Method and apparatus for optimizing soil moisture

Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Mechanical control system

Reexamination Certificate

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C137S078200, C137S078300, C700S282000, C700S281000, C239S063000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07574284

ABSTRACT:
A self-adjusting irrigation controller takes a pre-irrigation soil moisture reading prior to irrigation, chooses an amount of water to be dispensed corresponding to that reading from a table, and dispenses that amount of water. A predetermined length of time after the end of irrigation, the controller takes a post-irrigation soil moisture reading and compares the value of that reading to a predetermined target value. If the post-irrigation value differs substantially from the target value, the water amount corresponding to the pre-irrigation value in the table is adjusted to reduce that difference on the next scheduled irrigation cycle having that same pre-irrigation soil moisture reading. The target value is determined by watering the soil to field capacity, then computing the target value as a function of the reading of the sensor at field capacity. The controller thus converges toward an ideal runtime and follows changes in the environment. In the preferred embodiment, the soil moisture is indicated by sensor voltages, and the amount of water dispensed is governed by the runtime of the irrigation system.

REFERENCES:
patent: 6145755 (2000-11-01), Feltz
patent: 6895987 (2005-05-01), Addink et al.
patent: 2001/0049563 (2001-12-01), Addink et al.
“Calculate Field Capacity From Percentage?”—Usenet newsgroup posting to aqua.ccwr.ac.za, Jan. 26, 2002. Full thread.
“Guidelines for designing and evaluating surface irrigation systems: FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 45” -by W.R. Walker Professor and Head—Department of Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering, Utah State University. Rome, 1989. Chapter 3.
“Applied BNF Technology—A Practical Guide for Extension Specialists”, Singleton et al, NifTAL Project/BNF Technologies for International Development, University of Hawaii, Oct. 1990.

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