Electronic control unit with modifiable pre-set programs for the control of automatic watering systems with plural lines

• US 6,240,325 B1
• Filed: 05/29/1998
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Claber SpA
• Original Assignee: Claber SpA
• Inventors: Brundisini, Andrea
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Ayaz
• Assistant Examiner(s): JEAN, FRANTZ B
• Application Number:
  US09/086,594
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 700/19, 700/16, 700/17, 700/18, 700/284, 239/64, 239/69, 239/70, 137/624.11, 137/624.2, 379/10, 379/14, 379/29, 379/324
• US Class Current: 700/19
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/165 Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23058 Knob, pedal selects ranges, functions and controls in each range as function of position
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering

Abstract

An electronic control unit for the control of automatic watering systems having plural lines comprising an electronic circuit with a programmable processing unit for the control of a plurality of different watering lines. A manually operated selector, preferably of the rotary type, is provided, that is settable in a plurality of selectionable positions, to each one of which a specific watering cycle for the lines corresponds. By acting on the selector and on a start button, it is possible to modify the programming of the processing unit in order to associate with each single line a respective watering cycle different from the ones otherwise selectable by means of the selector.

Claims

1. An electronic control unit for sequentially controlling a plurality of watering lines in an automatic watering systems, comprising:

an electronic circuit with a programmable processing unit and a manually operated rotary selector provided with a plurality of selectable watering positions corresponding to respective watering cycles each having start time and watering length pre-set by the processing unit and, in addition, with a selectable program changing position, and a start button,

wherein said start button and said rotary selector are combined so that activation of the start button with the rotary selector in said program changing position allows access to a programming mode for memorizing different watering lengths for each watering line of the watering system.

2. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said programmable processing unit provides for an AUTOMATIC operation mode, that is activated by setting the selector in one of said selectionable positions and causes the sequential activation of all the lines according to the watering cycle corresponding to the position of the selector.

3. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said programmable processing unit provides for a SEMI-AUTOMATIC operation mode, that is activated by setting the selector in one of said selectionable positions and by then actuating a start button and causes the sequential activation of all the lines according to the watering cycle corresponding to the position of the selector.

4. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said programmable processing unit provides for a MANUAL operation mode, that is activated by setting the selector in one of said selectionable positions and by then actuating, for each watering line, a start button that causes the activation of said line according to the watering cycle corresponding to the position of the selector.

5. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a stop button for stopping the watering cycle under course.

6. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a plurality of light indicators suitable to signal the condition of operation of the lines being controlled.

7. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a light indicator suitable to signalise the presence or absence of a mains power supply.

8. The electronic control unit according to claim 1, wherein said selector is settable in a pre-fixed position, different from said selectionable positions, in which all the watering lines are turned off.

9. The electronic control unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the programming mode provides that each different watering length of the watering lines corresponds to a combination of a specific selectable watering position in which the rotary selector is subsequently set with a further activation of the start button.