Computer implemented method for controlling ebb flow watering systems

• US 8,725,301 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2011
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HGCI, Inc. (Scotts Miracle-Gro Company)
• Original Assignee: IP Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Carskadon, Martin, Barrett, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnes-Bullock, Crystal J
• Application Number:
  US13/200,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20130079934A1
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 700/11, 700/17, 700/275, 700/281, 700/282, 702/33, 702/50, 702/55, 340/500, 340/540, 340/603, 340/612, 340/618, 340/623, 448/8, 4506-509, 137/38, 137 40- 42, 137/44, 137/87.01, 137/87.02, 137/98, 137/101.25, 137/101.27, 137/109, 137/115.01, 137/115.02, 137/118.01, 137/119.01, 137120-122, 137/386, 137/387, 137/393, 137395-398, 137/409, 137/426, 137/551, 137/558
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/165 Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/001 with intermittent watering means
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/00 Control of flow ratio control of chemical or physico-chemical variables, e.g. pH-value, G05D21/00; control of humidity G05D22/00; control of temperature by varying the mixing ratio of two fluids having different temperatures G05D23/13; control of viscosity G05D24/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 9/12 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0826 Float controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0898 By shifting of liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2536 Float controlled weir or valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2577 Liquid level responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/267 Control by filling auxiliary gravitating or float operating tank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2675 Float controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/27 Liquid level responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/731 With control fluid connection at desired liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7319 By float
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7323 By float
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7413 Level adjustment or selection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8342 Liquid level responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A method of controlling an ebb and flow watering system utilizing existing hardware commonly used in ebb and flow systems including float switches, water pumps, electromechanical timers, reservoir, control bucket, flood lines, indicator LEDs and plant containers such that the filling and draining of the control bucket is improved by accommodating for hydraulic delays, flood line restrictions, and pump limitations, while further providing constant monitoring for leaks or float switch failure, and shutting off the pumps if the same are determined.

Claims

1. A computer-controlled ebb and flow watering method utilizing two float switches, two water pumps, a timer, and a control bucket, comprising the steps of:

initializing fill time period with a timer;

determining the state of a top float switch and a bottom float switch in a control bucket;

powering on a fill pump if the top float switch is down;

starting an internal timing clock if the top float switch is up;

restarting the internal timing clock if the top float switch drops from up to down;

shutting off the fill pump if the internal timing clock runs for a complete fill period;

initializing drain time period after fill time period ends with a timer;

determining the state of a top float switch and a bottom float switch in a control bucket;

powering on a drain pump if the bottom float switch is up;

starting an internal timing clock if the bottom float switch drops from up to down;

restarting the internal timing clock if the bottom float switch raises from down to up; and

shutting off the drain pump if the internal timing clock runs for a complete drain period.

4. A method of controlling an ebb and flow watering system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the complete fill period is no greater than the hydraulic delays of filling the ebb and flow watering system.

5. A method of controlling an ebb and flow watering system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the complete fill period is less than fifteen minutes.

6. A method of controlling an ebb and flow watering system of claim 1 or 2 further comprising the steps of blinking a fill LED when the fill time period is running or the internal timing clock is running, so long as the fill pump is powered on.

7. A method of controlling an ebb and flow watering system of claim 1 or 2 further comprising the steps of powering continuously on a fill LED when the fill time period is running and the fill pump is off.

8. A method of controlling an ebb and flow watering system of claim 1 or 3, wherein the complete drain period is no greater than the hydraulic delays of draining the ebb and flow watering system.

9. A method of controlling an ebb and flow watering system of claim 1 or 3 wherein the complete drain period is no less than 3 seconds.

10. A method of controlling an ebb and flow watering system of claim 1 or 3 further comprising the steps of blinking a red LED when the drain time period is running, or the timing clock is running, so long as the drain pump is powered on.

11. A method of controlling an ebb and flow watering system of claim 1 or 3 further comprising the steps of powering continuously ‘

on’

a LED when the drain time period is running and the drain pump is off.

12. A method of controlling an ebb and flow watering system of claim 1 further comprising the steps of initializing an error state if any of the following events occur:

the top float switch is up while the bottom float switch is down;

the internal timing clock is still running when the fill time period ends;

or

the internal timing clock is still running when the drain time period ends.

2. A method of controlling the fill cycle of an ebb and flow watering system comprising the steps of:

initializing fill time period;

determining the state of a switch in a control bucket;

powering on a fill pump if the switch indicates no liquid at desired fill level;

starting an internal timing clock if the switch indicates liquid at desired fill level;

restarting the internal timing clock if the switch indicates no liquid at desired fill level;

shutting off the fill pump if the internal timing clock runs for a complete fill period.

3. A method of controlling the draining of an ebb and flow watering system comprising the steps of:

initializing drain time period;

determining the state of a switch in a control bucket;

powering on a drain pump if the switch indicates liquid at the switch level;

starting an internal timing clock if the switch indicates no liquid at desired drain level;

restarting the internal timing clock if the switch indicates liquid at desired drain level;

shutting off the drain pump if the internal timing clock runs for a complete drain period.