Irrigation Truss Joint Assembly for Adjustable Pipeline Crown Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems have a non-adjustable crown height and require numerous fasteners for assembly, leading to complexity and inefficiency in construction and operation.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation system with a truss connection system where truss rails are connected on either end of the pipeline, using headed truss rods and cooperating mating members, allowing for adjustable crown height through the relative position change of truss rods and reduced fasteners, which simplifies assembly and reduces racking issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple fasteners are used to secure the cooperating members, struts, and cross-member, then the structural stability is improved, but the assembly complexity and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fastening functions into a single fastener that secures the cooperating members, struts, and cross-member simultaneously. This single fastener integrates the functions of what would traditionally require multiple separate fasteners, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining structural stability through unified connection
2Strength
If multiple fasteners are used to secure the components, then the connection strength is improved, but racking and shear/torsion forces on fasteners increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single fastener design consolidates multiple connection points into one unified fastening element, which distributes and balances the racking and shear/torsion forces more effectively than multiple separate fasteners. This unified connection reduces the harmful forces on individual fastening points while maintaining overall connection strength
3Stability of the object's composition
If the crown height is fixed by the truss rail length, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the adaptability to different field requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable crown height by making the truss rail length variable rather than fixed. The truss rails can be configured in different lengths to accommodate various field requirements, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to different irrigation needs while maintaining structural integrity through proper engineering of the adjustable mechanism
4Stability of the object's composition
If numerous components are used in the truss system, then the structural stability is improved, but the assembly time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of components by integrating multiple functions into fewer elements. The single fastener that secures multiple components simultaneously, and the streamlined truss rail design with fewer intermediate joints, reduces both component count and assembly time while maintaining necessary structural stability through optimized design
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation system having a pipeline supported by one or more towers includes an improved truss connection system having a means for readily adjusting a crown height of the pipeline. A pair of cooperating members define a joint which selectively couples headed ends of adjacent truss rods together to form a truss rail of a truss system that supports the pipeline. A single fastener may fasten the cooperating members, a strut, and a cross-member together at the joint. A length of the truss rail may be decreased by holding the truss rods closer together. In an aspect, the headed ends of the adjacent truss rods are held closer together by inserting a shim in one of the joints. Decreasing the length of the truss rail increases the deflection of the pipeline and raises the crown height.