US3303655A

US3303655A - Self-controlled irrigating machine

Info

Publication number: US3303655A
Application number: US282726A
Authority: US
Inventors: Glen H Loomis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-05-23
Filing date: 1963-05-23
Publication date: 1967-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 1984-02-14

Description

Feb. 14, 1967 G. H. LOOMIS SELF-CONTROLLED IRRIGATING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1963 Glen H. Loom/s INVENTOR. Q2262.

G. H. LOOMIS 3,303,655

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTO R.

Glen H. Loom/s pal/ 19 and SELF-CONTROLLED IRRIGATING MACHINE Feb. 14, 1967 Filed May 23, 1963 Feb. 14, 1967 G. H. LOOMIS SELF-CONTROLLED IRRIGATING MACHINE Filed May 23, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 on T m g m a a N "3 I! a l Fig. 6

. Glen H. Loom/s INVENTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 23, 1963 Glen H. Loomis INVENTOR.

United States Patent M 3,303,655 SELF-CONTROLLED IRRIGATHNG MACHINE Glen H. Loomis, Cody, Wy0., assignor of one-half to Jerry W. Housel, Cody, Wyo. Filed May 23, 1963, Ser. No. 282,726 14 Claims. (Cl. 61-12) This invention primarily relates to a machine which is used to irrigate a field.

Heretofore, machines of this type have been utilized in conjunction with some means to pull or propel the machine along an irrigation ditch. Said propelling means usually comprises a vehicle distinct and apart from the irrigating machine which is specifically adapted for use with the structure of the machine. .However, the irrigating ma chine of the present invention contemplates the use of means built into the machine utilizing pressure from the water supply in an irrigation ditch as the sole source of thrust for propelling the machine, as permitted by its braking means to be hereinafter more fully set forth, along the path of the ditch, at least after movement of the machine is initiated. Accordingly, it is the prime object of this invention to disclose a machine for irrigating a water starved field, which machine has means incorporated therein utilizing power derived from the water supply in an irrigating ditch to propel itself along the path of the ditch. I

Another object of this invention resides in a novel means on said machine for controlling the speed thereof.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a machine of the character specified, wherein a plurality of siphon tubes are sWivelly carried thereon and communicate the water supply in an irrigation ditch with the field to be irrigated.

Another object of this invention resides in a machine of the character specified wherein a water wheel is adapted to cooperate with some of said siphon tubes and to be driven thereby, the water wheel in turn supplying the power to initially drive the machine, through a gear reduction assembly such as that disclosed in US. Patent No. 1,315,286, dated September 9, 1919, along the banks of the irrigation ditch, and, when all rolling and sliding frictional resistance to the movement of said machine has been overcome thereby allowing the machine to be propelled by the pressure of the water supply in the irrigation ditch being operative to drive the gear reduction assembly at a speed governing the maximum speed of movement of the machine along the ditch effected by water pressure and thereby act as a speed control or braking means for the machine.

Yet another object of this invention resides in the provision of novel guide means depending from the frame of the machine which are adapted to cooperate with the sides of the irrigation ditch whereby the path of movement of the machine is strictly limited to the path of the irrigation ditch.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a machine of the character specified which is adjustable so that it can be utilized with any width of irrigation ditch.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a novel vertically adjustable darn means adapted to restrict and confine the water supply in the irrigation ditch and which in turn constitutes the prime mover utilizing the water pressure in the irrigation ditch to propel the machine.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

3,363,555 Patented Feb. 14, 1967 FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the irrigating machine constituting the subject matter of the instant invention and shown straddling an irrigation ditch.

FIGURE 2 is a side view elevation of the machine shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an end view in elevation as seen from the left hand side of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the machine taken substantially upon the plane of line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 66 of FIGURE 1 and illustrates certain details of the frame construction of the machine.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 7-7 of FIGURE 3 and illustrates certain details of the water Wheel used in the speed control system of the present machine.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the irrigating machine comprising the subject matter of the instant invention is generally designated by the numeral 16 and includes a frame referred to by the numeral 12 which is adapted to straddle an irrigating ditch 14. The ditch 14 can be concrete lined or merely formed from the earth itself and usually is trapezoidal in shape and has two

side banks

16 and 18. The irrigating machine It) is adapted to straddle the ditch 14 and to accomplish this end, the frame 12 comprises a plurality of hollow

rectangular beams

29, 22, 24 and 26 assembled in a rectangular array as seen in FIGURE 1, by forming rectangular openings such as 28 at the ends of the

beams

20 and 24 to slidably receive the

beams

22 and 26. In this fashion, the width of the machine defined by the

beams

20, 24 may be varied in accordance with the width of the irrigation ditch 14. It should also be noted that setscrews or clamping screws such as indicated at 30 and extending through a stationary nut such as 32 on the ends of each of the

beams

20, 24 adjustably retain the

beams

20 and 24 in their adjusted positions upon the

beams

22, 26.

Journaied in the

beams

20, 24 are a pair of

rear wheels

34 and 36 which maintain the frame 12 in rolling engagement with the

banks

16 and 18 of the ditch 14. A pair of

front wheels

38 and 40 are slidably retained on the beam 26 by means of collars 42 and 44 respectively, which are received on the beam. Set screws or clamping screws such as 30 are also utilized to clamp the collars on the beam 26. The

front wheels

38 and 40 comprise guide wheels for the machine and are adapted to be pivoted about a vertical axis whereby upon a change in the direction of the path of the irrigating ditch, the irrigating machine 10 will follow that path. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the aforementioned pivot means comprise a sleeve 46 attached to each of the collars 42, 44 mounting a vertical pivot pin 48 therethrough which also extends through a circular sleeve 50 on a U-shaped bracket 52 attached to the wheel axle.

Also mounted upon the beam 26 is a guide means 54 which restricts the path of movement of the irrigating machine to follow the path of the irrigating ditch 14. The guide means 54 is attached to the beam 26 by means of coll-

ars

56 and 58 retained in place by setscrews such as 30. Extending from the

collars

56 and 58 are a pair of angulated arms 60 and 62

mounting rollers

64 and 66 respectively. The arm 62 terminates in a portion 68 which telescopically receives the terminal portion of the arm 60 generally designated by the numeral 70. An adjustable sliding connection is maintained between said terminal portions and retaining means such as 72 are provided for retaining the arms in adjusted position. As

3 shown in the drawings, the irrigation ditch 14 is generally trapezoidal in shape and the guide means 54 are so formed as to conform to said shape of the ditch. The

rollers

64 and 66 are placed in contact with the sides of the ditch. It will thus be appreciated, that movement of the machine adjacent the irrigation ditch will be confined due to the shape of the guide means 54 and lateral movement with respect to the ditch is precluded because of the contact of the

rollers

64, 66 .with the sides of the ditch.

Attached to the beam 24 at longitudinally spaced points therealong' are a plurality of

upstanding angle irons

74, 76, 78 and 80. Attached to each of the

upstanding angle members

74, 76 is a pair of

siphon tubes

82 and 84. The siphon tubes 82 are connected to the upright 74 by means of

chains

86 and 88 connected to a hook 98 on the upper portion of the angle iron member 74. The

chains

86 and 88 are attached to suitable brackets or lugs such as 92 and 94 upon a clamping band surrounding the siphon tubes. The siphon tubes 82 are adapted to rest on top of the beam 24 and extend into a reservoir of water 96 within the irrigation ditch 14. Likewise, the siphon tubes 84 are connected to the upright 76 by means of

chains

96 and 98 extending between a hook 180 at the top of the upright 76 and suitable brackets 182 and 104 on clamping rings about the forward portions of the siphon tubes. The

siphon tubes

82 and 84 communicate the reservoir water 96 within the ditch 14 with a field such as 186 which is to be irrigated. It should also be noted that suitable chains 108 and 110 extend from the

uprights

74 and 76 to the beam which serve as sufficient bracing elements for the

beams

74 and 76.

With reference now to FIGURES l and 4, it will be seen that a third pair of siphon tubes generally designated by the numeral 112 are supported from the upright angle members 78 and-88. Each of the siphon tubes 112 mounts an upstanding lug such as 114 to which is attached a chain support such as 116 which in turn is carried by a hook or eye 118 on either of the

posts

78 or 88. Each of the tubes 112 is further supported at its mid-portion on the beam 24 and extends into the reservoir water 96 in the ditch 14. Instead of communicat- A.

chains

148 and 150 extending between the upright members '78 and 88 and the beam 20.

Connected to the shaft 134 which in turn is connected to the

side plates

136 and 138 of the water wheel structure' is a flexible cable such as 152. The cable 152 is attached at its otherend to a gear reduction box 154. The output shaft of the gear reduction box 154 has mounted thereon a suitable sprocket which mounts a flexible endless chain 156. The chain 156 in turn is connected to a sprocket which is mounted upon a drive shaft generally designated by the numeral 158. As will be apparent from FIGURE 4, the drive shaft 158 has a tubular center portion 160 in which are telescopically received a pair of

end shafts

162 and 164. Suitable setscrews such as 166 areprovided to clamp each of the

end shafts

162, 164 within the tubular center portion 160. In this manner, an integral drive shaft has been provided which is laterally adjustable in accordance with the adjustment principle of the machine when it is necessary to vary the width of the machine in accordance with the width of the ditch 14. The end shaft 162 is journaled in. a suitable bearing 168 mounted upon the beam 24 and the end shaft 164 is journaled in a bearing 170 mounted upon the beam 20. Each of the

end shafts

162, 164 have suitable sprockets mounted at the end thereof which in turn mount flexible

endless chains

172 and 174 which in turn are entrained about sprockets mounted upon the axles of the rear set of

wheels

34 and 36. It should thus be appreciated, that upon turning of the water wheel, the shaft 134 will turn the flexible shaft 152 which in turn enables the drive shaft 158 to rotate at a speed governed by the speed of rotation of the shaft 134, the speed reduction ratio of the gear reduction box 154 being such that the input shaft 152 may not be driven by the output shaft of the gear reduction box 154 such as would be the case if the input shaft 152 drove a worm gear meshed with a gear wheel on the out put shaft. Therefore, the rotational speed of the shaft 134 governs the speed of the

wheels

34 and 36, the maing the water reservoir 96directly with the field 106, the

siphon tubes 112 deliver water to a Water wheel arrangement generally indicated by the numeral. 120. The water wheel arrangement 120 is housed within a suitable frame or housing 122 having a rectangular flange 124 thereabout. Attached to the flange 124 are a pairof upstanding lugs 126 to which chain supports 128 are attached. The chain supports 128 are in turn also attached to the eye or hook 118 on each of the

posts

78 and 80. In this manner, the housing is suitably supported on the frame of the machine. A pair of

trunnions

130 and 132 integrally formed with the housing 122 journal a water wheel shaft 134. The shaft 134 in turn mounts a pair of

circular side plates

136 and 138 of a water wheel. Between the

side plates

136 and 138 are a plurality of angle members 140 comprising the paddles of the water wheel to which a force will be'imparted to turn the' same. It should be also noted that the rear of the housing 122 has a pair of openings 142 formed therein to receive the end portions of the siphon tubes 112. It should thus be apparent that water emanating from the reservoir 96 through the siphon tubes 112 will be caused to impinge upon the paddles 140 of the water wheel thereby turning the same before the Water from said reservoir and siphon tubes flows out to the field 106. The housing122 also has mounted thereon by means of a suitable bracket such as 144 a wheel member 146 whereby the housing 122 is adapted to roll along the ground as the machine moves along the path of the irrigation ditch 14. It should also be noted that the upright angle iron members 78 and '88 are suitably braced by manner to be hereinafter more fully set forth.

Mounted just rearwardly of the guide means 54 is a trapezoidal elongated depending support member 180. The support member 180 is bolted to the rear side of the

collars

56 and 58 mounting the guide means 54. As the guide member, the support 180 conforms to the shape of the ditch 14. Mounted just rearwardly of the support 180,

on brackets 182 and 184 depending from the underside of the

beams

20 and 24 respectively is a slidable darn referred to by the numeral 186. The dam 186 comprises a canvas sheet which is attached to the brackets 182, 184 by means of a rope or the like 188 received in a downturned edge 198 of the member 186. As illustrated at 192, the canvas dam 186 is adapted to extend rearwardly in the ditch 14 thereby to effectively seal a portion of the ditch immediately beneath the frame of the machine 10, and a portion forward thereof. It should be appreciated that the pressure of the water reservoir 96 upon the face of the dam 186 will tend to push the dam 186 forwardly in the direction of movement of the machine. The support 180 is rigid and substantially confines the edges of Operation The machine is started by utilizing a vacuum pump to draw the air from each of the pair of siphon tubes. 82, 84

. and 112. Due to the Water head existing in the ditch 14,

14 to irrigate the field 106. At the same time, the water flowing through the siphon tubes 112 will actuate the water wheel assembly 120 due to water impinging on the paddles 140 which will turn the water wheel in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 4. The water wheel assembly 120 in turn, will actuate and cause rotation of the shaft 134 and thus the flexible shaft 152.. Due to the connection between the flexible shaft 152 and the drive shaft 158, an initial rotation and momentum will be imparted to the rear set of

wheels

34, 36. This will tend to propel the machine forwardly along the banks of the ditch 14.

Once initial momentum has been imparted to the machine to overcome the static and rolling frictional resistance of the guide means 54 within the ditch 14, the pressure of the water impinging upon the trapezoidal areas of the dam 186 will constitute the sole prime moving force to keep the machine in motion along the banks of the ditch. It should of course be appreciated that a continuous flow of water is fed to the irrigation ditch 14 wherein a constant force is kept upon the darn 186.

Once the pressure upon the dam 186 has taken over as the prime motivating force for moving the machine, the water wheel assembly 120 acts as a braking mechanism and a speed controller for the machine. That is, by selecting the proper size of the tubes and water wheels, gear reduction and sprockets, the speed of the rotation of the

wheels

34, 36 can be selectively controlled and thus the speed of the machine along the ditch 14, which machine speed is governed by the speed of rotation of the water wheel assembly 12, can be controlled.

It should also be appreciated that the guide means 54 constrain any lateral movement of the machine 10 and confine the machine to follow the path of the irrigating ditch 14. Due to the pivoting of the

front wheels

38, 40 about a vertical axis, the machine is readily adaptable to follow any curves in the irrigating ditch 14.

It should also be noted that the

tubes

82, 84 upon the contact of a foreign object along the banks of the ditch 14 can be swung in a vertical plane above the ground level due to the chain attachment to the

upstanding members

74, 76 to therefore clear the object. It will also be appreciated from FIGURES 1 and 4, that the water wheel assembly 120 and the siphon tubes 112 are also adapted to be swung in a horizontal plane to clear any foreign objects along the bank. To this end, the flanges 124 on the housing 122 of the water wheel have attached thereto angulated arms 194 which are telescopically received within horizontal tubular members 196 and rigidly clamped thereto by means of setscrews 200 or the like. The tubes 196 in turn are pivotally attached to swing about a horizontal axis to two pairs of ears 198 which straddle the

upstanding members

78, 80. Therefore, by means of the chains 128 and 116, the water wheel assembly 120 and the siphon tubes 112 may be swung in a vertical plane to clear any objects, the water wheel assembly being pivotable about a horizontal axis defined through the ears 198.

As shown in FIGURE 4, at 202, the dam restraint 180 is vertically adjustable as is the dam 186 itself by varying the tension on the rope 188. Due to this arrangement, water in the irrigation ditch 14, may be allowed to spill over the dam in advance of the machine 14 In this manner, a similar machine 10 may be placed in the ditch 14 in advance of the machine 10 described whereby said other machine may be utilized to irrigate the field 106 by utilizing the same principle as the present machine under discussion.

It will also be readily appreciated that due to the various lateral adjustments in the machine 10, the width of the machine may be varied in accordance with the width of the irrigation ditch with which it cooperates.

Although wheels have been disclosed for use with the machine to propel the machine along the banks of the ditch, flexible tracks similar to tracks on a tractor may be used instead. These tracks are to be mounted upon the machine in a manner similar to that of the wheels and for the purposes of describing and claiming this invention are considered to be equivalent.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A self-propelled irrigating machine adapted to move along a water supply ditch assembly having opposite banks, said machine including frame means, support wheel means journaled from said frame means, water delivery means carried by the frame means adapted to communicate Water in the ditch with a field to be irrigated, and sliding dam means adapted to be disposed in the ditch defined by said assembly, support means rigidly depending from said frame means to extend into said ditch on the downstream side of said dam means and providing continuous rigid peripheral lower portions to conform to the bottom and side walls of said ditch to thereby transmit the side pressure of water on said sliding dam means to said frame means and enable said machine to utilize the pressure of water in the ditch to move the frame means along said ditch assembly.

2. In a self-propelled irrigating machine straddling a water supply ditch assembly having opposite banks, frame means, support wheel means journaled from and supporting said frame from said assembly for movement therealong, water delivery means carried by the frame means communicating water in the ditch with a field to be irrigated, and sliding dam means adapted to be disposed in said ditch, support means rigidly depending from said frame means and extending into said ditch on the downstream side of said dam means and providing continuous rigid peripheral lower portions conforming to the bottom and side walls of said ditch to thereby transmit the side pressure of water on said sliding dam means to said frame means and enable said machine to utilize the pressure of water in the ditch assembly to move the frame means along said assembly, and means for controlling the speed of said frame means along said assembly operatively connected to said wheel means.

3. The combination of claim 2 including guide means depending from said frame means and disposed in said ditch assembly in advance of the machine for controlling the path of movement of the frame means along the banks of the ditch assembly.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said means for controlling the speed of said frame means includes means for overcoming the initial frictional resistance to movement of said guide means operatively connected to said wheel means.

5. In a self-propelled irrigating machine straddling a water supply ditch having opposite banks, frame means spanning said ditch, wheel means in rolling engagement with said opposite banks attached to said frame means, a plurality of water delivery means carried by the frame means communicating water in the ditch with a field to be irrigated, a guide means depending from said frame means and disposed in said ditch in advance of the machine for controlling the path of movement of the frame means along the banks of the ditch, propulsion means operatively connected to the frame means and disposed in said ditch utilizing the pressure of the water in the ditch to move the frame means along said banks, and means for controlling the speed of said frame means and for overcoming the initial frictional resistance to movement of said guide means operatively connected to said wheel means, said propulsion means including sliding dam means disposed in said ditch and connected to said frame means resisting and confining the flow of water in said ditch, the force of the water on said darn means constituting the prime motivating force for the movement of said frame means along the banks, said speed control means including a water wheel drivingly connected to said wheel means, some of said Water delivery means cooperating with the water wheel to deliver Water thereto to drive the same.

6. The machine of claim wherein said water delivery means includes a plurality of siphon tubes.

7. The machine of claim 6 wherein said frame means, guide means and dam means are laterally adjustable whereby the machine may be used with ditches of varying widths.

8. The machine of claim 7 wherein said water wheel and water delivery means are swingable in a vertical plane to avoid contact with large objects in said field.

9. The machine of claim 8 wherein selected ones of said wheel means are pivotable on a vertical axis whereby the frame means may follow the path of the ditch.

10. The machine of claim 9 wherein said guide means include rollers in rolling engagement with the sides of said ditch.

11. The machine of claim 10 wherein said dam means is vertically adjustable.

12. In -a self-propelled irrigating machine straddling a water supply ditch having opposite banks, frame means spanning said ditch, wheel means in rolling engagement with said opposite banks attached to said frame means, a plurality of water delivery means carried by the frame means communicating water in the ditch with a field to be irrigated, propulsion means operatively connected to the frame means and disposed in said ditch utilizing the pressure of the water in the ditch to move the frame means along said banks, and means for controlling the speed of said frame means operatively connected to said wheel means, said propulsion means including sliding dam means disposed in said ditch and connected to said frame means resisting and confining the flow of water in said ditch, the force of the water on said dam means constituting the prime motivating force for the movement of saidframe means along the banks, said speed control means including a water wheel driving connected to said wheel means, some of said water delivery means cooperating with the water wheel to deliver water thereto to drive the same.

13. In a self-propelled irrigating machine straddling a water supply ditch having opposite banks, frame means spanning said ditch, wheel means in rolling engagement with said opposite banks attached to said frame means, a plurality of water delivery means carried by the frame means communicating water in the ditch with a field to be irrigated, propulsion means operatively connected to the frame means and disposed in said ditch utilizing the pressure of the water in the ditch to move the frame means along said banks, and means for controlling the speed of said frame means operatively connected to said wheel means, said speed control means including a water wheel drivingly connected to said wheel means, some of said water delivery means cooperating with the water wheel to deliver water thereto to drive the same.

14. A self-propelled irrigating machine adapted to move along a water supply ditch assembly having opposite banks, said machine including frame means, support wheel means journaled from said frame means, water delivery means carried by said frame means adapted to communicate water in the ditch with a field to be irrigated, sliding dam means supported from said frame means and adapted to be disposed in said ditch, a water wheel drivingly connected to said wheel means, some of said water delivery means directed toward the water wheel to deliver water there against to drive the same.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,718,433 9/1955 Poynor et al 61-29 X 2,880,937 4/1959 King 239181 2,918,800 12/1959 Ford 239-179 X 3,153,330 10/1964 Melin 61-29 EARL I, WITMER, Primary Examiner.