US 12,255,566 B2
Overcurrent protection for irrigation system motors
Arnel Berton Citurs, Omaha, NE (US); and Mark William Miller, Elkhorn, NE (US)
Assigned to LINDSAY CORPORATION, Omaha, NE (US)
Filed by LINDSAY CORPORATION, Omaha, NE (US)
Filed on Dec. 27, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/562,106.
Prior Publication US 2023/0208341 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. H02P 29/024 (2016.01); A01G 25/09 (2006.01); H02P 29/028 (2016.01)
CPC H02P 29/027 (2013.01) [A01G 25/092 (2013.01); H02P 29/028 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An overcurrent protection system for a mobile irrigation system including a plurality of drive motors and an electric pump motor powered via an electrical power distribution system including a plurality of electrical power distribution lines, a plurality of drive motor power branch lines, and a pump motor power branch line, the overcurrent protection system comprising:
a plurality of control panels each including:
a controller configured to:
set a first current magnitude threshold according to a direct negative correlation to the ambient temperature;
generate a motor control signal for activating one of the plurality of drive motors;
transmit the motor control signal to the one of the plurality of drive motors;
determine a current magnitude of electrical current passing through one of the plurality of drive motor power branch lines to the one of the plurality of drive motors; and
restrict current to the one of the plurality of drive motors if the current magnitude is above the first current magnitude threshold; and
a pump control panel including a controller configured to:
generate a pump motor control signal to activate the electric pump motor;
transmit the pump motor control signal to the electric pump motor;
determine a current magnitude of electrical current passing through the pump motor power branch line to the electric pump motor; and
restrict current to the electric pump motor if the current magnitude is above a second current magnitude threshold.