Expandable irrigation controller with optional high-density station module
US6721630B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 5, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 5, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/2625
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A modular expandable irrigation controller has a predetermined number of receptacles for removably receiving a maximum number of station modules. Each station module includes a station module circuit including at least one switching device for energizing a corresponding solenoid actuated valve. A processor executes a stored watering program to control the available station module circuits in accordance therewith. At least one standard station module is removably received in a single one of the receptacles. At least one enhanced station module is removably received in, and spans a, predetermined plurality of the remaining receptacles. The station module circuit of the enhanced station module includes more switching devices than the total number of switching devices included in the station module circuits of the total number of standard station modules that could otherwise be removably received in the predetermined plurality of receptacles spanned by the enhanced module.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.