Irrigation control system and method

• US 20070023650A1
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dennis Allen
• Original Assignee: Dennis Allen
• Inventors: Allen, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US11/477,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20070023650A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/309
• 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

Abstract

An irrigation control system comprises a probe insertable into an area to be irrigated, the probe configured to generate a signal in response to an electrolytic response in the area. The system also comprises a valve activatable to provide a water supply to the area. The system further comprises an interface coupled to the probe and configured to, in response to receiving the signal from the probe, de-activate the valve

Claims

1. An irrigation control system, comprising:

a probe insertable into an area to be irrigated, the probe configured to generate a signal in response to an electrolytic response in the area;

a valve activatable to provide a water supply to the area; and

an interface coupled to the probe and configured to, in response to receiving the signal from the probe, de-activate the valve.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to, in response to cessation of the signal, activate the valve.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a transistor for generating the signal.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a timer configured to cause activation of the valve according to a predetermined schedule.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the interface is configured to override the timer to maintain de-activation of the valve in response to receiving the signal.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises an inverter circuit.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a transistor coupled to a probe housing and a probe tip insulated from the probe housing.

8. An irrigation control system, comprising:

means, insertable into an area to be irrigated, for generating a signal in response to an electrolytic response in the area;

activatable means for providing a water supply to the area; and

means coupled to the generating means and, in response to receiving the signal from the generating means, for de-activating the providing means.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the generating means comprises a transistor means.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the de-activating means comprises means for activating the providing means in response to cessation of the signal.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising means for causing activation of the providing means according to a predetermined schedule.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the de-activating means is configured to override the means for causing activation to maintain de-activation of the providing means in response to receiving the signal.

13. A method for irrigation control, comprising:

generating, by a probe insertable into an area to be irrigated, a signal in response to an electrolytic response in the area; and

maintaining a valve configured to be activated to provide a water supply to the area in a de-activated mode in response to receiving the signal.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising enabling activation of the valve in response to cessation of the signal.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising inverting the signal received from the probe.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising enabling activation of the valve via a timer according to a predetermined schedule.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising overriding the timer to maintain the valve in a de-activated mode in response to receiving the signal.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the signal comprises receiving a current through a transistor disposed in the probe in response to the electrolytic response.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the signal comprises sensing a current flow between a housing of the probe and a tip of the probe insulated from the housing.