Water savings system

• US 20060155489A1
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smart Irrigation Solutions Incorporated (Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Aqua Conserve Incorporated, John W. and Betty J. Addink Living Trust
• Inventors: Addink, John W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,454 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/55
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0676 by action on flow sources G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/10 in agriculture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1866 For controlling soil irrigation

Abstract

An irrigation controller has run-times that are modified as a function of a calculated volumetric irrigation amount and a preferred irrigation amount. The preferred irrigation amount is at least partly based on an evapotranspiration (ETo) value and the area of the irrigated site. The calculated volumetric irrigation amount is based on flow meter data and inputted irrigation run-times. Preferably the flow meter is a water meter that measures water distributed to the irrigation system and to other water using devices at the irrigated site, and the flow data is based on signature data. In addition to flow data, water pressure may be measured that corresponds with the flow data. It is anticipated that the function will involve the dividing of the preferred irrigation amount by the calculated volumetric irrigation amount to arrive at a modifying factor.

Claims

1. A controller that runs software that modifies run-times as a function of both:

(a) a calculated volumetric irrigation amount; and

(b) a preferred irrigation amount that is at least partly based on an evapotranspiration (ETo) value.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the calculated volumetric irrigation amount is based at least in part on flow meter data.

3. The controller of claim 1, wherein the calculated volumetric irrigation amount is based at least in part on inputted irrigation run-times.

4. The controller of claim 2, wherein the flow meter is a dedicated irrigation flow meter.

5. The controller of claim 2, wherein the flow meter comprises a water meter that measures water distributed to the irrigation system and to other water using devices at the irrigated site.

6. The controller of claim 5, wherein the water meter measures the water distributed to the irrigation system based on signature data.

7. The controller of claim 2, further comprising the measurement of water pressure that corresponds with the flow meter data.

8. The controller of claim 1, wherein the ETo value is obtained from a local source.

9. The controller of claim 1, wherein the ETo value is obtained from a distal source.

10. The controller of claim 1, wherein the preferred irrigation amount is at least partly based on an area of the irrigated site.

11. The controller of claim 1, wherein the preferred irrigation amount is at least partly based on a percent value.

12. The controller of claim 1, wherein the function involves dividing of the preferred irrigation amount by the calculated volumetric irrigation amount to arrive at a modifying factor.

13. The controller of claim 12, wherein the controller uses the modifying factor to modify run-times.

14. A method of controlling irrigation, comprising:

using a controller to modify irrigation run-times as a function of a calculated volumetric irrigation amount and a preferred irrigation amount that is at least partly based on an evapotranspiration (ETo) value; and

correcting the modified irrigation run-times based on a difference between the actual irrigation amount and the preferred irrigation amount.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the actual irrigation amount is at least partly based on water pressure data.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the difference is a negative value.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the difference is a positive value.

18. An irrigation system, comprising;

a flow meter that provides irrigation water flow information that is based at least in part on signature data; and

a microprocessor programmed to;

(a) determine a calculated volumetric irrigation amount using the irrigation water flow information and user inputted run-times;

(b) determine a preferred irrigation amount that is at least partly based on an ETo value and an area of an irrigated site; and

(c) modify run-times as a function of the calculated volumetric irrigation amount and the preferred irrigation amount.

19. The irrigation system of claim 18, wherein the flow meter comprises a water meter that measures water distributed to a plurality of water using devices at the irrigated site.

20. The irrigation system of claim 18, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to execute the modified run-times to the irrigated site.