Irrigation gate system
First Claim
1. An irrigation gate system for controlling the flow of water in a water canal comprising:
- a. at least two opposed rotateable gates positioned in the water canal, the gates for moving between a closed position preventing water upstream of the gates from flowing past the gates and a plurality of open positions to allow variable amounts of water to flow past the gates;
b. a gate actuator for rotating both gates between positions;
c. a controller in communication with the gate actuator for providing signals to direct the gate actuator to rotate the gates between positions;
d. a sensor in communication with the controller for providing the sensor'"'"'s readings to the controller; and
e. the controller calculating the difference between the readings provided by the sensor and a pre-programmed condition stored in the memory of the controller and providing signals to the gate actuator based on the difference between the readings and the pre-programmed condition.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An irrigation gate system installed in a channel (such as a ditch or canal) for controlling the flow of water through the channel maintaining a desired level of water upstream from the irrigation gate system or for controlling water flow downstream from the irrigation gate system. The irrigation gate system includes a gate which is maintained in a closed position for preventing water flow past the gate or alternatively, in one of a plurality of open positions for allowing desired amounts of water in the channel to flow past the gate. The gate is vertically hingedly connected to a pipe shaft supported by a frame installed in the channel. A gate actuator moves the gate between its various positions upon receiving signals from an electronic programmable controller which in turn may receive signals from a variety of sources.
20 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An irrigation gate system for controlling the flow of water in a water canal comprising:
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a. at least two opposed rotateable gates positioned in the water canal, the gates for moving between a closed position preventing water upstream of the gates from flowing past the gates and a plurality of open positions to allow variable amounts of water to flow past the gates; b. a gate actuator for rotating both gates between positions; c. a controller in communication with the gate actuator for providing signals to direct the gate actuator to rotate the gates between positions; d. a sensor in communication with the controller for providing the sensor'"'"'s readings to the controller; and e. the controller calculating the difference between the readings provided by the sensor and a pre-programmed condition stored in the memory of the controller and providing signals to the gate actuator based on the difference between the readings and the pre-programmed condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An irrigation gate system installed in a water canal for controlling the flow of water in the canal comprising:
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a. at least two opposed rotateable pipe shafts positioned near the water canal; b. a gate hingedly connected to each pipe shaft, the gates for moving between a closed position for preventing water upstream of the gates from flowing past the gates and a plurality of open positions to allow variable amounts of water to flow past the gates; c. a gate actuator for rotating both pipe shafts thereby rotating the gates between positions; d. a controller in communication with the gate actuator for providing signals to direct the gate actuator to rotate the gates between positions by rotating the pipe shafts; e. a sensor in communication with the controller for providing the sensor'"'"'s readings to the controller; and f. the controller calculating the difference between the readings provided by the sensor and a pre-programmed condition stored in the memory of the controller and providing signals to the gate actuator based on the difference between the sensor readings and the pre-programmed condition. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An irrigation gate system for controlling the flow of water in a water canal comprising:
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a. at least two opposed rotateable gates positioned in the water canal, the gates for moving between a closed position preventing water upstream of the gates from flowing past the gates and a plurality of open positions to allow variable amounts of water to flow past the gates; b. a gate actuator for rotating both gates between positions; c. a controller in communication with the gate actuator for providing signals to direct the gate actuator to rotate the gates between positions; d. a transmitter in communication with the controller for providing signals to the controller; and e. the controller for providing signals to the gate actuator based on the signals received from the transmitter.
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25. An irrigation gate system for controlling the flow of water in a water canal comprising:
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a. at least two opposed rotateable gates positioned in the water canal, the gates for moving between a closed position preventing water upstream of the gates from flowing past the gates and a plurality of open positions to allow variable amounts of water to flow past the gates; b. a gate actuator for rotating each gate; c. a controller in communication with the gate actuator for providing signals to direct the gate actuator to rotate the gates between positions; d. a sensor in communication with the controller for providing the sensor'"'"'s readings to the controller; and e. the controller calculating the difference between the readings provided by the sensor and a pre-programmed condition stored in the memory of the controller and providing signals to the gate actuator based on the difference between the readings and the pre-programmed condition.
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26. An irrigation gate system for controlling the flow of water in a water canal comprising:
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a. a frame having two side walls on either side of the canal for supporting a top wall, one side wall having a pipe shaft received through the top wall; b. a gate connected to the pipe shaft for moving between a dosed position for preventing water from flowing past the gate and a plurality of open positions for allowing variable amounts of water to flow past the gate; c. a gate actuator for rotating the pipe shaft thereby rotating the gate between its plurality of positions; d. a controller in communication with the gate actuator for providing signals to direct the gate actuator to rotate the gate between positions; e. a sensor in communication with the controller for providing the sensor'"'"'s readings to the controller; and f. the controller calculating the difference between the readings provided by the sensor and a pre-programmed condition stored in the memory of the controller and providing signals to the gate actuator based on the difference between the readings and the pre-programmed condition.
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27. An irrigation gate system for maintaining a desired level of water flow rate in a water canal comprising:
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a. a frame having two side walls on either side of the canal for supporting a top wall, one side wall having a pipe shaft received through the top wall; b. a gate hingedly connected to the pipe shaft for moving between a closed position for preventing water from flowing past the gate and a plurality of open positions for allowing variable amounts of water to flow past the gate; c. a gate actuator for rotating the pipe shaft thereby rotating the gate between its plurality of positions; d. a controller in communication with the gate actuator for providing signals to direct the gate actuator to rotate the gate between positions; e. a sensor in communication with the controller, the sensor having a flow meter downstream from the gate in communication with the controller for indicating the current rate of water flow downstream from the gate to the controller; and f. the controller calculating the difference between the readings provided by the flow meter and a pre-programmed desired downstream water flow rate stored in the memory of the controller and providing signals to the gate actuator to open or close the gate, as required, to reduce the difference between the readings and the desired downstream water flow rate.
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28. An irrigation gate system for controlling the flow of water in a water canal comprising:
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a. a frame having two side walls on either side of the canal for supporting a top wall, one side wall having a pipe shaft received through the top wall; b. a gate connected to the pipe shaft for moving between a closed position for preventing water from flowing past the gate and a plurality of open positions for allowing variable amounts of water to flow past the gate; c. a gate actuator for rotating the pipe shaft connected to lever arms operated by hydraulic cylinder thereby rotating the gate between its plurality of positions; d. a controller in communication with the gate actuator for providing signals to direct the gate actuator to rotate the gate between positions; e. a sensor in communication with the controller for providing the sensor'"'"'s readings to the controller; and f. the controller calculating the difference between the readings provided by the sensor and a pm-programmed condition stored In the memory of the controller and providing signals to the gate actuator based on the difference between the readings and the pre-programmed condition.
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Specification