Agricultural irrigation line having DC motor drive system

Abstract

A forward roll agricultural irrigation line includes an irrigation unit having a plenum pipe, a plurality of water delivery orifices in the plenum pipe, a water supply line in communication with the plenum pipe, and at least one drive wheel supporting the plenum pipe. Typically, there are a plurality of drive wheels supporting the plenum pipe. A drive unit includes a DC electrical motor mounted to the irrigation unit and engaged to controllably rotate the drive wheels, preferably by rotating the plenum pipe. A control/power unit includes a battery power supply, a control unit having as an input power from the battery power supply and as an output a control and power signal to the DC motor, and a photovoltaic battery charger providing recharging power to the battery power supply.

1 . An agricultural irrigation line, comprising: 
 an irrigation unit, comprising 
 a plenum pipe,  
 a plurality of water delivery orifices in the plenum pipe,  
 a water supply line in communication with the plenum pipe, and  
 at least one drive wheel supporting the plenum pipe,  
   a drive unit, comprising 
 a DC electrical motor mounted to the irrigation unit and engaged to controllably rotate the at least one drive wheel;  
   a control/power unit, comprising, 
 a battery power supply,  
 a control unit having 
 as an input power from the battery power supply, and  
 as an output a control and power signal to the DC motor, and  
 
 a photovoltaic battery charger providing recharging power to the battery power supply.  
   
   
   
       2 . The irrigation line of  claim 1 , further including 
 a remote control unit operably connected to the control unit, comprising 
 a transmitter, and  
 a receiver operable to receive signals from the transmitter.  
   
   
   
       3 . The irrigation line of  claim 1 , wherein the drive unit further comprises 
 a hydraulic pump driven by the DC electrical motor,    a hydraulic motor that receives fluid pressure from the hydraulic pump, and    a gearbox having an input turned by the hydraulic motor and an output operably connected to the at least one of the drive wheels.    
   
   
       4 . The irrigation line of  claim 1 , wherein the DC electrical motor is operable with a maximum drive voltage of from about 12 to about 24 volts.  
   
   
       5 . The irrigation line of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes: 
 means for intermittently transmitting the control and power signal to the DC motor.    
   
   
       6 . The irrigation line of  claim 1 , wherein the plenum pipe has a first end and a second end, and wherein the water supply line coupling is at a first end of the plenum pipe.  
   
   
       7 . The irrigation line of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation unit includes 
 a plurality of drive wheels supporting the plenum pipe.    
   
   
       8 . The irrigation line of  claim 1 , wherein the irrigation line is a forward roll wheel line.  
   
   
       9 . An agricultural irrigation line, comprising: 
 a plenum pipe having a first end and a second end;    a plurality of water delivery orifices in the plenum pipe;    a water supply line coupling in communication with the plenum pipe at the first end thereof;    at least one drive wheel engaged to and supporting the plenum pipe;    a DC electrical motor mounted to the irrigation unit and engaged to controllably rotate plenum pipe;    a battery power supply;    a control unit having as an input power from the battery power supply, and as an output a control and power signal to the DC motor; and    a photovoltaic battery charger providing recharging power to the battery power supply.    
   
   
       10 . The irrigation line of  claim 9 , further including 
 a remote control unit operably connected to the control unit, comprising 
 a remote control transmitter, and  
 a remote control receiver operable to receive signals from the transmitter and to provide command signals to the control unit.  
   
   
   
       11 . The irrigation line of  claim 9 , wherein the DC electrical motor is operable with a maximum drive voltage of from about 12 to about 24 volts.  
   
   
       12 . The irrigation line of  claim 9 , wherein the control unit includes: 
 means for intermittently transmitting the control and power signal to the DC motor.    
   
   
       13 . The irrigation line of  claim 9 , wherein the irrigation line is a forward roll wheel line.