Apparatus for providing power and peripheral mounting within an irrigation assembly
The present invention provides the present invention provides a power and data distribution system which includes an adjustable surface for mounting device peripherals such as sensors, lights, solar panels and the like. According to a first preferred embodiment, an exemplary system includes: a distribution cord which includes a power cord and a data cord; and a connection hub which is located along a length of the distribution cord. According to a further preferred embodiment, the connection hub includes a power outlet and a data outlet which are electrically connected to the distribution cord. According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention further includes a peripheral securing attachment which attaches to an irrigation span and which includes a peripheral rail, a central cord tunnel and a lower securing surface.
1. An apparatus for providing power within an irrigation system having at least one irrigation span and one drive tower, the apparatus comprising:
a power control module, wherein the power control module is configured to control power distributed within the irrigation system;
a signal control module; where the signal control module is configured to send and receive data within the irrigation system;
a distribution cord, wherein the distribution cord comprises at least a first power line; wherein the first power line is electrically linked at a first end to the power control module; wherein the first power line is enclosed within the distribution cord;
a second data line; wherein the second data line is electrically linked to the signal control module; wherein the second data line is enclosed within the distribution cord; wherein the second data line is configured to run within the distribution cord along the outside surface of the first irrigation span;
a connection hub, wherein the connection hub is located along a length of the distribution cord; wherein the connection hub comprises a first power outlet and a second data outlet; wherein the first power outlet is electrically linked to the first power line; wherein the second data outlet is electrically linked to the second data line; and
a peripheral securing attachment, wherein the peripheral securing attachment comprises a central cord tunnel and a lower securing surface; wherein the peripheral securing attachment houses at least a portion of the distribution cord within the central cord tunnel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lower securing surface comprises a magnetic layer of material.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the peripheral securing attachment further comprises a peripheral rail; wherein the peripheral rail is secured above the central cord tunnel.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the connection hub is housed within the central cord tunnel.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the connection hub comprises a second power outlet.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first power line comprises an electrical line configured to carry power and data communications between power-line carrier-controlled devices.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the electrical line comprises an Ethernet data cable which is configured to carry power over Ethernet (PoE).
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises: a peripheral data input module for transmitting and receiving data from a peripheral data line.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , a peripheral distribution assembly; wherein the peripheral distribution is electrically linked to a peripheral data input module.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the peripheral distribution assembly comprises at least a first data cord branch; wherein the first data cord branch is configured to run along one or more framing elements of the first drive tower.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the apparatus further comprises: a peripheral data input module for transmitting and receiving data from a peripheral data line.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the peripheral distribution assembly is electrically linked to a peripheral data input module.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the peripheral distribution assembly comprises at least a first data cord branch; wherein the first data cord branch is configured to run along the framing of the first drive tower.