Self-charging programmable water valve
First Claim
1. A self-charging programmable water valve, comprising:
- an electrically controlled water valve having a housing and inlet and outlet pipes extending from the housing;
a water pressure sensor disposed in the inlet pipe of the valve;
means for opening the water valve in response to an increase in pressure detected by the pressure sensor;
a microprocessor-controlled circuit disposed in the housing providing a first programmable timer circuit and a second programmable timer circuit;
means for closing the valve in response to a signal from the first programmable timer circuit;
a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the microprocessor-controlled circuit;
a pulse battery charger disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the battery for recharging the battery in response to water flow through the valve;
means for keeping the water valve closed for a predetermined time interval during a zone watering cycle as determined by the second programmable timer; and
a user interface disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the microprocessor-controlled circuit for programming the timer circuits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The self-charging programmable water valve provides programmed watering control to a portion of an irrigation zone. A rechargeable battery provides electrical power to control the valve, which includes a pulse charger activated by water flow through the valve for recharging the battery. A pressure sensor is connected to a control circuit that activates the water valve when water pressure detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined limit. A first digital timer determines valve open duration, and thus how long the portion of the zone will receive water. A second digital timer begins a count cycle after the first digital timer shuts down the water flow to the connected branch. The second digital timer is provided to prevent false reactivation of the water valve during a zone watering cycle, thereby preventing excessive watering of the portion of the zone controlled by the programmable water valve.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A self-charging programmable water valve, comprising:
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an electrically controlled water valve having a housing and inlet and outlet pipes extending from the housing;
a water pressure sensor disposed in the inlet pipe of the valve;
means for opening the water valve in response to an increase in pressure detected by the pressure sensor;
a microprocessor-controlled circuit disposed in the housing providing a first programmable timer circuit and a second programmable timer circuit;
means for closing the valve in response to a signal from the first programmable timer circuit;
a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the microprocessor-controlled circuit;
a pulse battery charger disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the battery for recharging the battery in response to water flow through the valve;
means for keeping the water valve closed for a predetermined time interval during a zone watering cycle as determined by the second programmable timer; and
a user interface disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the microprocessor-controlled circuit for programming the timer circuits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A programmable water valve, comprising:
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an electrically controlled water valve having a housing and inlet and outlet pipes extending from the housing;
a water pressure sensor disposed in the inlet pipe of the valve;
means for opening the water valve in response to an increase in pressure detected by the pressure sensor;
a microprocessor-controlled circuit disposed in the housing providing a first programmable timer circuit and a second programmable timer circuit;
an electric power source electrically connected to the microprocessor-controlled circuit;
means for closing the valve after expiration of a sprinkler “
on”
time selectively programmed into the first programmable timer circuit;
means for keeping the water valve closed for a predetermined time interval selectively programmed into the second programmable timer; and
a user interface disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the microprocessor-controlled circuit for selectively programming the timer circuits.
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Specification