Patent GB-1501091-A (GB)
Title: Pipe-following irrigation machine
IPC: A01G25/09
Filed: 1974-02-28
Abstract: 1501091 Pipe-following irrigation machine WRIGHT RAIN Ltd 18 Feb 1975 [28 Feb 1974 28 June 1974 (2)] 9049/74 28702/74 and 28703/74 Heading A1D An irrigation machine comprises driving means such as traction wheels 203 which are driven by the reciprocation of a ram 212 whereby in use the machine is propelled to follow the course of a water pipe 204, provided with a plurality of self-closing water hydrants 216, and stopped on either side of a hydrant 216 by means of a trip valve, means such as rollers 223 guiding the machine to follow the course of the water pipe 204, a riser pipe 222, operated by a ram 229 when the machine comes to a halt, is lowered and coupled with a hydrant 216 and, after a length of watering time determined by a timer, is uncoupled and raised, means such as link arms 233 having rollers 234, which means during lowering of the riser pipe 222 engage in recesses 235 of a platform 220 of the hydrant 216 and shift the riser pipe 222 thereby precisely aligning it with the hydrant 216, means such as rollers 245 mounted on the machine frame engage in slots 248 of the platform 220 and hold the machine in position as the riser pipe 222 having been coupled to the hydrant 216 depresses a self closing valve 217 of the hydrant 216 allowing pressurised water to flow along the pipes 222, 240, 241, 242 to eject from a water gun 207. The traction wheels may be replaced by an endless track. The machine may have at least one wheel or an endless track device supporting the machine and mounted to travel along the water pipe. In another embodiment the machine 152 is modified and coupled to a boom irrigator comprising ground wheels 150, boom frame 154 provided with water sprinklers or other discharge devices (not shown), and a frame 151 wherein the coupling is performed by ball and socket joints 163. The unit 152 comprises a first frame 157 supporting riser pipe 109, wheels 101 and rollers 112, and a second frame 158 which supports the first frame 157. Wheels 101 and rollers 112 guide the machine to follow the course of the pipe 102. The wheels 101 or ground wheels 150 are driven. The riser pipe 109 has a pair of link arms 127 having pivoted links 130, 159 which are respectively provided with rollers 131 and 160. The links 130 diverge when the riser pipe 109 is lowered to engage in slots 132 of the hydrant to shift the frame 157 in the frame 158 for precision alignment of the riser pipe 109 with the hydrant. When the pipe 109 actuates valve members of the hydrant the upthrust of the water on the riser pipe 109 effects the locking of members (134) Fig. 8 (not shown) against flanges (133) Fig. 9 (not shown) on each side of the hydrant housing. To re-centralise the frame 157 within frame 158 when the riser pipe 109 is raised the links 159 diverge to lock in slot 161 of the frame 158. The traction wheels and the riser pipe may be operated by means such as water-powered rams or a traction wheel driving turbine, i.e. engines or electric motors. The water pipe may be buried in the ground and the machine is guided by an electrical guidance system instead of rollers which system employs a buried control cable.