Solar controlled irrigation system

• US 4,396,150 A
• Filed: 11/04/1981
• Issued: 08/02/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harry Burrough
• Original Assignee: Harry Burrough
• Inventors: Burrough, Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Application Number:
  US06/318,123
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 250/212, 250/215, 137/78.2, 137/78.5, 137/79, 137/80, 47/48.5, 239/63, 239/64, 239/67, 239/75, 239/510, 239/542
• US Class Current: 239/75
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering

Abstract

System for the supplying of water for the irrigation of plants is controlled by both solar radiance and ambient temperature so that water is supplied to the irrigated plants as a better function of their needs.

Claims

1. A solar controlled irrigation system comprising:

an inlet for supply of irrigation water;

a reservoir, said inlet being connected to said reservoir to supply water to said reservoir;

an outlet for the delivery of irrigation water, said outlet being an outlet line connected to said reservoir to receive water from said reservoir;

a flow control valve connected between said reservoir and said outlet to control outflow from said reservoir into said outlet line;

solar sensing means connected to said flow control valve for controlling the flow of irrigation water through said flow control valve substantially as a function of solar radiation onto said solar sensing means, said sensing means comprising an enclosure formed of a material which substantially passes solar radiation and is substantially opaque to infrared radiation and a temperature sensor within said enclosure so that the temperature sensed by said temperature sensor is substantially a function of solar radiation, said temperature sensor providing mechanical motion upon the sensing of solar radiation, said temperature sensor being connected to said flow control valve so that the mechanical motion of said temperature sensor physically moves said valve to control outflow of water from said reservoir into said outlet to control the delivery of irrigation water.

2. The solar controlled irrigation system of claim 1 wherein said enclosure is an inner enclosure and there is a further, outer enclosure also substantially transmissive to solar radiation and substantially opaque to infrared radiation, said second enclosure enclosing said first enclosure.

3. The solar controlled irrigation system of claim 1 wherein said outlet flow control valve comprises a valve ball at the top of said outlet line, said sensor means being connected to said valve ball to raise said valve ball away from said oulet line when solar radiation is sensed.

4. The solar controlled irrigation system of claim 3 wherein said temperature sensor is a coiled bimetallic temperature sensor positioned within said enclosure and a flexible connector is engaged between said bimetallic temperature sensor and said valve ball so that upon sensing of said temperature, said temperature sensor controls said valve ball.

5. The solar controlled irrigation system of claim 1 wherein there is an inlet valve on said inlet line and a float connected to said inlet valve, said float being responsive to irrigation water level in said reservoir so that the head of water over said outlet flow control valve is substantially constant.

6. The solar controlled irrigation system of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor is a coiled bimetallic temperature sensor positioned within said enclosure, said bimetallic temperature sensor being directly connected to actuate said flow control valve.

7. A solar controlled irrigation system comprising:

an inlet for supply of irrigation water;

a reservoir, said inlet being connected to said reservoir to supply water to said reservoir;

an outlet for the delivery of irrigation water, said outlet being an outlet line connected to said reservoir to receive water from said reservoir;

a flow control valve connected between said reservoir and said outlet to control outflow from said reservoir into said outlet line;

solar sensing means connected to said flow control valve for controlling the flow of irrigation water through said flow control valve substantially as a function of solar radiation onto said solar sensing means, said sensing means comprising an enclosure formed of a material which substantially passes solar radiation and is substantially opaque to infrared radiation and a temperature sensor within said enclosure so that the temperature sensed by said temperature sensor is substantially a function of solar radiation, said temperature sensor providing mechanical motion upon the sensing of solar radiation, said temperature sensor being connected to said flow control valve so that the mechanical motion of said temperature sensor physically moves said valve to control outflow of water from said reservoir into said outlet to control the delivery of irrigation water; and

a distribution pipe connected to said outlet pipe and a delivery head connected to said distribution pipe, said delivery head comprising a body, an outlet tube from said body and a needle threadedly engaged in said body and associated with said outlet tube so that adjustment of said needle adjusts the opening between said needle and said outlet tube to control irrigation water outlet flow through said outlet tube.

8. The solar controlled irrigation system of claim 7 wherein a trough is positioned adjacent said outlet tube of said delivery head to receive water therefrom and direct irrigation water to an adjacent plant.