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Irrigation controller with removable station modules

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-04-13
WILLIAMS JONATHAN D +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The solution provides a compact, versatile, and secure irrigation controller that can efficiently control up to eight stations with customizable watering programs, reducing space requirements and protecting against lightning strikes by absorbing surge currents within removable modules.

Problems solved by technology

The modules known in this prior controller are quite large and when connected to the base unit of the controller take up considerable space exteriorly of the base unit, leading to problems in finding sufficient space to receive them all and in attaching all of the modules in a secure fashion.

Method used

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  • Irrigation controller with removable station modules
  • Irrigation controller with removable station modules
  • Irrigation controller with removable station modules

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0015] This invention relates to an irrigation controller 2 for controlling the operation of an irrigation system in a timed manner. More specifically, controller 2 allows the user to select or input at least one watering program comprising the following parameters of irrigation system operation: [0016] which days the sprinklers will operate in a particular 7 day window (i.e. a calendar sequence) or the interval between successive operational days up to a maximum interval of 7 days (i.e. an interval sequence) , the operational days being known as “active days”; [0017] when the sprinklers come on during the active days, known as the “start times”, with up to four start times being selectable; and [0018] how long the sprinklers will run after each start, known as the “run times”.

[0019] Controller 2 is adapted to control a plurality of separate watering “stations” in the irrigation system. Each station comprises one or more sprinklers grouped together to operate simultaneously off the...

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Abstract

An irrigation controller includes a housing for enclosing a microprocessor that stores and executes at least one watering program. The microprocessor has a parallel output bus with a plurality of pin sets for controlling a plurality of irrigation stations. The connection between the controller and the irrigation stations is through a plurality of station modules that are removably coupled, in any desired number, to the various pin sets on the output bus. The number of stations controlled is adjusted by the number of modules connected to the output bus. The controller housing has a pocket for holding a user's manual, which is positioned between the controller housing and a mounting bracket when the controller housing is installed on the mounting bracket.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to an irrigation controller for controlling the operation of an irrigation system pursuant to a watering schedule that may be programmed by the user. More particularly, this invention relates to an irrigation controller for controlling multiple irrigation stations. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Irrigation controllers are known for controlling the operation of an irrigation system in accordance with the passage of time. Most controllers operate a plurality of watering stations and will retain or store a watering program established by the user. This program typically allows the user to pick what days the sprinklers will operate, what time of day that irrigation will begin, and how long each station will operate. Some controllers allow multiple watering programs to be stored. [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,936 discloses a microprocessor based controller in which the controller base unit has drivers and switches for controlling some number...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G05D11/00G05B11/01G05D7/00
CPCA01G25/16G05B19/042G05B2219/25314G05B2219/25328G05B2219/2625
Inventor WILLIAMS, JONATHAN D.TAM, PETER M.F.
Owner WILLIAMS JONATHAN D