AUTOMATIC GATED PIPE ACTUATOR

• US 20100324744A1
• Filed: 08/25/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fine Line Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Fine Line Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Cox, Charles Kelly
• Application Number:
  US12/868,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20100324744A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/162 Sequential operation
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/003 Controls for self-acting watering devices

Abstract

An automatic flow control actuator having a weather resistant housing affixed to a transmission pipe or tubing to selectively control the flow of a fluid or gas to a discharge orifice via a valving mechanism connected to a control unit that controls the flow control actuator to move the valving mechanism variably between an open flow position and a closed no flow position. In one embodiment an automatic gated-pipe actuator is disclosed having a base plate affixed to an irrigation pipe, a weather resistant automatic gated pipe gate control unit case affixed to the base plate, a automatic gated pipe gate control unit disposed within the case, an irrigation valve and a mechanical actuator operably coupled to the gate control unit and to the irrigation valve wherein the mechanical actuator will actuate and alter the disposition of the irrigation valve to an open or closed position. The gated-pipe actuator may also utilize a memory for storing program instructions, a timer module, a power storage unit, a power charging unit, a manual override, a communications port, and a motor whereby the microprocessor controller instructs the motor to actuate in response to a set of instructions. The automatic gated-pipe actuator may control more than one irrigation valve and may have more than one motor to drive the mechanical actuators. The automatic gated-pipe actuator may receive commands from a control or moisture sensing unit. Thus, the automatic gated-pipe actuator acts to provide irrigation material to plants in a field based upon a set of instructions.

Claims

1. An automatic flow control actuator comprising:

a base affixed to an gas or fluid transmission pipe;

a control unit case affixed to the base;

an automatic control unit disposed within the case;

a flow valve; and

a mechanical actuator operably coupled to the control unit and to the flow valve, wherein the mechanical actuator can actuate and variably alter the disposition of the flow valve between a open and a closed position to permit a variable flow therethrough.

2. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 1 further comprising controlling the flow from the transmission pipe through the flow valve of one selected from the group consisting of a gas, a lubricating fluid, a hydraulic fluid and an irrigating water.

3. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 2 further comprising the flow valve being one selected from the group consisting of a ball valve, cylindrical valve, flapper valve, a gate valve, a globe valve and a butterfly valve.

4. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 3 further comprising:

a microprocessor controller;

a memory operably coupled to the microprocessor controller;

a timer module operably coupled to the microprocessor controller;

a power storage unit operably coupled to the microprocessor controller;

a power charging unit operably coupled to the microprocessor controller;

a manual override operably coupled to the microprocessor controller;

a communications port operably coupled to the microprocessor controller; and

a motor operably coupled to the microprocessor controller whereby the microprocessor controller is adapted to actuate the motor in response to a set of instructions.

5. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 4 further comprising the communications port accepts input from an input source one selected from the group consisting of pushbutton switches, rotary switches, wireless antenna, handheld programming device, and digital memory device.

6. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 4 further comprising the communications port accepts input from an input source selected from the group consisting of a USB memory stick and a memory card.

7. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 4 further comprising the power storage unit is a rechargeable battery.

8. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 4 further comprising the power storage unit is a capacitor.

9. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 4 further comprising the power-charging unit is a solar panel.

10. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 1, wherein the mechanical actuator comprises at least one mechanical attachment rod capable of controlling at least one flow valve.

11. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 1 wherein the mechanical actuator further comprises a motor.

12. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 1 further comprising:

one selected from the group consisting of irrigation gated-pipe and irrigation sprinklers.

13. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 4 further comprising the flow valve has a screw affixed thereupon and wherein the mechanical actuator is a screw actuator shaft operably coupled to the screw whereby the screw actuator shaft will rotate thereby opening or closing the flow valve.

14. An automatic flow control actuator of claim 1 further comprising a second flow valve and a second mechanical actuator connecting the control unit to the second flow valve wherein the second actuator will open or close the second flow valve.

15. The automatic flow control actuator of claim 14 wherein the control unit further comprises:

a microprocessor controller;

a memory operably coupled to the microprocessor controller;

a timer module operably coupled to the microprocessor controller;

a power storage unit operably coupled to the microprocessor controller;

a power charging unit operably coupled to the microprocessor controller;

a manual override operably coupled to the microprocessor controller;

a communications port operably coupled to the microprocessor controller;

a first motor operably coupled to the microprocessor controller; and

a second motor operably coupled to the microprocessor controller whereby the microprocessor controller is adapted to actuate the first motor and second motor in response to a set of instructions.