Centralised irrigation automation system for a building provided with local computer network with standard network protocol

• US 20070140274A1
• Filed: 12/15/2006
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Claber SpA
• Original Assignee: Claber SpA
• Inventors: Brundisini, Andrea, Milan, Franco, Battistutto, Roberto, Del Cont Bernard, Stefano
• Application Number:
  US11/639,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20070140274A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge

Abstract

A centralised automation system for an irrigation system is disclosed that is associable with a local computer network of standard type with a standard network protocol of a building in a so-called “building automation” context. The automation system comprises a field control unit (4) for receiving, storing and issuing irrigation commands according to preset programs. The field control unit (4) is inserted into the building and interfaced with the local computer network (3) of the building in such a way as to communicate therewith by means of a dedicated protocol (EPRAS) based on a standard network protocol (TCP/IP). For each irrigable field sector there is provided a respective field bus (6) that acts as a transmission support with standard field protocol (ModBus) for communicating irrigation commands to a respective control unit (7) for solenoid valves (9). A respective protocol-translation bridge unit (12) enables the field bus (6) to be interfaced with the local computer network (3) (FIG. 1).

Claims

1. A centralised irrigation automation system for an irrigable field of a building provided with a computer network with standard network protocol, characterised in that it comprises a field control unit for receiving, storing and issuing irrigation commands according to preset programs that is inserted into the building and interfaced with the local computer network of the building in such a way as to communicate therewith by means of a dedicated protocol (EPRAS) based on a standard network protocol (TCP/IP) and, for each irrigable field sector, a respective field bus that acts as a transmission support with standard field protocol (ModBus) for communicating said irrigation commands to a respective control unit for solenoid valves and a respective protocol translation bridge unit for interfacing said field bus with said local computer network.

2. The centralised system according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises an adaptor interposed between said field bus and said control unit for decoding said irrigation commands transmitted with a standard field protocol (ModBus) and transforming them into electric actions for the control unit.

3. The centralised system according to claim 2, characterised in that said adaptor is able to read a water counter and transmit the corresponding readings to said field control unit by means of said field bus and said bridge unit.

4. The centralised system according to claim 2, characterised in that said adaptor is able to receive the sensor data and transmit them to said field control unit by means of said field bus and said bridge unit.

5. The centralised system according to claim 1, characterised in that said field control unit is connected through a serial line to a PC intended for the construction of irrigation management rules and sending them to said field control unit.

6. The centralised system according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a router for connecting said field control unit to Internet by means of said local network.