Bearing apparatus and method for an irrigation pivot structure

Abstract

A bearing structure for a pivoting irrigation system apparatus having a rotatable vertical section with a plurality of annular assemblies mounted thereon. The assemblies include a plurality of components that are rotatable and non-rotatable with the rotatable vertical section so as to facilitate movement with decreased friction therebetween.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: 
     
         1 . A bearing structure apparatus for a pivoting irrigation system, the bearing structure apparatus comprising:
 a rotatable vertical section of a water-carrying conduit, the rotatable section including a first cylindrical sidewall presenting a first surface, and defining a first longitudinal axis; and   a non-rotatable vertical section of the water-carrying conduit, the non-rotatable section including a second cylindrical sidewall presenting a second surface adjacent to the first surface, and defining a second longitudinal axis coaxially aligned with the first longitudinal axis,   wherein the first cylindrical sidewall defines an outside diameter and the second cylindrical sidewall defines an inside diameter, the outside diameter of the first sidewall is smaller than the inside diameter of the second sidewall, and the rotatable vertical section is housed substantially within the non-rotatable vertical section; and   wherein the rotatable vertical section has inwardly tapered ends.   
     
     
         2 . The bearing structure apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable vertical section defines a longitudinal length and a horizontal diameter, and the longitudinal length is at least two times the horizontal diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The bearing structure apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inside diameter of the second cylindrical sidewall is approximately 8.175 inches, and the first cylindrical sidewall has a wall thickness of approximately 0.175 inches. 
     
     
         4 . A bearing structure apparatus for a pivoting irrigation system, the bearing structure apparatus comprising:
 a rotatable vertical section of a water-carrying conduit, the rotatable section including a first cylindrical sidewall presenting a first surface, and defining a first longitudinal axis;   a non-rotatable vertical section of the water-carrying conduit, the non-rotatable section including a second cylindrical sidewall presenting a second surface adjacent to the first surface, and defining a second longitudinal axis coaxially aligned with the first longitudinal axis; and   an upper elbow joint attached to an upper end of the rotatable vertical section and vertically spaced from the non-rotatable vertical section such that a portion of the rotatable vertical section is exposed between the upper elbow joint and the non-rotatable vertical section,   wherein the first cylindrical sidewall defines an outside diameter and the second cylindrical sidewall defines an inside diameter, the outside diameter of the first sidewall is smaller than the inside diameter of the second sidewall, and the rotatable vertical section is housed substantially within the non-rotatable vertical section.   
     
     
         5 . The bearing structure apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the rotatable vertical section has inwardly tapered ends. 
     
     
         6 . The bearing structure apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a first annular assembly including a first race mounted on the rotatable vertical section and a second race mounted on the non-rotatable vertical section, the first race rotatably connected to the second race and a second annular assembly including a third race mounted on the rotatable vertical section and a fourth race mounted on the non-rotatable vertical section, the third race rotatably connected to the fourth race. 
     
     
         7 . The bearing structure apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the third race is partially spaced from the fourth race such that a compartment configured to be at least partially filled with a lubricant for facilitating movement is formed between the third race and the fourth race. 
     
     
         8 . The bearing structure apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first annular assembly further includes a webbed reinforcement network for providing structural rigidity to the first annular assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The bearing structure apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the webbed reinforcement network presents an octagonal shape. 
     
     
         10 . The bearing structure apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the rotatable vertical section defines a longitudinal length and a horizontal diameter, and the longitudinal length is at least two times the horizontal diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The bearing structure apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the inside diameter of the second cylindrical sidewall is approximately 8.175 inches, and the first cylindrical sidewall has a wall thickness of approximately 0.175 inches. 
     
     
         12 . A bearing structure apparatus for a pivoting irrigation system, the bearing structure apparatus comprising:
 a rotatable vertical section of a water-carrying conduit, the rotatable section including a first cylindrical sidewall presenting a first surface, and defining a first longitudinal axis;   a non-rotatable vertical section of the water-carrying conduit, the non-rotatable section including a second cylindrical sidewall presenting a second surface adjacent to the first surface, and defining a second longitudinal axis coaxially aligned with the first longitudinal axis;   a first annular assembly including a first race mounted on the rotatable vertical section and a second race mounted on the non-rotatable vertical section, the first race rotatably connected to the second race; and   a second annular assembly including a third race mounted on the rotatable vertical section and a fourth race mounted on the non-rotatable vertical section, the third race rotatably connected to the fourth race and at least partially spaced from the fourth race such that a compartment configured to be at least partially filled with a lubricant for facilitating movement is formed between the third race and the fourth race,   wherein the first cylindrical sidewall defines an outside diameter and the second cylindrical sidewall defines an inside diameter, the outside diameter of the first sidewall is smaller than the inside diameter of the second sidewall, and the rotatable vertical section is housed substantially within the non-rotatable vertical section.   
     
     
         13 . The bearing structure apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising an upper elbow joint attached to an upper end of the rotatable vertical section and vertically spaced from the non-rotatable vertical section such that a portion of the rotatable vertical section is exposed between the upper elbow joint and the non-rotatable vertical section. 
     
     
         14 . The bearing structure apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first annular assembly further includes a webbed reinforcement network for providing structural rigidity to the first annular assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The bearing structure apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the webbed reinforcement network presents an octagonal shape.