Energy Saving of the Running System of a Wide-Range Sprinkler Machine

The improvement of wide-range sprinkler machines (DM) of the Kuban-LK1 type is aimed at expanding their functionality and reducing energy consumption when working on terrain with slopes up to 0.07. The most promising solution is to equip the driving systems with independent gear motors with energy-efficient gearing, which makes it possible to double the drive efficiency compared to a standard worm-type interlocked transmission. In the course of field research conducted at JSC Ozery in the Moscow region, the energy consumption for the movement of nine- and six-bed DM Kuban-LK1, equipped with a serial layout scheme for the chassis system, was estimated. The measurement of torques on the output shafts was carried out using strain gauge torsiometers in various driving modes (ascent, descent, overcoming ditches and tracks with a depth of 30 cm), both with and without water in the main. It is established that the maximum torques occur when overcoming obstacles and reach 1700...2000 kg/cm, which does not exceed the permissible stresses for the output shafts. The total torque on the support trolley does not exceed 2,900 kg/cm. Statistical data processing (using the example of trolley No. 9) showed that the distribution of torques obeys a normal law with a coefficient of variation of 0.2...0.4. The average load values are in the range of 420...690 kg/cm, and exceeding the level of 1500 kg/ cm is observed in no more than 5% of the operating time. It was found that when driving downhill, the resulting vibration of the pipeline and jerks do not lead to a significant increase in torque (a change of 100...150 kg/cm), which indicates a decrease in parasitic loads characteristic of a serial blocked transmission. The use of independent gear motors with energy-efficient gear engagement in the running system of the Kuban-LK1 sprinkler machine will ensure the strength and operability of the structure when operating on slopes up to 0.07 and when overcoming irregularities. A comparison of the obtained results with theoretical ones confirms the possibility of reducing energy costs for movement and expanding the technological capabilities of the machine (low-volume irrigation, fine-dispersed humidification). It is advisable to focus further research on evaluating the durability of energy-efficient transmissions under variable load conditions and optimizing control algorithms for electric drives.