| 摘要 |
<p>1,194,201. Irrigation systems. J. B. KNIGHT CO. Inc. 22 May, 1967 [21 Feb., 1967], No. 23632/67. Heading A1D. [Also in Division F2] A method for correcting misalignment of vehicles in an agricultural irrigation system having an elongated pipe 20, Fig. 1, comprises changing the length of a drive element 28 if a vehicle 30 gets out of line, and realigning the vehicle which is out of line in response to the changed length of the drive element 28. The elongate pipe 20 carries sprinklers 22 and is connected to a pipe 26 which supplies water under pressure. A plurality of vehicles 30 movingly support the pipe, a sectioned drive shaft 28 extends along the pipe the sections connected by joints 36, means attached to the drive shaft for rotating it, and means on each vehicle for driving it in response to rotation of the drive shaft (belt 94 &c. and pulleys 96, 136 &c.). Each section of the drive shaft is journalled in a thrust bearing 34 which is rigidly connected to the pipe. The drive shaft is horizontally displaced from the pipe, there being axial clearance within the joints 36 to permit the sections to move axially with respect to each other, and means at each vehicle for detecting axial movement of the drive shaft, thereby detecting misalignment of the vehicle, the axial movement affecting the drive to the vehicle by varying the drive ratio, thus realigning the vehicle. Three embodiments are disclosed with different methods of adjusting the drive ratio which aligns the vehicles. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 1,118,382.</p> |
