Modulated watering device based on watering index percentage

• US 8,260,466 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2010
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Greig E. Altieri, Henry M. Ortiz, Howard J. Jelinek, Jae Y. Kim, Matthew K. Davenport
• Original Assignee: Greig E. Altieri, Henry M. Ortiz, Howard J. Jelinek, Jae Y. Kim, Matthew K. Davenport
• Inventors: Altieri, Greig E., Davenport, Matthew K., Jelinek, Howard J., Kim, Jae Y., Ortiz, Henry M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Masinick, Michael D
• Application Number:
  US12/787,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20100301133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 700/284, 137/1, 137/59, 137/78.2, 137/78.3
• US Class Current: 700/284
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1189 Freeze condition responsive safety systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1866 For controlling soil irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/189 Soil moisture sensing

Abstract

A device for controlling an irrigation system includes an interrupter for interconnection in a serial manner between a solenoid return common line and a preexisting irrigation timer, a controller for operating the interrupter in a periodic fashion is provided as well as an adjuster, in communication with the controller, for changing the periodicity of the interrupter operation.

Claims

1. A device for controlling an irrigation system in conjunction with a preexisting irrigation timer powering a solenoid valve, said device comprising:

an interrupter for interconnection in a serial manner between a solenoid return common line and the timer;

a controller for operating the interrupter in a periodic fashion directly proportional to a percentage retrieved by referencing a Watering Index; and

an adjuster, in communication with said controller, for changing the periodicity of the interrupter operation.

2. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a remote control for establishing communication between said adjuster and said controller.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said remote control is configured for communication via the Internet.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to open and close the interrupter at a regular ON-OFF duty cycle (D).

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said adjuster causes the controller to change the ON portion of the duty cycle from between 0% and 100% of the duty cycle.

6. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a regulator for powering the device by way of power from the timer.

7. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a current sensor in communication with said controller for determining a duration of each pre-programmed timer cycle and the controller is configured for learning the pre-programmed duration and changing the periodicity of the interrupter based on the learned pre-programmed duration.

8. A method for controlling an irrigation system, the method comprising:

setting an irrigation timer to power a solenoid valve for a selected water duration;

selecting a periodicity of power interruption directly proportional to a percentage retrieved by referring to a Watering Index; and

periodically interrupting power to the solenoid valve during the selected water duration via an interrupter interconnected in a serial manner between a solenoid return line and the irrigation timer.

9. A method for modifying control of an irrigation system having an irrigation timer for powering a solenoid valve for a selected water duration, the method comprising:

connecting a device in series with a solenoid valve return common wire and the timer; and

operating the device to periodically interrupt continuity in the common wire during the selected water duration;

where the periodicity is preselected to be directly proportional to a percentage retrieved by referring to a Watering Index.

10. The method according to claim 9 further comprising operating the device remotely.

11. The method according to claim 9 further comprising powering the device by attaching device power and ground wires to power and ground connections of the timer.