Irrigation controller

• US 5,568,376 A
• Filed: 01/04/1994
• Issued: 10/22/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Original Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Inventors: Maloney, Kurt, Benmergui, Alberto D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown, Thomas E.
• Application Number:
  US08/177,298
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 364/140-146, 364/420, 239/66-70, 137/624.11, 137/624.12, 137/624.18, 137/624.19, 137/870, 307/141, 307/141.4
• US Class Current: 700/16
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/108 characterised by physical layout of switches; switches co-operating with display; use of switches in a special way
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23128 Switch from one kind of display to other when parameter is changed
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23172 Different states with one LED, blinking, on and off or different colours
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23209 Linear potentiometers with multiple sliders
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23396 Enter start and end of selected program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23397 Set day, week
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23398 Set start time and duration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24054 Self diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25435 Multiplex for analog signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86445 Plural, sequential, valve actuations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86461 Variable cycle

Abstract

An improved irrigation controller of solid state design utilizes a microcomputer which retains and executes a watering schedule input by a user through data input means. One of the parameters of system operation is the times of day in which irrigation will start when the current day is selected to be active. The controller of this invention uses a slide potentiometer having multiple sliders which may be moved in a single slideway for setting multiple start times determined by the slider positions. In addition, a hot post terminal is provided in the controller connected to ground. This terminal can be used to determine station assignment by touching the station wires to the terminal as power is applied along a common line to the actuating devices, i.e. solenoids, of the various stations.

Claims

1. An improved irrigation controller for individually and automatically controlling water flow to a plurality of individual watering stations in accordance with a programmed watering schedule over a period of days, each watering station having an electrically operated control device that will open an irrigation valve to that station when the control device is actuated, the controller including:

(a) a plurality of separate station terminals each of which is connected by a station wire to the control device of a single one of the watering stations;

(b) a common terminal which is connected by a common wire to the control devices of all the watering stations for applying power thereto;

(c) output switches connected to the station terminals for completing the electrical circuit to the control device of the corresponding station by connecting the station wire to ground when the output switch is closed;

(d) logic and control means for executing the programmed watering schedule in accordance with the passage of time by closing the appropriate output switches at the appropriate times and for the appropriate durations stored in the schedule; and

(e) further including a hot post terminal connected to ground for allowing the user to determine station assignment by touching the station wires normally connected to the station terminals to the hot post terminal as power is applied to the control devices through the common terminal.

2. An improved irrigation controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the hot post terminal and the station terminals are contained on a single terminal strip.

3. An improved irrigation controller for individually and automatically controlling water flow to a plurality of individual watering stations in accordance with a programmed watering schedule over a period of days, each watering station having an electrically operated control device that will open an irrigation valve to that station when the control device is actuated, each control device having first and second leads suited to be connected into a power circuit for receiving electrical power therefrom, the controller including:

(a) power supply means for supplying electrical power to the control devices of all the stations, the power supply means including a power output and an electrical ground;

(b) a plurality of separate station terminals each of which is connected by a separate station wire to a first lead of the control device of a single one of the watering stations;

(c) means for connecting the second leads of all the control devices of all the watering stations to one of the power output or electrical ground of the power supply means;

(d) output switches connected between the station terminals and the other of the power output or electrical ground of the power supply means for completing the electrical power circuit to the control device of the corresponding station when the output switch for such station is closed;

(e) logic and control means for executing the programmed watering schedule in accordance with the passage of time by closing the appropriate output switches at the appropriate times and for the appropriate durations stored in the schedule; and

(f) further including a hot post terminal for allowing the user to determine station assignment by individually touching the station wires normally connected to the station terminals to the hot post terminal when the power supply means is activated, thereby to selectively close the electrical power circuit for just that station corresponding to each station wire as each station wire is touched to the hot post terminal.

4. An improved irrigation controller as recited in claim 3, wherein the output switches and hot post terminal are connected to electrical ground.

5. An improved irrigation controller as recited in claim 3, wherein the hot post terminal and the station terminals are contained on a single terminal strip.