Overhead Irrigation Truss Rods for Span Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Longer spans of overhead irrigation equipment increase the tension load required in truss rods, making installation, service, and maintenance difficult, and increasing rod diameter to accommodate this load raises costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a third truss rod in a bow strung truss design, which can be adjusted to balance tension loads and maintain desired bow dimensions, allowing for longer spans with shallower trussing and potentially fewer truss angles, thereby reducing costs and improving stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the span length is increased, then the irrigation coverage area is improved, but the tension load on truss rods increases making installation and maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single truss rod into multiple segments (first truss rod, second truss rod, third truss rod) spaced along the span. Each segment carries a portion of the total tension load, reducing the force requirement for individual rods while maintaining structural integrity over longer spans.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane truss configuration to a multi-dimensional arrangement by spacing multiple truss rods vertically and horizontally. This distributes the load across three dimensions, reducing the tension burden on each individual rod compared to a single-plane configuration.
2Strength
If the rod diameter is increased to accommodate higher tension loads, then the strength is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the truss rod into multiple smaller rods, the patent reduces the diameter requirement for each individual rod. This lowers material costs and manufacturing complexity while achieving the same total load-bearing capacity through the combined strength of multiple rods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning truss rods at specific locations along the span where tension forces are greatest. This allows for optimized rod placement and sizing, reducing overall material usage and cost compared to uniform distribution.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the number of truss rods is increased, then the load distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the truss rod system into a specific number of rods (three or more) that are systematically spaced along the span. This segmentation provides optimal load distribution while avoiding excessive complexity by using a manageable number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
Each truss rod in the patent serves multiple functions: providing structural support, distributing tension loads, and maintaining the bow shape of the pipeline. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting complexity growth.
4Force
If the bow shape depth is increased to reduce tension load, then the tension load is reduced, but the installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the truss rod into multiple segments, the patent reduces the tension load on each rod, which in turn reduces the required bow depth. This segmentation allows for a shallower, easier-to-install configuration while maintaining load-bearing capacity through the combined action of multiple rods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters by introducing multiple truss rods, which alters the force distribution and allows for a reduced bow depth parameter. This parameter change simplifies installation while achieving the same tension load reduction that would otherwise require a deeper bow.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The additional truss rod configuration reduces the tension load on individual rods, simplifies installation and maintenance, and allows for longer spans with improved stability and lower costs by distributing the load more evenly.
Implementation Method 1
a first truss rod tensioned between the first support and the second support and a second truss rod tensioned between the first support and the second support
Implementation Method 2
The first truss rod, the second truss rod, and third truss rod are configured to maintain a generally bow shape in the span of pipeline
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead irrigation assembly having multiple truss rods is disclosed. In an implementation, an overhead irrigation assembly includes a first support, a second support, and a span of pipeline supported between the first support and the second support. The overhead irrigation assembly also includes a first truss rod tensioned between the first support and the second support and a second truss rod tensioned between the first support and the second support. Spreaders are suspended from the span of pipeline that are configured to separate the first truss rod from the second truss rod. The overhead irrigation assembly also includes a third truss rod is also tensioned between the first support and the second support. The first truss rod, the second truss rod, and third truss rod are configured to maintain a generally bow shape in the span of pipeline.