Integrated actuator coil and decoder module for irrigation control

• US 7,826,931 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2005
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
• Inventors: Lorenz, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta; Kidest
• Application Number:
  US11/228,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20070061048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,874 Days
• Field of Search: 700/284, 700/16, 700/19, 700282-283, 239/63, 239/68, 239/69, 239/70, 137/624.2, 137/1, 137/78.3
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0676 by action on flow sources G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/22 Improving land use; Improving water use or availability; Controlling erosion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/494 Fluidic or fluid actuated device making

Abstract

An integrated actuator coil and decoder module for use in decoder-based irrigation control systems, and related methods of manufacture and installation, are provided herein. In one implementation, an irrigation control device comprises a body, decoder circuitry located within the body, a coil located within the body and coupled to the decoder circuitry, the coil adapted to develop an electromagnetic flux sufficient to cause actuation of a device controlling irrigation equipment in response to signaling from the decoder circuitry. Also included is an electrical connection coupled to the decoder circuitry and adapted to couple to a control wire path of a decoder-based irrigation control system. The decoder circuitry and the coil are integrated into a single device.

Claims

1. An irrigation control device comprising:

a body;

decoder circuitry located within the body;

a coil located within the body and coupled to the decoder circuitry, the coil adapted to develop an electromagnetic flux sufficient to cause actuation of a device controlling irrigation equipment in response to signaling from the decoder circuitry; and

an electrical connection coupled to the decoder circuitry and adapted to couple to a control wire path of a decoder-based irrigation control system, wherein the decoder circuitry is configured to decode data from a modulated power signal received from the control wire path and based on the data, output the signaling to the coil to cause the coil to develop the electromagnetic flux;

wherein the decoder circuitry and the coil are integrated into a single device.

2. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein the body comprises:

a first housing including the decoder circuitry; and

a second housing including the coil, wherein the first housing and the second housing are integrally coupled together.

3. The irrigation control device of claim 2 wherein a portion of the second housing extends into a volume formed within the first housing.

4. The irrigation control device of claim 2 further comprising a sealant sealing the first housing to the second housing.

5. The irrigation control device of claim 2 wherein the first housing defines a volume containing the decoder circuitry and a portion of the second housing, the device further comprising a material substantially filling the volume and sealing the decoder circuitry and electrical connections to the second housing from external moisture.

6. The irrigation control device of claim 2 wherein the second housing is hermetically sealed and includes a wire connection extending from the second housing to the decoder circuitry.

7. The irrigation control device of claim 1 further comprising an opening in the body and wherein the electrical connection comprises a wire extending from the decoder circuitry through the opening.

8. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein the body is watertight.

9. The irrigation control device of claim 1 further comprising a control wire coupled between the decoder circuitry and the coil.

10. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein the decoder circuitry is adapted to control a single coil.

11. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein the coil comprises a wire coil formed about a volume, an electromagnetic force generated within the volume in response to the application of a current flowing through the wire coil.

12. The irrigation control device of claim 1 wherein the electrical connection comprises:

a first wire adapted to be coupled to a power signal wire of the decoder-based irrigation control system; and

a second wire adapted to be coupled to a common signal wire of the decoder-based irrigation control system.

13. A method of making an irrigation control device comprising:

providing decoder circuitry;

providing a coil unit containing a wire coil adapted to develop an electromagnetic flux sufficient to cause actuation of a device that causes opening and closing of an irrigation valve upon the application of an electrical current to the wire coil;

coupling an output of the decoder circuitry from a control wire path of a decoder-base irrigation control system to an input of the coil unit;

inserting the decoder circuitry into a housing such that an electrical connection to the decoder circuitry can be made from outside of the housing;

such that the decoder circuitry is adapted to decode data from a modulated power signal received from the control wire path and based on the data, output the electrical current to the wire coil;

sealing the decoder circuitry within the housing; and

sealing at least a portion of the coil unit to the housing, whereby forming an integrated device having both the decoder circuitry and the coil unit.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the sealing the at least a portion of the coil unit comprises sealing the at least a portion of the coil unit within the housing.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the sealing steps further comprise filling the housing with a sealant material.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the sealing steps further comprise applying a sealant material at an interface between the housing and the coil unit.

17. A method of electrically connecting an irrigation control device to a decoder based irrigation control system comprising:

electrically coupling a first control wire of the decoder based irrigation control system to a first electrical connection of an integrated coil and decoder module having a wire coil coupled to decoder circuitry, where the wire coil is adapted to cause actuation of a device controlling irrigation equipment in response to signaling from the decoder circuitry; and

electrically coupling a second control wire of the decoder based irrigation control system to a second electrical connection of the integrated coil and decoder module;

wherein the decoder circuitry is configured to decoded data from a modulated power signal received via the first control wire and the second control wire, and based on the data, output the signaling to the wire coil to case the wire coil to cause the actuation of the device.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the integrated coil and decoder module includes the decoder circuitry and the wire coil integrated into a single body.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the electrically coupling steps are performed without the need to electrically couple the decoder circuitry to the wire coil.