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Method of varying the speed of a center pivot irrigation system

  • US 6,036,121 A
  • Filed: 09/14/1998
  • Issued: 03/14/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. The method of controlling the speed of the last regular drive unit (L.R.D.U.) of a center pivot irrigation system having a corner irrigation system pivotally connected thereto which is movable out into the corners of a field to irrigate the same, said center pivot irrigation system including a main water line, having sprinklers provided thereon, supported by a plurality of spaced-apart drive units, said corner irrigation system including an extension water boom having sequenced sprinklers thereon, comprising the steps of:

  • placing a pressure transducer at the downstream side of said main water line for monitoring the changes in main line water pressure as the sprinklers on said extension water line are sequenced;

    driving the L.R.D.U. at a predetermined speed (L.R.D.U. speed setting);

    recording the output of said pressure transducer (end pressure) at predetermined intervals;

    comparing the said recorded output (end pressure) at said predetermined intervals to the pressure recorded when all the sprinklers on said extension line are turned off (retracted end pressure);

    and varying the speed of said L.R.D.U. approximately according to the formula;

    NEW SPEED=(END PRESSURE/RETRACTED END PRESSURE)1/2 ×

    L.R.D.U. SPEED SETTING.

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