IRRIGATION WATER CONSERVATION WITH AUTOMATED WATER BUDGETING AND TIME OF USE TECHNOLOGY

• US 20110093123A1
• Filed: 11/29/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: George Alexanian
• Inventors: Alexanian, George
• Granted Patent: US 8,620,480 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/10 in agriculture

Abstract

The present invention provides a multitude of embodiments for landscape water conservation with automated water budgeting or seasonal adjustment. Water budget automation may be implemented within an irrigation controller, by means of an add-on or a plug-in to the controller, or broadcast from a central location. The environmental data used for automated water budgeting may be historical including ambient temperature, wind, solar radiation, relative humidity, soil moisture, soil temperature, or evapotranspiration, or combinations thereof, or with a combination of current sensor data. The automated water budgeting may be accomplished with a percentage accumulation method which adjusts watering intervals and schedules, or on a daily percentage basis. In addition, government based restricted watering schedules may be combined within all the above embodiments to provide additional flexibility for water conservation.

Claims

1. A method of automatically adjusting an irrigation watering schedule in a controller comprising the steps of:

a. providing said controller with at least one set of water budget percentages; and

b. said controller periodically adjusting said irrigation watering schedule according to said water budget percentages.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of periodically adjusting said irrigation watering schedule comprises the additional steps of:

c. said controller accumulating water budget percentages on a periodic basis; and

d. said controller preventing watering until a threshold accumulation of percentages is reached or exceeded.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising the further steps of:

c. providing said controller with at least one restricted watering schedule; and

d. said controller preventing watering when restricted according to said restricted watering schedule.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising the further steps of:

c. providing at least one environmental sensor in communication with said controller; and

d. said controller preventing watering according to input from said at least one sensor.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising the further steps of:

c. providing said controller with at least one restricted watering schedule;

d. providing at least one environmental sensor in communication with said controller; and

e. said controller preventing watering when restricted according to said restricted watering schedule and according to input from said at least one sensor.

6. A controller having at least one irrigation watering schedule, comprising:

a. data storage for holding at least one set of water budget percentages; and

b. a microprocessor having programming for periodically selecting one of said percentages, and periodically adjusting said irrigation watering schedule according to said selected water budget percentage.

7. The controller of claim 6 wherein said microprocessor has programming for accumulating water budget percentages on a periodic basis, and said programming for periodic adjusting prevents execution of said irrigation watering schedule until a threshold accumulation of percentages is reached or exceeded.

8. The controller of claim 6 further comprising at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor, and programming in said microprocessor to prevent execution of said irrigation watering schedule according to input from said at least one sensor.

9. The controller of claim 6 further comprising at least one restricted watering schedule in said data storage, and programming in said microprocessor to prevent execution of said irrigation watering schedule when restricted according to said restricted watering schedule.

10. The controller of claim 6 further comprising at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor, at least one restricted watering schedule in said data storage, and programming in said microprocessor to prevent execution of said irrigation watering schedule according to input from said at least one sensor and according to said restricted watering schedule.

11. A method of automatically adjusting an irrigation watering schedule of a controller comprising the steps of:

a. providing a module on an output line of said controller leading to at least one valve;

b. providing said module with at least one set of water budget percentages; and

c. said module periodically adjusting said irrigation watering schedule according to said water budget percentages by opening or closing said line.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of periodically adjusting said irrigation watering schedule comprises the additional steps of:

c. said module accumulating water budget percentages on a periodic basis; and

d. said module preventing watering until a threshold accumulation of percentages is reached or exceeded.

13. The method of claim 11 comprising the further steps of:

d. providing said module with at least one restricted watering schedule; and

e. said module preventing watering when restricted according to said restricted watering schedule.

14. The method of claim 11 comprising the further steps of:

d. providing at least one environmental sensor in communication with said module; and

e. said module preventing watering according to input from said at least one sensor.

15. The method of claim 11 comprising the further steps of:

d. providing said module with at least one restricted watering schedule;

e. providing at least one environmental sensor in communication with said module; and

f. said module preventing watering when restricted according to said restricted watering schedule and according to input from said at least one sensor.

16. A module for automatically adjusting an irrigation watering schedule of an existing irrigation controller comprising:

a. data storage for holding at least one set of water budget percentages;

b. a microprocessor having programming for periodically selecting one of said percentages, and using said selected percentage to adjust said irrigation watering schedule;

c. a power source; and

d. at least one irrigation water control switch in communication with said microprocessor.

17. The module of claim 16 wherein said microprocessor has programming for accumulating water budget percentages on a periodic basis, and said programming for adjusting said irrigation watering schedule prevents execution of said irrigation watering schedule until a threshold accumulation of percentages is reached or exceeded.

18. The module of claim 16 further comprising at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor, and programming in said microprocessor to prevent watering according to input from said at least one sensor.

19. The module of claim 16 further comprising at least one restricted watering schedule in said data storage, and programming in said microprocessor to prevent watering when restricted according to said restricted watering schedule.

20. The module of claim 16 further comprising at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor, at least one restricted watering schedule in said data storage, and programming in said microprocessor to prevent watering according to input from said at least one sensor and according to said restricted watering schedule.

21. A method for automatically adjusting an irrigation watering schedule in a controller comprising the steps of:

a. providing a microprocessor and an associated transmitter with at least one set of water budget percentages; and

b. transmitting a signal to at least one remote receiver associated with a remote irrigation controller to adjust at least one irrigation watering schedule of said controller according to said water budget percentages.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said step of adjusting said irrigation watering schedule comprises the additional steps of:

c. said microprocessor accumulating water budget percentages on a periodic basis;

d. transmitting a first signal to prevent watering until a threshold accumulation of percentages is reached or exceeded; and

e. transmitting a second signal to allow watering for a time period after said threshold has been reached or exceeded.

23. The method of claim 21 comprising the further steps of:

c. providing said microprocessor with at least one restricted watering schedule;

d. transmitting a first signal to prevent watering when restricted according to said restricted watering schedule; and

e. transmitting a second signal to allow watering when allowed according to said restricted watering schedule.

24. The method of claim 21 comprising the further steps of:

c. providing at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor; and

d. transmitting a signal to prevent watering according to input from said at least one sensor.

25. The method of claim 21 comprising the further steps of:

c. providing said microprocessor with at least one restricted watering schedule;

d. providing at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor; and

e. transmitting a signal to prevent watering when restricted according to said restricted watering schedule and according to input from said at least one sensor.

26. An irrigation control system comprising:

a. a remotely located unit with a power supply and a microprocessor programmed with location and water budget percentage data;

b. a transmitter provided with said unit capable of transmitting water budget data and other data;

c. a receiver located in a module capable of receiving said water budget data, said module being attached to a line between an existing irrigation controller and at least one valve under its control; and

d. programming in said module for adjusting an irrigation watering schedule of said controller according to said water budget data by opening or closing said line.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein said module has programming for accumulating water budget percentages on a periodic basis, and said programming for adjusting prevents execution of said irrigation watering schedule until a threshold accumulation of percentages is reached or exceeded.

28. The system of claim 26 further comprising at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor, and programming in said microprocessor to transmit a signal to prevent irrigation according to input from said at least one sensor.

29. The system of claim 26 further comprising at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor, and programming in said module to calculate a revised water budget percentage according to input from said at least one sensor.

30. The system of claim 26 further comprising at least one restricted watering schedule in said microprocessor, and programming in said microprocessor to transmit a signal to prevent irrigation when restricted according to said restricted watering schedule.

31. The system of claim 26 further comprising at least one environmental sensor in communication with said microprocessor, at least one restricted watering schedule in said microprocessor, and programming in said microprocessor to transmit a signal to prevent irrigation according to input from said at least one sensor and according to said restricted watering schedule.

32. An irrigation control system comprising:

a. a remotely located unit with a power supply and a microprocessor programmed with location and water budget percentage data;

b. a transmitter provided with said unit capable of transmitting water budget data and other data;

c. a receiver located in a module capable of receiving said water budget data, said module being in communication with an existing irrigation controller; and

d. programming in said module for adjusting an irrigation watering schedule of said controller according to said water budget data.

33. An irrigation control system comprising:

a. a remotely located unit with a power supply and a microprocessor programmed with location and water budget percentage data;

b. a transmitter provided with said unit capable of transmitting water budget data and other data;

c. a receiver capable of receiving said water budget data, said module being in communication with an existing irrigation controller; and

d. programming in said controller for adjusting an irrigation watering schedule of said controller according to said water budget data.

34. An irrigation control system comprising:

a. a remotely located unit with a power supply and a first microprocessor programmed with location and water budget percentage data;

b. a transmitter provided with said unit capable of transmitting data; and

c. at least one receiver located in a separate location capable of receiving said data, said receiver being in communication with a second microprocessor and being associated with a controller having an irrigation watering schedule, said second microprocessor having programming to adjust said irrigation watering schedule according to data received.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein said second microprocessor is in communication with a member of the group consisting of:

said controller, a module on an output line from said controller, and combinations thereof.

36. The system of claim 34 further comprising at least one environmental sensor in communication with said first microprocessor, and programming in said first microprocessor to transmit a signal to prevent irrigation according to input from said at least one sensor.

37. The system of claim 34 further comprising at least one restricted watering schedule in said first microprocessor, and programming in said first microprocessor to transmit a signal to prevent irrigation when restricted according to said restricted watering schedule.

38. The system of claim 34 further comprising at least one environmental sensor in communication with said first microprocessor, at least one restricted watering schedule in said first microprocessor, and programming in said first microprocessor to transmit a signal to prevent irrigation according to input from said at least one sensor and according to said restricted watering schedule.

39. An irrigation control system comprising:

a. a remotely located unit with a power supply and a microprocessor programmed with location and water budget percentage data;

b. a transmitter provided with said unit capable of transmitting data;

c. at least one receiver located in a separate location capable of receiving said data, said receiver being associated with a controller having a watering schedule; and

d. at least one switch in communication with said receiver for controlling at least one output from said controller to at least one valve under its control.

40. A method for programming a module and using it to control an irrigation schedule comprising the steps of:

a. temporarily connecting said module to a computer;

b. identifying a location where said module is to be used;

c. downloading water budget percentages for said location from said computer into said module;

d. disconnecting said module from said computer;

e. installing said module on a common line between a controller containing said watering schedule and a set of valves operated by said controller; and

f. said module periodically adjusting said watering schedule according to said water budget percentages.

41. The method of claim 40 comprising the additional steps of downloading watering restrictions for the location into said module, and said module periodically adjusting said watering schedule according to said watering restrictions.

42. A method for programming a module and using it to control an irrigation schedule comprising the steps of:

a. temporarily connecting a data storage device to a computer;

b. identifying a location where a module is to be used;

c. downloading water budget percentages for said location from said computer into said storage device;

d. disconnecting said storage device from said computer;

e. connecting said storage device to said module;

f. transferring data from said storage device to said module;

g. installing said module on a common line between a controller containing said watering schedule and a set of valves operated by said controller; and

h. said module periodically adjusting said watering schedule according to said water budget percentages.

43. An add-on device for use with an existing irrigation controller having at least one valve comprising:

a. a module installed on a line between said controller and said at least one valve, said module comprising a power supply, microprocessor, and a switching circuit, said microprocessor being provided with at least one set of water budget percentages; and

b. programming in said microprocessor for operating said switching circuit according to one of said water budget percentages.

44. The add-on device of claim 43 further comprising a reverse biased diode across said switching circuit for operation with a battery powered controller.

45. A method of automatically adjusting station run times in an irrigation controller comprising the steps of:

a. providing said controller with historical geo-environmental sensor data;

b. providing said controller with current environmental sensor data selected from the group consisting of ambient temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind, soil temperature, soil moisture, precipitation, and combinations thereof;

c. comparing said current geo-environmental data with said historical geo-environmental data;

d. calculating a water budget percentage from said comparison; and

e. adjusting said station run times according to said water budget percentage.

46. An irrigation controller comprising:

a. a microprocessor programmed with historical environmental sensor data selected from ambient temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, relative humidity, wind, soil temperature, soil moisture, and combinations thereof;

b. at least one current environmental sensor input to said microprocessor; and

c. programming in said microprocessor capable of comparing said historical sensor data with current sensor data to calculate a water budget percentage on a periodic basis.

47. The controller of claim 46 further comprising at least one restricted watering schedule.

48. A method of automating government mandated watering restrictions using an irrigation controller operating at least one valves comprising the steps of:

a. providing a module with a switch on a line between said controller and said at least one valve;

b. providing said module with at least one watering restriction; and

c. opening said switch when watering is restricted.

49. A self-contained system for implementing water budgeting comprising:

a. an enclosure;

b. an irrigation controller located within said enclosure, said controller having at least one irrigation watering schedule;

c. a microprocessor located within said enclosure in communication with said controller, said microprocessor programmed with location and water budget percentage data;

d. an isolated compartment within said controller enclosure, said compartment having a precipitation access area and a drainage area;

e. a precipitation sensor located within said isolated compartment, said sensor being in communication with said microprocessor; and

f. said microprocessor having programming to adjust said irrigation watering schedule according to said water budget percentage data, and to prevent execution of said irrigation watering schedule according to input from said sensor.

50. An irrigation control device comprising an irrigation controller mounted in an outdoor pedestal for operating remote valves, and a precipitation sensor mounted within said pedestal in communication with said controller for interrupting operation of said valves when sufficient precipitation has been detected by said sensor.

51. The device of claim 50 wherein said precipitation sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

a hygroscopic sensor, a tipping bucket, and combinations thereof mounted within said pedestal.