Remote controlled hose valve

Details Remote controlled hose valve Remote controlled hose valve

1999-05-26

2001-09-04

Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)

Fluid handling

Ambient condition change responsive

For controlling soil irrigation

C239S019000, C239S069000, C239S070000, C251S129040

Reexamination Certificate

active

06283139

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a remote controlled hose valve. More specifically, this invention relates to a valve which is activated by a remote control to control the magnitude of water flow.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
A common method for watering an area such as a lawn involves using a garden hose with a sprinkler. The sprinkler is fluidly driven and distributes water in a certain geometric pattern. Examples of sprinklers include an oscillator arm sprinkler type or a spray pattern irrigation device. The garden hose is connected to a spigot which supplies water under pressure. The proportion of the water flow from the spigot may be regulated by turning a knob.
A user typically attaches one end of the hose to the spigot, attaches the sprinkler to the other end of the hose and places the sprinkler in the area desired to be watered. The user then turns on the water flow from the spigot by turning the knob. The water flow is forced through the hose and distributed by the sprinkler to the desired area. In this manner, areas which are distant from the spigot may be watered. By regulating the flow rate from the spigot, the user may also alter the speed of the sprinkler and the pattern it follows in watering the area.
After the sprinkler is set up in the desired location, the user is free to attend to other tasks while the area is watered.
This method provides an inexpensive alternative to a permanent irrigation system, which requires the time and expense of laying underground pipes and connecting sprinkler head units. Additionally, a user may move the sprinkler to the areas where watering is needed. However, compared to permanent irrigation systems, this method is much more labor intensive, especially for large areas.
Another problem with a portable sprinkler system is adjusting the water flow for a particular area of coverage. When full water pressure is available to the sprinkler, the sprinkler will provide the maximum geometrical area of coverage based on its design. In many cases, the user spends a great amount of time adjusting the sprinkler for a desired smaller area. This adjustment requires walking to the water spigot and making a flow rate adjustment and walking back to the sprinkler to observe the new water coverage area. This is especially inconvenient when the sprinkler is out of eyesight from the water source.
Finally, the amount of time and thus the amount of water that the sprinkler irrigates must be monitored by the user. In order to insure a uniform watering and to prevent overwatering, a user must turn off the spigot at an appropriate time. However, a user may forget to do so, resulting in overwatering.
Thus, there exists a need for a remote controlled valve which will allow interruption of the water source from a remote location. There is also a further need for a remote controlled valve which allows regulation of water flow. There is also a need for a remote controlled valve which may be automatically shut off after a preset time interval. There is a further need for a handheld remote control device which allows a user to incrementally actuate a valve. Finally, there is a need for a programmable remote controller to regulate the flow of water from the water source.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is embodied in a remote controlled hose valve system for use with a water source and a hose having one end connectable to a fluid-activated device and an opposite connector end. The hose valve system has a valve unit. The valve unit has an inlet coupler connectable to the water source and a hose coupler coupled to the opposite connector end of the hose. A conduit allows fluid flow between the inlet coupler and the hose coupler. A valve is located in the conduit and permits fluid flow in the conduit. An actuator is connected to the valve. A signal receiver is coupled to a power source and the actuator. The receiver allows power flow to the actuator to close or open the valve in response to a unique signal. A remote control unit includes a transmitter which sends a unique signal to open or close the valve.
The invention is also embodied in a remote controller for activating a multi-position valve to direct or block water flow from a water source to a hose. The valve is coupled to an actuator which responds to command signals. The remote controller includes a signal transmitter and a frequency oscillator coupled to the signal transmitter. A user input is coupled to a processor. The user input provides activation of the processor to send a signal modulated by the frequency oscillator to control the position of the valve.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a remote controlled hose valve system for use with a water source and a hose having one end connectable to a fluid activated device and an opposite connector end. The system has a valve unit with an enclosed watertight compartment. The valve unit has an inlet coupler connectable to the water source and a hose coupler coupled to the opposite connector end of the hose. A conduit allows fluid flow between the inlet coupler and the hose coupler. A ball valve is located in the conduit and is rotatable to permit fluid flow in the conduit. A motor has a rotatable shaft coupled to the ball valve. A signal receiver is coupled to the motor, the receiver allows power flow to the motor to rotate the ball valve in response to a unique signal. The system also includes a remote control unit which has a user input allowing a user to open or close the ball valve. A transmitter is coupled to the user input which sends a unique signal to open or close the valve.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are not limiting but are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the method and system of the invention. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4852051 (1989-07-01), Mylne, III
patent: 4892113 (1990-01-01), Fattahi
patent: 5135168 (1992-08-01), Wang
patent: 5137257 (1992-08-01), Tice
patent: 5465904 (1995-11-01), Vaello
patent: 5546974 (1996-08-01), Bireley
patent: 5813655 (1998-09-01), Pinchott et al.
patent: 5921280 (1999-07-01), Ericksen et al.
Micro Process Applications (Literature), 1998.
Electronic Industrial Controls, Inc. (Literature), 1998.
Solatrol Incorporated (Literature), 1998.

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