SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A DRIVE SHAFT BRAKE FOR IRRIGATION MACHINES

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 548,294 filed Aug. 21, 2017.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is related in general to an improved irrigation machine design and, in particular, to an improved braking system and method for providing drive shaft braking for irrigation machines.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Modern field irrigation machines are combinations of drive systems and sprinkler systems. Generally, these systems are divided into two types depending on the type of travel they are designed to execute: center pivot and / or linear.

[0004] Regardless of being center pivot or linear, common irrigation machines most often include an overhead sprinkler irrigation system consisting of several segments of pipe (usually galvanized steel or aluminum) joined together and supported by trusses, mounted on wheeled towers with sprinklers positioned along its length. These machines move in a circular pattern (if center pivot) or linear and are fed with water from an outside source (i.e. a well or water line).

[0005] Most irrigation systems today are driven by an electric motor mounted within one or more drive towers. For most of these irrigation systems, the terrain needs to be reasonably flat. Recently however, these systems have been become more ruggedized and are increasingly used in undulating country. This advantage has resulted in increased irrigated acreage and water use in some areas. In these environments, however, irrigation systems have an increased tendency to "coast" or slip when then are stopped or slowed on sloped surfaces. This results in unwanted and uncontrolled movement by large spans of machinery. Further, it results in the time-consuming misalignment of irrigation spans.

[0006] Various braking methods have been applied to irrigation machinery. For instance, U.S. Patent No. 7,073,638 teaches an agricultural irrigation system which includes a ball ramp brake set between a drive gear motor and a divider gear box. Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 8,215,471 teaches a mechanical brake for use as torque blocker in an actuator drive which includes an axial shifting mechanism arranged on an input drive shaft. Still further, U.S. Patent No. 3,957, 144 teaches a continuous roller brake for a mechanical actuator which has a ball element engaging in a circumferential groove. While helpful, none of the prior art systems teach or suggest an irrigation system braking mechanism which prevents an irrigation system from coasting after the system has been shut off or when it is in idle.

[0007] An irrigation system comprising a band brake is known from US4186881A.

[0008] Based on the foregoing, the present invention provides a system and method for providing drive shaft braking for an irrigation machine. The present invention overcomes the short comings of the prior art by accomplishing this critical objective.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] To minimize the limitations found in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will be apparent upon the reading of the specifications, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for providing drive shaft braking for an irrigation machine.

[0010] The invention is set out in the appended set of claims.

[0011] These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described with specificity so as to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention, thus the drawings are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. It should be understood that the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a band brake system in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary band brake for use with the first preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an exemplary hub for use with the first preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

[0014] With reference now to FIG. 1, a first exemplary brake system 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention shall now be discussed. As shown in FIG. 1, the first brake system 10 is attached and secured to a structural member 12 of a wheeled tower. The selected structural member 12 runs parallel to the wheeled tower drive shaft 25.

[0015] As further shown in FIG. 1, a system of the present invention includes a hub flange 22 which is preferably attached to the drive shaft 25. According to an embodiment, the hub flange 22 is welded to the drive shaft 25. According to an alternative embodiment, the hub flange 22 may alternatively be secured to the drive shaft 25 in a variety of other ways. With reference to FIG. 3, an exemplary hub flange 22 is shown including a number of mounting holes 23 which may be used with a mounting plate and bolts to secure the hub flange 22 to the drive shaft 25.

[0016] As further shown in FIG 1, the first brake system 10 may further include an extension arm 18 which includes securing points 11, 13 which extend laterally from the surface of the extension arm 18. According to a further embodiment, the brake system 10 of the present invention may include a band brake 20 which connects between securing points 11, 13 and extends around the circumference of the hub flange 22. According to a further embodiment, the extension arm 18 is secured to the structural member 12 via half clamps 14, 15 which are connected via securing bolts 17 or the like. In operation, the band brake 20 may be tensioned so that a continual frictional force is applied to the flange hub 22. In this way, a continual braking may be applied to the drive shaft 25. According to alternative embodiments, the band brake may be adjustable via a spring and bolt combination.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a band brake 20 for use with the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the band brake 20 may be comprised of a band of friction resistant material such as carbon braking materials or the like. As further shown in FIG. 2, the brake band 20 of the present invention may further include attachment points 21 for connecting to securing points 11, 13.

[0018] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intended that the scope of the present invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims appended hereto. The above described embodiments, while including the preferred embodiment and the best mode of the invention known to the inventor at the time of filing, are given as illustrative examples only. It will be readily appreciated that many deviations may be made from the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims below rather than being limited to the specifically described embodiments above.

Claims

1. An irrigation machine including a system (10) for providing drive shaft (25 ) braking during the operation of the irrigation machine, wherein the irrigation machine comprises a drive tower structure having a drive tower pipe supporting the drive tower; wherein the irrigation machine further comprises a drive system having a drive motor and a drive shaft; wherein the system comprises: a hub flange (22), wherein the hub flange (22) is attached to the drive shaft (25); an extension arm (18), wherein the extension arm (18) is fixedly mounted to the drive tower pipe: and a band brake (20), wherein the band brake (20) is comprised of a linear strap of braking material; further wherein the linear strap is comprised of a first strap loop (21) on a first end and a second strap loop (21) on a second end; further wherein the band brake (20) is positioned around the hub flange (22); further wherein the band brake (20) is held in contact with the hub flange (22) with tension; wherein the band brake (20) applies frictional braking to the hub flange (22), characterised in that the extension arm (18) further comprises a first securing point (11) and a second securing point (13); wherein the band brake (20) is attached to the first securing point (11) at the first end and the second securing point (13) at the second end.

2. The irrigation machine of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises: a spring (51), wherein the spring (51) is attached at one end to the first securing point (11) and at a second end to the first end (21) of the band brake (20), further wherein the tension of the band brake is adjustable by adjusting the tension of the spring (51).

3. The irrigation machine of claim 1, wherein the hub flange (22) is welded to the drive shaft (25) shaft.

4. The irrigation machine of claim 1, wherein the hub flange (22) comprises a mounting plate and plurality of mounting holes (23).

5. The irrigation machine of claim 1, wherein the band brake (20) is comprised of carbon braking materials.

6. The irrigation machine of claim 5, wherein the band brake (20) is comprised of a first flat eye-to-eye loop on the first end and a second flat eye-to-eye loop on the second end.

7. The irrigation machine of claim 1, wherein the extension arm (18) is secured to the drive tower pipe by a half clamp (14, 15) securing mechanism.