Wireless irrigation control

• US 8,868,246 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2013
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Inventors: Thornton, Dean C., Hern, Randall A., Napier, Malcolm N.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARTMAN JR, RONALD D
• Application Number:
  US13/934,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20130297082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 700/284, 320/108, 320/166, 307109-110
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/18 Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form G05B19/418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2625 Sprinkler, irrigation, watering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/00 Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/22 Improving land use; Improving water use or availability; Controlling erosion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1866 For controlling soil irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/189 Soil moisture sensing

Abstract

Several embodiments provide wireless irrigation control and related methods. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is can receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and can cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device. In some implementations, the receiver unit includes a capacitor charging circuit and battery to power the receiver unit and drive and control a latching solenoid.

Claims

1. A method for use in irrigation control comprising:

operationally powering a controller and a wireless receiver of a battery powered receiver unit using a battery, the receiver unit configured to control operation of a latching solenoid configured to control an irrigation valve;

charging a capacitor to a first voltage level using a capacitor charging circuit and the battery, wherein the battery has a voltage rating at a second voltage level that is less than the first voltage level, wherein the capacitor charging circuit comprises;

an inductor coupling the battery to the capacitor; and

a switch coupled to the inductor and operated by the controller and which controls a flow of current through the inductor;

receiving a wireless irrigation control signal at the wireless receiver; and

causing, responsive to the wireless irrigation control signal, the capacitor to discharge to provide a pulse to the latching solenoid sufficient to actuate the latching solenoid to control the irrigation valve.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the capacitor charging circuit includes a diode coupling the inductor to the capacitor.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiver, the controller, the capacitor, the battery and the capacitor charging circuit are contained within a housing.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the battery comprises a D cell battery having a voltage rating of 1.5 volts.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the battery comprises a AA battery having a voltage rating of 1.5 volts.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the battery comprises a AAA battery having a voltage rating of 1.5 volts.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first voltage level is at least 7 volts and the second voltage is less than 7 volts.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the second voltage level is less than 2 volts.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the capacitor comprises a single capacitor.

10. A method for use in irrigation control comprising:

operationally powering a controller and a wireless receiver of a battery powered receiver unit using a battery, the receiver unit configured to control operation of a latching solenoid configured to control an irrigation valve;

charging a capacitor to a voltage of at least 7 volts using a capacitor charging circuit and the battery, wherein the battery has a voltage rating of less than 7 volts, wherein the capacitor can provide a pulse sufficient to actuate the latching solenoid controlling the irrigation valve when discharged;

receiving a wireless irrigation control signal at the wireless receiver; and

causing, responsive to the wireless irrigation control signal, the capacitor to discharge to provide a pulse to the latching solenoid sufficient to actuate the latching solenoid to control the irrigation valve.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the battery has a voltage rating of less than 2 volts.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the battery comprises a D cell battery having a voltage rating of 1.5 volts.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the battery comprises a AA battery having a voltage rating of 1.5 volts.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the battery comprises a AAA battery having a voltage rating of 1.5 volts.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the capacitor charging circuit comprises a switched-inductor based capacitor charging circuit.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the capacitor comprises a single capacitor.