Device for automatic, selective watering of plants

• US 4,175,579 A
• Filed: 05/03/1977
• Issued: 11/27/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jean Ollivier
• Original Assignee: Jean Ollivier
• Inventors: Richard, Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Cline, William R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spiegel, H. Jay
• Application Number:
  US05/793,423
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 137/119, 137/624.2, 137/624.18, 137/624.14, 251/46, 251/45
• US Class Current: 137/119.07
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/162 Sequential operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/269 Flow sensing turbine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86413 Self-cycling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86461 Variable cycle

Abstract

A device for automatically selectively watering plants in a predetermined order for predetermined times comprises a casing which is connectable to a source of water under pressure and which houses a turbine wheel arranged to be driven by the water and to drive a set of gears which form a speed reducer the output shaft of which extends out of the casing and carries a plurality of cams spaced apart along the shaft and each arranged to operate a valve of the pilot-operated type, the valves being identical, juxtaposed in a straight line, and connectable to pipes provided with watering nozzles.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the automatic and selective watering of plants or the like with a supply of water under pressure and with the aid of a number of individual water distribution pipes, said apparatus comprising a reduction gear housed in a gear case, a driving element for driving said reduction gear, means for supplying water under pressure to drive said driving element, said gear case having a lateral face with an outlet opening for the water and a rotatable shaft which carries a plurality of spaced cams and which is driven by said reduction gear, a plurality of valve means of the type operated by a pilot valve, each said valve means having, on one side, a water inlet port having a selected shape and, on the opposite side thereof, a water outlet port having a shape that is complementary to said selected shape so that said inlet port of a said valve means can interfit to couple with the outlet port of an adjacent valve means, each said valve means having an internal chamber in flow communication with said inlet and outlet ports of each said valve means, another outlet port for the distribution of water when said valve means are open, said plurality of valve means being coupled in parallel flow series with the first valve means adjacent said lateral face of said gear case and having its water inlet port coupled to said outlet opening disposed in said lateral face, said cams cooperating each respectively with the valve means to control the opening and closing thereof during rotation of said output shaft.

2. Apparatus for the automatic and selective watering of plants or the like with a supply of water under pressure and with the aid of a number of individual water distribution pipes, said apparatus comprising a reduction gear housed in a gear case, a driving element for driving said reduction gear, means for supplying water under pressure to drive said driving element, said gear case having a lateral face with an outlet opening for the water and a rotatable shaft which carries a plurality of spaced cams and which is driven by said reduction gear, a plurality of valve means of the type operated by a pilot valve, each said valve means having on one side a water inlet port and on an opposite side a water outlet port connected to said water inlet port through an internal chamber, said inlet port of each valve means being shaped to couple with a said outlet port of an adjacent valve means, said valve means being coupled in parallel series with the first valve means adjacent said lateral face of said gear case and having its water inlet port coupled to said outlet opening disposed in said lateral face, said cams cooperating each respectively with the valve means to control the opening and closing thereof during rotation of said output shaft, each said valve means including a pilot valve which is actuated by the water, each valve means further including an internal membrane having a small water passage hole therein, each pilot valve including a clack valve, a passage leading from one side of said membrane to each said water outlet port, said passage means being closable by said clack valve and being larger in size than said hole in said membrane, each said clack valve comprising a lever pivotably mounted to be movable against said clack valve with said lever being actuatable by a said respective cam.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said internal chamber of each valve means has an interior wall extending vertically and having at its upper end a valve seat, a movable element for engaging said valve seat for opening and closing said internal chamber to said water outlet port, said movable member being connected to said membrane so as to be movable therewith.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said membrane and said movable member connected thereto divide said internal chamber into an upstream and a downstream chamber and said passage on said one side of said membrane is located in said downstream chamber, said passage being connected to said outlet port of each said valve means.

5. Apparatus for the automatic and selective watering of plants or the like with a supply of water under pressure and with the aid of a number of number of individual water distribution pipes, said apparatus comprising a reduction gear housed in a gear case, a driving element for driving said reduction gear, means for supplying water under pressure to drive said driving element, said gear case having a lateral face with an outlet opening for the water and a rotatable shaft which carries a plurality of spaced cams and which is driven by said reduction gear, a plurality of valve means of the type operated by a pilot valve, each said valve means having on one side a water inlet port and on an opposite side a water outlet port connected to said water inlet port through an internal chamber, said inlet port of each valve means being shaped to couple with a said outlet port of an adjacent valve means, said valve means being coupled in parallel series with the first valve means adjacent said lateral face of said gear case and having its water inlet port coupled to said outlet opening disposed in said lateral face, said cams cooperating each respectively with the valve means to control the opening and closing thereof during rotation of said output shaft, said lateral face having means for supporting a support shaft extending from said lateral face beyond said plurality of valve means and an end plate being provided and which is supported on the end of said support shaft to hold said valve means in compact relation against one another.