Multi-zone sprinkler system with moisture sensors and configurable spray pattern

• US 20060278728A1
• Filed: 06/14/2005
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 7,168,632 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/69
• 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: Y02A 40/22 Improving land use; Improving water use or availability; Controlling erosion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 239/01 Pattern sprinkler
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 239/15 Sprinkler systems with controls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/189 Soil moisture sensing

Abstract

An irrigation system comprises sprinkler heads with an electrically configurable spray pattern, moisture sensors, and a controller. Based upon input signals from the moisture sensors, the controller dynamically configures the spray pattern of the sprinkler head to allow more water to fall on areas that need to be watered and less water to fall on areas that do not require additional water. The irrigation system can additionally comprise fire sensors. Based upon input from the fire sensors, the controller activates the sprinklers.

Claims

1. A sprinkler system comprising:

a sprinkler head having a configurable spray pattern;

a plurality of moisture sensors provided in a zone watered by said sprinkler head, said moisture sensors configured to collect moisture data in the zone; and

a controller configured to obtain the moisture data and configure the spray pattern of the sprinkler head based on the moisture data.

2. The sprinkler system of claim 1, wherein the sprinkler head further comprises an actuator, wherein the spray pattern is controlled by controlling the actuator.

3. The sprinkler system of claim 1, wherein the sprinkler further comprises an actuator, wherein the state of the actuator determines rate of rotation of the sprinkler head.

4. The sprinkler system of claim 2, wherein the controller determines the state of the actuator.

5. The sprinkler system of claim 1, wherein the sprinkler head rotates.

6. The sprinkler system of claim 1, wherein the sprinkler head is stationary.

7. The sprinkler system of claim 1, further comprising one or more fire sensors.

8. The sprinkler system of claim 1, wherein the controller obtains the moisture data through a wireless transmission link.

9. The sprinkler system of claim 1, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the moisture sensors.

10. The sprinkler system of claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a zone controller, the zone controller configured to receive said moisture data and provide the moisture data to a central controller.

11. The sprinkler system of claim 1, wherein said sprinkler head comprises said controller.

12. The sprinkler system of claim 1, wherein said controller comprises a zone controller that controls a plurality of sprinkler heads.

13. A sprinkler system comprising:

means for collecting moisture data in pattern areas associated with a sprinkler head; and

means for automatically configuring a configurable spray pattern associated with the sprinkler head based on the moisture data.

14. A sprinkler head comprising:

a configurable spray pattern;

wherein a computer obtains moisture data associated with the sprinkler head, said sprinkler head comprising a plurality of actuators forming a ring around the perimeter of said sprinkler head, each actuator controlling a port associated with the actuator;

wherein opening the port permits water to flow through the port; and

wherein the computer automatically controls the actuators to open selected ports to configure the configurable spray pattern based on the moisture data.

17. The sprinkler system of claim 14, wherein the actuators comprise solenoids.

18. The sprinkler system of claim 17, wherein the port is open when the solenoid is in an active state.

19. The sprinkler system of claim 17, wherein the port is open when the solenoid is in an inactive state.

20. The sprinkler system of claim 14, wherein the controller sends state information to the non-rotating sprinkler to control the state of the actuator.

15. A method of watering comprising:

obtaining moisture data from a plurality of moisture sensors associated with a sprinkler head; and

automatically configuring a configurable spray pattern associated with the sprinkler head based on the moisture data.

16. A sprinkler comprising:

means for obtaining moisture data from a moisture sensor associated with a sprinkler head; and

means for dynamically configuring a configurable spray pattern associated with the sprinkler head based on the moisture data.