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Automatic control apparatus and method for sprinkling water over a predetermined area

  • US 4,693,419 A
  • Filed: 11/02/1981
  • Issued: 09/15/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A control apparatus for controlling the release of water over a predetermined area comprising:

  • first and second sensor means for sensing an electrical resistance indicative of the degree of moisutre content of the soil within the predetermined area;

    means for mounting the first and second sensor means in a horizontal or entation within the soil, with the first sensor means disposed immediately below the plant root layer and the second sensor means spaced below the first sensor means a predetermined distance related to the wilt point of moisture content of the particular type of soil within the predetermined area , the mounting means including a strip-like member having a plurality of spaced apertures formed therein, the first and second sensor means being removably insertable into selected ones of the apertures at a predetermined horizontal spacingmeans for establishing an electrical reference value equivalent to the wilt-point amount of moisture content of the particular type of soil found in the predetermined area;

    means for comparing the reference value and the output of the first and second sensor means; and

    output means, responsive to the comparator means, for controlling the release of water to the predetermined area.

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