Patent classifications
A01G25/162
Digital water timer
A digital water timer may include a main body, a water valve, a locating base, a driving base, and a timer. The main body has a water inlet and a water outlet, and a valve tube protrudes from a lateral side of the main body. The water valve connected to the main body is controlled by the timer to achieve on/off operation of channels inside the main body. The locating base is secured on the main body, and the driving base is adapted to have rotation relative to the locating base and be secured at a specific position after rotated. The timer installed in the driving base comprises a display panel and an operation interface which are exposed externally for operation. The driving base with the timer is rotated relative to the locating base, and the display panel is adjusted as needed to provide an optimal view for operation.
PROGRAMMABLE BUCKET AND METHOD OF USE AND MANUFACTURE
A device and method of watering plants using a programmable bucket is described. In one version, the programmable bucket uses a reservoir for water, a pump, at least one minimum pressure valve, a control enclosure, a water level switch, a flow meter, a watering hose, and a cover with an opening adapted to facilitate filling of the reservoir with a funnel and a removable plug. In use, power to the control enclosure is turned on and the reservoir is filled with water, setting the calibrated amount of water. The watering hose is removed from a recycling adaptor, the pump is activated through use of pushbuttons on the control enclosure, water fills the watering hose, once it reaches a minimum pressure valve water exits the hose under pressure, a signal from flow meter changes a volume of water in reservoir.
Selectable on/off sequencing valve
A disclosed system may add different irrigation timing intervals than those of a master flow irrigation system. Electronic timing systems are not used. Native water pressure flowing internally into the system to move components and otherwise control flow ports is used to control timing. A main fluid intake may accept fluid to pressurize and motivate a diaphragm. The diaphragm houses a ratchet flexure finger which may tangentially engage and rotate a gear spindle which is rotationally coupled to and houses one or multiple cams. A 2-way valve is in contact with one of the cams tangentially and centrically via a valve plunger. The cam(s) have lobe(s) with the peak of the profile being the nose and lower profile base circles. As the cam is rotated, it engages with the valve plunger at the nose or base circle, thus opening and closing the 2-way valve and allowing or stopping flow.
POWER SELF HARVESTING CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
Systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective monitoring and control of various activities using a remote self-contained in-field installed device capable of self-harvesting power. A power self harvesting control device comprises: a power sub-system configured to self-harvest energy required of its internal components; a communication sub-system configured to communicate with other external devices; an exterior function interface sub-system configured to generate and receive input/output signals associated with the external component interactions; and a management sub-system configured to manage and coordinate activities of the power control sub-system, the communication sub-system, and external function control sub-system. The management sub-system directs management and coordination of the self-harvested energy supply and consumption. The power sub-subsystem includes a non-removable self contained energy storage component that stores self-harvested energy.
Optimized flow control for water infrastructure
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for optimizing and adjusting water usage are described. An example method may include receiving water usage data and determining a peaking factor for water usage. The peaking factor may be associated with water usage at a flow controller. A flow controller can control various types of water outlets, such as a water sprinkler for a residential home. The flow controller may be positioned along a main water supply to a property or home. The method may also include determining that the peaking factor passes a threshold water usage for the flow controller and adjusting a watering schedule of the flow controller based partly on the determination that the peaking factor passed the threshold water usage.
IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING LIQUID FLOW IN ADJACENT FIELD ZONES
An irrigation column for a drip irrigation system has a fluid conducting line for receiving fluid from a fluid source upstream. The irrigation column further includes a plurality of drip line segments extending alongside the fluid conducting line, a plurality of zone valves located along the fluid conducting line, and a plurality of control tubes extending alongside the fluid conducting line. And each control tube is in fluid communication with a respective one of the zone valves for actuating the zone valve.
Controlling valve operation using pressure
A valve body has a piston that slides within the body through four successive positions. The piston has a head, and an upper and lower skirt, with a port in the upper skirt. In the first position, a bias force urges the piston to the first of four positions, in which the piston port is closed. In a second position, the piston port aligns with a low pressure port in the valve body, when a low pressure supply of water is connected. In a third position, greater pressure again closes the piston port. In a fourth position, at a still greater pressure, the piston port aligns with a high pressure port in the valve body. The bias force or a location of the piston port can be varied for valves along a supply line, whereby varying supply pressure opens different valves, thereby enabling addressing of valves according to supply pressure.
Controlling valve operation using pressure
A valve body has a piston that slides within the body through four successive positions. The piston has a head, and an upper and lower skirt, with a port in the upper skirt. In the first position, a bias force urges the piston to the first of four positions, in which the piston port is closed. In a second position, the piston port aligns with a low pressure port in the valve body, when a low pressure supply of water is connected. In a third position, greater pressure again closes the piston port. In a fourth position, at a still greater pressure, the piston port aligns with a high pressure port in the valve body. The bias force or a location of the piston port can be varied for valves along a supply line, whereby varying supply pressure opens different valves, thereby enabling addressing of valves according to supply pressure.
Pivot controller
An improved pivot controller is described that solves existing deficiencies in pivot controllers. Specifically, a pivot controller that can interface with either a hot or neutral safety, detect failed contactors and relays, and verify the safety control circuit is described. The described improved pivot controller permits easier installation, safer operation, and faster diagnostics than existing pivot controllers.
SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR ADAPTIVE IRRIGATION ZONE CONTROL USING PRESSURE, TIME, FLOW, AND PREDICTED BEHAVIOR
An adaptive hydraulic control system controls irrigation system zones using predicted valve behavior, measured pressure, recovery time, and measured flow. A pressure sensor can measure a pressure in a water line and a flow meter can measure a flow rate in the water line. The adaptive hydraulic control system monitors the pressure and the flow rate, and determines when the pressure and the flow rate are above and below target operational thresholds. When the pressure is determined to be below a minimum target threshold or the flow rate is determined to be above a maximum target threshold, the adaptive hydraulic control system identifies one or more valves in an opened position of the plurality of valves that when closed would cause the pressure and the flow rate to return within the target operational thresholds. The adaptive hydraulic control system provides instructions to change a position of the one or more identified valves.