Battery powered remote switch controller
US6351366B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/32
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An inexpensive battery-powered switch or irrigation valve controller designed to conserve the life of both the low voltage battery source which operates the processing circuitry of the controller, as well as the high voltage battery source which operates the external switches or irrigation valve solenoids. The high voltage battery source is conserved by maintaining the primary switch-activating capacitor in a discharged state and delaying the charging of this capacitor until just before it is to be discharged. The high voltage battery source is also conserved by isolating it from the primary capacitor immediately prior to discharge, thereby avoiding a draw of energy from the high voltage battery source itself during discharge. The low voltage battery source is conserved through the action of the microprocessor that remains dormant except for periodic sampling. The controller also includes reliable DC circuits for operating remote switches or valve solenoids at distances of up to several miles. These unique circuits of the invention allow the use of ordinary gauge buried copper wire without concern for possible deterioration of the wires from the galvanic effect of the inductive fie…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.