Lawn watering system
First Claim
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1. An automatic lawn watering system comprising:
- a valve capable of receiving a valve control signal and of permitting water to be dispensed to a predetermined area of soil in response to said valve control signal;
at least one moisture sensor to be at least partially buried in said predetermined area of soil, said at least one moisture sensor comprising an insulating body, at least two electrodes connected to said insulating body, and a synthetic material connected to said at least two electrodes, wherein said synthetic material contacts said predetermined area of soil while shielding said at least two electrodes from said predetermined area of soil and provides moisture from said predetermined area of soil to said at least two electrodes through capillary action, and wherein said moisture sensor is capable of providing a moisture control signal corresponding to an amount of moisture in said predetermined area of soil; and
a moisture controller coupled to said at least one moisture sensor and to said valve, wherein said moisture controller is capable of receiving said moisture control signal from said at least one moisture sensor and of providing said valve control signal to said valve in response to said moisture control signal.
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Abstract
A system for automatically controlling a lawn watering system responsive to the moisture content of the soil includes at least one moisture sensor which supplies a signal to a moisture controller to actuate a water supply valve. The moisture sensor has a casing containing two electrodes and an insulating body of synthetic fibers which provide a path to transfer water from the soil to the electrodes.
104 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An automatic lawn watering system comprising:
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a valve capable of receiving a valve control signal and of permitting water to be dispensed to a predetermined area of soil in response to said valve control signal; at least one moisture sensor to be at least partially buried in said predetermined area of soil, said at least one moisture sensor comprising an insulating body, at least two electrodes connected to said insulating body, and a synthetic material connected to said at least two electrodes, wherein said synthetic material contacts said predetermined area of soil while shielding said at least two electrodes from said predetermined area of soil and provides moisture from said predetermined area of soil to said at least two electrodes through capillary action, and wherein said moisture sensor is capable of providing a moisture control signal corresponding to an amount of moisture in said predetermined area of soil; and a moisture controller coupled to said at least one moisture sensor and to said valve, wherein said moisture controller is capable of receiving said moisture control signal from said at least one moisture sensor and of providing said valve control signal to said valve in response to said moisture control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A moisture controller for use in an automatic watering system comprising:
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a zero-crossing switch capable of receiving a dc voltage corresponding to an amount of moisture in a predetermined area of soil and of providing an output control signal to an output load in response to said dc voltage; an input circuit for receiving an ac voltage input and for providing said dc voltage to said zero-crossing switch, wherein said dc voltage corresponds to said ac voltage; and a hysteresis circuit coupled to said zero-crossing switch, wherein said hysteresis circuit prevents an oscillation of said output load in response to a drop in said dc voltage supplied to said zero-crossing switch due to an actuation of said output load. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A moisture sensor for determining an amount of moisture in a predetermined area of soil by contact with said predetermined area of soil comprising:
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a housing constructed of substantially tubular hollow insulating material having a terminal portion and a sensing portion, wherein said housing is at least substantially closed at an end of said terminal portion, said housing further having an inner surface and an outer surface; a plurality of electrodes fixed to said inner surface of said terminal portion of said housing to thereby provide electrical contacts to measure the resistance of said predetermined area of soil; and a synthetic material attached to said housing and lining at least a portion of said inner surface of said housing, said synthetic material coupled to said plurality of electrodes to thereby contact said predetermined area of soil and provide moisture from said predetermined area of soil to said plurality of electrodes through capillary action. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification