WO2007027103A1

WO2007027103A1 - Irrigation apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007027103A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2006/000219
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew John Van Den Bosch
Original assignee: Bosch Irrigation Limited
Priority date: 2005-08-29
Filing date: 2006-08-29
Publication date: 2007-03-08

Abstract

An irrigation apparatus (200) has a chassis (2) and travelling means (1) provided on opposite sides of the chassis (2) operatively connected to drive means which are controlled by a control means (7). The apparatus (200) has an inlet (3) for receiving fluid operatively connected to an outlet (14) for delivering the fluid to an area to be irrigated. The control means (7) is adapted to control a path of the irrigation apparatus (200) by controlling the operation of the travelling means (1). A method of providing an irrigation apparatus (200) with electrical power is also provided, as is an irrigation apparatus (200) which has a generator (15) for converting energy in a pressurised fluid supplied to the irrigator (200) into electrical energy.

Description

IRRIGATION APPARATUS

The present invention relates to travelling irrigation apparatus, and in particular but not exclusively to a self-propelled irrigation apparatus which is self guided.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

At present large scale agricultural irrigation is often done by a "centre pivot" system. This system incorporates a large boom which rotates around a centre pivot. The boom has spray nozzles spaced along its length and spaced apart wheels to support the boom.

This system is suitable for flat fields, but does not cope well with obstacles or irregularities in the surface of the field. It is also not suited to smaller areas or unusual shaped paddocks, as the cost per hectare increases where multiple units are used.

Most other irrigation systems, for example, those which pull themselves along a rope, must be moved by hand on a daily basis in order to irrigate different parts of a field. This can be a time-consuming operation and so such systems are often left unattended for undesirably long periods.

Similar systems may also be used for effluent spreading. In recent times local government authorities have moved towards requiring spreaders of effluent to keep records of exactly where it has been spread. At present this is a time-consuming manual job.

Also known are irrigation systems which follow a physical path such as a furrow in the ground or a pipe laid on top of the ground. These systems have a number of limitations. The operator must traverse the entire path that the irrigator is to take, and must either create the furrow or lay the hose. A new path cannot be set without the operator travelling to the relevant part of the property and moving the irrigator, even if the guidance path is already installed.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an irrigation apparatus which will overcome or ameliorate at least one problem with such apparatus at present, or at least one which will give the public a useful choice.

Other objects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an irrigation apparatus including a chassis, travelling means provided on opposite sides of the chassis operatively connected to drive means, electronic control means controlling the drive means, and an inlet means for receiving fluid operatively connected to an outlet means for delivering the fluid to an area to be irrigated, wherein the electronic control means is adapted to control a path of the irrigation apparatus by controlling the operation of the travelling means.

Preferably, the path of the irrigation means may be predetermined by an operator.

Preferably, the control means may receive information from a GPS receiver to ascertain the position of the apparatus.

Preferably, the fluid received by the inlet, in use, may be pressurised.

Preferably, the irrigation apparatus may include electric generation means adapted to generate electricity from energy in the pressurised fluid.

Preferably, the electric generation means may include a turbine.

Preferably, the electric generation means includes a rotating boom provided with a spray nozzle.

Preferably, the irrigation apparatus may include transmission means for transmitting information relating to the path of the irrigation apparatus to a remote receiving means.

Preferably, the irrigation apparatus may include receiving means for receiving information from a remote transmission means. Preferably, the irrigation apparatus includes a separate drive means for each said travelling means.

Preferably, each said drive means may be an electric motor.

Preferably, the transport means include wheels.

Preferably, the chassis is provided with a castor adapted to stabilise the irrigation apparatus.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an irrigation apparatus including an inlet means for receiving a pressurised fluid operatively connected to an outlet means for delivering the fluid to an area to be irrigated, the irrigation apparatus further including electric generation means adapted to generate electricity from energy in the pressurised fluid.

Preferably, the electric generation means may include a rotating boom.

Preferably, the electric generation means may include a turbine.

Preferably, the irrigation apparatus includes a chassis and travelling means for the chassis.

Preferably, the travelling means are provided on opposite sides of the chassis and are operatively connected to drive means, the irrigation apparatus further including electronic control means controlling the drive means, wherein the electronic control means is adapted to control a path of the irrigation apparatus by controlling the operation of the travelling means.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a method of providing a travelling irrigation apparatus with electrical power includes the steps of:

■ providing the irrigation apparatus with electric generation means adapted to generate electricity from energy in a pressurised fluid; and

^■ supplying the electric generation means with a pressurised fluid; wherein ■ the pressurised fluid is distributed onto an area to be irrigated after passing through the electric generation means. Preferably, the electric generation means may include a turbine.

Preferably, the electric generation means may include a rotating boom provided with a spray nozzle.

Preferably, at least a portion of the electrical power generated by the electrical generation means is stored in a battery.

According to a further aspect of the present invention an irrigation apparatus is substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description given by way of example of possible embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 : Is a diagrammatic side elevation of an irrigation apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 2: Is a plan view of the irrigator of Figure 1 , with the outer frame removed for clarity and the wheels shown in outline.

Figure 3: Is a side elevation of the irrigator of Figure 1 , with the wheels shown in outline and the outer removed for clarity.

Figure 4: Is a rear view of the irrigator of Figure 1 with the outer frame removed and the wheels shown in outline.

Figure 5: Is a front view of the irrigator of Figure 1 with the outer frame removed and the wheels shown in outline.

Figure 6: Is a plan view of a second embodiment of an irrigation apparatus of the present invention, with the wheels and rotating boom shown in outline for clarity. Figure 7: Is a rear view of the irrigator of Figure 6 with the wheels shown in outline.

Figure 8: Is a side view of the irrigator of Figure 6 with the wheels shown in outline.

Figure 9: Is a front view of the irrigator of Figure 6 with the wheels shown in outline.

BEST MODES FOR PERFORMING THE INVENTION

Referring first Figures 1-5, an irrigation apparatus according to one possible embodiment of the present invention is generally referenced 100, and is hereinafter referred to as an "irrigator". The irrigator 100 is provided with travelling means, in this case drive wheels 1 , on either side of a chassis 2. The term "chassis" is used herein in a broad sense to include any type of framework or body. If required a third castored wheel 1a may be provided to stabilise the irrigator 100. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of configurations of drive wheels 1 with or without castors may be used.

The drive wheels 1 are preferably relatively large in diameter, for example around 1.4 metres, and preferably have a track of around 1.8 metres. This may assist in keeping the irrigator 100 stable on uneven ground.

The irrigator 100 further includes an inlet 3 for connection to a source of fluid such as water or effluent.

The fluid is distributed onto the area of land adjacent the irrigator 100 by any suitable outlet means such as are known to those skilled in the art, for example by a sprinkler 4. The fluid source is preferably pressurised, for example from a piped supply, but in some embodiments the fluid source may be a lake or pond and the irrigator 100 may be provided with pump means (not shown) to pump the fluid to the sprinkler 4. The fluid is preferably conveyed to the irrigator via a flexible hose.

Referring next to Figure 2 in particular, the wheels 1 are powered by suitable drive means, for example separate electric motors 5 which may drive the wheels 1 via suitable gearbox means 6 if required.

The path of the irrigator 100 is controlled by an electronic control means 7, which typically includes a microprocessor. The control means 7 is operatively connected to and receives information from a global positioning system receiver unit, hereinafter referred to as a "GPS" unit. The GPS unit, which may be integrated into the control means 7 if required, provides information to the control means 7 as to the position of the irrigator 100.

The control means 7 preferably controls the direction of the irrigator 100 by controlling the drive wheels 1 in a "skid steer" manner. Both wheels 1 are driven at equal speed if straight ahead motion is required, but if a turn is required then the wheel 1 on the inside of the turn has its speed reduced, or it may be stopped or reversed. In this manner the irrigator 100 is able to execute very tight turns, and no separate steering apparatus is required. In an alternative embodiment one or more steerable wheels may be used to steer the irrigator 100.

A separate motor 5 is preferably provided for each drive wheel 1 , although in some embodiments a single motor 5 may be used and a suitable transmission means may direct the power to the wheels 1 in the directions and proportions required.

The control means 7 may guide the irrigator 100 along a predetermined path using the GPS unit to ascertain its position, and may control the flow of pressurised fluid from the inlet 3 to the sprinkler 4 by suitable valve means 9a, 9b, best seen in Figure 4.

There may be occasions when no liquid is required on an area but the irrigator 100 still needs to cross over the area to maintain route integrity. In these situations, if the power source allows, the fluid flow may be shut off to stop application. If the irrigator is reliant on the fluid flowing for power, then the irrigator will speed up to a maximum speed to apply a minimum amount of liquid to the area.

The control means 7, GPS unit and motors 5 may all be electrically powered. Alternatively one or more internal combustion engines (not shown) may be used as drive means. In another embodiment alternative travelling means, for example tracks, may be used instead of or in addition to the main drive wheels 1.

Referring in particular to Figures 3 and 4, in one embodiment the irrigator 100 is provided with electrical power generation means such as a turbine 8, which converts energy in the pressurised fluid into electrical power. Any suitable electrical power generation means may be used. In some embodiments substantially all of the fluid flowing from the inlet 3 to the sprinkler 4 may pass through the turbine 8, although a bypass 9 around the turbine 8 may be used, in association with suitable valves 9a, 9b, to control the flow of fluid through the turbine 8. A power storage means such as one or more batteries 10 may be provided to ensure that there is always sufficient power available to power the drive motors 5, regardless of the flow rate of fluid through the power generation means. Any surplus power generated by the turbine 8 may in turn be stored in the batteries 10. The power generation means, or a separate power generation means, may power the wheels directly in some embodiments. A power generation means as described above may be used in any irrigation apparatus which requires electrical power, provided the irrigation apparatus has an inlet for a pressurised fluid and an outlet for the fluid once some or all of it has passed through the power generation apparatus.

Referring next to Figures 2 to 4, the control means 7 may also be operatively connected to a receiving means 11 , preferably a wireless remote receiving means such as a radio receiver. This may allow an operator to reprogram the control means 7 from a remote location.

The irrigator 100 may also be provided with transmission means 12, preferably a wireless remote transmission means such as a radio transmitter. This may allow the irrigator 100 to communicate with a base station (not shown) to send a record of the area the irrigator 100 has traversed. Preferably, the irrigator 100 may also record and transmit a record of the amount of fluid spread at each location.

This may be particularly useful if the irrigator 100 is used to spread effluent, as an accurate record of the amount of effluent spread in each area may be required.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative transmission and receiving means such as bluetooth communication, a wireless or direct optical connection or a direct electrical connection may also be used, although these may have the disadvantage of significantly reducing the range at which transmission and/or receiving of information can occur.

The sprinkler 4 may be a gear or piston driven type, or an impact sprinkler.

Referring next to Figure 1 , the irrigator 100 is preferably provided with obstacle sensing means, for example a bar (not shown) mounted at the front of the irrigator 100, which communicates with the control means 7 when an obstacle is sensed. The control means 7 may then execute a predetermined obstacle avoidance routine to avoid the obstacle. An outer cover or frame 17 may include an upwardly sloped section 18 at the front of the irrigator 100 to, in use, lift the bottom wire of a fence (not shown) as it travels under the fence, thereby allowing the irrigator 100 to travel between fields.

In some embodiments the control means 7 may be capable of determining a suitable path for the irrigator once the required area to be irrigated has been defined.

Referring next to Figures 6 to 9, a more preferred embodiment of the irrigator is generally referenced 200, with similar reference numerals denoting similar features to those shown in Figures 1-5. In this embodiment the irrigator 200 is provided with a rotary boom 13 rather than the sprinkler 4 used with the embodiment of the irrigator 100 shown in Figures 1-5. The boom is provided with at least one nozzle 14, at least one of which is orientated substantially tangentially to the rotational path of the end of the boom 13, so that water expelled from the nozzle 14 drives the boom 13 in a rotational motion. In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 9 the rotation of the rotary boom 13 drives a generator 15 via suitable power transmission means such as a gearbox.

In this embodiment the water supplied to the irrigator 200 does not run through a separate turbine. By using the rotary boom 13 to drive a generator 15, a required amount of electrical power may be produced with the minimum reduction in the pressure of the water being sprayed from the boom 13.

In this embodiment the third wheel 1a may be at the rear of the irrigator 200 rather than the front, and the flexible hose may be connected midway between the driving wheels 1 and third wheel 1a. This configuration may be more stable than the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5. The irrigator 200 may be provided with the same control means 7, GPS receiving means, wireless receiving means 11 , transmission means 12 and batteries 10 as the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5, although the use of the boom 13 means that no outer cover or frame is used.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention provides an irrigation apparatus which is able to irrigate irregularly shaped fields, to be remotely programmed, and to report back as to which areas have been irrigated. Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An irrigation apparatus including a chassis, travelling means provided on opposite sides of the chassis operatively connected to drive means, electronic control means controlling the drive means, and an inlet means for receiving fluid operatively connected to an outlet means for delivering the fluid to an area to be irrigated, wherein the electronic control means is adapted to control a path of the irrigation apparatus by controlling the operation of the travelling means.

2. The irrigation apparatus of claim 1 wherein the path of the irrigation means is predetermined by an operator.

3. The irrigation apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein the control means receives information from a GPS receiver to ascertain the position of the apparatus.

4. The irrigation apparatus of any one of the previous claims wherein the fluid received by the inlet, in use, is pressurised.

5. The irrigation apparatus of claim 4 including electric generation means adapted to generate electricity from energy in the pressurised fluid.

6. The irrigation apparatus of claim 5 wherein the electric generation means includes a rotating boom provided with a spray nozzle.

7. The irrigation apparatus of claim 5 wherein the electric generation means includes a turbine.

8. The irrigation apparatus of any one of the previous claims including transmission means for transmitting information relating to the path of the irrigation apparatus to a remote receiving means.

9. The irrigation apparatus of any one of the previous claims including receiving means for receiving information from a remote transmission means.

10. The irrigation apparatus of any one of the previous claims including a separate drive means for each said travelling means.

11. The irrigation apparatus of claim 10 wherein each drive means is an electric motor.

12. The irrigation apparatus of any one of the previous claims wherein the transport means include wheels.

13. The irrigation apparatus of any one of the previous claims wherein the chassis is provided with a castor wheel adapted to stabilise the irrigation apparatus.

14. An irrigation apparatus including an inlet means for receiving a pressurised fluid operatively connected to an outlet means for delivering the fluid to an area to be irrigated, the irrigation apparatus further including electric generation means adapted to generate electricity from energy in the pressurised fluid.

15. The irrigation apparatus of claim 14 wherein the electric generation means includes a rotating boom.

16. The irrigation apparatus of claim 14 wherein the electric generation means includes a turbine.

17. The irrigation apparatus of any one of the previous claims including a chassis and travelling means for the chassis.

18. The irrigation apparatus of claim 17 wherein the travelling means are provided on opposite sides of the chassis and are operatively connected to drive means, the irrigation apparatus further including electronic control means controlling the drive means, wherein the electronic control means is adapted to control a path of the irrigation apparatus by controlling the operation of the travelling means.

19. A method of providing a travelling irrigation apparatus with electrical power including the steps of:

■ supplying the electric generation means with a pressurised fluid; wherein ■ the pressurised fluid is distributed onto an area to be irrigated after passing through the electric generation means.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the electric generation means includes a turbine.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the electric generation means includes a rotating boom provided with a spray nozzle.

22. The method of claim 19, 20 or 21 wherein at least a portion of the electrical power generated by the electrical generation means is stored in a battery.

23. An irrigation apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or Figures 6 to 9.