Apparatus for testing an irrigation system controller and method of testing irrigation systems
First Claim
1. An apparatus for testing an irrigation system controller output section having serial data ports, a strobe port, and a clock pulse port, comprising:
- means for simultaneously and continuously producing a plurality of control signals, said control signal producing means includes;
first, second, and third oscillator output ports,means for producing a serial data input signal at a first frequency at said first oscillator output port,means for producing a strobe signal at a second frequency at said second oscillator output port, andmeans for producing a clock pulse signal at a third frequency at said third oscillator output port;
means for providing a separate visual indication of each one of said control signals, said separate visual indication means being connected to said control signal producing means;
means for amplifying each one of said control signals to a desired amplitude, said amplifying means being connected to said visual indication means;
means for disabling said visual indication means and said amplifying means upon a detection of a defect in the controller output section; and
means for connecting said apparatus to the controller output section.
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Abstract
An apparatus for testing the operation of an irrigation system is disclosed. The apparatus pinpoints defects in the irrigation system controller by simulating control signals and processing the control signals through controller output chips. Visual indicators offer an indication of defects in output chips. The apparatus may be coupled to the controller and receives potential from the controller. The potential is converted to produce a signal for operating the tester. An oscillator/clocking section produces serial data input, strobe pulse, and clock pulse signals to simulate signals produced by the controller microprocessor. These signals operate the visual indicators and are simultaneously processed through the controller output chips. Defects low in the output chips prevent the operation of visual indicators. The absence of an operating visual indicator represents a defect in the output chips. A method is prescribed for testing the controller output chips for defects and replacing defective output chips, and for pinpointing defects in solenoid valve networks and controller triacs. The tester allows a user to test the irrigation system from the location of the controller and enables the user to check all of the outputs of a controller simultaneously while eliminating the need for individually checking each station terminal and its respective solenoid valve.
20 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for testing an irrigation system controller output section having serial data ports, a strobe port, and a clock pulse port, comprising:
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means for simultaneously and continuously producing a plurality of control signals, said control signal producing means includes; first, second, and third oscillator output ports, means for producing a serial data input signal at a first frequency at said first oscillator output port, means for producing a strobe signal at a second frequency at said second oscillator output port, and means for producing a clock pulse signal at a third frequency at said third oscillator output port; means for providing a separate visual indication of each one of said control signals, said separate visual indication means being connected to said control signal producing means; means for amplifying each one of said control signals to a desired amplitude, said amplifying means being connected to said visual indication means; means for disabling said visual indication means and said amplifying means upon a detection of a defect in the controller output section; and means for connecting said apparatus to the controller output section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An irrigation system including, in combination:
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a controller output section, said controller output section having serial data ports, a strobe port, and a clock pulse port; and an apparatus for testing said controller output section, said testing apparatus comprising; means for simultaneously and continuously producing a plurality of control signals, said control signal producing means includes; first, second, and third oscillator output ports, means for producing a serial data input signal at a first frequency at said first oscillator output port, means for producing a strobe signal at a second frequency at said second oscillator output port, and means for producing a clock pulse signal at a third frequency at said third oscillator output port; means for providing a separate visual indication of each one of said control signals, said separate visual indication means being connected to said control signal producing means; means for amplifying each one of said control signals to a desired amplitude, said amplifying means being connected to said visual indication means; means for disabling said visual indication means and said amplifying means upon a detection of a defect low in the controller output section; and means for connecting said apparatus to the controller output section. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification