Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
.1 1~;!31~Pbl
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is for use in connection with a land
irrigating system in which a moving water sprinkler line
having a water inlet at one point extends laterally to and
moves along the length dimension of a stationary water
supply main having a plurality of water outlet valves at
equally spaced points along its length, and particularly
involves an apparatus for successively connecting the water
outlet valves of the stationary water supply main with
water inlet means of the sprinkler line, the apparatus
including a driven carriage for moving along the length
dimension of the stationary water supply main at
substantially the same overall rate of movement as the
moving sprinkler line.
ThiS invention is also for use in connection with a
method of land irrigation wherein a moving sprinkler line
having a water inlet at one point moves along the length of
a stationary water supply main having water outlet valves
at spaced intervals along the length thereof, the method
involving successively connecting the water outlet valves
of the stationary water supply main with water inlet means
of the sprinkler line to obtain substantially continuous
water supply to the sprinkler line.
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3 --
~escr~ tlon oE ~ xior ~rt
When irriga-ting extensive areas of land, long sprinkler
lines have been used for some time. Water has been supplied
to these lines from buried pipes or mains having spaced
risers projecting above the surface of the ground for
connection to the sprinkler lines. Each time a sprinkler
line had to be moved, manual labor was required for this
purpose. This was a laborious and time consuming operation.
As time went on, the sprinkler lines, which can reach a
length of a quarter of a mile and more were fitted with
wheels to make them easier to move. Eventually, power was
supplied in one way or another to the wheeled lines to keep
them moving slowly alony the desired path parallel to the
direction of the main line with flexible hoses extending be-
tween the water inlet end of the sprinkler lines and the riser
to which the sprinkler line was connected. Since the mains
can be eight or more inches in diameter and contain water
under substantial pressure, the required size and strength of
the flexible hoses became extremely burdensome in manual
operation. Proposals were therefore made to facilitate
connection of the sprinkling lines to successive risers with
the least manual effort but to applicant's knowledge no
successful machine has been developed prior to his.
Examples of such proposals are illustrated in Engel U.S.
Pat. No. 2,750,228, Stafford U.S. Reissue Pat. No. 26,285
and Smith et al. U.S, Pat.Nos. 3,381,893 and 3,446,434.
llti~ 8
~,
Such proposals provicled for intermitkent connection of the
sprinkler line to the main line utilizing power assisted
mechanical devices as the hoses or telescoping pipes were
moved from riser to riser, with the sprinkler line
continuing to move along at the desired rate.
In order to provide for a continual source of water to
the sprinkler line Rogers U.S. Pat. No. 3,463,175 and
Standal U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,436 and Russian Pat. No. 434,918
proposed systems in which one riser is always connected to
the sprinkler line, this being accomplished by having pipe
or hose connections to the sprinkler line connect with
devices which span three risers. By the arrangement
employed in the Rogers and Standal patents, the forward part
of the device is disconnected from one riser and goes on to
a second riser ahead of the first riser and on connection of
the device with the second riser, the hindmost part of the
device, which has been connected to a third riser which is
behind the first riser in the main line, moves up to connect
with the first riser. As far as known to the applicant,
these proposals were never put into use. In addition to
requiring closely spaced risers, the mechanical problems
associated with these systems appear to have ruled out their
commercial use.
In the Russian patent, an elongated horizontal pipe
having water inlet valves at each end is pivotally mounted
at its center by a downturned ell on the forward end of a
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- s -
second, Eorwardly projectillg elongated horizontal pipe
which, in turn, is pivotally mounted at its rear end by an
upturned ell to a sprinkler line carried by a mobile
carriage. The carriage moves along a water main so that
when one of the inlet valves is connected to a hydrant, the
doubly pivoted mounting permits the first pipe to swing in
an arc around the hydrant to bring the other valve in
position to be connected to a hydrant (apparently manually)
before the first is disconnected. The entire water connect-
ing means is, therefore, cantilevered forward of thecarriage. Although the illustrated structure could be
modified so as to be theoretically operable, the inoperable
structure illustrated suggests that this device also was
never actually used.
Von Linsowe U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,016 discloses another
irrigation system for continuously feeding water to a
sprinkler line, but this system is extremely complicated
and requires twin main lines since the twin coupling devices
for connecting the sprinkler line to the main line cannot
pass each other. This proposal appears to have the same
history in practice as the Rogers and Standal systems.
SUMMARY QF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to
provide an economical and durable land irrigation system of
the type employing an elongated sprinkler line movable
transversely of its length along the length dimension of a
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water main and including means for connecting the sprinkler
line to successive hydrants spaced alony the water main to
continuously maintain water pressure to the sprinkler line
as it is moved through a ield.
Another object is to provide such an irrigation system
in which a movable conveyance means, hereinafter generally
referred to as a tractor, is driven along the water main
at substantially the same rate as the sprinkler line and
includes a pair of hydrant connectors each connected to the
sprinkler line and each being adapted to be automatically
connected to and disconnected from each hydrant in succession
along the water main with one of the connectors being
connected to a hydrant at all times.
In the attainment of the foregoing and other objects
and advantages, an important feature of the invention
resides in providing a simple, reliable connector apparatus
for maintaining a continuous water flow path from the water
main to the moving sprinkler line and for moving the
connector apparatus along the water main and successively
connecting and disconnecting each of a pair of connectors
to each of a plurality of substantially equally spaced
hydrants along the water main, with the apparatus requiring
a minimum of energy and maintenance. This is accomplished
in a preferred embodiment of the invention in which a
tractor is driven along the water main at the same rate as
the sprinkler line and is guided along a controlled path
1 ~ $;~
relative to the m~in. ~longated track means is mounted on
the tractor and extends in generally parallel upwardly
spaced relation to the water main and a pair of elongated
connector pipes each having one end portion supported on
the track means for movement therealong. Conduit means
such as a flexible hose or an articulated pipe assembly
connects the inner, track supported ends of the connector
pipes to the sprinkler line.
The connector pipes extend outwardly in opposite
direction from the tractor and generally parallel to the
water main and to the track means, and each has its outer
end supported by a carriage or truck having driven ground
engaging wheels for moving the connector pipes along the
track means relative to one another and relative to the
tractor. Each connector pipe has valve coupling means on
its outer end for engaging and automatically connecting the
pipe to valve means on the hydrants. The respective
carriages are guided along a controlled path relative to
the water main to initially position the outer end of the
pipes relative to the hydrants, and power means carried on
-~ ! the carriages ~c operable to accurately locate the end of
~ lIL
6~
the connector pipes in position for automatic connection
to the hydrants.
In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus briefly
described above, the tractor is driven through the field at
a substantially constant rate corresponding to the rate of
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movement of the sprinkler li,ne. One o~ the connector pipes,
for example the rearwardl~ projecting pipe has its outer
end connected to a hydrant and will remain stationary as
the tractor continues to move forward. At the same time,
the forwardly extending connector pipe can be disconnected
from its hydrant and driven forward at a rate greater than
the rate of the tractor with its inner end rolling outwardly
along the track until the outer end reaches and is connected
to the next hydrant. This occurs prior to the rearwardly
extending end of the track reaching the inner end of the
first connector pipe. When the forwardly extending connector
pipe is connected to a hydrant, the rearwardly extending
pipe is disconnected and driven forward, again at a rate
greater than the rate of the tractor, so that its outer end
is in position to be connected to the next hydrant, in
succession, prior to disconnecting the forwardly extending
connector pipe from its hydrant. Thus, water pressure is
maintained continuously through one of the connector pipes
to the sprinkling line to provide an uninterrupted flow of
water and to enable continuous movement of the sprinkler
line for a more uniform application of water to the field.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from the detailed description
contained hereinbelow, taken in conjunction with the drawings,
in which:
l.l ti~3~P8
FIG. 1 is a top p:lan view of the connector apparatus
of the present invention connected to a sprinkler line and
with the subterranean water main and guide line being shown
in broken line;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown
in FIG. 1, with a portion of the apparatus shown in broken
line in an alternate position;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of
the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line
5-5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in
section, of another component of the apparatus illustrated
in FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line
7-7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of the structure shown
in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 6,
and schematically showing certain of the elements in
alternate stages of operation upon movement of the apparatus
in one direction;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 and showing the
position of the apparatus when moving in the opposite
direction;
l.ilt;'31~
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FIG. 1l. is a top plan v:iew similar to F.LG. 1 and
showing an alternate embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 12 is a sectional view, in elevation, taken along
line 12-12 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown
in FIG. 11; and,
FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D are sectional v.iews, taken
along line 14-14 of FIG. ~, with certain parts omitted, and
illustrating the apparatus in different stages of operation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, one
end portion of a water sprinkler line is designated generally
by the reference numeral 10 and is shown supported by a truss
. structure 11 having one end mounted at the top of a driven,
wheeled conveyance mechanism, or tractor, designated
generally by the reference numeral 12. The tractor 12 has
an open frame structure including a pair of laterally spaced
A-frame assemblies 13, 14 rigidly joined at ~heir top by an
elongated water pipe or manifold 15 and at a point spaced
below the manifold 15 by a structural platform 16. Wheels 17,
located one at each corner of the assembly, support the
tractor for movement over the ground. Each wheel 17 is
driven by a separate motor means 18, and means are provided
to synchronize the respective drive motors to control move-
ment of the tractor along the length dimension of a fixed
water main indicated by the broken lines at 19. Suitable
bracing members 20 provide rigiclity and ~tructural integrity
to the tractor assembly. A suitable coupling 21 is provided
between the sprinkler line 10 and the manifold 15 to permit
limited pivotal or steering movement between the tractor
and the sprinkling line 10. Although a single sprinkling
line 10 is illustrated, it is understood that a second
sprinkling line may be connected to the opposite side of the
tractor assembly if desired.
An elongated support rail, or track 22 is rigidly
mounted, at its central portion, on the horlzontal platform
16 at a point substantially midway between the A-frames
13, 14. Track 22 is generally horizontal and extends fore
and aft of the tractor in a line substantially parallel to
- the water main 19. The track may be made of any suitable
material such as a length of heavy wall pipe, a rolled
structural shape, or the like, and suitable cable or other
bracing 23 extending between the ends of the track and the
manifold 15 is provided to carry a portion of the weight
and stabilize the track against undue flexing or bending.
An elongated pipe 24 is mounted on manifold 15 and
extends in parallel relation to the track 22 at one side of
the tractor 12. Pipe 22 has its midsection connected to
the manifold 15 to provide a waterflow path from either end
of the pipe into the manifold. Suitable braces 25, 26
provide vertical and lateral support for the projecting end
portions of the pipe 24. As is best seen in FIG. 2, the
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pipe 24 has ~ length subs-tantially less than track 22 and
preferably slightly less than one half the length of track
22. A pair of elongated flexible hoses 27, 28 are connected
one to each end of the pipe 24, with the other ends of the
hoses 27, 28 being connected one to each of a pair of
identical connector pipe assemblies 29, 30, only one of which
will be described in detail, it being understood that the
description applies equally to each of the connector pipe
assemblies.
The connector pipe assemblies each include an elongated
water pipe 31 having one end supported for free rolling
movement along track 22 by a roller carriage, or trolley 32
and its other end supported by a wheeled carriage assembly
. 33 for movement into position to be connected to spaced
risers or hydrants 34 on and projecting upwardly from the
water main 19 through outlet valves 35 mounted in the top
of each of the hydrants.
The inner end of elongated water pipe 31, i.e., the
end supported on track 22, is closed by a cap 36, and the
short length of pipe 37 is rigidly welded on and communicates
with pipe 31 adjacent its end. The short length of pipe 37
on connector assembly 29 is connected to and supports the
end of the flexible hose 27, with suitable clamps 38
releasably securing the flexible hose 27 on the pipe fitting
37, and hose 28 is similarly connected to the connector
assembly 30. The trolleys 32 are rigidly connected to the
i!31~3
-- .~3
pipes 31 adjacen~ the pipe Eittings 37. Each trolley
includes a yoke having a pair of laterally spaced side
plates 39, 40 joined at their bottom end to the pipe 31 by
a weld block 41. A concave roller 42 is supported between
plates 39, 40 adjacent their top end, by a suitable axle
member 43. The track 22 which, in the illustrated embodiment
is in the form of alength of pipe, extends between the weld
block 41 and the roller 42 to support the inner end of
pipe 31 for free rolling movement along the length of the
track 22 between the end plate 44 rigidly welded on track
22 and the structural members of the rigid transverse
platform 16 which supports the central portion of the track.
The radius of curvature of roller 22, in the plane containing
the axis of the roller, is slightly greater than the radius
of the track 22 to permit limited twisting movement of the
yoke resulting from slight lateral displacement of the
carriage supported end of the pipe 31 from the vertical
plane of track 22. Similarly, the weld block 41 and the top
of pipe 31 is spaced below the bottom of track 22 a distance
to permit limited movement of the pipe 31 about the axis of
roller 42.
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is seen that the
overall length of the assembly, including the track 22 and
the two connector assemblies 29, 30, is sufficient to span
three hydrants 34 on water main 19 when the connector
assemblies are extended to a point adjacent the end of the
- 14 -
track 22. In this position, the connector assembly 29 may
be connected to a first hydrant, the tractor positioned
directly above the next hydrant along the water main and
the connector assembly 30 connected to the third successive
hydrant 34. When the connector assembly 29 is disconnected
from the first hydrant, the tractor can proceed to the
phantom line position shown in FIG. 2, at which point the
trolley supporting the water pipe 31 of connector assembly
30 will have rolled along track 22 to a position adjacent
the central platform 16. During this time, connector
assembly 29 can be driven forward at a rate greater than the
rate of movement of the tractor, with the trolley rolling
freely along track 22 independent of movement of the
tractor, to position the connector assembly 29 for connection
to the second hydrant 34. Thereafter, connector assembly 30
can be disconnected from the third hydrant 34, in the manner
described more fully hereinbelow, and advanced with tractor
12 along the length dimension of water main 19 to position
connector assembly 30 for connection to the fourth, or next
successive hydrant. This procedure can be repeated to
progressively walk the apparatus through a field, in either
direction, with the tractor being driven at a substantially
constant rate corresponding to the rate of movement of the
sprinkler line.
Referring now to FIGS. 6-10, the carriages 33 supporting
the outer ends of the connector pipe assemblies each has a
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- :L5 -
frame in the general con~iguration of an inverted U including
a cross member ~5 and opposed, substantially vertical,
laterally spaced legs 46, 47. A bearing sleeve 48 rigidly
welded on the lower end of leg 46 pivotally supports a yoke
49 which mounts a ground engaging wheel 50. A similar
bearing sleeve 51 rigidly mounted on the bottom of leg 47
pivotally supports a yoke 52 mounting a second ground
engaging wheel 53. Motors 54, 55 are connected to and drive
wheels 50, 53, respectively to propel the carriage 33 over
the ground.
As best seen in FIG. ~, a hydraulic cylinder assembly
56 is connected between a rigid bracket 57 on leg 46 and an
outwardly extending arm 58 on yoke 49 to steer the wheel 50.
Similarly, a second hydraulic cylinder 59 is connected
between a rigid bracket 60 on leg 47 and an arm 61 on yoke
52 to steer the wheel 53. Steering control of the carriage
may be effected by any sui~table means illustrated in FIGS.
1 and 7 as including a guide line 62 in the form of an
electrical conductor buried in the ground in fixed parallel
spaced relation to the water main 19 and a suitable electro-
static pickup device 63 carried on a laterally extending arm
supported on the leg 46 of the carriage 33. It should be
understood that various guiding systems are known in the art
and may be used. For example, as cable or wire stretched
above the ground in fixed relation to the water main may be
used with suitable means such as a contact follower or metal
~ 16 -
sensor to sense the posi-tion of the wire and thereby control
actuation of the steering mechanism to guide the carriage
accurately along a fixed path between successive hydrants
34. Similar guide means can be provided for the tractor 12.
In order to provide for limited movement of the outer
end water pipe 31 with respect to the carriage 33, the pipe
31 is illustrated as being rigidly welded to a slider block
~4 mounted for horizontal sliding movement between upper and
lower guide rails 65, 66, respectively of a rectangular open
frame having opposed vertically extending side members 67, 68,
mounted for vertical sliding movement in elongated slots
69, 70 in legs 46, 47 respectively. A hydraulic ram has
its cylinder 71 connected to the bottom surface of cross
frame member 45 and its piston 72 pivotally connected, as by
pin 73 and bracket 74, to the top guide rail 65 to vertically
move the rectangular frame and slider block, and the outer
end of water pipe 31 supported therein, relative to the frame
of carriage 33. Slider block 64 can be permitted to slide
freely between the guide rails 65, 66 or, if desired, the
b las~l
20A slider block may be ~ssed by suitable means such as springs,
not shown, to normally remain centrally located between the
opposed vertical legs 46, 47. The vertical side members
67, 68 are preferably assembled onto the end portions of
guide rails 65, 66 by threaded fasteners, or bolts, 75 to
permit easy assembly and disassembly of the structure.
A water flow control valve 76 is mounted in water pipe
..
- 1.7
31 adjacent the ou-ter end thereoE. Valve 76 is only
schematically illustrated and can be an electrically
actuated solènoid valve or other suitable valve means
operable to prevent back Elow of wate.r throuyh tlle pipe 31
when the pipe is disconnec-ted from a hydrant.
The outer end of pipe 31 terminates in a coupling
assembly 77 fo.r coupling the pipe 31 in water flow relation
with an outlet valve assembly 35, described hereinbelow, in
the top portion of the hydrants 34 as the carriage 33
approaches a hydrant. The coupling assembly 77 projects
forwardly from the carriage 33 so that, as the carriage
approaches a hydrant 34 the coupling can be guided into
accurate alignment with the hydrant by guide means mounted
on the enlarged housing 191 of coupling assembly 77, with
the guide means projecting below the coupling assembly in
position for engaging the outer casing of the hydrant. The
guide assembly includes a pair of arms 78, 79 rigidly
mounted on and extending outwardly and downwardly from the
enlarged housing 191, with one arm being located on each
side of the housing. The two arms, and the guide assembly
supported thereon are identical, each including a pair of
spaced plate members 80, 81 joined at their bottom end by a
rigidly welded horizontal plate member 82. A rotary actuator,
for example a rotary hydraulic actuator 83, is mounted on
each of the plates 82 and supports a generally crescent
- 18 -
shaped guide arm ~4 ;Eor limlt~d moVem~nt about the vertical
axis of the actuator 83.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, as the coupling
member 77 approaches a hydrant 34, actuators 83 swing the
arms 84 about their vertical rotational axis so that the
forwardly projecting ends of the arms are spaced apart a
distance substantially greater than the outer diameter of
a hydrant 34 and their trailing ends are spaced apart a
distance substantially less than the diameter of the hydrant,
with the two arms 84 cooperating to form a generally V-shaped
guide. In the event that the coupling member is perfectly
aligned with hydrant 34, the rearwardly projecting ends of
the arms 84 will contact the outer surface of the hydrant
74 at exactly the same time, and sensors 85, for example
microswitches, mounted on the rearwardly projecting ends of
the arms 84 are actuated when the coupling member is
advanced along the water main as far as permitted by the
engagement of the arms with the hydrant. Actuation of the
two sensors 85, which are located equally distant from the
vertical axis of the rotary actuators 83, signals alignment
of the coupling member 77 with the hydrant and stops the
drive motors 54, 55 with the coupling member directly above
the hydrant in position to be connected in water flow relation
with the hydrant.
In the event that the coupling member 77 is slightly
misaligned, i.e., positioned to one side or the other of the
-- 19 --
center of the hydrant, the arm 8~ on ~he opposite side will
engage the hydrant first and act as a cam to move the slider
block 64 along guide rails 65, 66 as necessary to bring
the coupling member into perfect alignment with the hydrant.
As soon as the coupling member is in alignment with a hydrant,
the carraige 33 is stopped and the coupling member i5
actuated in the manner described hereinbelow to au-tomatically
connect the coupling member with the outlet valve 35 in
the hydrant to admit water into the pipe 31.
Upon disconnecting the coupling member from a hydrant,
the actuators 83 are rotated to turn the arms 84 about their
vertical support axis to move the rearwardly projecting ends
of the arms apart and permit the connector assembly to move
past the hydrant. After a predetermined time the rotary
actuators again rotate the arms to their original position
to engage and guide the coupling member into position to be
coupled to a hydrant as indicated in the successive broken
line position of the arms in FIG. 9. Upon reversal of the
apparatus to move the irrigation assembly in the opposite
direction through a field, the position of the actuator and
arms are reversed as indicated in FIG. 10. Thus, a second
pair of sensors 85, not shown, are mounted on the opposite
ends of the arms.
Referring now to FIGS. 6, 8, and 14A through 14D, the
details of the coupling assembly at the end of the water
carrying pipe 31, and the special outlet valve 35 on the
38
~"
hydrants 34 will be described in detail. At the outset, it
is noted that the water flow valve 76 remains closed at all
times when the pipe 31 is not in water flow relationship
with an associa-ted outlet valve 35 in a hydrant 34. Also,
a solenoid actuated bleeder valve 86 (Fig. 6) is open when
valve 76 is closed to bleed water from the coupling assembly
and the end portion of pipe 31 to relieve pressure in this
structure prior to uncoupling the coupliny assembly from
a hydrant.
The individual riser, or hydrant 34 may be of any
suitable construction, but preferably includes a double wall
to protect against possible damage of the valve structure
supported therein by impact with the connector assembly
guide structure. Thus, the respective hydrants may include
an internal pipe 173 surrounded by an external pipe 174,
with the space between being filled as with concrete 175.
The outlet valve 35 is mounted in the open top end of the
riser pipe 173, and an overhanging reinforcing plate 176
attached to the upper end of the casing centers the valve
35 and provides a horizontal flange 177 extending around
and projecting outwardly from the periphery of the outer
casing 174.
Water outlet valve 35 further comprises an enlarged
housing 180 enveloping the valve structure proper, the
latter consisting of a supporting spider 181 which slidably
receives a valve stem 182 carrying the valve closure disc 183,
.
- 21 ~
spring pressed by coll spring 134 into seating engagement
with valve seat 185. A cylindrical portion 186 of the
valve housing 180 extends upwardly into sealing engagement
with plate 176. A groove and an internally positioned
O-ring indicated at 187 are located at an intermediate point
in the height of the cylindrical portion 186.
Thecoupling members 77 each have an enlarged housing
191 which includes a cylindrical downwardly extending portion
192 housing a reciprocating telescopingly received cylindrical
water conducting member 193, cylindrical portion 192 having
a groove and an internally positioned O-ring 194 at an
intermediate point in the height of cylindrical portion 192.
The O-ring seals the space between cylindrical portion 192
and cylindrical water conducting member 193 while permitting
reciprocating movement of water conducting member 193. A
spider 195 carried by the uppermost portion of the water
conducting member 193 slidably receives a rod-like valve
actuating member 197 while permitting water to pass through
housing 191 to valve 76 and water carrying pipe 31. Housing
191 has projecting through its wall a packing gland 199 which
permits valve actuating member 197 to extend out of the
casing while permitting water sealed reciprocating movement
thereof through the housing wall. A collar 201 fixedly
secured to valve operating member 197 supports cylindrical
water conducting member 193 with cylindrical water conducting
member 193 being slidable on valve actuating rod 197.
- 22 -
A second collar 202 is fixedly secured on valve actuating
rod 197 above spider 195 of water conducting member 193.
The uppermost portion of valve actuating rod 197 is integral
with the lower end of a piston rod 196 which enters into and
is joined to a piston in a hydraulic cylinder 204. A bracket
205 is fixedly secured to the lower end of cylinder 204,
bracket 205 having ears 206, 206 at its outer ends for
pivotally supporting a pair of depending arms 207, 207 on
pins 208, 208. At their lowermost ends depending arms 207
carry inwardly projecting fingers 209, 209 designed to
engage under flange 177. On the depending cylindrical
portion 192 of housing 191 a bracket is fixedly secured having
outwardly extending bifurcated arms 211, 211 forming slots
through which depending arms 207 slidably pass. At the
outer end portions of such slots are pins 212, 212 and on
the innermost portion of such slots are two additional pins
213, 213. Pins 212 and 213 cooperate with camming surfaces
on opposite sides of a pair of identical camming members
215, 215, one set of camming surfaces being indicated at
216, 216 and the other set of camming surfaces being indicated
at 217, 217.
Surrounding valve piston rod 196 where it enters cylinder
204 and disposed between the lowermost end of cylinder 204
and the upper surface of packing gland 199 is a strong coil
spring 220 which can be held in its compressed state when the
piston rod end 196 of valve actuating rod 197 is in fully
1 1 ti'~
-- 23 --
retracted posltion ~n cyllnder 204.
FIG. 8 shows -the coupling member, indicated generally
at 77, in coupled position with the casing 174 of a hydrant.
FIGS. 14A, 14~, 14C, and 14D demonstrate how the components
of coupling member 77 make the connection with riser casing
174, seal off the joint between the coupling member and the
outlet valve 35l and open the valve. Referring now to
FI~. 14A, and assuming our coupling member as already being
connected to an outlet valve 35 as the second coupling men~er
77 approaches a hydrant 34 and is guided into vertical align-
ment with outlet valve 35 by arms 84, fingers 209 are held
in such spaced relation from each other that they will clear
flange 177. Additionally, the distance between fingers 209
and the lowermost edge of cylindrical coupling element 192
is appreciable and allows tolerance, if needed, rela~ive to
the height of coupling member 77 above the outlet valve while
still properly positioning the parts for connection. Thus,
coupliny member 77 can approach hydrant 34 at a considerable
height so long as locator or guide arms 84 can make contact
with casing 174 of the hydrant below the flange 177. Cylinder
71 normally maintains the housing 191 at a height such that
it clears the top of the hydrant 34 with a substantial margin
of safety, then lowers the coupling member 77 to seat the
bottom open end of cylindrical portion 192 on the hydrant
when the sensors 85 signal that the coupling member is
centered over the hydrant.
31~8
- 2~ -
Start.in~ with the operating parts of coupling member
77 and outlet valve 35 as shown in FIG. 14A, the hydraulic
fluid on the lower side of the piston in cylinder 204 has
its pressure reduced permitting coil spring 220 to push
cylinder ~04 and framework 205, 207 upward relative to
arms 211. Upon such movement, cam surfaces 216, 216 move
rollers 209 inwardly and as cylinder 204 and the depending
framework continue to move upwardly, fingers 209 engage
flange 177. Coil spring 220 is strong enough, acting through
the depending framework and fingers 209 under flange 177 to
hold the coupling member and outlet valve 35 in registry
ready for water-tight coupling and subsequent valve opening
actions, as shown in FIG. 14B.
Considering next the transition from FIG. 14B to FIG.
14C, with the coupling member in the position shown in
FIG. 14B, the hydraulic fluid pressure in cylinder 204 is
increased on the upper side of the piston to extend piston
rod 196 downwardly to cause collar 202 to engage spider 195
and thereby move cylindrical water conduit member 193 down-
wardly into the cylindrical portion 186 of outlet valve
housing 180, the chamfered lower edge of cylindrical water
conduit 193 assuring re~istry and a telescoping relationship
of that part within the cylindrical portion 186 of outlet
valve housing 180.
As shown in FIG. 14D, continued movement of piston rod
196 and valve actuating rod 197 carries cylindrical water
- 25 -
conduit member 193 further down and into sealing engagernent
with O-ring 187 thereby completing the sealed water flow
passage between the outlet valve housing 180 and the water
carrying arm, permitting water to flow through this passage
as the completion of the movement of valve operationg rod
197 pushes valve plate 183 open against the pressure of
spring 184.
Since a short interval of time can elapse from the time
guide arms 84 bring coupling member 77 into contiguity with
an outlet valve 35 until the coupling member is lowered and
clamped in position, a time-delay mechanism, not shown, can
be included to delay valve opening operation of the valve
operating rod 197 if desired.
A water pressure sensitive control (not shown) in
housing 191, in association with electronic controls carried
on the tractor 12, closes bleeder valve 86 and opens solenoid
water flow control valve 76.
Turning now to the first coupling member 77 which was
previously connected in water flow relation to a water outlet
valve 35 at the time locator arms 84 linoc up the second
coupling member 77 with the outlet valve 35 as just described,
the delay signal already mentioned delays the disconnect
sequence of actions in the first coupling member 77 until
valve 183 as just described has opened to place its associated
water carrying pipe 31 in water flow relation with the main
line. This delay is advisable so that at least one water
.1.~t~
- ~6 -
carrylng pipe is con-tinuously in water flow connection with
the water main 19. Movement of the tractor 12 need not be
interrupted while these operations take place, however,
since the length of the track 22 and of the pipe 24 and
hoses 27, 28 are such as to permit limited movement of the
tractor while connector members are connected to a hydrant.
Thus an appreciable time lag in making the connection and
valve opening at one outlet valve (for example a minute)
and breaking the connection at the other will have no
objectionable effect, and these connection and disconnection
actions need not necessarily be simultaneous but only
approximately so.
Before breaking the first coupling member connection,
. a suitable control not shown but per se known acts in
conjunction with the initiation of disconnection of the
outlet valve 35 and the first coupling member 77 to close
the solenoid valve 76 adjacent to that first coupling member
and to open corresponding bleeder valve 86 to reduce pressure
in the coupling member prior to actual disconnection. The
bleeding actionis advisable to gradually relieve the water
pressure differential across the valve elements and to relieve
pressure on the gaskets or seals.
All the coupling members and outlet valve members being
identical, the showings in FIGS. 14D, 14C, 14B, and 14A in
that order illustrate the sequence of actions in breaking
the connection between a coupling member 77 and the
:I..t~ lV~3
-- 27 --
associated outle-t valve 35. Considering FIG. 14A it will
be noted that increasing the pressure on the lower side of
the piston in hydraulic cylinder 204 will compress spring
220, at the same time pulling up arms 207 and causing cam
surfaces 217, 217 to spread arms 207 and disengage fingers
209 from the undersurface of flange 177, permitting coupling
77 to move away from the outlet valve 35.
~s tractor 12 moves down the field, its respective
wheels 17 will at times encounter different ground levels
which will cause track 22 to depart from a horizontal
position longitudinally. However, since the trolleys
supporting the inner ends of pipes 31 permit both limited
vertical and horizontal pivotal movement between the track
22 and the pipes 31, such departure from the horizontal by
the tractor does not adversely effect operation of the
apparatus. Since the carriages 33 are located very close
to the coupling members 77, substantial movement of the
inner ends of pipes 31 produces only minor movement of the
connectors so that the aligning arms 84, in combination with
the elevating cylinder 71 readily align the coupling
members 77 with the valves 35.
Since the trolley 32 is supported by wheel 42 to roll
freely on track 22, little or no force is required to maintain
a connector assembly stationary as the tractor moves along
the water main 19 with the sprinkler line. Thus, once a
coupling member 77 is connected to an outlet valve and
- 2~ -
hydrant assembly, thl~ connec~ioll will maintain the
associated connector assen~ly s-tationary until the coupling
member is disconnected in sequence. At that time, suitable
controls carried by the tractor 12 energize ttle drive
motors 54, 55 in a direction to drive the carriage and
the associated connector assembly forward along the water
main at a rate which is at least substantially twice the
rate of the tractor to move the associated trolley 32
along track 22 between the end plate 44 and the central
platform 16 and to position the associated coupling member
77 adjacent the next successive hydrant 34 while the tractor
moves along the water main 19 about one half the distance
between successive hydrants. Thus, referring to FIG. 2,
with the tractor positioned at one hydrant, the connector
assembly 30 connected to the next hydrant forward of the
tractor, and the connector assembly 29 having just been
disconnected from the next hydrant behind -the tractor, the
carriage 33 on the connector assembly 29 must be driven at a rate
to position its coupling member 77 over the next succeeding
hydrant by the time the tractor has reached a point,
illustrated in broken line, approximately halfway to the
next succeeding hydrant~ In this position, the trolley 32
of connector assembly 29 will be positioned substantially
adjacent the horizontal platform 16 so that the tractor can
continue its movement to the next succeeding hydrant without
further movement of the connector assembly 29. During this
.
l `l f ;~
~ 29 -
continued movement of the tractor, the connector assembly
30 is disconnected from its hydrant to position its associated
coupling member 72 above the next succeeding hydrant, at the
same time rolling its trolley 32 along the track 22 from the
position adjacent the central platform 16 to a position
adjacent the end plate 44.
In practice, the hydrants 34 may be 50 feet apart
along the length of the water main 19, with the total
overall length of the track 22 being at least 50 feet and
preferably approximately 55 feet. In such an arrangement,
the pipe 24 connected to the manifold 15 may be spaced above
track 22 by about 6 feet and have a total length of about 22
feet, with the length of the flexible hoses 27, 28 each being
approximately 21 feet. With an overall length of the
connector assemblies 29, 30, between the associated coupling
members and the trolley being approximately 25 feet, the
apparatus has a capability of extending to a total length
slightly in excess of 100 feet, thereby providing an adequate
margin of safety to permit continued movement of the tractor
for a limited time while both coupling members are connected
to a hydrant so that precisely simultaneous coupling and
uncoupling is not required as described above.
Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, an alternate embodi-
ment of the invention is illustrated in which the track
carried by tractor 12 has been substantially shortened and
the rigid pipe extending parallel to the track on the manifold
~ 30 -
15 has been elimina-ted. Since the method of operation of
this embodiment is substantially identical to that
described above, and most of the components the same or
similar, only the differences between the two embodimen-ts
will be described herein, with like reference numerals being
employed to illustrate like parts in the two embodiments.
Thus, the sprinkler line 10 is again connected, through
coupling means 21, to the manifold 15 carried on the tractor
12. The A-frames 13, 14 are connected by cross beams
90, 91, in addition to the manifold 15, and a pair of
substantially identical, laterally spaced track assemblies
92, 93 are suspended beneath the beams 90, 91.
As seen in FIG. 12, the track assembly 92 consists of
a first structural beam 94 rigidly joined at its central
portion to the bottom surface of cross beams 90, 91 and
extending outwardly therefrom in a direction generally
parallel to the direction of movement of the tractor.
End plates 95, 96 project downwardly from the ends of
beam 94 and support the opposed ends of an elongated track
97 which extends beneath and parallel to the beam 94.
The trolley wheel 42 on the end of the elongated water
pipe 31 of the forwardlv extending connector assembly 30
rolls on the track 97 as in the previously described
embodiment. In this embodiment, however, the pipe 31 is
required to be somewhat longer in view of the fact that
the track 97 is centered beneath the manifold 15 so that
i~31(~
- 31 -
the trolley wheel 42 rolls from extxeme positions which are
equally spaced from the transverse center line of the tractor.
The flexible hose 28, which is connected directly to the
end of the pipe 31 can be of the same lenyth as in the
previous embodimentl with the stationary end of the hose 28
being connected directly to the manifold 15 through a
suitable pipe fitting.
As shown in FIG. 13, track assembly 93 is a mirror
image of the track assembly 92, consisting of a top
support beam 98 rigidly joined on and projecting outwardly
from the cross beams 90, 91, with downwardly extending end
plates 99, 100 supporting a track 101 in parallel downwardly
spaced relation to the support beam 98. Trolley wheel 42
supported on the inner end of pipe 31 of the connector
assembly 29 rolls along track 101 in the manner described
above. The lateral spacing of track assemblies ~2, 93 is
easily accommodated by the trolley wheel so that alignment
of the coupling members and operation of the apparatus is
identical to that described above. One advantage, however,
of this embodiment is that a greater portion of the weight
of the water between the manifold and the coupling members
is carried by the wheeled carriages and the shorter track
assemblies may require less bracing to carry the load.
Also, the elongated fixed pipe connected to the manifold 15
is eliminated to simplify the design.
- ~2 -
In order to simplify the description of the invention,
certain state-of-the-art devices have not been shown or
described. For example, it is contemplated that an internal
combustion engine will be provided on the tractor for driving
suitable generator and hydraulic pump means to provide
power for the various components. Similarly, state-of-the-
art controls such as microswitches, time delay relays, or
microprocessors have not been illustrated since such devices
are well-known. Thus, while I have disclosed and described
preferred embodiments of my invention, I wish it understood
that I to not intend to be restricted solely thereto, but
rather that I do intend to include all embodiments thereof
which would be apparent to one skilled in the art and which
come within the spirit and scope of my invention.
: .
