Irrigation controller water management with temperature budgeting
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for determining a water budget percentage for use with an irrigation controller comprising:
- a. a microprocessor containing historical local geo-environmental data and having instructions for determining a water budget percentage by comparing current environmental data to said historical local geo-environmental data without calculating evapotranspiration; and
b. at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor for providing said current environmental data.
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods for water conservation with irrigation controllers based upon the ambient temperature and extraterrestrial radiation of a particular geographical area. It receives a preliminary irrigation schedule from the operator and computes a water budget ratio by comparing current local geo-environmental data with stored local geo-environmental data, then modifying the preliminary irrigation schedule based upon that ratio. The present invention utilizes fewer variables, is less complex, and is much easier to install and maintain than the current evapotranspiration-based controllers.
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16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining a water budget percentage for use with an irrigation controller comprising:
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a. a microprocessor containing historical local geo-environmental data and having instructions for determining a water budget percentage by comparing current environmental data to said historical local geo-environmental data without calculating evapotranspiration; and b. at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor for providing said current environmental data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for modifying an irrigation schedule of a controller comprising the steps of:
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a. providing said controller with a preliminary irrigation schedule; b. automatically producing a water budget percentage without calculating evapotranspiration, and c. automatically modifying said preliminary irrigation schedule of said controller using said percentage. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification