FLEXIBLE SPRINKLER SWEEP AND OPERATING METHOD Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: agriculture. SUBSTANCE: flexible sprinkler has flexible main pipeline, U-shaped stabilizers with drive supports (wheel or skid), risers with sprinkler units, hydraulic fittings, pulling equipment, and rotary supports employed in conjunction with sweep. Operating method involves moving sweep to parallel tracks in transverse direction by means of supports made in the form of arc parts with radius equal to admissible radius of curvature of pulled main pipeline-sweep; reducing friction resistance by equipping arcs with rollers or facing them with antifriction material. Rotary supports are positioned at ends of longitudinal tracks and sweep does not intersect plant rows to reduce losses of useful area and prevent plants from being damaged during movement of sweep. Sweep is moved in loop-shaped progressive motions along field surface, with transverse motions being performed along field boundaries. Method allows irrigation of all sweep positions in equal time intervals to be performed simultaneously, since sweep may be transferred from terminating position to initial position by effecting single transverse motion. Moreover, reciprocating motion detrimental to main pipeline is eliminated, for turns at loop-shaped motions are effected on one and the same side. Rotary supports may be left at the site for the entire irrigation season because they do not hinder young crop caring works. EFFECT: increased efficiency, wider operational capabilities and reduced damage to plants. 6 cl, 3 dwg