INTEGRATED CONTROL CIRCUITRY AND COIL ASSEMBLY FOR IRRIGATION CONTROL

• US 20100082169A1
• Filed: 07/27/2009
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Inventors: Lorenz, Michael A., Prucinsky, Matthew S., Crist, Timothy J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,851,447 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49009 Dynamoelectric machine

Abstract

An integrated irrigation valve control device has a coil adapted to develop an electromagnetic flux sufficient to cause actuation of irrigation equipment. Control circuitry is electrically coupled to the coil to control the flux at the coil. A housing covers at least a portion of the coil and at least a portion of the control circuitry.

Claims

1. An irrigation control device comprising:

a coil adapted to develop an electromagnetic flux sufficient to cause actuation of irrigation equipment;

control circuitry to receive control signals from an irrigation control unit and electrically coupled to the coil to control the flux at the coil; and

a housing covering at least a portion of the coil and at least a portion of the control circuitry.

2. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein the housing is an integrally formed one-piece housing.

3. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein any electrical connection between the coil and the control circuitry remains within the housing.

4. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein the control circuitry comprises a circuit board and electronics mounted on the circuit board, and wherein the housing is sized to cover the entire circuit board and the entire coil.

5. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein the coil comprises a side and a total longitudinal length, and wherein the control circuitry extends along the side and has a total longitudinal length no more than approximately twice the longitudinal length of the coil.

6. The irrigation control device of claim 1 further comprising a curable potting material disposed at least between the control circuitry and the coil and within the housing.

7. The irrigation control device of claim 6 wherein the potting material sufficiently fills the housing so that the control circuitry and the coil remain substantially fixed to each other.

8. The irrigation control device of claim 6 wherein the control circuitry includes a circuit board and electronic components mounted on the circuit board, the device further comprising a spacer arranged to maintain the circuit board spaced from the coil, and wherein only the spacer and the potting material are placed directly between the control circuitry and the coil.

9. The irrigation control device of claim 1 further comprising at least one input control wire coupled to the control circuitry and extending out of the housing for connection to an irrigation control system.

10. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein the housing has a threaded end for connection to irrigation equipment.

11. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein the housing has one wall generally extending around the coil and generally corresponding to the curvature of the coil, and a radially expanded portion for extending around the control circuitry.

12. The irrigation control device of claim 11 wherein the coil defines an axis, and wherein the radially expanded portion has a curved outer wall generally extending about the axis and over the control circuitry.

13. The irrigation control device of claim 12 wherein the outer wall has a radius selected so that the outer wall avoids contact with structure on irrigation equipment while the housing is being attached to the irrigation equipment.

14. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein the control circuitry comprises a circuit board with opposite lateral edges and electronic components mounted on the circuit board, and wherein the housing comprises a curved wall extending exteriorly of the circuit board and adjacent both opposite lateral edges.

15. A method of making an irrigation control device comprising:

holding a solenoid assembly with a coil near to control circuitry for controlling an electromagnetic flux at the coil;

electrically connecting the coil to the control circuitry;

placing the solenoid assembly and control circuitry into a housing;

securing the solenoid assembly to the housing so that the solenoid assembly is actuated to reciprocate a valve member through an aperture in the housing to selectively engage a valve seat; and

fixing the control circuitry and coil within the housing.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the fixing of the control circuitry and coil within the housing comprises at least partially filling the housing with a curable material.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising placing the control circuitry along a side of the coil so that the longitudinal lengths of the coil and the control circuitry overlap.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the housing is a one-piece housing.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the valve seat is external to the housing.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the valve seat is secured to, and movable with, the housing.