Modular irrigation controller with separate field valve line wiring terminals
First Claim
1. A modular irrigation controller, comprising:
- means for entry or selection of a watering program;
a memory capable of storing the watering program;
a processor capable of executing the stored watering program and controlling a plurality of modules each including a circuit for opening and closing a plurality of valves in accordance with the watering program;
a plurality of connectors that can mate to establish a communications link between the corresponding module and the processor; and
a plurality of terminals each connectable with a corresponding one of a plurality of field valve lines from the valves, the terminals being mounted on a support structure separate from the modules and connected to the connectors, the support structure not being a portion of any module.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular irrigation controller includes a processor capable of executing a stored watering program and controlling a plurality of removable station modules in accordance with the watering program. Each station module includes a station module circuit for opening and closing a plurality of values. A plurality of connectors can mate each mate to establish a communications link between the station modules and the processor. A plurality of terminals are each connectable with a corresponding one of a plurality of field valve lines from the valves. The terminals are mounted separate from the station modules and are connected to the connectors. This allows the irrigation controller to have a more compact design, provides connection terminals for spare field valve lines, and eliminates malfunctions due to erroneous re-connection of field valve lines during station module replacement.
101 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A modular irrigation controller, comprising:
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means for entry or selection of a watering program; a memory capable of storing the watering program; a processor capable of executing the stored watering program and controlling a plurality of modules each including a circuit for opening and closing a plurality of valves in accordance with the watering program; a plurality of connectors that can mate to establish a communications link between the corresponding module and the processor; and a plurality of terminals each connectable with a corresponding one of a plurality of field valve lines from the valves, the terminals being mounted on a support structure separate from the modules and connected to the connectors, the support structure not being a portion of any module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A modular irrigation controller, comprising:
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a processor capable of executing a stored watering program and controlling a plurality of modules each capable of controlling a plurality of valves in accordance with the watering program; a plurality of connectors that can mate to establish a communications link between the modules and the processor; and a plurality of terminals each connectable with a corresponding one of a plurality of field valve lines from the valves, the terminals being mounted on a support structure separate from the modules and connected to the connectors, the support structure not being a portion of any module. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A modular irrigation controller, comprising:
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a plurality of manually actuable controls for entry or selection of a watering program; a memory capable of storing the watering program; a processor capable of executing the stored watering program and controlling a plurality of valves in accordance with the watering program; a plurality of modules each including a circuit for opening and closing corresponding valves; a plurality of receptacles for each removably receiving a corresponding module; a plurality of connectors that can mate when the modules are plugged into their corresponding receptacles and establish a communications link between the modules and the processor; and a terminal strip including a plurality of terminals each connectable with a corresponding one of a plurality of field valve lines from the valves, the terminal strip being mounted on a support structure separate from the modules and connected to the connectors, the support structure not being a portion of any module.
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21. An irrigation controller, comprising:
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a plurality of manually actuable controls for entry or selection of a watering program; a memory capable of storing the watering program; a processor capable of executing the stored watering program and controlling a plurality of valves in accordance with the watering program; an encoder module for opening and closing a plurality of corresponding valves having associated decoder circuits; a receptacle for removably receiving the encoder module; a connector that having portions that mate when the encoder module is inserted into the receptacle to establish a communications link between the encoder module and the processor; and a terminal strip including a plurality of terminals each connectable with a corresponding one of a plurality of field valve lines from the valves, the terminal strip being mounted on a support structure separate from the encoder module and connected to one of the connector portions, the support structure not being a portion of any other module.
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Specification