Landscape sprinkling systems

• US 6,685,104 B1
• Filed: 07/17/2002
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ardele Y. Float, Kenneth W. Float
• Original Assignee: Ardele Y. Float, Kenneth W. Float
• Inventors: Float, Ardele Y., Float, Kenneth W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): WIEKER, AMANDA FLYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/197,083
• Publication Number:
  US 20040026529A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 239/63, 239/69, 239/68, 239/200-201, 239/203, 239/207, 239/550-551, 239/562, 239/565, 239/DIG.15, 169/5, 169/16, 169/54, 169/6, 169/60
• US Class Current: 239/63
• 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

Abstract

Landscape sprinkling systems that incorporate fire sensors, optional moisture sensors, and control electronics that continuously monitor the perimeter of a property for fire and/or smoke, and optionally low soil moisture conditions. When an alarm is detected, the systems automatically turn on selected sprinkler valves to water areas that would be most impacted by a fire or are in need of water. Wireless and wired system embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A landscape sprinkling system comprising:

one or more sprinkler solenoid valves that are each coupled between a water supply and one or more sprinkler heads disposed in a landscape;

a controller comprising one or more fire controllers that are respectively coupled to the one or more sprinkler solenoid valves; and

one or more remote sensors that communicate with the controller and transmit an alarm signal to the controller in the event that fire and/or smoke are detected thereby;

and wherein the controller is configured to process the alarm signal and activate selected solenoid valves to allow water to be sprinkled onto selected areas of the landscape from the one or more sprinkler heads disposed in the landscape.

2. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 that further comprises a moisture sensor coupled to the controller for indicating low soil moisture content.

3. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the remote sensors communicate with the controller using radio frequency (RF) communication signals.

4. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the remote sensors communicate with the controller using infrared communication signals.

5. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the remote sensors communicate with the controller using a wired communication link.

6. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the remote sensors each comprise:

a detector for detecting the presence of fire and/or smoke and outputting an alarm signal when fire and/or smoke are detected;

a transmitter;

a receiver; and

a microprocessor coupled to the transmitter, the receiver and the detector for processing the alarm signal and transmitting it to the controller.

7. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 6 wherein the remote sensors each further comprise a battery coupled to the microprocessor, transmitter, receiver and detector.

8. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 6 wherein the remote sensors each further comprise a solar array coupled to the battery.

9. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 6 wherein the remote sensors each further comprise a DC-DC converter coupled between a voltage source and the microprocessor, transmitter, receiver and detector.

10. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to poll each of the remote sensors to determine if they are operative.

11. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the one or more fire controllers comprise:

a transmitter;

a receiver;

a switch coupled to an associated solenoid valve; and

a microprocessor coupled to the transmitter, the receiver, and the switch, for processing a received alarm signal and triggering the switch to activate the associated solenoid valve coupled thereto.

12. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 11 wherein the one or more fire controllers each further comprise a battery coupled to the microprocessor, transmitter and receiver.

13. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 11 wherein the one or more fire controllers each further comprise a solar array coupled to the battery.

14. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 11 wherein the one or more fire controllers each further comprise a DC-DC converter coupled between a voltage source and the microprocessor, transmitter and receiver.

15. A landscape sprinkling system comprising:

one or more sprinkler solenoid valves that are each coupled between a water supply and one or more sprinkler heads disposed in a landscape; and

one or more remote sensors coupled to the one or more sprinkler solenoid valves that

each comprise a detector for detecting the presence of fire and/or smoke and outputting an alarm signal when fire and/or smoke is detected, a switch coupled to an associated solenoid valve, and a microprocessor coupled to the detector and the switch for processing the alarm signal and transmitting a trigger signal to the switch to activate the associated solenoid valve coupled thereto, that generate an alarm signal in the event that fire and/or smoke are detected thereby, and to process the alarm signal and activate selected solenoid valves to allow water to be sprinkled onto selected areas of the landscape from the one or more sprinkler heads disposed in the landscape.

16. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 15 wherein the one or more remote sensors each further comprise a transmitter, a receiver and a battery coupled to the microprocessor, transmitter and receiver.

17. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 16 wherein the one or more remote sensors each further comprise a solar array coupled to the battery.