Programmable electronic valve control system and methods of operation thereof

• US 6,257,264 B1
• Filed: 01/25/1999
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sturman Diesel Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sturman BG, LLC
• Inventors: Grill, Benjamin, Sturman, Oded E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/237,067
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 239/64, 239/69, 137/78.3, 137/624.12, 137/1
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/189 Soil moisture sensing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86397 With independent valve controller

Abstract

Solar powered programmable valves and methods of programming and operation thereof are disclosed. A controller for the valves is provided having one or more solar cells for charging a large capacitor or capacitors upon illumination, which provide energy storage for the continuous powering of a very low current single chip computer controller and for providing actuating power to a latching solenoid of a pilot operated valve. The valve is connected to one or more toggle valves in a serial fashion for controlling one or more devices, allowing a single controller to provide water to more than one zone. Programming of the microcontroller to cause the valve to operate at subsequent times as desired is accomplished by magnetically actuating, through the sealed controller case, “yes” and “no” read switches in response to simple prompts presented on a display. The use of solar power eliminates the need for batteries, and together with the non-intrusive programming, allows the controller to be totally sealed and free of control switches, battery cases and the like which can allow moisture entry and premature failure of the controller. Typical methods of programming the controller are disclosed. Alternate embodiments including an embodiment for multiple valve control are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for providing on-off control of a fluid system having at least two outlets using a single electrical signal, comprising:

(a) supplying the electrical signal to an electrically actuated control valve

(a1) to cause the control valve to block a fluid from an inlet of a hydraulically actuated toggle valve for at least a predetermined time, to thereby cause the toggle valve to place the inlet in fluid communication with a first outlet of the toggle valve, and then

(a2) to cause the control valve to supply a fluid to the inlet of the toggle valve for a first period of time, to thereby cause the toggle valve to supply the fluid at the first outlet for the first period of time; and

(b) supplying the electrical signal to the control valve

(b1) to cause the control valve to block the fluid from the inlet of the toggle valve for less than the predetermined time, to thereby cause the toggle valve to place the inlet in fluid communication with a second outlet of the toggle valve, and then

(b2) to cause the control valve to supply the fluid to the inlet of the toggle valve for a second period of time, to thereby cause the toggle valve to supply the fluid at the second outlet for the second period of time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second outlet of the toggle valve supplies the fluid to a second inlet of a second toggle valve, the second toggle valve having a third outlet and a fourth outlet;

(a1) further comprising, to thereby cause the second toggle valve to place the second inlet in fluid communication with the third outlet;

(b2) further comprising, to thereby cause the second toggle valve to supply the fluid at the third outlet for the second period of time;

and then further comprising

(c) supplying the electrical signal to the control valve

(c1) to cause the control valve to block the fluid from the inlet of the toggle valve for less than the predetermined time, to thereby cause the second toggle valve to place the second inlet in fluid communication with the fourth outlet, and then

(c2) to cause the control valve to supply the fluid to the inlet of the toggle valve for a third period of time, to thereby cause the second toggle valve to supply the fluid at the fourth outlet for the third period of time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein (b1) further comprises supplying the electrical signal to the control valve to cause the control valve to block the fluid from the inlet of the toggle valve for at least a second predetermined time.

4. A electronic controller, comprising a microcontroller to provide an electrical signal to an electrically actuated on-off control valve that selectively supplies a fluid to an inlet of a hydraulically actuated toggle valve, the toggle valve operable to direct the fluid from the inlet to a first outlet after the fluid at the inlet is turned off for at least a predetermined time and to direct the fluid from the inlet to a second outlet after the fluid at the inlet is turned off for less than the predetermined time, the microcontroller to provide the electrical signal such that the on-off valve is off for at least the predetermined time, on for a first time period, off for less than the predetermined time, and then on for a second time period, whereby the fluid is directed to the first outlet for the first period of time and then directed to the second outlet for the second period of time.

5. The electronic controller of claim 4, wherein the second outlet of the toggle valve is coupled to a second toggle valve operable to direct the fluid from the second outlet to a third outlet after the fluid at the second outlet is turned off for at least a predetermined time and to direct the fluid from the second outlet to a fourth outlet after the fluid at the second outlet is turned off for less than the predetermined time, the microcontroller to further provide the electrical signal such that the on-off valve is further off for less than the predetermined time, and then on for a third time period, whereby the fluid is further directed to the third outlet for the second period of time and then directed to the fourth outlet for the third period of time.

6. The electronic controller of claim 4, wherein the electrical signal is off for a least a second predetermined time when the electrical signal is turned off for less than the predetermined time.

7. A control valve, comprising:

a housing having a source port adapted to receive a fluid from a fluid source, and a control port adapted to supply the fluid to an inlet of a hydraulically actuated toggle valve, the toggle valve operable to direct the fluid from the inlet to a first outlet after the fluid at the inlet is turned off for at least a predetermined time and to direct the fluid from the inlet to a second outlet after the fluid at the inlet is turned off for less than the predetermined time;

an on-off valve located within the housing arranged to control fluid communication between the source port and the control port;

an electrical actuator coupled to the on-off valve, the electrical actuator operable to selectively supply the fluid at the control port;

an electronic controller electrically coupled to the electrical actuator, the electronic controller operable

to direct fluid to the first outlet for a first time period by turning off the on-off valve for at least the predetermined time and then turning on the on-off valve for the first time period, and

to direct fluid to the second outlet for a second time period by turning off the on-off valve for less than the predetermined time and then turning on the on-off valve for the second time period.

8. The control valve of claim 7, wherein the second outlet of the toggle valve is coupled to a second toggle valve operable to direct the fluid from the second outlet to a third outlet after the fluid at the second outlet is turned off for at least a predetermined time and to direct the fluid from the second outlet to a fourth outlet after the fluid at the second outlet is turned off for less than the predetermined time, the electronic controller further operable

to direct fluid to the third outlet for a second time period by turning off the on-off valve for less than the predetermined time and then turning on the on-off valve for the second time period; and

to direct fluid to the fourth outlet for a third time period by turning off the on-off valve for less than the predetermined time and then turning on the on-off valve for the third time period.

9. The control valve of claim 7, wherein the on-off valve is off for a least a second predetermined time when the on-off valve is turned off for less than the predetermined time.

10. The control valve of claim 7, wherein the electrical actuator is a latching actuator, the latching actuator operable to control the on-off valve responsive to current pulses from the electronic controller.

11. The control valve of claim 7, wherein the housing is an enclosure sealed against the intrusion of moisture, further comprising:

a display viewable from outside the enclosure and responsive to the electronic controller to present prompts to a user;

first and second sensors coupled to the electronic controller and each responsive to the presence and the absence of a sensor stimulus outside the enclosure and adjacent the respective sensor; and

a user operable device to controllably provide the sensor stimulus outside the enclosure and adjacent each of the sensors.

12. The control valve of claim 7, further comprising:

a solar panel for converting solar power incident thereto from outside the enclosure to electrical energy; and

a capacitor coupled to the solar panel and the electronic controller, the capacitor for storing the electrical energy from the solar panel and providing the electrical energy to the electronic controller.

13. A fluid control system, comprising:

a hydraulically actuated toggle valve including an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, the toggle valve operable to direct a fluid from the inlet to the first outlet after the fluid at the inlet is turned off for at least a predetermined time and to direct the fluid from the inlet to the second outlet after the fluid at the inlet is turned off for less than the predetermined time;

an electrically actuated on-off control valve adapted to receive the fluid from a fluid source, and to selectively supply the fluid at a control port, the control port being coupled to the inlet of the toggle valve; and

an electronic controller electrically coupled to the control valve, the electronic controller operable

to direct fluid to the first outlet for a first time period by turning off the control valve for at least the predetermined time and then turning on the control valve for the first time period, and

to direct fluid to the second outlet for a second time period by turning off the control valve for less than the predetermined time and then turning on the control valve for the second time period.

14. The fluid control system of claim 13, further comprising:

a second hydraulically actuated toggle valve including a second inlet, a third outlet, and a fourth outlet, the second inlet being connected to the second outlet, the second toggle valve operable to direct a fluid from the second inlet to the third outlet after the fluid at the second inlet is turned off for at least a predetermined time and to direct the fluid from the second inlet to the fourth outlet after the fluid at the second inlet is turned off for less than the predetermined time;

the electronic controller further operable

to direct fluid to the third outlet for a second time period by turning off the on-off valve for less than the predetermined time and then turning on the on-off valve for the second time period; and

to direct fluid to the fourth outlet for a third time period by turning off the on-off valve for less than the predetermined time and then turning on the on-ff valve for the third time period.

15. The fluid control system of claim 13, wherein the on-off valve is off for a least a second predetermined time when the on-off valve is turned off for less than the predetermined time.

16. The fluid control system of claim 13, wherein the electrically actuated on-off control valve includes a latching actuator, the latching actuator operable to control the on-off valve responsive to current pulses from the electronic controller.

17. A controller for providing on-off control of a fluid system having at least two outlets using a single electrical signal, comprising:

a microcontroller means

(a) for supplying the electrical signal to an electrically actuated control valve

(a1) to cause the control valve to block a fluid from an inlet of a hydraulically actuated toggle valve for at least a predetermined time, to thereby cause the toggle valve to place the inlet in fluid communication with a first outlet of the toggle valve, and then

(a2) to cause the control valve to supply a fluid to the inlet of the toggle valve for a first period of time, to thereby cause the toggle valve to supply the fluid at the first outlet for the first period of time; and

(b) for supplying the electrical signal to the control valve

(b1) to cause the control valve to block the fluid from the inlet of the toggle valve for less than the predetermined time, to thereby cause the toggle valve to place the inlet in fluid communication with a second outlet of the toggle valve, and then

(b2) to cause the control valve to supply the fluid to the inlet of the toggle valve for a second period of time, to thereby cause the toggle valve to supply the fluid at the second outlet for the second period of time.

18. The controller of claim 17, wherein:

the second outlet of the toggle valve supplies the fluid to a second inlet of a second toggle valve, the second toggle valve having a third outlet and a fourth outlet;

(a1) further comprising, to thereby cause the second toggle valve to place the second inlet in fluid communication with the third outlet;

(b2) further comprising, to thereby cause the second toggle valve to supply the fluid at the third outlet for the second period of time;

and then further comprising

(c) for supplying the electrical signal to the control valve

(c1) to cause the control valve to block the fluid from the inlet of the toggle valve for less than the predetermined time, to thereby cause the second toggle valve to place the second inlet in fluid communication with the fourth outlet, and then

(c2) to cause the control valve to supply the fluid to the inlet of the toggle valve for a third period of time, to thereby cause the second toggle valve to supply the fluid at the fourth outlet for the third period of time.

19. The controller of claim 17, wherein (b1) further comprises supplying the electrical signal to the control valve to cause the control valve to block the fluid from the inlet of the toggle valve for at least a second predetermined time.