Patent ID: 6036122
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
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;a plurality of first sprinklers mounted on said main water boom along the length thereof in a spaced-apart relationship;a plurality of second sprinklers mounted on said main water boom along the length thereof in a spaced-apart relationship;the amount of output of said first and second sprinklers increasing from said center pivot support structure to said outer end of said main water boom;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;said extension water pipe having inner and outer ends;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 plurality of third sprinklers mounted on said extension water pipe along the length thereof in a spaced-apart relationship;a plurality of fourth sprinklers mounted on said extension water pipe along the length thereof in a spaced-apart relationship;the amount of output of the said third sprinklers increasing from said inner end of said extension water pipe to the said outer end thereof;the amount of output of the said fourth sprinklers increasing from said outer end of said extension water pipe to the said inner end thereof;said first, second, third and fourth sprinklers comprising first, second, third and fourth lines of sprinklers, respectively;the flow rate in said first line of sprinklers being substantially equal to the flow rate in said third line of sprinklers;the flow rate in said second line of sprinklers being substantially equal to the flow rate in said fourth line of sprinklers;and control means for independently controlling the operation of said third line of sprinklers and said fourth line of sprinklers;said control means also including means for deactivating said first line of sprinklers when said third line of sprinklers is activated and further including means for deactivating said second line of sprinklers when said fourth line of sprinklers are activated.