LAN-based sprinkler system
First Claim
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1. An irrigation system, comprising:
- at least one master controller;
one and only one backbone pipe;
a main isolation valve in the backbone pipe and controlled by the master controller;
plural branch lines tapped into the backbone pipe, each branch line leading to at least one sprinkler head;
a respective branch line isolation valve installed in each branch line;
a respective group controller electrically connected to each branch line isolation valve, the master controller sending at least one control message to all controllers but addressed to at least one specific group controller such that only the specific group controller acts on the message, the message being sent over wires that run alongside the backbone pipe, each group controller being electrically connected to the wires and each group controller having its own address and executing only those commands from the master controller that contain the address of the group controller.
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Abstract
An irrigation system has a master controller and a single backbone pipe with a single isolation valve controlled by the master controller. Branch lines can tap into the backbone pipe and a solenoid valve installed in each branch line, with each branch line leading to plural sprinkler heads. Each solenoid valve is controlled by a respective group controller, and the master controller controls each group controller by addressing “open” and “shut” messages to the group controllers over two and only two wires that run alongside the backbone pipe.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An irrigation system, comprising:
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at least one master controller;
one and only one backbone pipe;
a main isolation valve in the backbone pipe and controlled by the master controller;
plural branch lines tapped into the backbone pipe, each branch line leading to at least one sprinkler head;
a respective branch line isolation valve installed in each branch line;
a respective group controller electrically connected to each branch line isolation valve, the master controller sending at least one control message to all controllers but addressed to at least one specific group controller such that only the specific group controller acts on the message, the message being sent over wires that run alongside the backbone pipe, each group controller being electrically connected to the wires and each group controller having its own address and executing only those commands from the master controller that contain the address of the group controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A local area network (LAN) for an irrigation system, comprising:
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at least one master controller; and
plural group controllers each associated with its own address and each selectively energizing a respective solenoid of a respective area isolation valve in response to commands addressed to it from the master controller. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An irrigation system comprising:
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plural groups of sprinklers arranged in areas;
a respective area isolation valve associated with each group of sprinklers;
group logic means associated with each area isolation valve for opening and shutting the valve, each group logic means being associated with a unique address; and
master logic means communicating with each group logic means over a network means, the master logic means for sending commands to each group logic means, a command intended for one and only one group logic means containing the unique address of the group logic means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification