Alignment control for long center pivot irrigation systems
First Claim
1. An irrigation system, comprising:
- a center pivot support structure;
an elongated water pipe, having inner and outer ends, pivoted at its inner end to said center pivot support structure and extending outwardly therefrom;
said water pipe supported upon a plurality of drive units which propel said water pipe around said center pivot structure;
each of said drive units including a drive means;
a first GPS control at said center pivot structure which functions as a stationary reference;
a second GPS control on one of said drive units near the center length of said water pipe;
a third GPS control on the outermost drive unit;
a computer-operated control system operatively connected to said drive means on the said one drive unit where said second GPS control is located;
said first, second and third GPS controls being operatively connected to said computer-operated control system;
said computer-operated control system computing an approximate straight line between said center pivot structure and said outermost drive unit and selectively operating said drive means on the said one drive unit where said second GPS control is located so that said one drive unit where said second GPS control is located will be positioned within some tolerance of the said approximate straight line between the said center pivot structure and the said outermost drive unit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alignment control is provided for long center pivot irrigation systems which include a center pivot structure having an elongated water pipe extending outwardly therefrom with the water pipe being supported upon a plurality of drive units which propel the water pipe around the center pivot structure. A first GPS control is positioned on the center pivot structure which functions as a stationary reference. A second GPS control is positioned on the center drive unit near the center length of the water pipe. A third GPS control is mounted on the last or outermost drive unit. A computer-operated control is operatively connected to the drive motor on the center drive unit. The first, second and third GPS controls are operatively connected to the computer-operated control which computes an approximate straight line between the center pivot structure and the last drive unit and which selectively operates the drive motor on the center drive unit so that the center drive unit will be positioned within some tolerance of the approximate straight line between the center pivot structure and the last drive unit.
35 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An irrigation system, comprising:
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a center pivot support structure;
an elongated water pipe, having inner and outer ends, pivoted at its inner end to said center pivot support structure and extending outwardly therefrom;
said water pipe supported upon a plurality of drive units which propel said water pipe around said center pivot structure;
each of said drive units including a drive means;
a first GPS control at said center pivot structure which functions as a stationary reference;
a second GPS control on one of said drive units near the center length of said water pipe;
a third GPS control on the outermost drive unit;
a computer-operated control system operatively connected to said drive means on the said one drive unit where said second GPS control is located;
said first, second and third GPS controls being operatively connected to said computer-operated control system;
said computer-operated control system computing an approximate straight line between said center pivot structure and said outermost drive unit and selectively operating said drive means on the said one drive unit where said second GPS control is located so that said one drive unit where said second GPS control is located will be positioned within some tolerance of the said approximate straight line between the said center pivot structure and the said outermost drive unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification