US 12,408,602 B2
Alignment system for a mobile irrigation system
Matthew John Dudik, Elkhorn, NE (US); Michael Charles South, Council Bluffs, IA (US); and Troy Hanson, Blair, NE (US)
Assigned to Lindsay Corporation, Omaha, NE (US)
Filed by Lindsay Corporation, Omaha, NE (US)
Filed on Feb. 2, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/591,377.
Prior Publication US 2023/0240210 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. A01G 25/09 (2006.01); F16L 3/01 (2006.01); G01B 5/25 (2006.01)
CPC A01G 25/092 (2013.01) [F16L 3/01 (2013.01); G01B 5/25 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An alignment system for a mobile irrigation system including first and second spans and a joint connecting the first and second spans, the alignment system comprising:
a linkage system configured to be linked between the first and second spans near the joint, the linkage system including:
a bracket configured to be directly or indirectly connected to the first span;
a driven arm connected to the bracket at a pivot point and configured to pivot relative to the bracket about a vertically extending axis at the pivot point;
a drive arm including a distal end and being connected to the driven arm so the driven arm pivots with the drive arm about the vertically extending axis, wherein the driven arm extends from the pivot point opposite the drive arm; and
an alignment guide near the distal end, the alignment guide including:
a connection point configured to attach the alignment guide on the drive arm; and
opposing left and right members configured to bracket the alignment guide on the second span so that the drive arm and hence the driven arm pivot about the vertically extending axis according to lateral movement of the second span relative to the first span; and
a control system configured to determine lateral alignment between the first and second spans based on movement of the linkage system,
the linkage system being configured to disassociate vertical movement and torsional rotation between the first and second spans from the control system so that the lateral determination is not affected by the vertical movement and torsional rotation between the first and second spans.