Accurate horticultural sprinkler system and sprinkler head

• US 7,494,070 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2003
• Issued: 02/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Accurain, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Accurain, Inc.
• Inventors: Collins, Galen
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Christopher S
• Application Number:
  US10/744,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20040135001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,891 Days
• Field of Search: 239/63, 239/67, 239/68, 239/69, 239/101, 239/263.1, 239/263.3, 239/380, 239/210, 239/201, 239/200, 239/DIG.15, 239/578, 239/583, 239/227, 239/20, 239/576, 239/74
• US Class Current: 239/63
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/085 responsive to flow or pressure of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged B05B1/3006, B05B1/323, B05B7/1254 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/12 responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature position or movement of the target relative to the spray apparatus B05B12/082, B05B12/084 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/124 responsive to distance between spray apparatus and target
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/02 with rotating elements electric spraying discharge apparatus characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements B05B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/14 with oscillating elements; with intermittent operation
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 239/15 Sprinkler systems with controls

Abstract

The present invention includes a unique irrigation sprinkler system with a unique sprinkler head design; a unique method of defining the planted area to be served by the sprinkler head; a unique method for determining when that planted area needs to be watered; a unique way of providing even coverage throughout the planted area when being watered; the ability to use one sprinkler head to individually water multiple, non-overlapping planted areas; a unique way of addressing multiple sprinkler heads in the same sprinkler system; and a unique method for remotely determining the integrity of the sprinkler system.

Claims

1. A sprinkler head for accurate deliver of water to a defined planted area of interest, said sprinkler head comprising:

a housing having a central axis;

an input port disposed to be coupled to a water source;

a flow rate varying means coupled to said input port to provide controlled water flow from said input port and into said sprinkler head during delivery of water to the planted area of interest;

a flow rate monitoring unit adjacent said flow rate varying means to monitor said water flow;

wherein said flow rate monitoring unit comprises;

a flexible finger having a proximate end mounted to a fixed position relative to said water flow and a distal end extending into a path of said water flow with said distal end of said flexible finger being in a relaxed position when said flow rate is zero and a displaced position when said flow rate is non-zero, with the extent of said displaced position being directly related to said flow rate;

a magnet securely mounted at one of a fixed position adjacent said distal end of said flexible finger and on said distal end of said flexible finger; and

a flow rate magnetic field sensor securely mounted at the other of said fixed position adjacent said distal end of said flexible finger and on said distal end of said flexible finger adjacent said magnet, with said flow rate magnetic field sensor providing an electrical signal directly related to the strength of a magnetic field detected from said magnet with said electric signal directly related to said flow rate during delivery of water to the planted area of interest;

a nozzle having a proximate end disposed to receive said water flow and a distal end from which said water is expelled to said planted area of interest with said distal end positioned a fixed distance from said central axis;

a drive means, having said central axis as axis of rotation, affixed to said nozzle to angularly position said distal end of said nozzle during delivery of water to said planted area of interest while maintaining said distal end at said fixed distance from said central axis;

an angular position monitoring unit disposed to determine an angular position of said distal end of said nozzle around said central axis; and

a control subsystem coupled to said flow rate varying means, said flow rate monitoring unit, said drive means and said angular position monitoring unit to positively and continuously monitor and control, positively and negatively, the water flow rate through, and angular position of, said nozzle as many times as necessary to accurately and evenly deliver water to the planted area of interest.

2. A sprinkler head for accurate deliver of water to a defined planted area of interest and having a horizontal axis and a vertical central axis, said sprinkler head comprising:

an input port disposed to be coupled to a water source;

a nozzle having a proximate end and a distal end with the distal end defining an output orifice that is disposed to expel water therefrom to said planted area of interest with said output orifice positioned a fixed distance from said central vertical axis;

an angular position control subsystem to positively and continuously control and vary the angular position of said output orifice around said vertical central axis of said sprinkler head, in either direction, as many times as necessary, during delivery of water to the planted area of interest while maintaining said output orifice at said fixed distance from said vertical central axis wherein said angular position control subsystem comprises;

a nozzle drive means affixed to said nozzle to angularly position said distal end of said nozzle during delivery of water to the planted area of interest; and

an angular position monitoring unit disposed to determine an angular position of said output orifice of the distal end of said nozzle around said vertical central axis during delivery of water to the planted area of interest;

a water control subsystem to positively and continuously control and increase or decrease the flow rate of water into said proximate end of said nozzle and therefore from said output orifice as many times as necessary during delivery of the water a desired distance from said sprinkler head to limit, and evenly deliver, water to said planted area of interest as said angular position and flow rate are varied in coordination one with the other during delivery of water to the planted area of interest and including;

a flow rate varying means coupled to said input port to vary said water flow into said sprinkler head; and

a flow rate monitoring unit adjacent said flow rate control means to monitor said water flow wherein said flow rate monitoring unit comprises;

a flexible finger having a proximate end mounted to a fixed position relative to said water flow and a distal end extending into a path of said water flow with said distal end of said flexible finger being in a relaxed position when said flow rate is zero and a displaced position when said flow rate is non-zero, with the extent of said displaced position being directly related to said flow rate;

a magnet mounted securely mounted at one of a fixed position adjacent said distal end of said flexible finger and on said distal end of said flexible finger; and

a flow rate magnetic field sensor securely mounted at the other of said fixed position adjacent said distal end of said flexible finger and on said distal end of said flexible finger adjacent said magnet, with said flow rate magnetic field sensor providing an electrical signal directly related to the strength of a magnetic field detected from said magnet with said electric signal directly related to said flow rate during delivery of water to the planted area of interest; and

a control subsystem coupled to said flow rate varying means, said flow rate monitoring unit, said nozzle drive means and said angular position monitoring unit to monitor and control the flow rate of water through, and angular position of said nozzle during delivery of water to the planted area of interest.

3. A sprinkler head for accurate deliver of water to a defined planted area of interest, said sprinkler head comprising:

a housing having a central axis;

an input port disposed to be coupled to a water source;

a flow rate varying means coupled to said input port to provide controlled water flow from said input port and into said sprinkler head during delivery of water to the planted area of interest;

a flow rate monitoring unit adjacent said flow rate varying means to monitor said water flow;

a nozzle having a proximate end disposed to receive said water flow and a distal end from which said water is expelled to said planted area of interest with said distal end positioned a fixed distance from said central axis;

a drive means, having said central axis as axis of rotation, affixed to said nozzle to angularly position said distal end of said nozzle during delivery of water to said planted area of interest while maintaining said distal end at said fixed distance from said central axis;

an angular position monitoring unit disposed to determine an angular position of said distal end of said nozzle around said central axis;

wherein said angular position monitoring unit comprises;

a magnet securely mounted at one of a fixed position adjacent said drive means and on said drive means; and

an angular position magnetic field sensor securely mounted at the other of said fixed position adjacent said drive means and on said drive means adjacent said magnet, with said angular position magnetic field sensor providing a strongest electrical signal when said magnet is closest said angular position magnetic field sensor to define a zero degree angular position for said nozzle during delivery of water to the planted area of interest; and

a control subsystem coupled to said flow rate varying means, said flow rate monitoring unit, said drive means and said angular position monitoring unit to positively and continuously monitor and control, positively and negatively, the water flow rate through, and angular position of, said nozzle as many times as necessary to accurately and evenly deliver water to the planted area of interest.

4. A sprinkler head for accurate deliver of water to a defined planted area of interest, said sprinkler head comprising:

a housing having a central axis;

an input port disposed to be coupled to a water source;

a flow rate varying means coupled to said input port to provide controlled water flow from said input port and into said sprinkler head during delivery of water to the planted area of interest;

a flow rate monitoring unit adjacent said flow rate varying means to monitor said water flow wherein said flow rate varying means includes a fail-safe means with a zero flow rate therethrough when not activated;

a nozzle having a proximate end disposed to receive said water flow and a distal end from which said water is expelled to said planted area of interest with said distal end positioned a fixed distance from said central axis;

a drive means, having said central axis as axis of rotation, affixed to said nozzle to angularly position said distal end of said nozzle during delivery of water to said planted area of interest while maintaining said distal end at said fixed distance from said central axis wherein said drive means includes a nozzle gear attached near a proximate end of said nozzle;

an angular position monitoring unit disposed to determine an angular position of said distal end of said nozzle around said central axis; and

a control subsystem coupled to said flow rate varying means, said flow rate monitoring unit, said drive means and said angular position monitoring unit to positively and continuously monitor and control, positively and negatively, the water flow rate through, and angular position of, said nozzle as many times as necessary to accurately and evenly deliver water to the planted area of interest wherein said control subsystem comprises;

a local controller that comprises;

a local processor coupled to said flow rate monitoring unit and said angular position monitoring unit;

local memory coupled to said local processor to provide temporary and permanent data storage for said local processor;

a stepper motor controller coupled to said local processor, and said angular positioning stepper motor, to receive angular position signals from said local processor and to convert said angular position signals to corresponding drive signals to exercise said angular positioning stepper motor; and

a signal converter coupled to said local processor, and said activation means, to receive flow rate signals from said local processor and to convert said flow rate signals to corresponding activation signals to exercise said activation means;

an activation means coupled to said local controller and said flow rate varying means to selectively control said flow rate varying means to adjust the water flow rate into said sprinkler head wherein said activation means is coupled to said fail-safe means to open same in response to electrical signals from said local controller; and

an angular positioning stepper motor electrically coupled to said local controller, having a shaft with a drive gear mounted thereon, and mounted in a fixed position to mesh said drive gear with said nozzle gear to position said nozzle during delivery of water to the planted area of interest.

5. A sprinkler head for accurate deliver of water to a defined planted area of interest, said sprinkler head comprising:

a housing having a central axis;

an input port disposed to be coupled to a water source;

a flow rate varying means coupled to said input port to provide controlled water flow from said input port and into said sprinkler head during delivery of water to the planted area of interest;

a flow rate monitoring unit adjacent said flow rate varying means to monitor said water flow wherein said flow rate varying means includes;

an input chamber in communication with said input port;

a buffer chamber having;

an input side defining an input port therethrough with said input port disposed to receive water from said input chamber; and

an output side defining an output port therethrough disposed to deliver water to said flow rate monitoring unit;

a control chamber having;

a first side defining a first small hole therethrough having a first diameter to provide a passage for water from said input chamber into said control chamber;

a second side defining a second small hole therethrough having a second diameter; and

a flexible membrane forming a third side adjacent said input port of said input side of said buffer chamber;

a bypass chamber;

sharing said second side of said control chamber with said second small hole providing a passage for water from said control chamber into said bypass chamber; and

having a buffer side defining a third small hole therethrough having a third diameter to provide a passage for water from said bypass chamber into said buffer chamber; and

an activation means coupled to said control subsystem and having a needle valve aligned with said second hole and sized to meter water flow through said second hole in response to different signals applied to said activation means by said control subsystem and said needle valve to close with said second hole when no signal is applied to said activation means;

wherein the distance between said flexible membrane and said input port of said buffer chamber increases proportionally as said needle valve moves away from said second hole and deceases proportionally as said needle valve is advanced into said second hole with said flexible membrane sealing with said input port when said needle valve is seated in said second hole;

a nozzle having a proximate end disposed to receive said water flow and a distal end from which said water is expelled to said planted area of interest with said distal end positioned a fixed distance from said central axis;

a drive means, having said central axis as axis of rotation, affixed to said nozzle to angularly position said distal end of said nozzle during delivery of water to said planted area of interest while maintaining said distal end at said fixed distance from said central axis;

an angular position monitoring unit disposed to determine an angular position of said distal end of said nozzle around said central axis; and

a control subsystem coupled to said flow rate varying means, said flow rate monitoring unit, said drive means and said angular position monitoring unit to positively and continuously monitor and control, positively and negatively, the water flow rate through, and angular position of, said nozzle as many times as necessary to accurately and evenly deliver water to the planted area of interest.

6. The sprinkler head as in claim 5 wherein said first small hole is smaller than said second small hole, and said second small hole is smaller than said third small hole.

7. A sprinkler head for accurate deliver of water to a defined planted area of interest and having a horizontal axis and a vertical central axis, said sprinkler head comprising:

an input port disposed to be coupled to a water source;

a nozzle having a proximate end and a distal end with the distal end defining an output orifice that is disposed to expel water therefrom to said planted area of interest with said output orifice positioned a fixed distance from said central vertical axis;

an angular position control subsystem to positively and continuously control and vary the angular position of said output orifice around said vertical central axis of said sprinkler head, in either direction, as many times as necessary, during delivery of water to the planted area of interest while maintaining said output orifice at said fixed distance from said vertical central axis wherein said angular position control subsystem comprises;

a nozzle drive means affixed to said nozzle to angularly position said distal end of said nozzle during delivery of water to the planted area of interest; and

an angular position monitoring unit disposed to determine an angular position of said output orifice of the distal end of said nozzle around said vertical central axis during delivery of water to the planted area of interest wherein said angular position monitoring unit comprises;

a magnet securely mounted at one of a fixed position adjacent said drive means and on said drive means; and

an angular position magnetic field sensor securely mounted at the other of said fixed position adjacent said drive means and on said drive means adjacent said magnet, with said angular position magnetic field sensor providing a strongest electrical signal when said magnet is closest said angular position magnetic field sensor to define a zero degree angular position for said nozzle during delivery of water to the planted area of interest;

a water control subsystem to positively and continuously control and increase or decrease the flow rate of water into said proximate end of said nozzle and therefore from said output orifice as many times as necessary during delivery of the water a desired distance from said sprinkler head to limit, and evenly deliver, water to said planted area of interest as said angular position and flow rate are varied in coordination one with the other during delivery of water to the planted area of interest and including;

a flow rate varying means coupled to said input port to vary said water flow into said sprinkler head; and

a flow rate monitoring unit adjacent said flow rate control means to monitor said water flow; and

a control subsystem coupled to said flow rate varying means, said flow rate monitoring unit, said nozzle drive means and said angular position monitoring unit to monitor and control the flow rate of water through, and angular position of said nozzle during delivery of water to the planted area of interest.

8. A sprinkler head for accurate deliver of water to a defined planted area of interest and having a horizontal axis and a vertical central axis, said sprinkler head comprising:

an input port disposed to be coupled to a water source;

a nozzle having a proximate end and a distal end with the distal end defining an output orifice that is disposed to expel water therefrom to said planted area of interest with said output orifice positioned a fixed distance from said central vertical axis;

an angular position control subsystem to positively and continuously control and vary the angular position of said output orifice around said vertical central axis of said sprinkler head, in either direction, as many times as necessary, during delivery of water to the planted area of interest while maintaining said output orifice at said fixed distance from said vertical central axis wherein said angular position control subsystem comprises;

a nozzle drive means affixed to said nozzle to angularly position said distal end of said nozzle during delivery of water to the planted area of interest; and

an angular position monitoring unit disposed to determine an angular position of said output orifice of the distal end of said nozzle around said vertical central axis during delivery of water to the planted area of interest;

a water control subsystem to positively and continuously control and increase or decrease the flow rate of water into said proximate end of said nozzle and therefore from said output orifice as many times as necessary during delivery of the water a desired distance from said sprinkler head to limit, and evenly deliver, water to said planted area of interest as said angular position and flow rate are varied in coordination one with the other during delivery of water to the planted area of interest and including;

a flow rate varying means coupled to said input port to vary said water flow into said sprinkler head wherein said flow rate varying means includes;

an input chamber in communication with said input port;

a buffer chamber having;

an input side defining an input port therethrough with said input port disposed to receive water from said input chamber; and

an output side defining an output port therethrough disposed to deliver water to said flow rate monitoring unit;

a control chamber having;

a first side defining a first small hole therethrough having a first diameter to provide a passage for water from said input chamber into said control chamber;

a second side defining a second small hole therethrough having a second diameter; and

a flexible membrane forming a third side adjacent said input port of said input side of said buffer chamber;

a bypass chamber;

sharing said second side of said control chamber with said second small hole providing a passage for water from said control chamber into said bypass chamber; and

having a buffer side defining a third small hole therethrough having a third diameter to provide a passage for water from said bypass chamber into said buffer chamber; and

an activation means coupled to said control subsystem and having a needle valve aligned with said second hole and sized to meter water flow through said second hole in response to different signals applied to said activation means by said control subsystem and said needle valve to close with said second hole when no signal is applied to said activation means;

wherein the distance between said flexible membrane and said input port of said buffer chamber increases proportionally as said needle valve moves away from said second hole and deceases proportionally as said needle valve is advanced into said second hole with said flexible membrane sealing with said input port when said needle valve is seated in said second hole; and

a flow rate monitoring unit adjacent said flow rate control means to monitor said water flow; and

a control subsystem coupled to said flow rate varying means, said flow rate monitoring unit, said nozzle drive means and said angular position monitoring unit to monitor and control the flow rate of water through, and angular position of said nozzle during delivery of water to the planted area of interest.

9. The sprinkler head as in claim 8 wherein said first small hole is smaller than said second small hole, and said second small hole is smaller than said third small hole.