Override control system for an automatic sprinkler system

• US 5,375,617 A
• Filed: 06/01/1994
• Issued: 12/27/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Young, Charles C.
• Original Assignee: Young, Charles C.
• Inventors: Young, Charles C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/251,905
• Time in Patent Office: 209 Days
• Field of Search: 137/78.2, 137/78.3, 137/624.12, 239/64, 239/70
• US Class Current: 137/78.3
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1866 For controlling soil irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/189 Soil moisture sensing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86397 With independent valve controller

Abstract

An override control system for an automatic sprinkler system of the type having a control box with a timer for turning on and off at least one sprinkler valve, each sprinkler valve having a valve line which connects to a common line. The override control system includes a probe assembly, having a probe support, a probe having spaced apart electrically conductive members supported by the probe support, and a removable reservoir connectable to the probe support for containing the probe for above ground support while the probe assembly is being used above the ground. The reservoir is removable so that the electrically conductive members are in direct contact with ground dirt when the reservoir is removed and the members are positioned beneath the ground. An electrical circuit is positioned between each valve line and the common line. The electrical circuit includes a relay system so that if moisture between the electrically conductive members is above a predetermined threshold the relay system of the electrical circuit will be activated inhibiting sprinkler operation. If moisture between the electrically conductive members is below the predetermined threshold, the relay system will not energize, thereby allowing said sprinkler system to operate normally.

Claims

1. An override control system for an automatic sprinkler system of the type having a control box with a timer for turning on and off at least one sprinkler valve, each said valve having a valve line which connects to a common line, said override control system, comprising:

a probe assembly, comprising;

a) a probe support;

b) a probe comprising spaced apart electrically conductive members supported by said probe support; and

c) a removable reservoir connectable to said probe support for containing said probe for above ground support while said probe assembly is being used above the ground and being removable so that said electrically conductive members are in direct contact with ground dirt when said reservoir is removed and said members are positioned beneath the ground; and

,

an electrical circuit positioned between each said valve line and said common line, said electrical circuit including a relay system wherein if moisture between said electrically conductive members is above a predetermined threshold said relay system of said electrical circuit will be activated inhibiting sprinkler operation and wherein if moisture between said electrically conductive members is below said predetermined threshold, said relay system will not energize, thereby allowing said sprinkler system to operate normally.

3. The override control system of claim 1 further comprising a resistor (R1) connected between said junction j and the first of said electrically conductive members, and a resistor (R2) being connected between said point X and said common line, said resistors R1 and R2 being provided for adjusting said threshold.

2. An override control system for an automatic sprinkler system of the type having a control box with a timer for turning on and off at least one sprinkler valve, each said valve having a valve line which connects to a common line, said override control system, comprising:

a probe assembly comprising;

a) a probe support, and,

b) a probe comprising spaced apart electrically conductive members supported by said probe support; and

,

c) a removable reservoir connectable to said probe support for containing said probe for above ground support while said probe assembly is being used above the ground and being removable so that said electrically conductive members are in direct contact with ground dirt when said reservoir is removed and said members are positioned beneath the ground; and

an electrical circuit positioned between each said valve line and said common line, comprising;

a) a plurality of diodes (D1, D2, . . . ) each diode being electrically connected at its anode to a respective valve line, and at its cathode to a common junction j, each diode providing half-wave rectification of the voltage of each valve to said point j, said junction j being electrically connected to one of said electrically conductive members;

b) a capacitor being connected at a first end to said junction j and at a second end to a common line;

c) a resistor (R3) being connected at a first end to a second of said electrically conductive members at a point X, said point X being connected to said common line;

d) a Zener diode (D7) being connected at a cathode to said R3;

e) a transistor (Q1) having a base connected to an anode of said D7, said Q1 having an emitter connected to said common line, and a collector;

f) a resistor (R4) having a first end connected to said collector, and a second end;

g) a diode (D6) having a cathode connected to said second end of R4, and an anode;

h) a diode (D5) having an anode connected to said anode of said D6, and a cathode connected to junction j; and

,

i) a relay having a relay coil connected at a first end to said anode of D5, a second end of said relay coil being connected to said junction j;

wherein if moisture between said electrically conductive members is above a predetermined threshold said transistor will turn on and supply current to said relay coil, thereby energizing said relay and opening said common line, inhibiting sprinkler operation and wherein if moisture between said electrically conductive members is below said predetermined threshold, said transistor will not turn on and said relay will not energize, thereby allowing said sprinkler system to operate normally.