Irrigation Valve Decoder Circuit for Long-Run AC Pulse Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Irrigation systems using solenoid valves powered by DC and hard-wired electrical supplies are prone to corrosion and voltage drop over long wiring lengths, making them inefficient and unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A decoder system that uses AC power with a processor unit to modulate the electrical supply, allowing for efficient control of solenoid valves through AC pulses, reducing power consumption and extending the reach of the electrical supply by using capacitors and diodes to maintain voltage and regulate current.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hard-wired DC electrical supply is used to power solenoid valves, then the valves can be controlled reliably, but the wiring is vulnerable to corrosion and voltage drop over long distances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve control reliabilityVSAvoidcorrosion and voltage drop

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional DC electrical control system with an AC-powered decoder system. The decoder receives AC power and generates controlled DC pulses to actuate solenoid valves, eliminating the need for long DC wiring runs. This substitution of the power delivery mechanism resolves the corrosion and voltage drop issues while maintaining reliable valve control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The decoder acts as an intermediary device between the AC power source and the DC-powered solenoid valves. It converts AC power to the required DC control signals, allowing the system to benefit from AC power distribution (which is less susceptible to corrosion and voltage drop) while still driving DC solenoid valves effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If AC power is used to power the decoder and solenoid valves, then voltage drop and corrosion are reduced, but additional control circuitry is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage drop and corrosionVSAvoidcontrol circuitry

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the decoder unit: AC-to-DC conversion, signal decoding, pulse generation, and valve control. By merging these functions into a single integrated device, the system reduces overall complexity despite using AC power, as the decoder handles all control operations locally at each valve location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If continuous AC power is supplied to solenoid valves, then valves remain open, but power consumption increases and voltage drop worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve state stabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic pulsed DC signals generated by the decoder to actuate solenoid valves, rather than continuous power supply. The valves are opened with brief high-power pulses and then held open by lower-power continuous signals, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining stable valve operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the power delivery parameters by using pulsed DC voltage from the decoder instead of continuous AC voltage. This parameter change allows the solenoid valves to be actuated efficiently with lower average power consumption while maintaining the required valve opening stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The decoder system improves the reliability and efficiency of irrigation systems by reducing power consumption, minimizing voltage drop, and providing protection against voltage surges, allowing for effective operation of solenoid valves over longer distances with reduced corrosion risks.

Implementation Method 1

at least one power supply circuit connected to the input connection points; a processor unit powered for decoding modulation from the AC electrical supply

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAC to DC conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a processor unit powered for decoding modulation from the AC electrical supply and controlling passage of AC electricity to the device accordingly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectModulation decoding: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 3

at least one controlled circuit for passing electricity from the power supply to the device in accordance with control by the processor unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS11159262B2Decoder

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 HERON ELECTRIC

AI summary

A system 1 for controlling a plurality of irrigation valves 21, 22 . . . 2n is shown. The system receives 110 or 240 volts, mains voltage, electricity from the mains. This is applied to a 28 volt square wave generator 3, whose output is modulated in a modulator 4 under control of a control circuit 5. The modulated output is applied to a live line 6, receiving modulated positive and negative pulses of 28 volts with respect to a neutral line 7. At each valve 21, 22 . . . 2n, a respective decoder 81, 82 . . . 8n is provided. Live and neutral lines 10,11 pass from the decoders to the valves. Each decoder 8n has an input connector 21 for the live and neutral pair 6,7 powering it and an output connector 22 for the further live and neutral pair 10,11 to the respective valve 2n.