Alignment apparatus for an articulating irrigation system

An irrigation system comprising:

• a main section assembly including a first conduit supported upon a plurality of first tower structures, the first conduit configured to carry liquid;
• an extension section assembly including a second conduit supported upon a plurality of second tower structures, the second conduit configured to carry liquid;
• and
• an irrigation alignment apparatus configured to couple the main section assembly to the extension section assembly, the irrigation alignment apparatus comprising:
• a ball connector coupled to the main section assembly;
• a socket for receiving the ball connector and coupled to the extension section assembly, the socket configured to at least partially pivot about the ball connector;
• a socket pulley coupled to the socket about a centroid of the ball connector, the socket pulley configured to at least partially pivot the socket about the ball connector;
• and
• a camshaft pulley coupled to the main section assembly, the camshaft pulley coupled to the socket pulley via a linking member,
• wherein the camshaft pulley is coupled to a camshaft, the camshaft in communication with a plurality of switches for controlling at least one of the main section assembly or the extension section assembly, the camshaft configured to indicate a positional alignment of the extension section assembly.

An irrigation system comprising:

• a center pivot structure;
• a main section assembly coupled to the center pivot structure, the main section assembly configured to at least partially traverse about the center pivot structure, the main irrigation section including a first conduit supported upon a plurality of first tower structures, the first conduit configured to carry liquid;
• an extension section assembly including a second conduit supported upon a plurality of second tower structures, the second conduit configured to carry liquid;
• a third conduit configured to couple the first conduit to the second conduit, the third conduit vertically aligned over the first conduit;
• and
• an irrigation alignment apparatus configured to couple the main section assembly to the extension section assembly, the irrigation alignment apparatus comprising:
• a ball connector configured to couple to the main section assembly;
• a socket for receiving the ball connector and coupled to the extension section assembly, the socket configured to at least partially pivot about the ball connector;
• a socket pulley coupled to the socket about a centroid of the ball connector, the socket pulley configured to at least partially pivot the socket about the ball connector;
• and
• a camshaft pulley coupled to the main section assembly, the camshaft pulley coupled to the socket pulley via a linking member,
• wherein the camshaft pulley is coupled to a camshaft, the camshaft in communication with a plurality of switches for controlling at least one of the main section assembly or the extension irrigation section assembly, the camshaft configured to indicate a positional alignment of the extension section assembly.