Patent · US Expired

Rainfall detection and disable control system

US5355122A · kind A · utility

59Cited by
12References
1Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 24, 1992
Grant dateOct 11, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 24, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7306
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed in a Rainfall Detection and Disable Control System which provides detection and a visual display of both a trace level and a variable accumulation level of natural rainfall. The dual interacting rainfall detection system provides a unique sprinkler system control function that disables sprinkler system watering both during and after a rain shower, based upon the amount of rainfall accumulation, and user selectable disable time periods. A short variable disable time period is initiated by the trace rainfall detection probe and a long variable time period is initiated by the accumulation rainfall detection probe. The trace rainfall detection probe provides the control function of preventing watering, at the onset of, and during a rain shower. The short disable time period of the trace detection function allows the next watering cycle to occur, if no significant rainfall accumulation is detected. The adjustable accumulation rainfall detection level and the long disable time period of the accumulation detection function prevents the next watering cycle from occurring if sufficient natural rainfall has occurred. The 2 probes and their individual positions in the rain gage alon…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.