Irrigation control system
First Claim
1. In irrigation control apparatus, the combination comprising(a) a mast having a lower portion adapted to be removably inserted into the earth, and an upper portion operatively connected with said lower portion and adapted to be deflected laterally when struck,(b) soil moisture sensing means to be inserted into the earth to controlled depth to sense moisture at said depth,(c) and data transmitting means on an upper portion of the mast and operatively connected with said sensing means for transmitting to a central station substantially continous measurement data corresponding to moisture levels continuously sensed by said (b) means at the location of the mast.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Irrigation control apparatus includes:
(a) a mast having a lower portion adapted to be removably inserted into the earth,
(b) soil moisture sensing structure associated with or separate from said lower portion of the mast, and
(c) data transmitting apparatus on an upper portion of the mast and operatively connected with said sensing structure for transmitting to a central station data indicative of soil moisture conditions at the location of the mast.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. In irrigation control apparatus, the combination comprising
(a) a mast having a lower portion adapted to be removably inserted into the earth, and an upper portion operatively connected with said lower portion and adapted to be deflected laterally when struck, (b) soil moisture sensing means to be inserted into the earth to controlled depth to sense moisture at said depth, (c) and data transmitting means on an upper portion of the mast and operatively connected with said sensing means for transmitting to a central station substantially continous measurement data corresponding to moisture levels continuously sensed by said (b) means at the location of the mast.
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20. In the method of controlling irrigation of plants in a field, and employing a unit including a mast having a lower portion adapted for removable insertion into the earth, and soil moisture sensing means, the mast having an upper portion and circuit means on said upper portion operatively connected with said sensing means for substantially continuously transmitting to a control station data indicative of actual soil moisture conditions of the soil at the mast local, the steps that include:
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(a) inserting said mast lower portion into the earth along a plant row, and placing said sensing means below ground surface level, (b) operating said sensing means to produce said data, (c) operating said circuit means to substantially continuously transmit said data to said control station during a selected time interval, (d) processing said data to derive an output which is a function of actual soil moisture level and desired soil moisture level, (e) using said output to control irrigation of said plants in the field, (f) and allowing lateral deflection of the mast upper portion relative to said sensing means. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification