MODULATED WATERING DEVICE

• US 20100301133A1
• Filed: 05/25/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Greig E. Altieri, Henry M. Ortiz, Howard J. Jelinek, Jae Y. Kim, Matthew K. Davenport
• Original Assignee: Greig E. Altieri, Henry M. Ortiz, Howard J. Jelinek, Jae Y. Kim, Matthew K. Davenport
• Inventors: ALTIERI, GREIG E., Kim, Jae Y., Jelinek, Howard J., Davenport, Matthew K., Ortiz, Henry M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,260,466 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/99
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1189 Freeze condition responsive safety systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1866 For controlling soil irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/189 Soil moisture sensing

Abstract

A device for controlling an irrigation system includes an interrupter for interconnection in a serial manner between a solenoid return common line and a preexisting irrigation timer, a controller for operating the interrupter in a periodic fashion is provided as well as an adjuster, in communication with the controller, for changing the periodicity of the interrupter operation.

Claims

1. A device for controlling an irrigation system in conjunction with a preexisting irrigation timer powering a solenoid valve, said device comprising:

an interrupter for interconnection in a serial manner between a solenoid return common line and the timer;

a controller for operating the interrupter in a periodic fashion; and

an adjuster, in communication with said controller, for changing the periodicity of the interrupter operation.

2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a remote control for establishing communication between said adjuster and said controller.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said remote control is configured for communication via the Internet.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to open and close the interrupter at a regular ON-OFF duty cycle (D).

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said adjuster causes the controller to change the ON portion of the duty cycle from between 0% and 100% of the duty cycle.

6. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a regulator for powering the device by way of power from the timer.

7. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a current sensor in communication with said controller for determining a duration of each pre-programmed timer cycle and the controller is configured for learning the pre-programmed duration and changing the periodicity of the interrupter based on the learned pre-programmed duration.

8. A method for controlling an irrigation system, the method comprising:

setting an irrigation timer to power a solenoid valve for a selected water duration; and

periodically interrupting power to the solenoid valve during the selected water duration.

9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising selecting periodicity of power interruption before periodically interrupting power.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein selecting the periodicity includes referring to a Watering Index.

11. A method for modifying control of an irrigation system having an irrigation timer for powering a solenoid valve for a selected water duration, the method comprising:

connecting a device in series with a solenoid valve return common wire and the timer; and

operating the device to periodically interrupt continuity in the common wire during the selected water duration.

12. The method according to claim 11 further comprising selecting periodicity of continuity interruption before periodically interrupting continuity.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein selecting periodicity includes referring to a watering index.

14. The method according to claim 11 further comprising operating the device remotely.

15. The method according to claim 11 further comprising powering the device by attaching device power and ground wires to power and ground connections of the timer.