Irrigation signaling device

• US 5,825,295 A
• Filed: 04/08/1997
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Curators of the University of Missouri (University of Missouri)
• Original Assignee: Curators of the University of Missouri (University of Missouri)
• Inventors: Casady, William Walter, Stevens, William Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang, Sihong
• Application Number:
  US08/833,618
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 340/602, 340/601, 340/604, 73/73, 137/78.3, 137/78.2, 239/71, 116/200, 116/173
• US Class Current: 340/602
• 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 137/189 Soil moisture sensing

Abstract

A device for signaling a predetermined soil moisture condition includes a switching tensiometer that closes a switch when the root water tension reaches a predetermined level; a power source connected to the switching tensiometer; and a signal connected to the switching tensiometer so that when the switching tensiometer closes the switch, power source is connected to the signal operate the signal to indicate that the predetermined soil moisture condition has been reached. The signal preferably includes a spring-loaded flag that operates between a retracted position and an extended signal position; a latch for releasably securing the flag in its retracted position, and an electrically operated release that releases the latch to allow the flag to operate to its extended signal position.

Claims

1. A device for signaling a predetermined soil moisture condition, the device comprising:

a switching tensiometer that closes a switch when the moisture content of the soil reaches a predetermined level;

a power source connected to the switching tensiometer; and

a signal comprising a signal flag operable between a retracted position and an extended signal position, the flag being resiliently biased to its extended signal position, a latch for releasably securing the flag in its retracted position, and a release electrically connected to the switching tensiometer so that when the predetermined level is reached and the switching tensiometer closes the switch, the power source is connected to the release to release the latch and allow the signal flag to operate to its extended signal position.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the power source includes at least one battery.

3. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a disconnect switch that disconnects the power source and the release when the flag is in its extended signal position.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the release comprises an electric motor connected to the power source for releasing the latch.

5. The device according to claim 4 further comprising a disconnect switch that disconnects the power source and the electric motor when the flag is in its extended signal position.

6. A device for signaling a predetermined soil moisture condition, the device comprising:

a switching tensiometer that closes a switch when the moisture content of the soil reaches a predetermined level;

a power source, including at least one battery, connected to the switching tensiometer; and

a signal comprising a signal flag operable between a retracted position and an extended signal position, and resiliently biased to its extended signal position;

a latch for releasably securing the flag in its retracted position; and

a release including an electric motor that releases the latch, the electric motor being electrically connected to the switching tensiometer so that when the predetermined level is reached and the switching tensiometer closes the switch, the power source is connected to the electric motor to cause it to release the latch and allow the signal flag to operate to its extended signal position.

7. The device according to claim 6 further comprising a disconnect switch that disconnects the power source and the motor release when the flag is in its extended signal position.

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein the disconnect switch comprises a normally open switch with an actuator that closes the normally open switch, and wherein the disconnect switch is positioned so that the flag operates the actuator to close the disconnect switch when the flag is in its retracted position.

9. A device for signaling a predetermined soil moisture condition, the device comprising:

a switching tensiometer that closes a switch when the moisture content of the soil reaches a predetermined level;

a power source, including at least one battery, connected to the switching tensiometer; and

a signal comprising a signal flag operable between a retracted position and an extended signal position, and biased to its extended signal position;

a latch for releasably securing the flag in its retracted position; and

a release including an electric motor that releases the latch, the electric motor being electrically connected to the switching tensiometer so that when the predetermined level is reached and the switching tensiometer closes the switch, the power source is connected to the electric motor to cause it to release the latch and allow the signal flag to operate to its extended signal position.

10. The device according to claim 9 wherein the signal flag is pivotally mounted on an axle, and further comprising a pin on the axle, and wherein the latch releasably engages the pin to releasably secure the flag in its retracted position.

11. The device according to claim 9 wherein the signal flag is resiliently biased to its extended signal position with a counterweight.

12. The device according to claim 9 further comprising a disconnect switch that disconnects the power source and the motor release when the flag is in its extended signal position.

13. The device according to claim 12 wherein the disconnect switch comprises a normally open switch with an actuator that closes the normally open switch, and wherein the disconnect switch is positioned so that the flag operates the actuator to close the disconnect switch when the flag is in its retracted position.