Irrigation controller decoder converter

• US 20080046131A1
• Filed: 07/24/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tucor Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tucor Incorporated
• Inventors: Sarver, Larry
• Application Number:
  US11/880,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20080046131A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21133 Module to adapt connection of signals to general connector
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering

Abstract

A method of converting a control system having steps of providing an existing control system having a centralized controller received within a housing and a plurality of independent control lines directly extending between a terminal strip in the controller and a corresponding plurality of assemblies to be controlled and a return line extending from the assemblies directly to the controller, wherein each control line receives a control signal from the controller; attaching an encoder to a pre-existing port on the controller housing; disconnecting the control lines from the assemblies; connecting the power lines from the terminal strip to an encoder; reconnecting the control lines from the terminal strip to the encoder, such that the power lines and control lines extend into the encoder and are connected thereto; and installing a control signal decoder in series with each of the assemblies for receiving signals from the encoder.

Claims

1. A method of converting a multi-wire control system to a two-wire system comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an existing control system having a centralized controller received within a housing and a plurality of independent control lines directly extending between a terminal strip in the controller and a corresponding plurality of assemblies to be controlled and a return line extending from the assemblies directly to the controller, wherein each control line receives a control signal from the controller;

(b) attaching an encoder to a pre-existing port on the controller housing;

(c) disconnecting the control lines from the assemblies;

(d) connecting the power lines from the terminal strip to an encoder;

(e) reconnecting the control lines from the terminal strip to the encoder, such that the power lines and control lines extend into the encoder and are connected thereto; and

(f) installing a control signal decoder in series with each of the assemblies for receiving signals from the encoder.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising threading the encoder into the port on the controller.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the assemblies comprise irrigation assemblies.

4. A converted control system comprising:

a pre-existing control system comprising a controller, a plurality of control lines and power supply lines;

an encoder attached to an exterior of said controller, wherein the control lines and power lines extend into said encoder and are connected thereto; and

a two-wire circuit extending from said encoder, one wire being a control signal and the other wire being a return.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the encoder is threaded into a housing of said controller.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the control line is connected to a plurality of assemblies requiring control signals.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said assemblies comprise irrigation assemblies.