Irrigation System Leak Controller and Method

• US 20110232770A1
• Filed: 03/24/2010
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Baggett D. David
• Original Assignee: Baggett D. David
• Inventors: Baggett, D. David
• Application Number:
  US12/730,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20110232770A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/12
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/06 using electric or acoustic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0379 By fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7759 Responsive to change in rate of fluid flow

Abstract

A device and method for preventing leak losses in irrigation system zones is disclosed, wherein the device and method monitor a fluid flow characteristic to detect leak conditions, and automatically close off fluid flow to a zone in which a leak condition is detected.

Claims

1. A method of preventing fluid loss in an irrigation system comprising one or more zones, comprising the steps of

detecting a fluid flow characteristic in a zone when said zone is active, and

automatically closing off fluid flow to said zone if said measured flow characteristic value indicates a leak condition in said zone.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said detected fluid flow characteristic is a fluid flow rate.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said detected fluid flow characteristic is a fluid pressure.

4. The method of claim 2, additionally comprising the step of providing a notification when a zone is closed off.

5. The method of claim 3, additionally comprising the step of providing a notification when a zone is closed off.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said notification comprises an audible sound.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said notification comprises an audible sound.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said notification comprises an optically detectable notification.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein said notification comprises a radio frequency signal.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein said notification comprises a radio frequency signal.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein said notification comprises an optically detectable notification.

12. A device for preventing fluid loss in an irrigation system comprising one or more fluid flow zones, comprising

a detector that detects a fluid flow characteristic in said zone when said zone is active, wherein said detector provides an output, and

an automatic shutoff responsive to said output that closes off fluid flow to said zone if said detected fluid flow characteristic indicates a leak condition in said zone.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said detected fluid flow characteristic is a fluid flow rate.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said detected fluid flow characteristic is a fluid pressure.

15. The device of claim 12, additionally comprising a signaling device responsive to the state of said automatic shutoff, wherein said signaling device generates a signal receivable externally to said device when said automatic shutoff has closed off fluid flow to said zone.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said signal generated by said signaling device comprises an optical signal, an audible signal, a telephone signal, or a radio frequency signal.