| CPC A01G 25/092 (2013.01) [A01G 25/16 (2013.01); F16L 3/01 (2013.01)] | 8 Claims |
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1. A pivot irrigation system, comprising:
a pivot structure comprising a plurality of pivots that are coupled end to end in series, wherein the plurality of pivots comprise:
a center pivot; and
at least one additional pivot coupled with the center pivot, wherein:
movement of the at least one additional pivot is facilitated by a plurality of wheels coupled with the pivot structure, and
connections between at least some adjacent ones of the plurality of pivots comprise an expansion joint;
each expansion joint is configured to expand when the at least one additional pivot moves about a rotational axis of the pivot structure while the plurality of wheels are turned outward relative to the center pivot;
each expansion joint is configured to contract when the at least one additional pivot moves about the rotational axis while the plurality of wheels are turned inward relative to the center pivot;
each expansion joint comprises:
an inner support member having an elongate body terminating in ends having diameters that are larger than a diameter of the elongate body;
a first external support member; and
a second external support member, wherein:
each of the first external support member and the second external support member define an open interior that is configured to slidingly receive a respective end of the inner support member; and
each of the first external support member and the second external support member comprise a stop member positioned on either end of the open interior that limit a range of movement of the respective end of the inner support member; and
an irrigation fluid line coupled with the pivot structure externally to each expansion joint, wherein the irrigation fluid line is coupled with the pivot structure such that there is slack in the irrigation fluid line when any of the expansion joints are not fully extended.
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