Accurate horticultural sprinkler system and sprinkler head

• US 20020125338A1
• Filed: 04/25/2002
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accurain, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Accurain, Inc.
• Inventors: Collins, Galen
• Granted Patent: US 6,688,535 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/69
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/085 responsive to flow or pressure of liquid or other fluent material to be discharged B05B1/3006, B05B1/323, B05B7/1254 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/12 responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature position or movement of the target relative to the spray apparatus B05B12/082, B05B12/084 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/124 responsive to distance between spray apparatus and target
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/02 with rotating elements electric spraying discharge apparatus characterised by having rotary outlet or deflecting elements B05B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/14 with oscillating elements; with intermittent operation
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 239/15 Sprinkler systems with controls

Abstract

The present invention includes a unique irrigation sprinkler system with a unique sprinkler head design; a unique method of defining the planted area to be served by the sprinkler head; a unique method for determining when that planted area needs to be watered; a unique way of providing even coverage throughout the planted area when being watered; the ability to use one sprinkler head to individually water multiple, non-overlapping planted areas; a unique way of addressing multiple sprinkler heads in the same sprinkler system; and a unique method for remotely determining the integrity of the sprinkler system.

Claims

1. A sprinkler head for use with an irrigation system having a water feeder line coupled to a water source to deliver water to a planted area of interest, said sprinkler head comprising:

an input port disposed to be coupled to said water feeder line;

a control valve coupled to said input port to provide controlled water flow through said control valve;

a flow rate monitoring unit adjacent said control valve to monitor said water flow as it exits said control valve;

a nozzle having a proximate end adjacent said flow rate monitoring unit to receive said water flow from said control valve and to expel said water from a distal end of said nozzle to said planted area of interest;

a drive means affixed to said nozzle for use in angularly positioning said distal end of said nozzle;

an angular position monitoring unit disposed to determine a position of said distal end of said nozzle; and

a control subsystem coupled to said control valve, said flow rate monitoring unit, said drive means and said angular position monitoring unit to monitor and control the flow rate through, and angular position of, said nozzle.

2. The sprinkler head as in claim 1 wherein said flow rate monitoring unit comprises:

a flexible finger having a proximate end mounted to a fixed position relative to said water flow and a distal end extending into a path of said water flow with said distal end of said flexible finger being in a relaxed position when said flow rate is zero and a displaced position when said flow rate is non-zero, with the extent of said displaced position being directly related to said flow rate;

a magnet mounted at one of a fixed position adjacent said distal end of said flexible finger and on said distal end of said flexible finger; and

a flow rate magnetic field sensor at the other of said fixed position adjacent said distal end of said flexible finger and on said distal end of said flexible finger adjacent said magnet, with said flow rate magnetic field sensor providing an electrical signal directly related to the strength of a magnetic field detected from said magnet.

3. The sprinkler head as in claim 1 wherein said angular position monitoring unit comprises:

a magnet mounted at one of a fixed position adjacent said drive means and on said drive means; and

an angular position magnetic field sensor at the other of said fixed position adjacent said drive means and on said drive means adjacent said magnet, with said angular position magnetic field sensor providing a strongest electrical signal when said magnet is adjacent said angular position magnetic field sensor to define a zero degree angular position for said nozzle.

4. The sprinkler head as in claim 1 wherein:

said drive means includes a nozzle gear attached near a proximate end of said nozzle;

said control valve includes a flow rate varying means for varying the flow rate through said control valve; and

said control subsystem comprises;

a local controller;

an activating means coupled to said local controller and said flow rate varying means for selectively controlling said flow rate varying means to adjust the flow rate through said control valve; and

an angular positioning stepper motor electrically coupled to said processor, having a shaft with a drive gear mounted thereon, and

mounted in a fixed position to mesh said drive gear with said nozzle gear to position said nozzle.

5. The sprinkler head as in claim 4 wherein:

said control value further comprises a shaft coupled to said flow rate varying means;

said activating means comprises a flow stepper motor electrically coupled to said local controller and mounted to a fixed position and having a drive shaft interacting with said shaft of said control to adjust said flow rate through said control valve; and

said local controller comprises;

a local processor coupled to said flow rate monitoring unit and said angular position monitoring unit;

local memory coupled to said local processor to provide temporary and permanent storage for said local processor; and

a stepper motor controller coupled to said local processor, and said flow and angular positioning stepper motors, to receive flow rate and angular position signals from said local processor and to convert said flow rate and angular position signals to corresponding drive signals to exercise said flow and angular positioning stepper motors, respectively.

6. The sprinkler head as in claim 4 wherein:

said control valve includes a fail-safe means with a zero flow rate therethrough when not activated;

said activating means is coupled to said fail-safe means to control flow therethrough in response to electrical signals from said local controller; and

said local controller comprises;

a local processor coupled to said flow rate monitoring unit and said angular position monitoring unit;

local memory coupled to said local processor to provide temporary and permanent storage for said local processor;

a stepper motor controller coupled to said local processor, and said angular positioning stepper motor, to receive angular position signals from said local processor and to convert said angular position signals to corresponding drive signals to exercise said angular positioning stepper motor; and

a signal converter coupled to said local processor, and said activating means, to receive flow rate signals from said local processor and to convert said flow rate signals to corresponding activation signals to exercise said activation means.

7. The sprinkler head as in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a nozzle drive gear.

53. The method as in claim 53 wherein step 1. includes the steps of:

r. a user entering a plant type for plants within said planted area of interest; and

s. said processor determining said dose level from a look-up table in said associated memory.

54. The sprinkler head as in claim 1 wherein said control valve includes:

an input chamber in communication with said input port;

a buffer chamber having;

an input side defining an input port therethrough with said input port disposed to receive water from said input chamber; and

an output side defining an output port therethrough disposed to deliver water to said flow rate monitoring unit;

a control chamber having;

a first side defining a first small hole therethrough having a first diameter to provide a passage for water from said input chamber into said control chamber;

a second side defining a second small hole therethrough having a second diameter; and

a flexible membrane forming a third side adjacent said input port of said input side of said buffer chamber;

a bypass chamber;

sharing said second side of said control chamber with said second small hole providing a passage for water from said control chamber into said bypass chamber; and

having a buffer side defining a third small hole therethrough having a third diameter to provide a passage for water from said bypass chamber into said buffer chamber; and

an activation means coupled to said control subsystem and having a needle valve aligned with said second hole and sized to meter water flow through said second hole in response to different signals applied to said activation means by said control subsystem and said needle valve to close with said second hole when no signal is applied to said activation means;

wherein the distance between said flexible membrane and said input port of said buffer chamber increases proportionally as said needle valve moves away from said second hole and deceases proportionally as said needle valve is advances into said second hole with said flexible membrane sealing with said input port when said needle valve is seated in said second hole.

55. The sprinkler head as in claim 54 wherein said first small hole is smaller than said second small hole, and said second small hole is smaller than said third small hole.

57. The sprinkler sprinkler system as in claim 56 wherein said first small hole is smaller than said second small hole, and said second small hole is smaller than said third small hole.

8. A sprinkler system to provide water from a water source to a planted area of interest, said sprinkler system comprising:

a water feeder line disposed to be coupled to said water source to receive water therefrom;

a sprinkler head coupled to said water feeder line to receive water therefrom, said sprinkler head being electrically controllable during said watering cycle to continuously vary angular position and flow rate of water to said planted area of interest;

a power and data line coupled to said sprinkler head to provide power and control data thereto; and

a master controller disposed to be connected to a power source and coupled to said power and data line to provide power and control data to said sprinkler head.

9. The sprinkler system as in claim 8 wherein said sprinkler head comprises:

an input port coupled to said water feeder line;

a control valve coupled to said input port to provide controlled water flow through said control valve;

a flow rate monitoring unit adjacent said control valve to monitor said water flow as it exits said control valve;

a nozzle having a proximate end adjacent said flow rate monitoring unit to receive said water flow from said control valve and to expel said water from a distal end of said nozzle to said planted area of interest;

a drive means affixed to said nozzle for use in angularly positioning said distal end of said nozzle;

an angular position monitoring unit disposed to determine a position of said nozzle gear; and

a control subsystem coupled to said electric and data line, and to said control valve, said flow rate monitoring unit, said nozzle gear and said angular position monitoring unit to monitor and control the flow rate through, and angular position of, said nozzle.

10. The sprinkler system as in claim 9 wherein said flow rate monitoring unit comprises:

a flexible finger having a proximate end mounted to a fixed position relative to said water flow and a distal end extending into a path of said water flow with said distal end of said flexible finger being in a relaxed position when said flow rate is zero and a displaced position when said flow rate is non-zero, with the extent of said displaced position being directly related to said flow rate;

a magnet mounted at one of a fixed position adjacent said distal end of said flexible finger and on said distal end of said flexible finger; and

a flow rate magnetic field sensor at the other of said fixed position adjacent said distal end of said flexible finger and on said distal end of said flexible finger adjacent said magnet, with said flow rate magnetic field sensor providing an electrical signal directly related to the strength of a magnetic field detected from said magnet.

11. The sprinkler system as in claim 9 wherein said angular position monitoring unit comprises:

a magnet mounted at one of a fixed position adjacent said drive means and on said drive means near an edge thereof; and

an angular position magnetic field sensor at the other of said fixed position adjacent said drive means and on said drive means adjacent said magnet, with said angular position magnetic field sensor providing a strongest electrical signal when said magnet is adjacent said angular position magnetic field sensor to define a zero degree angular position for said nozzle.

12. The sprinkler system as in claim 9 wherein:

said drive means includes a nozzle gear attached near a proximate end of said nozzle;

said control valve includes a flow rate varying means for varying the flow rate through said control valve; and

said sprinkler head control subsystem comprises;

a local controller;

an activating means coupled to said local controller and said flow rate varying means for selectively controlling said flow rate varying means to adjust the flow rate through said control valve; and

an angular positioning stepper motor electrically coupled to said processor, having a shaft with a drive gear mounted thereon, and mounted in a fixed position to mesh said drive gear with said nozzle gear to position said nozzle.

13. The sprinkler system as in claim 12 wherein:

said control value further comprises a shaft coupled to said flow rate varying means to selectively vary water flow through said control valve;

said activating means comprises a flow stepper motor electrically coupled to said local controller and mounted to a fixed position and having a drive shaft interacting with said shaft of said control valve to adjust said flow rate through said control valve; and

said local controller comprises;

a local processor coupled to said flow rate monitoring unit and said angular position monitoring unit;

local memory coupled to said local processor to provide temporary and permanent storage for said local processor; and

a stepper motor controller coupled to said local processor, and said flow and angular positioning stepper motors, to receive flow rate and angular position signals from said local processor and to convert said flow rate and angular position signals to corresponding drive signals to exercise said flow and angular positioning stepper motors, respectively.

14. The sprinkler system as in claim 12 wherein:

said control valve includes a fail safe means with a zero flow rate therethrough when not activated;

said activating means is coupled to said fail safe means to open same in response to electrical signals from said local controller; and

said local controller comprises;

a local processor coupled to said flow rate monitoring unit and said angular position monitoring unit;

local memory coupled to said local processor to provide temporary and permanent storage for said local processor;

a stepper motor controller coupled to said local processor, and said angular positioning stepper motor, to receive angular position signals from said local processor and to convert said angular position signals to corresponding drive signals to exercise said angular positioning stepper motor; and

a signal converter coupled to said local processor, and said activating means, to receive flow rate signals from said local processor and to convert said flow rate signals to corresponding activation signals to exercise said activation means.

15. The sprinkler system as in claim 8 wherein said drive means comprises a nozzle drive gear.

16. The sprinkler system as in claim 8 wherein:

said master controller comprises;

a master controller data bus;

a master processor coupled to said master controller data bus to control the operation of the overall sprinkler system;

a memory coupled to said master controller data bus to provide temporary and permanent data storage; and

data encoder/decoder coupled to said master controller data bus and said power and data line to encode data from said master processor to said sprinkler head and to decode data received from said sprinkler head for use by said master processor with said data being carried bidirectionally on said power and data line; and

said sprinkler head further comprising;

a sprinkler head data bus;

a local controller coupled to said sprinkler head data bus and being programable to retain duration of flow, and angular and flow rate variations to deliver a desired amount of water evenly to said planted area of interest, when instructed to do so by said master controller via said power and data line, in response to signals from said flow rate monitoring unit and said angular position monitoring unit;

a control valve to meter the flow of water through said sprinkler head;

a flow rate control means coupled to said local controller and said control valve to receive flow rate signals from said local controller for conversion to drive signals for application to said control valve;

a nozzle with a proximate end positioned to receive water after passing through said control valve to direct said water to said planted area from a distal end of said nozzle;

drive means coupled to said nozzle for angularly positioning said distal end of said nozzle to deliver water to said planted area of interest;

an angular position controller coupled to said local controller and said drive means to receive angular position signals from said local controller for conversion to drive signals for application to said drive means; and

local data encoder/decoder coupled to said sprinkler head data bus and said power and data line to encode data from said local processor to said master controller and to decode data received from said master controller for use by said local processor with said data being carried bidirectionally on said power and data line.

17. The sprinkler system as in claim 16 wherein said master controller further includes:

a display coupled to said master controller data bus to display status and programing information of said sprinkler system; and

a keyboard coupled to said master controller data bus for user selection of information on said display and entry of individual sprinkler head programing information.

18. The sprinkler system as in claim 17 further includes a remote programing unit comprising:

a remote data bus;

a remote processor coupled to said remote data bus and disposed to be connected to said local controller of a sprinkler head to be programed to control programing of said sprinkler head when said remote programing unit is coupled to said local controller;

a memory coupled to said remote data bus to provide temporary and permanent data storage for said remote processor;

a display coupled to said remote data bus to display status and programing information of said sprinkler head while being programed; and

a keyboard coupled to said remote data bus for user control of angular position and flow rate of said sprinkler head and water flow rate therethrough during programing and entering data into said local controller of said sprinkler head via said remote programing unit during programing.

19. The sprinkler system as in claim 8 wherein:

said master controller comprises;

a primary control section including;

a primary data bus;

a primary processor coupled to said primary data bus to control the operation of the overall sprinkler system;

a primary memory coupled to said primary data bus to provide temporary and permanent for said primary processor; and

a primary data encoder/decoder coupled to said primary data bus and said power and data line to encode data from said primary processor to said sprinkler head and to decode data received from said sprinkler head for use by said primary processor with said data being carried bidirectionally on said power and data line;

a secondary control section includes;

a secondary data bus;

a secondary processor coupled to said secondary data bus;

a secondary memory coupled to said secondary data bus to provide temporary and permanent data storage for said secondary processor;

a display coupled to said secondary data bus to, in one mode, display system information and, in a second mode, programing information of a sprinkler head; and

a keyboard coupled to said secondary data bus for user selection of information to be displayed on said display and entry of individual sprinkler head programing information; and

said sprinkler head further comprising;

a sprinkler head data bus;

a local controller coupled to said sprinkler head data bus and being programable to retain duration of flow, and angular and flow rate variations to deliver a desired amount of water evenly to said planted area of interest, when instructed to do so by said master controller via said power and data line, in response to signals from said flow rate monitoring unit and said angular position monitoring unit;

a control valve to meter the flow of water through said sprinkler head;

a flow rate control means coupled to said local controller and said control valve to receive flow rate signals from said local controller for conversion to drive signals for application to said control valve;

a nozzle with a proximate end positioned to receive water after passing through said control valve to direct said water to said planted area from a distal end of said nozzle;

drive means for angularly positioning said distal end of said nozzle to deliver water to said planted area of interest;

an angular position controller coupled to said local controller and said drive means to receive angular position signals from said local controller for conversion to drive signals for application to said drive means; and

local data encoder/decoder coupled to said sprinkler head data bus and said power and data line to encode data from said local processor to said master controller and to decode data received from said master controller for use by said local processor with said data being carried bidirectionally on said power and data line;

wherein said secondary control section is mounted in proximity with said primary control section to provide user interface during overall operation of said sprinkler system and programing of said sprinkler head with said secondary processor coupled to said primary processor, or at a remote location coupled to said sprinkler head for programing of said sprinkler head with said secondary processor coupled to said local controller of said sprinkler head.

20. The sprinkler system as in claim 8 further comprises a weather station that includes:

a weather station data bus;

a weather station processor coupled to said weather station data bus;

a weather station memory coupled to said weather station data bus to provide temporary and permanent data storage;

environmental sensors coupled to said weather station data bus to detect and provide data corresponding to weather conditions; and

weather station encoder/decoder coupled to said weather station data bus and said power and data line to encode data from said environmental sensors via said weather station processor to said master controller and to decode data received from said master controller for use by said weather station processor with said data being carried bidirectionally on said power and data line.

21. The sprinkler system as in claim 20 wherein said environmental sensors include:

a temperature sensor;

a humidity sensor; and

a wind direction and strength sensor.

22. The sprinkler system as in claim 8 further comprising:

a plurality of sprinkler heads each connected to said water feeder line and said power and data line, with each sprinkler head including;

a local processor to control said angular position and flow rate of water through said individual associated sprinkler head; and

local memory coupled to said local processor to store angular position and flow rate values for use during watering said planted area of interest of said associated sprinkler head, and to store a unique identifier of said associated sprinkler head with said unique identifier being assigned to said associated sprinkler head by said master controller for use in communicating between said master controller and said associated sprinkler head via said power and data line.

23. The sprinkler system as in claim 22 wherein communication between said master controller and each of said local processor in each of said sprinkler heads is performed by modulating a voltage level on said power and data line with said communication being bi-directional.

25. The method as in claim 24 wherein step c. further includes the step of:

d. controlling said sprinkler head to direct said water stream from said nozzle to said planted area of interest in a zigzag fashion from one of side to side and near to far.

26. The method as in claim 24 further including the step of:

d. controlling said sprinkler head to water a plurality of non-overlapping planted areas of interest using steps a. , b. and c. for each of said plurality of planted areas of interest.

27. The method as in claim 24 further including the step of:

d . controlling said sprinkler head to deliver an non-dispersing stream of water to said planted area of interest to minimize evaporation of water during watering.

28. The method as in claim 24 further includes the step of:

d. controlling said sprinkler head to water said planted area of interest wherein a shape of said planted area of interest is one of a single point, a line and a polygon.

30. The method as in claim 29 wherein each planted area of interest is defined in said processor controlled automatic sprinkler head by four points.

31. The method as in claim 30 wherein said processor controlled sprinkler head waters said planted area of interest within line segments that join said four points and form the periphery of said planted area of interest.

32. The method as in claim 31 for programing said processor controlled sprinkler head to automatically water a single point as said planted area of interest, said method further comprising the step of:

g. following step f., instructing said processor to save a second, third and fourth data set each containing the same data as said first data set to define said planted area of interest as said single point.

33. The method as in claim 31 for programing said processor controlled sprinkler head to automatically water a line as said planted area of interest wherein said first physical point of interest is one end of said line, said method further comprising the steps of:

g. physically identifying a second physical point to which said water stream is to be automatically delivered with a second target, wherein said second physical point is another end of said line;

h. following steps f. and g., controlling said angular positioning drive means via said processor to direct said water stream from said nozzle in the direction of said second target;

i. following steps f. and g., controlling said flow rate control means via said processor to vary the distance from said nozzle said water stream is projected;

j. repeating steps h. and i. until said water stream from said nozzle hits said second target;

k. instructing said processor to save a second data set corresponding to electrical signals to be applied to said angular positioning means and said flow rate control means to provide the angle and flow rate necessary for repeated automatic delivery of said water stream to said second physical point at which said second target was located; and

l. following step k., instructing said processor to save a third and fourth data set each containing the same data as one of said first data set, said second data set, and a data set corresponding to a point on said line between said first and second points to define said planted area of interest as said line.

34. The method as in claim 31 for programing said processor controlled sprinkler head to automatically water a triangularly shaped area as said planted area of interest wherein said first physical point of interest is one corner point of said triangularly shaped area, said method further comprising the steps of:

g. physically identifying a second physical point to which said water stream is to be automatically delivered with a second target, wherein said second physical point is a second corner point of said triangularly shaped area;

h. following steps f. and g., controlling said angular positioning drive means via said processor to direct said water stream from said nozzle in the direction of said second target;

i. following steps f. and g., controlling said flow rate control means via said processor to vary the distance from said nozzle said water stream is projected;

j. repeating steps h. and i. until said water stream from said nozzle hits said second target;

k. instructing said processor to save a second data set corresponding to electrical signals to be applied to said angular positioning means and said flow rate control means to provide the angle and flow rate necessary for repeated automatic delivery of said water stream to said second physical point at which said second target was located;

l. physically identifying a third physical point as a third corner point of said triangularly shaped area to which water is to be automatically delivered with a third target;

m. following steps k. and l., controlling said angular positioning drive means via said processor to direct said water stream from said nozzle in the direction of said third target;

n. following steps k. and h., controlling said flow rate control means via said processor to vary the distance from said nozzle said water stream is projected;

o. repeating steps m. and n. until said water stream from said nozzle hits said third target;

p. instructing said processor to save a third data set corresponding to electrical signals to be applied to said angular positioning means and said flow rate control means to provide the angle and flow rate necessary for repeated automatic delivery of said water stream to said third physical point at which said third target was located; and

q. following step p., instructing said processor to save a fourth data set containing the same data as one of said first data set, said second data set, said third data and a data set corresponding to a point on said a line between said first and second physical points, said second and third physical points and said first and third physical points to define said planted area of interest as said triangularly shaped area.

35. The method as in claim 31 for programing said processor controlled sprinkler head to automatically water a four sided polygonally shaped area as said planted area of interest wherein said first physical point of interest is a first corner point of said four sided polygonally shaped area, said method further comprising the steps of:

g. physically identifying a second physical point to which water is to be automatically delivered with a second target, wherein said second physical point is a second corner point of said four sided polygonally shaped area;

h. following steps f. and g., controlling said angular positioning drive means via said processor to direct said water stream from said nozzle in the direction of said second target;

i. following steps f. and g., controlling said flow rate control means via said processor to vary the distance from said nozzle said water stream is projected;

j. repeating steps h. and i. until said water stream from said nozzle hits said second target;

k. instructing said processor to save a second data set corresponding to electrical signals to be applied to said angular positioning means and said flow rate control means to provide the angle and flow rate necessary for repeated automatic delivery of said water stream to said second physical point at which said second target was located;

l. physically identifying a third physical point as a third corner point of said four sided polygonally shaped area to which water is to be automatically delivered with a third target;

m. following steps k. and l., controlling said angular positioning drive means via said processor to direct said water stream from said nozzle in the direction of said third target;

n. following steps k. and l., controlling said flow rate control means via said processor to vary the distance from said nozzle said water stream is projected;

o. repeating steps m. and n. until said water stream from said nozzle hits said third target;

p. instructing said processor to save a third data set corresponding to electrical signals to be applied to said angular positioning means and said flow rate control means to provide the angle and flow rate necessary for repeated automatic delivery of said water stream to said third physical point at which said third target was located;

q. physically identifying a fourth physical point as a fourth comer point of said four sided polygonally shaped area to which water is to be automatically delivered with a fourth target;

r. following steps p. and q., controlling said angular positioning drive means via said processor to direct said water stream from said nozzle in the direction of said fourth target;

s. following steps p. and q., controlling said flow rate control means via said processor to vary the distance from said nozzle said water stream is projected;

t. repeating steps r. and s. until said water stream from said nozzle hits said fourth target;

u. instructing said processor to save a fourth data set corresponding to electrical signals to be applied to said angular positioning means and said flow rate control means to provide the angle and flow rate necessary for repeated automatic delivery of said water stream to said fourth physical point at which said fourth target was located.

36. The method as in claim 31 wherein said processor controlled automatic sprinkler head can be programed to water multiple non-overlapping planted areas of interest.

37. The method as in claim 32 further comprising the step of:

h. calculating an area of said planted area of interest as an area within said line segments that define said periphery of said planted area of interest, with said calculated area having a minimum height and width for said one point area of interest and a minimum width for said line area of interest.

38. The method as claim 37 further comprising the steps of:

i. entering a water dose level to be delivered to said area between said line segments that define said periphery of said planted area of interest when instructed to do so by said processor; and

j. calculating, using said water dose level of step i. and said calculated area of step h., a time period necessary to deliver said water dose of step i. evenly over said planted area of interest.

39. The method as in claim 38 further comprising the steps of:

k. evenly delivering water to said planted area of interest for said calculated period of time in step j. by;

l. applying a constant stream of water to said planted area of interest if said planted area of interest is a single point;

m. oscillating said stream of water between end points of a line if said planted area of interest is a line by varying said angle of delivery and said flow rate for said water stream from said nozzle to follow said line; and

n. directing said water stream within said periphery of said planted area of interest if said planted area of interest is polygonally shaped by varying said angle of delivery and said flow rate for said water stream from said nozzle to deliver a uniform amount of water per unit of area throughout said planted area of interest.

40. The method as in claim 38 wherein step i. includes the steps of:

k. a user entering a plant type for plants within said planted area of interest; and

l. said processor determining said dose level from a look-up table in said associated memory.

56. The sprinkler system as in claim 9 wherein said control valve includes:

an input chamber in communication with said input port;

a buffer chamber having;

an input side defining an input port therethrough with said input port disposed to receive water from said input chamber; and

an output side defining an output port therethrough disposed to deliver water to said flow rate monitoring unit;

a control chamber having;

a first side defining a first small hole therethrough having a first diameter to provide a passage for water from said input chamber into said control chamber;

a second side defining a second small hole therethrough having a second diameter; and

a flexible membrane forming a third side adjacent said input port of said input side of said buffer chamber;

a bypass chamber;

sharing said second side of said control chamber with said second small hole providing a passage for water from said control chamber into said bypass chamber; and

having a buffer side defining a third small hole therethrough having a third diameter to provide a passage for water from said bypass chamber into said buffer chamber; and

an activation means coupled to said control subsystem and having a needle valve aligned with said second hole and sized to meter water flow through said second hole in response to different signals applied to said activation means by said control subsystem and said needle valve to close with said second hole when no signal is applied to said activation means;

wherein the distance between said flexible membrane and said input port of said buffer chamber increases proportionally as said needle valve moves away from said second hole and deceases proportionally as said needle valve is advances into said second hole with said flexible membrane sealing with said input port when said needle valve is seated in said second hole.

24. A method of watering a contiguous planted area of interest with a processor controlled automatic sprinkler head connected to a water line, said sprinkler head having a nozzle from which to direct a water stream to said planted area of interest, said method including the steps of:

a. oscillating said sprinkler head from side to side to direct said water stream from said nozzle from side to side within said planted area of interest under control of said processor;

b. varying a flow rate of said water stream through said nozzle to direct water at varying distances from said sprinkler head within said planted area of interest under control of said processor; and

c. coordinating the performance of steps a. and b. to direct said water stream from said nozzle evenly throughout the entire planted area of interest.

29. A method of programing a processor controlled automatic sprinkler head connected to a water line to water a contiguous planted area of interest;

said sprinkler head having a nozzle from which to direct a water stream to said planted area of interest, a processor and associated memory, an angular positioning drive means responsive to said processor for varying the angle of delivery of said water stream from said nozzle, and a flow rate control means responsive to said processor for varying the distance of delivery of said water stream from said nozzle;

said method comprising the steps of;

a. physically identifying a first physical point to which said water stream is to be automatically delivered with a first target;

b. actuating said processor to start water flow through said nozzle of said sprinkler head;

C. following steps a. and b., controlling said angular positioning drive means via said processor to direct said water stream from said nozzle in the direction of said first target;

d. following steps a. and b., controlling said flow rate control means via said processor to vary the distance from said nozzle said water stream is projected;

e. repeating steps c. and d. until said water stream from said nozzle hits said first target; and

f. instructing said processor to save a first data set corresponding to electrical signals to be applied to said angular positioning means and said flow rate control means to provide the angle and flow rate necessary for repeated automatic delivery of said water stream to said first physical point at which said first target was located.

41. A method of watering a plurality of non-overlapping planted areas of interest with an automatic sprinkler system having a master controller, a plurality of automatic sprinkler heads with each sprinkler head having a local processor and being programed to water at least one of said planted areas of interest, and a communications link connecting said local processor of each sprinkler head to said master controller, all of said sprinkler heads being connected to a single water line, and each local processor being programed to determine when watering is needed by said corresponding planted area of interest and the necessary duration of that watering cycle, said master controller performing the steps of:

a. interrogating each local processor of said plurality of sprinkler heads via said communications link to determine which ones of said sprinkler heads are ready to water at least one corresponding planted area of interest and the necessary duration of that watering cycle;

b. calculating the maximum number of sprinkler heads that can be active at the same time using said information from step a. and knowing the available water pressure of said single water line;

c. following step b., preparing a sequence of steps for activating said ready sprinkler heads with no more than said maximum number of sprinkler heads identified in each step of said sequence using said maximum number and said individual watering cycle durations of each of said sprinkler heads identified in step a. as ready to water; and

d. communicating individually with each sprinkler head at the beginning of each sequence step in which said sprinkler head is included until all sequence steps have been completed, using said sequence developed in step c.;

wherein said method minimizes the plumbing need for said automatic sprinkler system while permitting said water line to have any water pressure and flow rate.

42. The method as in claim 41 wherein:

said local processor of each sprinkler head, prior to step a., performs the step of;

d. programing, for each planted area of interest being served by each sprinkler head, a watering dose level and stress tolerance for the particular plants included in each planted area of interest, and setting a variable called effective stress level equal to said programed stress tolerance;

said master controller, prior to step a., further performs the steps of;

e. determining an evapotransporation rate for the current date and location where said automatic sprinkler system is installed; and

f. communicating said evapotransporation rate of step e. to every one of said sprinkler heads; and

said local processor in each sprinkler head further performs the steps of;

g. determining a new effective stress level by subtracting said evapotransporation rate received in step f. from said effective stress level for each planted area of interest said corresponding sprinkler head is programed to water;

h. saving each new effective stress level as said variable effective stress level in said local processor;

i. determining if said effective stress level of step h. is zero or less than zero for each planted area of interest said corresponding sprinkler head is programed to water;

j. determining a total length of time needed to water each planted area of interest identified in step i. for said corresponding sprinkler head;

k. in response to step a., communicating said total length of time needed to said master controller for said corresponding sprinkler head;

l. in response to step d., initiating and completing watering of each planted area of interest identified in step i.; and

m. following step l., resting said variable effective stress level to said programed stress tolerance for each planted area of interested watered in step l.

43. The method as in claim 42 wherein step e. includes the step of:

n. reading said evapotransporation rate for a current month from a look-up table in said master controller.

44. The method as in claim 42 wherein step e. includes the step of:

o. obtaining said evapotransporation rate electronically from a governmental source.

45. The method as in claim 42 being performed on a daily basis at a predetermined time of day.

46. The method as in claim 42 wherein step d. includes the steps of:

p. a user entering a plant type for plants within each of said planted areas of interest for said corresponding sprinkler head; and

q. said local processor of said corresponding sprinkler head determining said dose level and stress tolerance from a look-up table for each planted area of interest to said sprinkler head.

49. The method as in claim 48 further includes the steps of:

k. identifying an additional non-overlapping planted area of interest; and

l. repeating steps a. through j. for each such planted area of interest.

50. The method as in claim 48 further comprising the step of:

k. calculating an area of said planted area of interest as an area within line segments between said number of physical points that define said periphery of said planted area of interest, with said calculated area having a minimum height and width if said number of physical points is one, and a minimum width if said number of physical points is two.

51. The method as claim 50 further comprising the steps of:

l. entering a water dose level to be delivered to said area between said line segments that define said periphery of said planted area of interest when instructed to do so by said processor; and

m. calculating, using said water dose level of step l. and said area of step k., a time period necessary to deliver said water dose of step l. evenly over said planted area of interest.

52. The method as in claim 51 further comprising the steps of:

n. evenly delivering water to said planted area of interest for said calculated period of time in step m. by;

o. applying a constant stream of water to said planted area of interest if said planted area of interest is a single physical point;

p. oscillating said stream of water between end points of a line if said planted area of interest is two physical points by varying said angle of delivery and said flow rate for said water stream from said nozzle to follow said line; and

q. directing said water stream within said periphery of said planted area of interest if said planted area of interest is defined by three or more physical points by varying said angle of delivery and said flow rate for said water stream from said nozzle to deliver a uniform amount of water per unit of area throughout said planted area of interest.

47. A method determining integrity of an automatic sprinkler system having a master controller, a plurality of automatic sprinkler heads with each sprinkler head having a local processor, and a communications link connecting said local processor of each sprinkler head to said master controller, and all of said sprinkler heads being connected to a single water line, said method comprising the steps of:

a. each local processor reporting to said master controller an inability to water an area when authorized to do so by said master controller;

b. each local processor reporting to said master controller water stream through a corresponding sprinkler head at a time when unauthorized to water;

c. said master controller individually interrogating each local processor in each sprinkler head at will to request an acknowledgment from each local processor as being on-line; and

d. said master controller identifying a possible problem in each sprinkler head identified in steps a. and b., and in step c. if no response is received by said master controller from a particular sprinkler head.

48. A method of programing a processor controlled automatic sprinkler head connected to a water line to water a contiguous planted area of interest;

said sprinkler head having a nozzle from which to direct a water stream to said planted area of interest, a processor and associated memory, an angular positioning drive means responsive to said processor for varying the angle of delivery of said water stream from said nozzle, and a flow rate control means responsive to said processor for varying the distance of delivery of said water stream from said nozzle;

said method comprising the steps of;

a. entering a number of physical points necessary to define an outline of said planted area of interest into said processor;

b. said processor setting a programing variable equal to one;

c. physically identifying a physical point corresponding to said programing variable to which said water stream is to be automatically delivered;

d. following step c., controlling said angular positioning drive means via said processor to direct said water stream from said nozzle in. the direction of said physical point;

e. following step c., controlling said flow rate control means via said processor to vary the distance from said nozzle said water stream is projected;

f. repeating steps d. and e. until said water stream from said nozzle hits said physical point;

g. instructing said processor to save a data set corresponding to electrical signals to be applied to said angular positioning means and said flow rate control means to provide the angle and flow rate necessary for repeated automatic delivery of said water stream to said physical point together with a value of said programing variable;

h. following step g., testing said value of said programing variable if said value is equal to said number of physical points entering in step a.;

i. if test result of step h. is false, said programing variable is advanced by one and steps c. through h. are repeated; and

j. if test result of step h. is true all data sets for all physical points have been entered.