Sensor device for use in controlling irrigation
First Claim
1. A rain sensor comprising:
- a moisture absorptive material configured to move in response to rain fall;
a plunger configured to move in response to and proportional to the movement of the moisture absorptive material;
a sensor element comprising;
a first element; and
a second element coupled to the plunger and configured to move with the plunger relative to the first element causing a change in a variable corresponding to the amount of rain; and
a controller configured to measure the variable and further configured to generate a signal comprising an indication of the amount of rain fall based on the variable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided herein for sensing rain fall for use in irrigation control. In one embodiment, a wireless rain sensor comprises a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter. The first sensor comprises a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material.
233 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A rain sensor comprising:
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a moisture absorptive material configured to move in response to rain fall; a plunger configured to move in response to and proportional to the movement of the moisture absorptive material; a sensor element comprising; a first element; and a second element coupled to the plunger and configured to move with the plunger relative to the first element causing a change in a variable corresponding to the amount of rain; and a controller configured to measure the variable and further configured to generate a signal comprising an indication of the amount of rain fall based on the variable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification