Method and apparatus for freeze prevention of irrigation systems
First Claim
1. A freeze prevention module for an irrigation system, said irrigation system comprising a feedwater supply line providing input to a feedwater supply valve which feedwater valve provides input to an irrigation valve which irrigation valve provides input to an irrigation network and an irrigation controller connected to the irrigation valve and capable of opening and closing said irrigation valve to provide irrigation, said freeze prevention module comprising:
- a temperature sensing unit capable of detecting a freezing hazard condition and capable of transmitting a hazard condition signal;
a protection device capable of automatically and selectively closing said supply valve and providing an air vent path and a liquid drain path from said irrigation system to protect said system from freezing in response to receipt of a protection activation signal; and
a freeze prevention controller connected to said temperature sensing unit, the feedwater supply valve and to said protection device, said freeze prevention controller capable of transmitting a protection activation signal to close the feedwater supply valve and to activate said protection device in response to receipt of said hazard condition signal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is disclosed an apparatus for freeze prevention protecting an irrigation system. The response of the apparatus depends on environmental conditions. At a first temperature condition, the irrigation system is shut down. At a lower temperature condition, the system remains shut down and heat is delivered to the above ground portions of the system. In the event temperatures continue to decrease, a full drainage of the above ground portion of the irrigation system will be accomplished and alarm notification will be given.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A freeze prevention module for an irrigation system, said irrigation system comprising a feedwater supply line providing input to a feedwater supply valve which feedwater valve provides input to an irrigation valve which irrigation valve provides input to an irrigation network and an irrigation controller connected to the irrigation valve and capable of opening and closing said irrigation valve to provide irrigation, said freeze prevention module comprising:
-
a temperature sensing unit capable of detecting a freezing hazard condition and capable of transmitting a hazard condition signal; a protection device capable of automatically and selectively closing said supply valve and providing an air vent path and a liquid drain path from said irrigation system to protect said system from freezing in response to receipt of a protection activation signal; and a freeze prevention controller connected to said temperature sensing unit, the feedwater supply valve and to said protection device, said freeze prevention controller capable of transmitting a protection activation signal to close the feedwater supply valve and to activate said protection device in response to receipt of said hazard condition signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A process for freeze prevention of an irrigation system, said irrigation system comprising a feedwater supply line providing input to a feedwater supply valve which feedwater valve provides input to an irrigation valve which irrigation valve provides input to an irrigation network and an irrigation controller connected to the irrigation valve and capable of opening and closing said irrigation valve to provide irrigation, said freeze prevention process comprising:
-
sensing a freezing hazard temperature; automatically closing the feedwater supply valve; automatically and selectively opening a vent path and a drain path in the irrigation system; and monitoring said irrigation system for pressure downstream of said feedwater supply valve when said feedwater supply valve is closed.
-
-
8. A process for freeze prevention protecting an irrigation system, said irrigation system comprising a feedwater supply line providing input to an automatic feedwater supply valve which feedwater valve provides input to an automatic irrigation valve which irrigation valve provides input to an irrigation network and an irrigation controller connected to the automatic irrigation valve and capable of opening and closing said irrigation valve to provide irrigation, said freeze prevention protection process comprising:
-
sensing a freezing hazard temperature; closing the automatic feedwater supply valve; monitoring said irrigation system for pressure downstream of said feedwater supply valve when said feedwater supply valve is closed; and heating the irrigation system to prevent freeze damage.
-
-
9. A process for freeze prevention of an irrigation system, said irrigation system comprising a feedwater supply line providing input to a feedwater supply valve which feedwater valve provides input to an irrigation valve which irrigation valve provides input to an irrigation network and an irrigation controller connected to the irrigation valve and capable of opening and closing said irrigation valve to provide irrigation, said freeze prevention process comprising:
-
sensing a freezing hazard temperature; closing the feedwater supply valve upon sensing said freezing hazard temperature; and automatically providing a vent path and a drain path between said feedwater valve and said irrigation valve upon closing the feedwater supply valve to prevent freeze prevention damage. - View Dependent Claims (10)
-
-
11. A freeze protected irrigation system, connected to a feedwater supply line by a feedwater supply valve, said freeze protected irrigation system comprising:
-
an irrigation valve connected to said feedwater supply valve which irrigation valve provides input to an irrigation network; an irrigation controller connected to said irrigation valve and capable of opening and closing said irrigation vane to provide irrigation to the irrigation network; a temperature sensing unit capable of detecting a freezing hazard condition and capable of transmitting a hazard condition signal; a protection device automatically closing said feedwater supply valve and selectively providing a vent path and a drain path from said irrigation system upon sensing a low fluid pressure downstream of said supply valve when said supply valve is closed, said device being capable of protecting said irrigation system from freezing and capable of activation in response to receipt of a protection activation signal; and a freeze prevention controller connected to said temperature sensing unit, the feedwater supply valve and to said protection device, said freeze prevention controller capable of transmitting a protection activation signal and to activate said protection device in response to receipt of said hazard condition signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A process for freeze prevention of an irrigation system, said irrigation system comprising a feedwater supply line providing input to a feedwater supply valve which feedwater valve provides input to an irrigation valve which irrigation valve provides input to an irrigation network and an irrigation controller connected to the irrigation valve and capable of opening and closing said irrigation valve to provide irrigation, said freeze prevention process comprising:
-
sensing a primary hazard temperature; closing the irrigation valve; sensing a secondary hazard temperature; heating the irrigation system to prevent freeze prevention damage; sensing a tertiary hazard temperature; closing the feedwater supply valve upon sensing said tertiary hazard temperature; automatically and selectively opening a vent valve and a drain valve in the irrigation system upon said closing the feedwater supply valve. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
Specification