Patent ID: 6042031
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
An irrigation system, comprising:a center pivot support structure;an elongated main water boom, having inner and outer ends, pivoted at its inner end to said center pivot support structure and extending outwardly therefrom;said main water boom comprising an elongated main water pipe supported upon at least one non-steerable drive tower which propels said main water pipe around said center pivot support structure;an elongated extension boom, having inner and outer ends, pivotally connected at its said inner end to said outer end of said main boom;said extension boom comprising an elongated extension water pipe supported upon at least one steerable drive tower;steering means for steering said steerable drive tower;drive means for driving said steerable drive tower;guidance means for controlling said steering means so that said steerable drive tower is moved along a preselected path, as said main boom travels over the field to be irrigated, thereby causing said extension boom to pivotally move with respect to said main boom to cause said extension boom to pivotally extend out into corner areas of the field and pivotally retract therefrom as said main boom travels through the field;a deflection sensing means positioned on said extension water pipe for sensing deflection of said extension water pipe which is caused by movement of said main water boom with respect to said extension boom;control means connecting said deflection sensing means and said drive means for driving said steerable drive tower upon said deflection sensing means sensing a predetermined amount of deflection of said extension water pipe.