truss assembly closest to the supply pipe, and adapted to engage and open successive ones of the water supply valves in the plurality of hydrants, the docking station assembly including a docking station suspended from a first frame for floating movement about at least three mutually perpendicular axes.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a linear water feed for use in agricultural irrigation comprising a linear water feed machine including a wheel-mounted truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss assembly oriented transverse to the specified direction; a supply pipe arranged in the specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated, the supply pipe mounting a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along the pipe, each of the hydrants enclosing a water supply valve; and a docking station supported on a first frame that is attached to an end of the truss assembly closest to the supply pipe, adapted to locate, engage and open successive ones of said water supply valves in the plurality of hydrants, the docking station supported for movement on a trolley in a direction substantially transverse to the specified direction, wherein the trolley includes a pair of parallel rails extending beyond the wheeled truss assembly, and further wherein the first frame is provided with plural rollers engaged with each of the parallel rails.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a linear water feed for use in agricultural irrigation comprising a linear water feed machine including a wheel-mounted truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss assembly oriented transverse to the specified direction; a supply pipe arranged in the specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated, the supply pipe mounting a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along the pipe, each of the hydrants enclosing a water supply valve; and a docking station supported on a first frame that is attached to an end of the truss assembly closest to the supply pipe, and adapted to engage and open successive ones of the water supply valves in said plurality of hydrants; wherein said docking station is supported at the one end of the truss assembly by means for allowing the docking station to move in up and down, side-to-side and front to back directions, and for allowing the docking station to simultaneously tilt and swivel relative to the first frame.

In still another aspect, the invention relates to a linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation comprising a linear-move machine including a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss assembly oriented transverse to the specified direction; a supply pipe arranged in the specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated, the supply pipe mounting a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along the pipe, each of the hydrants enclosing a water supply valve; and a fixed side beam mounted on one end of the truss assembly closest to the supply pipe extending substantially parallel to the supply pipe; a telescoping arm mounted on the fixed side beam for movement in two opposite and parallel directions relative to the fixed side beam; a docking station including a support frame mounted on the telescoping arm for movement along the telescoping arm in the two opposite directions; the docking station resiliently suspended from the supporting frame for vertical, horizontal and compound movements.

In still another aspect, the invention relates to a linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation comprising a linear-move machine including a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated, the truss assembly oriented transverse to the specified direction; a supply pipe arranged in the specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated, the supply pipe mounting a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along the pipe, the hydrants alternately offset in opposite transverse directions from the supply pipe, each of the hydrants enclosing a water supply valve; and a pair of laterally spaced, inner and outer beams fixed to a side of the truss assembly closest to the water supply pipe; a docking station including a supporting frame mounted on each of the pair of laterally-spaced inner and outer beams, each docking station having a hydrant valve actuator in fluid communication with a distribution pipe in the truss assembly, wherein the docking station on the inner beam is adapted to engage hydrants offset in one direction from the supply pipe, and the docking station on the outer beam adapted to engage hydrants offset in the opposite direction from the supply pipe.

The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with the drawings identified below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a linear-move machine incorporating a docking station in accordance with the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view, primarily in schematic form, illustrating the docking station mounted to the side of an end tower of the linear-move machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the docking station and end tower of the linear-move machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the docking station taken from FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail of the docking station in plan view, as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of two docking station housings incorporated in the docking station shown in FIGS. 1 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view taken from the opposite side of the docking station housing shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the hydrant valve actuator incorporated in the docking station in FIGS. 1 7;

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of an upper portion of the docking station shown in FIGS. 1 7, including the docking station trolley and supporting frame;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 11, but rotated 90.degree.;

FIG. 13 is a partial simplified side elevation of the docking station when in initial engagement with a hydrant;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but directionally reversed and with the hydrant fully engaged and aligned within the docking station;

FIG. 15 is a rear elevation view of the docking station and hydrant as shown in FIG. 13, with the hydrant fully engaged within the docking station;

FIG. 16 is a simplified plan view of the docking station, with vertical and horizontal guide wings and suspension components removed;

FIG. 17 is a right front perspective view of the docking station and hydrant shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a cross section taken through the hydrant valve and hydrant valve actuator, in a valve closed position and with the hydrant fully engaged within the docking station;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 but with the hydrant valve shown in a valve open position;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but showing the docking station disengaged and moving away from the hydrant;

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of the control systems for the linear-move machine and docking station;

FIG. 22 is an overhead schematic illustrating a sprinkling pattern achieved when the docking station is centrally located along the side beam fixed to the end tower of the linear-move machine;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 22, but with the docking station moved toward a forward end of the side beam attached to the linear-move machine;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIGS. 22 and 23, but with the docking station located at a rearward end of the side beam attached to the linear-move machine;

FIG. 25 is an overhead illustrating the different sprinkler patterns that are achievable with the docking station located in the positions shown in FIGS. 22, 23 and 24;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart illustrating the control sequence for the linear-move machine and docking station in a start/stop mode of operation;

FIG. 27 is a partial elevation of a linear-move machine incorporating a docking station in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 28 is a partial perspective view of the linear-move machine shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a front elevation of the linear-move machine shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged detail taken from FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged detail taken from the opposite end of the machine shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a partial side elevation similar to FIG. 27, but with the telescoping arm and docking station moved to an extended rearward position; and

FIG. 33 is a schematic drawing of a continuous docking configuration in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference initially to FIG. 1, a typical linear-move irrigation machine 10 includes a main truss assembly 12 supported by several wheeled towers 14 for movement in a forward direction along a linear path P.sub.1, or in a rearward direction along an opposite path P.sub.2. These paths extend perpendicularly to the truss assembly 12, and parallel to a water supply pipe 26. A drive tower 16 typically supports a generator (not shown) for supplying power to the drive wheels 18. In an end-feed arrangement, the drive tower is located at one end of the field, and the supply pipe 26 runs along that end of the field. In a center-feed machine, the drive tower is typically located in the center of the field and the supply pipe also runs through the center of the field. Separate electric motors (also not shown) are often attached to the remaining towers 14 for driving the respective wheel pairs 20 as needed to maintain alignment with the end tower 16 and associated drive wheels 18. Other drive arrangements including the utilization of battery power and/or electric drive motors connected to a power source by a cable could be employed.

Guide booms 22, 24 extend in opposite directions from the end tower 16 (parallel to the paths P.sub.1 and P.sub.2), and are engaged in a guide furrow F adjacent and parallel to the supply pipe 26 to thereby guide and maintain the machine in the desired path. Typically, if the guide booms stray laterally from the furrow beyond a predetermined limit, the machine will shut down. Other guide arrangements including the use of electronic and/or optical sensors, wire, GPS, etc. may be utilized as well.

The water supply pipe 26 is fitted with spaced hydrants 28 that supply water to the machine 10 for distribution through a distribution pipe 27 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) on the truss assembly and ultimately to the sprinklers (one shown at 29 in FIG. 5) suspended from the boom assembly 12, at spaced locations therealong. The supply pipe 26 is shown above ground, but may be underground, with only the hydrants 28 visible. The linear-move machine 10 as described is generally well-known, and this invention relates primarily to the manner in which the linear-move machine 10 engages and disengages the hydrants 28.

In connection with the further description of the docking station and related hardware, the various drawing figures have been simplified via omission of details for the sake of clarity and ease of understanding. For example, in some views, certain structure not necessary for understanding the text relating to these views has been omitted. In addition, wiring and other minor details that would otherwise clutter the drawings, but that are nevertheless well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, have also been omitted from various figures.

In an exemplary embodiment, and with specific reference to FIGS. 2 through 7, a rigid side beam 30 is bolted or welded (or otherwise suitably secured) to an existing frame 32 of the drive tower 16, such that the beam extends substantially parallel to the water supply pipe 26, and to the direction of movement of the linear-move machine. Side beam 30 may be, for example, a solid or hollow box-beam, but in any event, the beam is provided with inverted V-shaped rails 34, 36 (best seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) along upper and lower edges of the beam, running substantially the entire length of the beam.

A docking station assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, includes a trolley, a supporting frame and the docking station itself. The trolley 38 includes a pair of metal plates 40, 42 connected by a pair of, e.g., 2 in. dia. pipes 44, 46 (or other suitably rigid members) extending laterally away from the side beam 30. The larger plate 40 is located adjacent the side beam, and mounts an upper pair of rollers 48, 50 and a lower pair of rollers 52, 54 (FIGS. 5 and 6) that permit the trolley 38 to roll along the rails 34, 36 of the side beam 30 to any desired location along the length of the side beam. Simple pins or bolts (not shown) in combination with holes in the beam (or any other suitable mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electric locking device), provide a reliable locking arrangement for securing the trolley, and hence the docking station, at desired locations along the side beam 30.

With reference especially to FIGS. 3, 6, 7, 11 and 12, the docking station supporting frame 56 is carried on the trolley 38 and includes a pair of inverted U-shaped subassemblies 58, 60 that are connected at their upper ends by frame members 62, 64 (FIGS. 3 and 5) and two pairs of roller mounting flanges 66, 68 (FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and 12), each flange pair mounting two rollers 70 such that the supporting frame 56 is movable laterally, in a direction perpendicular to the paths P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 (FIG. 1), along the trolley pipes or rails 44, 46 between plates 40, 42. This arrangement provides a lateral adjustment feature for the docking station 76 relative to the side beam 30 as described further herein. As best seen in FIGS. 7, 11 and 12, a pair of horizontally oriented coil springs 71, 73 are connected between the outer plate 40 and the inner U-shaped subassembly 60, while a second pair of horizontally-oriented coil springs 75, 77 extend between the inner plate 42 and the outer U-shaped subassembly 58. This arrangement maintains the docking station 76 (described below) in a generally centered position along the trolley rails 44, 46 (between plates 40 and 42), but also permits reciprocatory spring-biased movement of the docking station 76 in opposite directions along the rails. Thus, the docking station 76 is able to accommodate various degrees of misalignment of any one or more of the hydrants 28. Lateral movement of the docking station 76 to enable capture of a misaligned hydrant is also enabled by front and rear pairs of substantially vertical guide wings. Specifically, a forward pair of guide wings 72, 74 is fixed to respective forward ends of subassemblies 58, 60 and extend forwardly of the docking station 76, flaring outwardly in the forward direction. A rearward pair of guide wings 78, 80 is fixed to respective rearward ends of subassemblies 58, 60 and extend rearwardly of the docking station 76, also flaring outwardly but in the rearward direction. The role played by the guide wings 72, 74 and 78, 80 in assisting the capture of the hydrant flange is explained further below.

The docking station itself, indicated at 76, includes a pair of housings 82, 84 (one shown in FIGS. 8, 9) on either side of, i.e., sandwiched about, a hydrant valve actuator assembly 86 (FIG. 10). Since the housings 82, 84 are identical to one another, only one need be described in detail. As best seen in FIG. 8 (exterior side) and FIG. 9 (interior side), housing 82 includes a main body portion 85 with two pairs of oppositely directed flanges 88, 90 and 92, 94, each flange pair supporting between th