Ebb and flow watering system

• US 9,901,044 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2015
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• 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 JOY
• Application Number:
  US14/862,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20160007548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• 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 is provided for controlling the fluid level in an ebb and flow watering system control bucket that is in fluid communication with at least one fluid holding apparatus such as a plant container with connecting water lines, causing hydraulic delays in changes in the fluid level in the control bucket when fluid is pumped to or from the control bucket, typically from a fluid reservoir. The method involves pumping fluid to or from the control bucket to achieve a target fluid level in the control bucket; upon the fluid reaching the target fluid level, starting a timer for a short period of time to allow for the hydraulic delays, and continuing to pump fluid while the timer runs; restarting the timer and continuing to pump fluid if the fluid level in the control bucket recedes from the target fluid level; and discontinuing pumping if the timer runs for the full period of time.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the fluid level in a control bucket that is in fluid communication with at least one fluid holding apparatus causing a hydraulic delay in changes in the fluid level in said control bucket when fluid is pumped to or from said control bucket, the method comprising:

(a) pumping fluid to or from said control bucket to achieve a predetermined target fluid level in said control bucket;

(b) upon the fluid reaching said predetermined target fluid level, starting a timer for a predetermined pump period and continuing to pump fluid;

(c) restarting the timer and continuing to pump fluid if the fluid level in said control bucket recedes from said predetermined target fluid level; and

(d) discontinuing pumping if the timer runs for said predetermined pump period.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined pump period is no more than said hydraulic delay.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising gravitationally flowing fluid from said control bucket to said at least one fluid holding apparatus when pumping fluid to said control bucket, and gravitationally flowing fluid to said control bucket from said at least one fluid holding apparatus when pumping fluid from said control bucket.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said hydraulic delay comprises the amount of time needed for fluid to flow from said control bucket to said at least one fluid holding apparatus when pumping fluid to said control bucket.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said hydraulic delay comprises the amount of time needed for fluid to flow to said control bucket from said at least one fluid holding apparatus when pumping fluid from said control bucket.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said predetermined pump period is approximately five (5) seconds and defines a preferred complete fill period associated with pumping fluid to said control bucket and consequently to said at least one fluid holding apparatus, said at least one fluid holding apparatus comprising less than twelve (12) plant containers in fluid communication with said control bucket.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said predetermined pump period is approximately three (3) seconds and defines a preferred complete drain period associated with pumping fluid from said control bucket and consequently from said at least one fluid holding apparatus, said at least one fluid holding apparatus comprising less than twelve (12) plant containers in fluid communication with said control bucket.

8. A controller adapted for controlling the fluid level in an ebb and flow watering system control bucket that is in fluid communication with at least one fluid holding apparatus causing a hydraulic delay in changes in the fluid level in said control bucket when fluid is pumped to or from said control bucket, the controller adapted to monitor and control the method steps:

(a) pumping fluid to or from said control bucket to achieve a predetermined target fluid level in said control bucket;

(b) upon the fluid reaching said predetermined target fluid level, starting a timer for a predetermined pump period and continuing to pump fluid;

(c) restarting the timer and continuing to pump fluid if the fluid level in said control bucket recedes from said predetermined target fluid level; and

(d) discontinuing pumping if the timer runs for said predetermined pump period.

9. The controller of claim 8 wherein said predetermined pump period is no more than said hydraulic delay.

10. The controller of claim 9 said method steps further comprising gravitationally flowing fluid from said control bucket to said at least one fluid holding apparatus when pumping fluid to said control bucket, and gravitationally flowing fluid to said control bucket from said at least one fluid holding apparatus when pumping fluid from said control bucket.

11. The controller of claim 10 wherein said hydraulic delay comprises the amount of time needed for fluid to flow from said control bucket to said at least one fluid holding apparatus when pumping fluid to said control bucket.

12. The controller of claim 10 wherein said hydraulic delay comprises the amount of time needed for fluid to flow to said control bucket from said at least one fluid holding apparatus when pumping fluid from said control bucket.

13. The controller of claim 11 wherein said predetermined pump period is approximately five (5) seconds and defines a preferred complete fill period associated with pumping fluid to said control bucket and consequently to said at least one fluid holding apparatus, said at least one fluid holding apparatus comprising less than twelve (12) plant containers in fluid communication with said control bucket.

14. The controller of claim 12 wherein said predetermined pump period is approximately three (3) seconds and defines a preferred complete drain period associated with pumping fluid from said control bucket and consequently from said at least one fluid holding apparatus, said at least one fluid holding apparatus comprising less than twelve (12) plant containers in fluid communication with said control bucket.