Digital moisture monitor controller with wide applications soil and hydroponics moisture sensors and optional X10 multi sensor multi pump controller

• US 20050240313A1
• Filed: 05/10/2004
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brent Arthur Cartwright
• Original Assignee: Brent Arthur Cartwright
• Inventors: Cartwright, Brent Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 7,363,112 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/167 Control by humidity of the soil itself or of devices simulating soil or of the atmosphere; Soil humidity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 31/02 Special apparatus therefor self-acting watering devices A01G27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 22/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/21 Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0324 With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid

Abstract

Utilizing the latest microprocessor technology, the digital moisture monitor controller along with its wide applications alternating current conduction moisture sensors and optional X10 multi sensor multi pump controller, controls moisture levels in all soils and all of today'"'"'s hydroponics mediums.

Claims

1. A digital moisture monitor controller apparatus comprising:

alternating current conduction dual function soil or hydroponics medium moisture sensor with two insulated aluminum rods for means of transferring energy between probe tips at a rate determined by the moisture content of the medium.

alternating current conduction hydroponics medium only moisture sensor with medium chamber, a moisture chamber, a porous element and two electrodes for a means of transferring energy between said porous element at a rate determined by the moisture content of medium which is indirect proportion to the moisture content of the moisture chamber.

direct current conduction flood wet or dry sensor with printed circuit board etches for a means of transferring energy between said etches.

tare or offset adjustment for adjusting out large EC or electric conductivity energy offset as found in hydroponics fluid solutions.

storage means for storing a pre selected energy level.

comparing means for comparing said pre selected energy level to said moisture energy level with the comparing means operatively connected with controlling the outflow of a submersible pump, said outflow control means operatively connected to the said comparing means.

comparing means for comparing said flood wet dry sensor energy level to fixed reference energy level operatively connected with controlling the outflow of a submersible pump, said outflow control means operatively connected to said comparing means.

optional plural sensor and plural pump controller operatively connected to said moisture monitor controller.

2. The digital moisture monitor controller apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said energy transfer means include, two insulated aluminum rod elements adapted for placement in such connection with the soil or hydroponics medium whereby energy is transferred between said probe tips is in direct proportion to moisture level of soil or hydroponics medium.

3. The digital moisture monitor controller apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said energy transfer means include, a medium chamber, moisture chamber, two electrodes and a porous element adapted for placement in such connection with the hydroponics medium whereby energy is transferred at said electrodes and porous element in direct per portion to the moisture level of the said moisture chamber.

4. The digital moisture monitor controller apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said energy transfer means include, array of printed circuit board etches adapted for placement on such connections with flooring surface whereby energy is transferred between said etches as a result of wet flooring.

5. The soil-hydroponics probe as set forth in claim 2 wherein connection with the soil or medium is accomplished by pushing probe rods into soil or medium to preferred root zone.

6. The hydroponics only medium moisture sensor as set forth in claim 3 wherein connection with the hydroponics medium is accomplished by filling medium chamber with medium and placing sensor at subterranean level or preferred root zone.

7. The optional plural sensor plural pump controller as set forth in claim 1 individually controls 10 sensors and 10 pumps.

9. The method set forth in claim 2 soil hydroponics medium moisture sensor can be used in all types of soil and certain hydroponics mediums such as rockwool or similar mediums.

10. The method as set forth in claim 3 hydroponics medium only moisture sensor where the moisture collected in the moisture chamber is in direct per portion to the energy level within the porous element located in the moisture chamber at the out flow section of the sensor.

11. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein large quantum energy offset EC or electrical conductivity such as found in hydroponics fluid solutions can be offset or adjusted without effecting the linearity or accuracy of the content of moisture in the soil or hydroponics medium.

12. As set forth in claim 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 the digital moisture monitor controller and its moisture sensors provide a wide field of applications for controlling moisture levels in all soils and all hydroponics mediums.

8. The method of monitoring and controlling moisture in soil or hydroponics medium comprising;

said energy transfer means being positioned in moisture communication with the soil or hydroponics medium whereby the moisture content of the transfer means is in direct per portion to the moisture availability from the soil or hydroponics medium;

electrically storing the desired moisture or energy level and reacting to that quantum energy level is indicative of the self regulating digital soil hydroponics medium moisture monitor controller;

automatically determining the measured energy when the quantum of energy has been supplied;

electronically comparing the desired moisture or energy level to the measured quantum energy level to determine if the reference moisture level is met;

providing for the out flow of irrigating fluid to the soil or hydroponics medium when the reference moisture level is not met.