Communication system for multizone irrigation
First Claim
1. A communication system for an irrigation system, comprising:
- an irrigation system including a central controller interfaced with a central valve and a central communication unit, said central valve regulating water flow for irrigation from a water source;
said central communication unit being constructed to transmit communication signals providing irrigation information;
a number of sprinkler units constructed to irrigate a land area, each said sprinkler unit including a local controller interfaced with a local valve for controlling water flow to a sprinkler, and a local communication unit, said local communication unit being constructed to receive communication signals from said central communication unit and provide received irrigation information to said local controller, said local controller being constructed to control operation of said local valve based on said irrigation information.
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Abstract
A multizone irrigation system includes a central control unit having a central control system interfaced with a central valve and a central communication unit. The central valve regulates water flow for irrigation from a water source and can lower water pressure in the pipes at its output. The central communication unit is constructed to transmit or receive pressure based communication signals providing irrigation information. Each zone includes a sprinkler control unit having a sprinkler connected to a water pipe for irrigation. Each sprinkler control unit includes a local controller interfaced with a local valve for controlling water flow to the sprinkler. The sprinkler control unit also includes a local communication unit (e.g., a pressure sensor) constructed to receive communication signals from the central communication unit and provide received irrigation information to the local controller.
171 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A communication system for an irrigation system, comprising:
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an irrigation system including a central controller interfaced with a central valve and a central communication unit, said central valve regulating water flow for irrigation from a water source;
said central communication unit being constructed to transmit communication signals providing irrigation information;
a number of sprinkler units constructed to irrigate a land area, each said sprinkler unit including a local controller interfaced with a local valve for controlling water flow to a sprinkler, and a local communication unit, said local communication unit being constructed to receive communication signals from said central communication unit and provide received irrigation information to said local controller, said local controller being constructed to control operation of said local valve based on said irrigation information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A communication method suitable for an irrigation system, comprising:
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providing an irrigation system including a central controller interfaced with a central valve and a central communication unit, providing a number of sprinkler units constructed to irrigate a land area, each said sprinkler unit including a local controller interfaced with a local valve for controlling water flow to a sprinkler, and a local communication unit;
transmitting communication signals carrying irrigation information; and
receiving said communication signals and providing received irrigation information to said local controller, said local controller being constructed to control operation of said local valve based on said irrigation information. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A leak detector, comprising:
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an input port constructed to be coupled to a conduit for receiving at least partially conductive liquid from a source;
a valve device including an actuator constructed to receive control signals from a controller for opening and closing said valve device;
two electrodes located on opposite sides of said valve device and being electrically isolated from each other in absence of said liquid between said opposite sides; and
an electronic circuit for measuring an electrical property between said electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25-31. -31. (canceled)
Specification