Modular irrigation controller

• US 7,916,458 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2009
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Original Assignee: Toro Company (Toro)
• Inventors: Parker, Greg, Nelson, Arnold, Garcia, Richard Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): HOFFBERG, ROBERT JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US12/581,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20100036536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 361600-601, 361/603, 361/623, 174/50, 174/520, 700/284
• US Class Current: 361/623
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/165 Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations

Abstract

The present invention provides a modular controller that connects to irrigation modules with varying station terminals and a standard footprint size. Additionally, the modular controller includes surge protection options, wireless communication with PDA'"'"'s and other external devices, no required position for each controller module to be connected, immediate display of station modules on the LCD display, retention of a water program if module is removed, communications module for flow monitoring, a modular transformer, rain sensor receiver within the housing, an improved 9-volt batter holder, and other aspects described in the present application.

Claims

1. An irrigation controller comprising:

a user interface surface having a plurality of interface elements for programming an irrigation schedule;

a controller housing connected to said user interface surface;

a plurality of irrigation terminals disposed in said controller housing and arranged to selectively supply power to irrigation stations;

a transformer terminal;

a transformer mounting area disposed within said controller housing; and

,

an outdoor transformer assembly removably connected to said transformer mounting area;

said outdoor transformer assembly comprising;

a transformer housing;

a cover for removably covering a portion of said transformer housing;

a terminal block located within said transformer housing; and

,

a transformer fixed within said transformer housing and electrically connected to said terminal block and said transformer terminal.

2. The irrigation controller of claim 1, wherein said transformer is selected from a group of a tab type transformer or an end-bell type transformer.

3. The irrigation controller of claim 1, wherein said transformer housing comprises a first compartment containing said transformer and a second compartment containing said terminal block.

4. The irrigation controller of claim 3, wherein said transformer housing comprises a plurality of mounting members that removably connect said transformer housing to said transformer mounting area.

5. The irrigation controller of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of mounting legs located between said transformer mounting area and said transformer housing.

6. The irrigation controller of claim 5, wherein said transformer housing further comprises an aperture sized to allow passage of transformer wires to said transformer terminal.

7. An irrigation controller comprising:

a user interface in communication with a circuit board for programming an irrigation schedule;

a controller housing connected to said user interface and said circuit board;

a transformer terminal;

a plurality of irrigation terminals connected to said controller housing and arranged to selectively delivery power to control an irrigation system; and

,

a modular transformer assembly removably connectable to a modular transformer assembly mounting area;

said modular transformer assembly comprising;

a transformer housing;

a cover for removably covering an opening of said transformer housing;

a terminal block locating within said transformer housing; and

a transformer disposed within said transformer housing and electrically connected to said terminal block and said transformer terminal.

8. The irrigation controller of claim 7, wherein said transformer is selected from a group of an end-bell type transformer and a tab type transformer.

9. The irrigation controller of claim 8, wherein said modular transformer assembly further comprises a first compartment containing said transformer and a second compartment containing said terminal block.

10. The irrigation controller of claim 9, wherein said controller housing includes a plurality of surfaces forming a footprint for said modular transformer assembly.

11. The irrigation controller of claim 10, wherein said modular transformer assembly includes a wire aperture.

12. The irrigation controller of claim 11, wherein said wire aperture is located near a top of said transformer assembly housing.

13. The irrigation controller of claim 12, wherein said controller housing further comprises said transformer terminal located adjacent said modular transformer assembly mounting area.

14. The irrigation controller of claim 13, wherein said controller housing further comprises a lid disposed over an internal compartment and wherein said user interface is disposed on said lid.

15. An irrigation controller comprising:

a user interface in communication with a circuit board for programming an irrigation schedule;

a controller housing connected to said user interface and circuit board;

a transformer terminal;

a plurality of irrigation terminals connected to said controller housing and arranged to selectively delivery power to control an irrigation system; and

,

a modular transformer assembly removably connectable to a modular transformer assembly mounting area;

said modular transformer assembly comprising;

a transformer housing;

a panel selectively removable from said transformer housing;

a terminal block located within said transformer housing; and

,

a transformer positioned within said transformer housing and being electrically connected to said terminal block and said transformer terminal.

16. The irrigation controller of claim 15, wherein said transformer is selected from a group of an end-bell type transformer and a tab type transformer.

17. The irrigation controller of claim 16, wherein said modular transformer assembly mounting area includes a plurality of surfaces forming a footprint for said modular transformer assembly.

18. The irrigation controller of claim 17, wherein said modular transformer assembly removably couples to said footprint with a plurality of screws.

19. The irrigation controller of claim 18, wherein a wire aperture is located near a top of said transformer assembly housing.

20. The irrigation controller of claim 19, wherein said controller housing further comprises said transformer terminal located adjacent said modular transformer assembly mounting area.