Wireless irrigation control
First Claim
1. A control valve having an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, the control valve comprising:
- means for selectably closing one of a first passage between the inlet and the first outlet and a second passage between the inlet and the second outlet;
a first diaphragm, the first diaphragm moving from a first position in operative contact with the means for selectably closing to close the second passage and a second position that permits the means for selectably closing to close the first passage;
a second diaphragm;
means for separating the first and second diaphragms and for providing a controlled rate flow of fluid between volumes adjacent to the first and second diaphragms to cause the first and second diaphragms to move in unison; and
means for making a wireless transmission only when the first diaphragm moves to the second position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control valve has an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. The control valve includes a poppet valve to selectably close one of the first outlet and the second outlet. A pair of diaphragms move from a first position to a second position when fluid is supplied to the control valve to permit the poppet valve to close the first passage when fluid is removed from the control valve. A magnet operably couples a wireless transmitter to a power source when fluid is supplied to the control valve. The wireless transmitter may send a signal to terminate irrigation by the control valve when the control valve is one of a plurality of control valves connected serially to a master valve only by a fluid supply line.
27 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A control valve having an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, the control valve comprising:
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means for selectably closing one of a first passage between the inlet and the first outlet and a second passage between the inlet and the second outlet; a first diaphragm, the first diaphragm moving from a first position in operative contact with the means for selectably closing to close the second passage and a second position that permits the means for selectably closing to close the first passage; a second diaphragm; means for separating the first and second diaphragms and for providing a controlled rate flow of fluid between volumes adjacent to the first and second diaphragms to cause the first and second diaphragms to move in unison; and means for making a wireless transmission only when the first diaphragm moves to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A control valve having an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, the control valve comprising:
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a poppet valve to selectably close one of a first passage between the inlet and the first outlet and a second passage between the inlet and the second outlet; a first diaphragm, the first diaphragm moving from a first position in operative contact with the poppet valve to close the second passage and a second position that permits the poppet valve to close the first passage; a second diaphragm; a wall that separates the first and second diaphragms, the wall having an orifice that allows a control fluid to flow between volumes adjacent to the first and second diaphragms at a controlled rate and to cause the first and second diaphragms to move in unison; a magnet coupled to the second diaphragm; a power source; and a wireless transmitter that is coupled to the power source, the wireless transmitter transmitting only when the magnet is moved into proximity with the wireless transmitter by movement of the second diaphragm as the first diaphragm moves to the second position. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An irrigation system comprising:
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a master valve including an inlet coupled to a water supply and an outlet that is controllably open to the water supply; a plurality of control valves, each control valve including a housing that includes an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, the inlet being coupled to one of the outlet of the master valve or the second outlet of a preceding control valve, a poppet valve to selectably close one of a first passage between the inlet and the first outlet and a second passage between the inlet and the second outlet, a first diaphragm attached to the housing, the first diaphragm moving from a first position in operative contact with the poppet valve to close the second passage and a second position that permits the poppet valve to close the first passage, a second diaphragm attached to the housing, a wall that separates the first and second diaphragms, the wall having an orifice that allows a control fluid to flow between volumes adjacent to the first and second diaphragms at a controlled rate and to cause the first and second diaphragms to move in unison, a magnet coupled to the second diaphragm, a power source, and a wireless transmitter that is coupled to the power source, the wireless transmitter transmitting only when the magnet is moved into proximity with the wireless transmitter by movement of the second diaphragm as the first diaphragm moves to the second position; a controller to provide an irrigation cycle that includes opening the master valve for a first period of time and closing the master valve for a second period of time for each of the plurality of control valves, the controller ending the first period of time upon receipt of a wireless signal from any of the plurality of control valves. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification