Fluid handling – Processes
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-01
2001-01-16
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Fluid handling
Processes
C251S129040, C700S264000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173727
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved sprinkler control system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a remote control sprinkler system which enables the remote activation of various stations of an automatic sprinkler system to permit the user to selectively activate and monitor a given sprinkler or sprinkler station without need to return to the central control unit of the automatic sprinkler system.
STATE OF THE ART
The use of automated sprinkler systems for lawns and the like has increased significantly over the past twenty-five years. In a typical sprinkler system, conduit is attached to a water supply source and is run under the lawn, garden, shrubs, etc. which is to be watered. The conduit terminates in a plurality of sprinkler heads which are disposed adjacent the surface to be watered. When watering is desired, the water is released through the conduit to the sprinkler heads.
Because the amount of water available at any moment is limited, most lawns of any size will have the sprinkler heads grouped into a plurality of stations. Each sprinkler head in a station will generally be connected to a common main conduit, and a valve will be disposed along the main conduit so that water to each of the sprinkler heads in the station may be controlled from a common point.
To ensure proper water pressure and flow, irrigation through sprinklers usually is limited to one or two stations at a time. On large residential lots, it is not uncommon to have six to eight different stations.
In the early use of sprinkler systems, a key was provided by which the user would turn each of the valves on and off in a desired sequence to ensure that each station received the desired amount of water. While such sprinkler systems were a significant improvement over hand watering, they still required the user to be present at the start and stop of each cycle. As will be apparent to those familiar with irrigation, being present to start and stop water from six to eight stations can consume a fair amount of time and can be very inconvenient.
To alleviate these concerns, automated sprinkler systems were developed. Such systems generally include a plurality of solenoid valves which are disposed along the conduit leading to each station. Each of the solenoid valves is connected by a conducting wire to a central controller, such as the central control unit generally indicated at
10
in FIG.
1
. By supplying a current through the conducting wires, shown at
20
, the central control unit
10
is able to power the solenoid valve
30
from a normally closed position into an open position. In the open position, the solenoid valve
30
allows water to all of the sprinkler heads which are down stream—i.e. within that station.
The central control unit
10
is typically attached to four to eight conducting wires
20
, thus providing four to eight stations. The central control unit
10
also includes a central processor
40
, which typically includes a timing mechanism
50
. The central processor
40
receives power from a conductive line
60
which is typically plugged into a conventional wall electrical outlet
70
.
At the appropriate time, the central processor
40
sends power to one of the solenoid valves
30
a
through the conducting wire
20
a
. The power causes the solenoid valve
30
a
to move from a closed position to an open position to allow water to flow therethrough. Water flowing through the solenoid valve
30
a
is directed to the sprinkler heads of the station and is applied to the lawn, etc. adjacent the sprinkler heads. The central processor
40
maintains power to the solenoid valve
30
a
for a predetermined amount of time and then stops sending power to the valve
30
a
through the conducting line
20
a
. Once the power ceases, the valve
30
a
closes and irrigation through that station ceases. The central processor
40
may then start irrigation through another station by sending power through conductor line
20
b
to valve
30
b.
Such an automated system allows the user to program the sprinkling system to water the lawn at a time which is least likely to interfere with water pressure needed for household functions. Thus, for example, a sprinkling system could be programmed to water the entire lawn before the occupants of the residence awake, or after they leave for daily activities.
One problem which commonly arises with automated sprinkling systems is that a sprinkler head will break due to being stepped on, run over by a lawn mower or other similar circumstance. The damage is usually noticed once the sprinkler system is used and abnormal watering is present. Due to advances in sprinkler technology, fixing the broken sprinkler head is relatively easy and usually requires only common hand tools. However, a recurrent problem is present. To ensure that the sprinkler was tested properly, the sprinkler station must be turned on to allow water to flow through the system under normal conditions.
Because the central control unit
10
of the automated sprinkler control system controls actuation of the solenoid valves
30
, the user must typically walk back to the central control unit to actuate the solenoid valve for the appropriate station. In most homes, the central control unit
10
is disposed in the garage or in the basement.
On a very small lot, the inconvenience required to leave the sprinkler head being repaired, to walk to the garage to actuate the sprinkler station and to return to the sight of the repair is relatively minor. This is, of course, except for those situations in which the sprinkler being repaired in on the opposing side of the sprinkler station from the garage. In such situations, the user must occasionally run through the sprinkler station to actuate or turn off the central controller.
Of course, the inconvenience increases in situations where several attempts are necessary to properly repair the damaged sprinkler, or to locate which of several sprinklers is damaged. In such a scenario, even a short distance between the sprinkler and the central controller can waste time and water.
The inconvenience involved with returning to the central control unit
10
is at its greatest on large pieces of property. In some cases, the user must walk forty or fifty yards to activate the sprinklers via the central control unit, and then immediately return to the sight of the repair. If the sprinkler is not properly repaired, the user must then walk back to central controller to stop water flow before any additional work is done on the sprinkler. In the mean time, the water flowing out of the sprinkler could cause soil erosion around the sprinkler, or may cause puddling or other problems which further complicate the repair process.
To remedy these concerns, there is a need for a mechanism which enables the user to control water flow to a sprinkler station from a remote location. Such a mechanism should preferably be adaptable to existing automatic sprinkler systems so as to enable remote control of the electrical signals being provided to the solenoid valves. Such a mechanism should also be configured to prevent interference with the normal functioning of the central control unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for actuating sprinkler stations of an automatic sprinkler control system from a remote location.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a system which enables the user to monitor a repaired sprinkler head or conduit while actuating the station and/or terminating water flow to the station.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a system which prevents feedback to the central processor when the system is in use, and thereby prevents damage to the central processor.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a system which is both easy to install and easy to use.
The above and other objects of the invention are realized in specific illustrated embodiments of a remote control sprinkler control system
Keasel Eric
Morriss Bateman O'Bryant & Compagni
Shaver Kevin
LandOfFree
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