AUTOMATED IRRIGATION SYSTEM

• US 3,726,477 A
• Filed: 06/02/1971
• Issued: 04/10/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jonas M. Shapiro
• Original Assignee: Jonas M. Shapiro
• Inventors: Shapiro, Jonas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Lloyd L.
• Application Number:
  US05/149,224
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 239/70
• US Class Current: 239/70
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering

Abstract

A radio transmitter transmits coded radio signals at frequencies within the citizen'"'"''"'"'s band. Each of a plurality of radio receivers comprises a decoder for decoding the coded radio signals which responds to a frequency specified for the particular radio receiver and a timer connected to the decoder for providing timing for a timing period initiated by the decoded radio signals. A motor actuator electrically connected to the timer of each radio receiver is coupled to the corresponding hydraulic valve actuator of one of a group of sprinkler heads comprising a plurality of sprinkler heads and controls the valve actuator to control the supply of water to the sprinkler heads of the group during the timing period.

Claims

1. An automated irrigation system comprising radio transmitting means for transmitting coded radio signals at frequencies within the citizen'"'"''"'"'s band;

a plurality of radio receiving means for receiving the coded radio signals from the radio transmitting means, each of the radio receiving means comprising decoding means for decoding the coded radio signals, the decoding means of each of the radio receiving means responding to a frequency and tone specified for the radio receiving means, and timing means connected to the decoding means for providing timing control signals in accordance with the decoded radio signals;

a plurality of groups of valve means each comprising a plurality of valve means;

a plurality of sprinkler heads each connected to a corresponding one of the valve means, the valve means supplying water to the corresponding sprinkler heads; and

actuating means electrically connected to the timing means of each of the radio receiving means and coupled to the valve means of each group for operating the valve means to control the supply of water to the sprinkler heads of the group in accordance with the timing control signals.

2. An automated irrigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radio transmitting means comprises clock means for providing clock signals, timer means electrically connected to the clock means for determining irrigation time periods from the clock means, coding means electrically connected to the timer means for coding the time signals and transmitter means electrically connected to the coding means for transmitting coded radio time signals corresponding to the time periods.

3. An automated irrigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the radio receiving means comprises receiving means for receiving the coded radio signals from the Radio transmitting means, decoding means electrically connected to the receiving means for decoding the coded radio signals, timing means having an input electrically connected to the decoding means, a first output electrically connected to the receiver for providing automatic gain control disabling signals to the receiver and a second output for providing timing control signals in accordance with the decoded radio signals, and motor driving means electrically connected to the second output of the timing means for providing motor control signals in accordance with the timing control means.

4. An automated irrigation system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the decoding means includes a tuning fork activated by a received coded radio signal to produce a signal having a frequency corresponding to that of the signal, rectifier means coupled to the tuning fork for rectifying the signal produced by said tuning fork, and filter means connected to the rectifier means having a passband for passing the rectified signal if it is in the passband of the filter.

5. An automated irrigation system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the timing means comprises a potentiometer and a field effect transistor timer having a drain electrode connectable to ground through said potentiometer in a manner whereby when said drain electrode is grounded said field effect transistor commences timing in accordance with the adjustment position of the potentiometer.

6. An automated irrigation system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising motor-operated switch means, and wherein the actuating means includes motor means for controlling the valve means and the switch means, and the timing means comprises a potentiometer and a field effect transistor timer having a drain electrode connectable to ground through said potentiometer and said switch means in a manner whereby when said drain electrode is grounded via said switch means said field effect transistor commences timing in accordance with the adjustment position of the potentiometer.

7. An automated irrigation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the decoding means includes a tuning fork activated by a received coded radio signal to produce a signal having a frequency corresponding to that of the signal, rectifier means coupled to the tuning fork for rectifying the signal produced by said tuning fork, and filter means connected to the rectifier means having a passband for passing the rectified signal if it is in the passband of the filter, and wherein the actuating means further includes a semiconductor controlled rectifier for controlling the operation of the motor.

8. An automated irrigation system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the motor-operated switch means comprises a detent switch controlled by the rotation of the motor.