Automatic irrigation system purging
US9295203B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 29, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 31, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/4238
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automated irrigation purge system utilizes a pressure purge method of discharging compressed air from a reservoir through selected irrigation zones with feedback from pressure switches to determine when to open and close each zone valve. No programming or user interaction is required beyond starting the system. The system can operate with a wide variety of irrigation systems, with varying number of zones, pipe lengths, pipe diameters, number and variety of sprinkler heads or outlets, and terrain slope. The system tracks the pressure transition time from high pressure to low pressure for each zone as it is blown out. When the current transition time is within a specified range from the previous transition time, the system knows the water has been sufficiently purged from that zone. The purge system can protect the irrigation system from high-pressure conditions, handle multiple error conditions, and maintain water valve settings during power loss.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.