Cable and trolley system for use within an irrigation span assembly
AssigneeValmont Industries, Inc.
InventorCory J. Dillon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensor and spray cable system to provide irrigation and crop treatments to targeted areas beneath and around an irrigation machine. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes one or more irrigation trolleys which are propelled with and/or along one or more transport cables. The irrigation trolleys include controllers, sensors and irrigation sprayers which work together to apply applicants to discrete areas of a given field.
Claims23
A system for providing irrigation to targeted areas beneath an irrigation machine, wherein the irrigation machine comprises a first drive tower, a central span, and a second drive tower, the system comprising:
- a first motor assembly, wherein the first motor assembly comprises a first motor, a first motor controller and a first winding structure;
- a first lateral arm assembly, wherein the first lateral arm assembly comprises a first lateral arm section, a first end pulley and a second end pulley;
- a second motor assembly, wherein the second motor assembly comprises a second motor, a second motor controller and a second winding structure;
- a second lateral arm assembly, wherein the second lateral arm assembly comprises a second lateral arm section, a third end pulley and a fourth end pulley;
- a first transport cable;
- wherein the first transport cable is attached at a first end to the first motor assembly and at a second end to the second motor assembly;
- a second transport cable;
- wherein the second transport cable is attached at a third end to the first motor assembly and at a fourth end to the second motor assembly;
- a first trolley;
- wherein the first trolley is attached to the first transport cable and the second transport cable;
- and
- a system controller;
- wherein the system controller is configured to transmit control signals to the first motor controller and the second motor controller to laterally position the first trolley at a first target location between the first drive tower and the second drive tower.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.