Moisture monitor and control system
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring moisture level in soil and controlling application of water to said soil, said system comprising:
- (a) a plurality of sensing units disposed in said soil, each said sensing unit being adapted to monitor moisture content in said soil;
wherein each said sensing unit is powered by low voltage, low current, alternating current having a frequency in the range of about 1.8 to 10 KHz and utilizes a square wave with fifty percent duty cycle; and
(b) control means which is electrically connected to each said sensing unit, wherein said control means is adapted to (i) compare said moisture content in said soil to a preset moisture requirement, and (ii) control the application of water to said soil;
wherein said sensing units are periodically simultaneously activated to detect moisture content in said soil.
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Abstract
A system is described for monitoring moisture level in soil and controlling the application of water to the soil or other growing media. The system includes at least one sensing unit which is disposed in the soil and is adapted to periodically monitor moisture content in the soil. The sensing unit is powered by low voltage, low current, alternating current having a frequency in the range of 1.0 to 10 KHz and utilizes a square wave with fifty percent duty cycle. A control means is electrically connected to the sensing unit and is adapted to (a) compare the moisture content in the soil to a preset moisture requirement, and (b) control the application of water to the soil.
71 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring moisture level in soil and controlling application of water to said soil, said system comprising:
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(a) a plurality of sensing units disposed in said soil, each said sensing unit being adapted to monitor moisture content in said soil;
wherein each said sensing unit is powered by low voltage, low current, alternating current having a frequency in the range of about 1.8 to 10 KHz and utilizes a square wave with fifty percent duty cycle; and(b) control means which is electrically connected to each said sensing unit, wherein said control means is adapted to (i) compare said moisture content in said soil to a preset moisture requirement, and (ii) control the application of water to said soil;
wherein said sensing units are periodically simultaneously activated to detect moisture content in said soil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 18)
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5. An irrigation system comprising
(a) a source of water; -
(b) means for applying said water to soil; (c) a plurality of sensing units disposed in said soil, each said sensing unit being adapted to monitor moisture content in said soil;
wherein each said sensing unit is powered by low voltage, low current, alternating current having a frequency in the range of about 1.8 to 10 KHz and utilizes a square wave with fifty percent duty cycle; and(d) control means which is electrically connected to each said sensing unit, wherein said control means is adapted to (i) compare said moisture content in said soil to a preset moisture requirement, and (ii) control said means for applying water to said soil; wherein said sensing units are periodically simultaneously activated to detect moisture content in said soil. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A moisture sensing device comprising (a) a pair of spaced-apart, elongated probes, said probes being electrically conductive, and (b) an electrical source means operably connected to said probes, said electrical source means having a frequency in the range of about 1.0 to 10 KHz, a voltage in the range of about 1 to 24 volts, a current below about 50 milliamps, and having a square wave pattern with fifty percent duty cycle.
Specification