Fluid coupled control system for irrigation

• US 6,652,188 B1
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dale S. Albright, David T. Albright
• Original Assignee: Dale S. Albright, David T. Albright
• Inventors: Albright, Dale S., Albright, David T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shackelford, Heather
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAGMAN, FREDERICK LYNDON
• Application Number:
  US10/135,204
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 137/78.3, 405/37, 405/36, 405/39, 405/40, 405/41, 405/51
• US Class Current: 405/37
• 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: Y02A 40/22 Improving land use; Improving water use or availability; Controlling erosion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/189 Soil moisture sensing

Abstract

An irrigation control system includes a transmitter/receiver coupled to the outlet of an irrigation conduit in a remote irrigation zone that receives a signal from a moisture sensor in the irrigation zone and transmits an acoustic signal through the conduit to a transmitter/receiver at the control valve for the conduit. The received signal is analyzed and conditions the control valve for opening if watering criteria is met.

Claims

1. A control system for irrigation, comprising:

a conduit having an inlet fluidly connected with a first valve connected to a water supply and an outlet disposed at a remote location for carrying water therewithin and applying said water to an irrigation zone;

a remote power supply;

moisture detection means connected to said remote power supply and located in said irrigation zone, said moisture detection means providing a moisture signal in accordance with moisture condition thereat;

first control means connected to said remote power supply for receiving said moisture signal and outputting a first encoded signal based on said moisture condition;

first acoustic coupling means including outlet transmitter means acoustically coupled with said conduit proximate said outlet for receiving said first encoded signal and generating an acoustic pressure wave to said water based on said first encoded signal;

second acoustical coupling means including inlet receiver means acoustically coupled with said conduit proximate said inlet for receiving said pressure wave and generating a control signal based thereon; and

second control means connected to a local power supply for receiving and decoding said control signal and conditioning said valve for opening if prescribing a need for water in said irrigation zone.

2. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said outlet transmitter means of said first acoustical coupling means includes solenoid means mechanically coupled exterior of said water supply proximate said outlet for mechanically generating said acoustic pressure wave.

3. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said outlet transmitter means of said first acoustical coupling means includes a transducer located within said conduit.

4. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said inlet receiver means of said second acoustical coupling means includes a transducer located in said conduit for receiving said acoustic pressure wave.

5. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said second acoustical coupling means includes an inlet transmitter means for generating a pressure wave based on an irrigation cycle for said conduit.

6. The control system as recited in claim 5 wherein said first acoustical coupling means includes an outlet receiver means for receiving said pressure wave based on said irrigation cycle and outputting an encoded signal to said first control means, and wherein said first control means includes decoding means for processing said encoded signal and obtaining the condition of the moisture detection system.

7. A control system for irrigation, comprising:

a conduit having an inlet fluidly connected with a first valve connected to a water supply and an outlet disposed at a remote location for carrying water therewithin and applying said water to an irrigation zone;

a remote power supply;

moisture detection means connected to said remote power supply and located in said irrigation zone, said moisture detection means providing a moisture signal in accordance with moisture condition thereat;

first control means connected to said remote power supply for receiving said moisture signal and outputting a first encoded signal based on said moisture condition;

first acoustic coupling means including outlet transmitter means acoustically coupled with said conduit proximate said outlet for receiving said first encoded signal and generating an acoustic pressure wave to said water based on said first encoded signal;

second acoustical coupling means including a hydropbone as inlet receiver means acoustically coupled with said conduit proximate said inlet for receiving said pressure wave and generating a control signal based thereon; and

second control means connected to a local power supply for receiving and decoding said control signal and conditioning said valve for opening if prescribing a need for water in said irrigation zone.