Irrigation controller water management with temperature budgeting
First Claim
1. A method for automatically operating an irrigation controller comprising the steps of:
- a. providing said controller with a preliminary irrigation schedule for a geographic location;
b. computing a water budget ratio by comparing current local geo-environmental data with stored local geo-environmental data; and
c. modifying said preliminary irrigation schedule based upon said ratio.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods for water conservation with irrigation controllers based upon the ambient temperature and extraterrestrial radiation of a particular geographical area. It receives a preliminary irrigation schedule from the operator and computes a water budget ratio by comparing current local geo-environmental data with stored local geo-environmental data, then modifying the preliminary irrigation schedule based upon that ratio. The present invention utilizes fewer variables, is less complex, and is much easier to install and maintain than the current evapotranspiration-based controllers.
90 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for automatically operating an irrigation controller comprising the steps of:
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a. providing said controller with a preliminary irrigation schedule for a geographic location;
b. computing a water budget ratio by comparing current local geo-environmental data with stored local geo-environmental data; and
c. modifying said preliminary irrigation schedule based upon said ratio. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for automatically operating an irrigation controller comprising the steps of:
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a. providing said controller with a current date, an expected maximum temperature, a time frame for said temperature, approximate latitudinal information, and a preliminary irrigation schedule;
b. computing a water budget ratio from current local geo-environmental data and stored local geo-environmental data comprising the steps of;
1. computing a standard temperature budget factor from said stored local geo-environmental data by multiplying the expected maximum temperature by an extraterrestrial radiation value for the time frame of said expected maximum temperature at a latitude determined from said approximate latitudinal information, 2. computing a periodic temperature budget factor by multiplying an actual recorded maximum temperature taken over a previous predetermined period by an extraterrestrial radiation value at said determined latitude during said particular period, and 3. computing said water budget ratio by dividing said periodic temperature budget factor by said standard temperature budget factor; and
c. modifying said preliminary irrigation schedule based upon said ratio. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for automatically adjusting irrigation watering schedules, comprising:
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a. an input device;
b. a microprocessor;
c. at least one data storage device having instructions for computing a water budget ratio using current local geo-environmental data and stored local geo-environmental data;
d. at least one temperature sensor;
e. a power source; and
f. at least one irrigation water output cutoff switch. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification