Sprinkler flow control method and apparatus
First Claim
1. Apparatus usable for distributing water among a plurality of sprinkling lines, comprising:
- a central control device for receiving water from a pressurized water source line and controlling occurrence of a plurality of change-of-state events, without the necessity for sending electrical signals from said central device to locations at said sprinkling lines, each change-of-state event selected from the group consisting of initiation of flow of water to at least one of said plurality of sprinkling lines and cessation of water flow to at least one of said plurality of sprinkling lines, said control device including;
a plurality of controllable valve means for controlling flow of said water, each of said valve means effecting at least one of said change-of-state events;
operating means for hydraulically operating said valve means, in the absence of electrical activation of said operating means;
drivable means for controlling said operating means including a cam shaft driven by said drive means an operably connected to said controllable valve means for actuating said valve means;
controllable drive means for driving said drivable means; and
electronic computing means for programmably controlling said controllable drive means wherein said drive means drives said drivable means only during one of said change-of-state events.
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Abstract
A device for distributing pressurized water to a plurality of sprinkler lines is provided. The valve and valve control portions are centralized, and thus no electrical connection to remote locations is required. The valve system is modular so as to permit addition or deletion of modules for adding or removing control of sprinkler lines. A stepper motor and cam shaft system permits expenditure of energy only during change-of-state events, so that no electrical energy need be consumed to maintain a watering state. A generator which produces electrical energy from the pressure head of a pressurized water source provides electrical energy for operating a motor and a motor controller, such as a device including a microprocessor.
121 Citations
44 Claims
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1. Apparatus usable for distributing water among a plurality of sprinkling lines, comprising:
a central control device for receiving water from a pressurized water source line and controlling occurrence of a plurality of change-of-state events, without the necessity for sending electrical signals from said central device to locations at said sprinkling lines, each change-of-state event selected from the group consisting of initiation of flow of water to at least one of said plurality of sprinkling lines and cessation of water flow to at least one of said plurality of sprinkling lines, said control device including; a plurality of controllable valve means for controlling flow of said water, each of said valve means effecting at least one of said change-of-state events; operating means for hydraulically operating said valve means, in the absence of electrical activation of said operating means; drivable means for controlling said operating means including a cam shaft driven by said drive means an operably connected to said controllable valve means for actuating said valve means; controllable drive means for driving said drivable means; and electronic computing means for programmably controlling said controllable drive means wherein said drive means drives said drivable means only during one of said change-of-state events. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus usable for distributing water among a plurality of sprinkling lines, comprising:
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first means for generating electrical power using the pressure head of a source of pressurized water which flows through the out of said first means; a controllable electric motor, using said electrical power generated by said first means to provide rotational power; a cam shaft, connected to said electric motor for rotation of said cam shaft, said cam shaft having a plurality of cams; a plurality of bleed valves operably connected to said cam shaft by cam followers, said bleed valves movable from a closed configuration to an open configuration permitting flow of bleed water, said movement of said bleed valves being effected by contact of said cams with said cam followers; a plurality of pilot valves movable from a first configuration to a second configuration, each pilot valve adjacent to a corresponding pressurization chamber wherein pressurization of one of said pressurization chambers maintains said corresponding pilot valve in said first configuration; means for providing fluid communication to permit flow from each of said pressurization chambers to a corresponding bleed valve, wherein movement of said bleed valve to said open configuration depressurizes said pressurization chamber; a plurality of flow valves, each movable from a closed configuration to an open configuration permitting throughflow of water from a flow valve inlet to a flow valve outlet; first means for connecting each flow valve to a corresponding pilot valve wherein said means for connecting positions said flow valve in said closed position when said pilot valve is in said first position and wherein said means for connecting positions said pilot valve in said -second position when said flow valve is in said open position; second means for connecting said flow valve outlet of at least a first of said flow valves to at least a first of said plurality of sprinkling lines; means for controlling said controllable motor to effect rotation of said camshaft from a first position to a second position; wherein said camshaft in said first position permits positioning of at least a first cam follower in a first position closing a first of said bleed valves, permitting pressurizing of a first of said pressurization chambers, maintaining a first of said pilot valves in said first configuration and maintaining said first flow valve in said closed configuration; and wherein said camshaft in said second position positions said first cam follower in a second position, opening said first bleed valve, depressurizing said first pressure chamber, permitting said flow valve to open and to move said means for connecting to position said pilot valve in said second position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A hydraulically actuated nestable valve in a sprinkler system responsive to computer control having an inlet and outlet comprising in combination:
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a sprinkler; a valve body having input through said inlet to a high pressure valve plenum within said body; a valve seat defined within said body, said valve seat communicating to said high pressure valve plenum on one side, and having a passage to said valve outlet on the other side, said valve outlet connected to said sprinkler; a valve disc for closing over said seat to contain said high pressure water plenum; hydraulically actuated means including a passage to said high pressure plenum for movement under force to a normally closed position responsive to water pressure in said plenum; a computer operatively connected to said hydraulically actuated means for controlling said hydraulically actuated means; a pivot arm between said valve disc on one side and said hydraulically actuated means on the opposite side, with a pivot therebetween for taking said movement under force from said hydraulically actuated means and closing said valve; and a passageway for bleeding pressure from said high pressure plenum from said hydraulically actuated means to release said force on said arm to permit said valve disc to rise, and open said valve seat to permit water flow from said plenum to said valve outlet. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A hydraulically actuated nestable valve computer control and placement in nest relation with like valves, having an inlet and outlet, all said valves connected to a sprinkler system comprising in combination:
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a valve body having first and second parallel opposite walls; a high pressure valve plenum within said body, said plenum communicated to first aperture in said first wall and second apertures in said second wall, said apertures having common relative position to nest with like apertures in like walls; a valve seat defined within said body, said valve seat spanning a distance slightly less than the distance between said valve walls and communicated to said high pressure valve plenum on one side of said seat, and having a passage to said valve outlet on the other side of said seat, said passage being confined between said valve walls outward of said valve body; a sprinkler connected to each said valve outlet; a valve disc for disposing over said seat containing said high pressure water plenum; hydraulically actuated means including a passage to said high pressure plenum for movement under force to a normally closed position, responsive to water pressure in said plenum, said hydraulically actuated means being displaced from said valve seat and disc and nested between said first and second parallel opposite walls; a computer operatively connected to said hydraulically actuated means for actuating said means to control said valve disc; a pivot arm extending substantially parallel to said walls between said valve disc on one side, and said hydraulically actuated means on the opposite side, with a pivot therebetween for taking movement under force from said hydraulically actuated means, and closing said valve; and a passageway for bleeding pressure from said high pressure plenum from said hydraulically actuated means to release force on said arm, and to permit said valve disc to rise, and open said valve seat to permit water to flow from said plenum to said valve outlet, said passageway communicated away from said parallel walls of said valve body.
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43. Generating apparatus for generating electricity placement across electrically actuated computer controlled sprinkler means for receiving and routing water to at least one sprinkling line and sprinkler comprising:
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first water passage means having an inlet for receiving water from a pressurized water source and selectably routing at least a portion of said pressurized water to an outlet and then to at least said first sprinkling line; water actuated rotatable means communicated to the outlet of said means for receiving water from said pressurized source; means for generating said electric energy to be used by said electrically actuated means for receiving and routing said water whereby said means for generating using a flow of water from said pressurized water source powers said means for receiving and routing, said means for generating having at least a first phase during which said means for generating is accelerating and a second phase during which said means for generating is rotating at a substantially constant means; and means for bypassing said means for receiving wherein said bypassing means provides a parallel flow path bypassing said water actuated rotable means during said second phase when said generating means is rotating at a substantially constant velocity whereby flow across said apparatus is increased between said pressurized water source and said at least one sprinkling line; a valve for controlling said at least one sprinkler responsive to a signal from a computer; and
,a computer powered by said means for generating electricity operatively connected to said valve to operate said valve.
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44. A computer actuated control means for direct overlying connection to a group of nested valves at an upper common surface formed in discrete segments by said nested valves, each said valve having:
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a common inlet for receiving fluid from a pressurized source; a discrete outlet for each said valve; a discrete segment for forming said upper common surface when said valves are nested; a hydraulic channel communicated through common locations on said discrete segment of said common surfaces of each said valve, said hydraulic channel communicated to hydraulic actuating means to cause fluid to flow between said inlet and outlet of said valve; valve nesting means for disposing said side-by-side valves to define said common surface with side-by-side discrete segments; computer controlled valve control means including; a valve matrix having a discrete valve for each said hydraulic channel to permit flow through said channel to actuate said valve; a computer actuated controlled for controlling said valve matrix to stop and start water to said hydraulic channel; and a channel matrix for disposition over said common surface defined by said discrete segments of said nested valves having a plurality of channels, each said channel including a common point of origin overlying the outlet of said channels on said discrete segment forming said common surface, and communicated to a discrete valve in said valve matrix at the other end, whereby said control can actuate any one of said group of nested valves.
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Specification