Sprinkler system controller

• US 5,464,044 A
• Filed: 08/05/1994
• Issued: 11/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph M. Brinkerhoff
• Original Assignee: Joseph M. Brinkerhoff
• Inventors: Brinkerhoff, Joseph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/286,418
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 137/78.2, 137/78.3, 239/64, 239/70
• US Class Current: 137/78.3
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• 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: Y10T 137/189 Soil moisture sensing

Abstract

A sprinkler system controller comprising temperature sensor means for monitoring air temperature and transmitting an affirmative temperature indication signal when a given preset temperature is exceeded; light sensor means for monitoring light intensity and transmitting an affirmative illumination indication signal when a given preset intensity is not exceeded; moisture probe means for monitoring ground moisture and transmitting an affirmative moisture indication signal when a given preset moisture level is not exceeded; conjunctive means coupled to the temperature sensor means, light sensor means, and moisture probe means for transmitting an affirmative timer activation signal upon receipt of an affirmative temperature indication signal, an affirmative illumination indication signal, and an affirmative moisture indication signal; timer means coupled to the conjunctive means for receiving an affirmative timer activation signal and transmitting an affirmative sprinkler valve activation signal for a preset period of time upon its receipt; and water valve actuation means coupled to the timer means and adapted to be coupled to at least one water valve of a sprinkler line for opening the water valve when an affirmative sprinkler valve activation signal is received.

Claims

1. A sprinkler system controller for automatically allowing a sprinkler system to irrigate an area of ground comprising, in combination:

a power supply for supplying electrical energy;

a temperature sensor coupled to a power supply, the temperature sensor having a thermistor for monitoring air temperature in a ground area to be irrigated and a comparator coupled thereto for transmitting an affirmative temperature indication signal when a given preset temperature of about 40 degrees Fahrenheit as recognized by the thermistor is exceeded and a non-affirmative temperature indication signal otherwise;

a light sensor coupled to the power supply, the light sensor having a photodetector for monitoring light intensity in a ground area to be irrigated and a comparator with inverter coupled thereto for transmitting an affirmative illumination indication signal when a given preset intensity as recognized by the photodetector is not exceeded and a non-affirmative illumination indication signal otherwise;

a plurality of moisture probes, each in a form of a stainless steel tube filled with silicone, each coupled to the power supply, each having a variable resistor for monitoring moisture in a ground area to be irrigated and a comparator coupled thereto for transmitting an affirmative moisture indication signal when a given preset moisture level as recognized by the variable resistor is not exceeded and a non-affirmative moisture indication signal otherwise;

a plurality of timers each coupled to the power supply, each having an input and an output, each input adapted to receive an affirmative timer activation signal, each output transmitting an affirmative sprinkler valve activation signal for a preset period of time of between about 30 to 36 minutes upon receipt of an affirmative timer activation signal, and each output transmitting and a non-affirmative sprinkler valve activation signal otherwise;

conjunctive means coupled to the power supply and further coupled to the temperature sensor, light sensor, moisture probes, and timers for transmitting an affirmative timer activation signal upon receipt of an affirmative temperature indication signal, an affirmative timer activation signal upon receipt of an affirmative illumination indication signal, and an affirmative timer activation signal upon receipt of an affirmative moisture indication signal with a constraint that no affirmative sprinkler valve activation signal is currently being received in a feedback type mode; and

a plurality of triacs, each triac coupled to the power supply and an output of a separate timer, each triac transmitting an affirmative sprinkler line activation signal when an affirmative sprinkler line activation signal is received and a non-affirmative sprinkler valve activation signal otherwise, with the affirmative sprinkler line activation signal adapted to open a solenoid water valve coupled to a sprinkler line, whereby allowing a sprinkler head coupled to the sprinkler line to disperse water for irrigating an area of ground, and with the non-affirmative sprinkler line activation signal adapted to close an opened solenoid water valve coupled to a sprinkler line, whereby preventing a sprinkler head coupled to the sprinkler line from dispersing water.