Cable and trolley system for use within an irrigation span assembly
A sensor and spray cable system to provide irrigation and crop treatments to targeted areas beneath and around an irrigation machine. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention includes one or more irrigation trolleys which are propelled with and/or along one or more transport cables. The irrigation trolleys include controllers, sensors and irrigation sprayers which work together to apply applicants to discrete areas of a given field.
1 . A system for providing irrigation to targeted areas beneath an irrigation machine, wherein the irrigation machine comprises a first drive tower, a central span, and a second drive tower, the system comprising:
a first motor assembly, wherein the first motor assembly comprises a first motor, a first motor controller and a first winding structure;
a first lateral arm assembly, wherein the first lateral arm assembly comprises a first lateral arm section, a first end pulley and a second end pulley;
a second motor assembly, wherein the second motor assembly comprises a second motor, a second motor controller and a second winding structure;
a second lateral arm assembly, wherein the second lateral arm assembly comprises a second lateral arm section, a third end pulley and a fourth end pulley;
a first transport cable; wherein the first transport cable is attached at a first end to the first motor assembly and at a second end to the second motor assembly;
a second transport cable; wherein the second transport cable is attached at a third end to the first motor assembly and at a fourth end to the second motor assembly;
a first trolley; wherein the first trolley is attached to the first transport cable and the second transport cable; and
a system controller; wherein the system controller is configured to transmit control signals to the first motor controller and the second motor controller to laterally position the first trolley at a first target location between the first drive tower and the second drive tower.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first transport cable comprises a first braided cable.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the first braided cable comprises a plurality of cables.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the braided cable further comprises a central tube.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the central tube comprises a hollow PVC tube configured to allow for the transport of an applicant.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first motor assembly comprises a first winch.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the second motor assembly comprises a second winch.
8 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the system controller is configured to transmit control signals to increase the length of one or more transport cables to adjust the vertical distance between the first trolley and a first crop.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the vertical distance between the first trolley and the first crop is adjusted by the tension in one or more transport cables.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the first trolley comprises a proximity sensor which is configured to produce proximity data.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the system controller is configured to use the proximity data produced by the proximity sensor to adjust the vertical distance between the first trolley and the first crop.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the first trolley comprises a first motor; wherein the first trolley is self-propelled.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the first trolley comprises a first trolley controller.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the first trolley controller is in communication with the system controller.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the system controller is configured to determine a second target location.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first trolley comprises an imager; wherein the imager is configured to produce image data.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the first trolley is configured to analyze imaging data and determine an indication of crop status.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the system controller is configured to determine the second target location at least in part on the image data detected by the imager.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the system controller is configured to transmit a first set of target instructions to the first motor controller and to the first trolley controller.
20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the first trolley is moved to the second target location based at least in part on the movement of the first transport cable, and at least in part based on the independent movement of the first trolley.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the system comprises a second trolley; wherein the first trolley and the second trolley are configured to move together at a set distance apart.
22 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the first trolley and the second trolley are configured to independently spray an applicant to a plurality of target locations.
23 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the first trolley and the second trolley are configured to independently adjust the distance between the first trolley and the second trolley.