Irrigation monitoring system

• US 4,431,338 A
• Filed: 02/26/1981
• Issued: 02/14/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graham A. Hornabrook
• Original Assignee: Graham A. Hornabrook
• Inventors: Hornabrook, Graham A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Taylor, Dennis L.
• Application Number:
  US06/238,415
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• Field of Search: 405/36-38, 405/92, 405/115
• US Class Current: 405/37
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 13/00 Irrigation ditches, i.e. gravity flow, open channel water distribution systems retaining waterborne material in irrigation canals E02B5/085; other distribution systems for watering or spraying gardens, fields, sports grounds, or the like, A01G25/00; built-in irrigation means for sports grounds E01C13/083

Abstract

An irrigation system in which a main channel is connected to a series of irrigation bays by separate distribution channels and the flow of water to each bay is controlled centrally in response to the moisture content in each bay. The bays are irrigated in sequence by a central control system.

Claims

1. An irrigation system for irrigating a plurality of irrigation bays, said system including a main channel having a supply of water, a separate distribution channel connecting each bay to the main channel, flow control means for each distribution channel operative to initiate and cease the flow of water to its irrigation bay, sensing means in each bay for sensing a pre-determined moisture content at a pre-selected location in each bay and central control means operative to activate each flow control means in sequence so as to initiate flow of water to each bay in sequence and operative to de-activate each flow control means in response to a signal received from the sensing means indicating that the pre-determined moisture content in that bay has been reached, each said sensing means including a radio transmitter transmitting a signal which is characterized as being uniquely associated with the sensor from which it is related, said characterization comprising amplitude, frequency or pulse modulation whereby each point at which a sensor is located is identifiable by the particular radio signal transmitted therefrom.

2. An irrigation system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control means includes a programmable radio transmitter and receiver which broadcasts signals to a receiver at each flow control means, each receiver being operative to control the operation of its flow control means.