Apparatus and method for controlling irrigation process by sending encoded acoustical messages along irrigation conduit
US10261523B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01G25/162
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A latching solenoid slave valve for wirelessly receiving watering instructions from an irrigation controller via acoustical waves or pulses. The latching solenoid slave valve comprises a diaphragm in direct communication with a main water distribution conduit of the irrigation system for detecting acoustical waves or pulses transmitted by pressurized water of the main water distribution conduit. An accelerometer is supported by the diaphragm for generating an output signal as the diaphragm vibrates due to detection of the acoustical waves or pulses. A microcontroller is electrically coupled to the accelerometer for processing the output signals of the accelerometer, and the microcontroller determining, from the processed output signals of the accelerometer, whether or not the latching solenoid slave valve is to commence a watering cycle for a desired duration of time. An irrigation controller is wirelessly coupled to the latching solenoid slave valve for controlling operation thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.