A sprinkler system to control distribution of water flow to a plurality of sprinkler heads, the heads providing an outlet to dispense water passing through a corresponding one of the plurality of sprinkler heads and a plurality of distribution control devices, one of the plurality of distribution control devices coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of sprinkler heads, wherein the distribution control device controls water flow to an associated sprinkler heads for a first predetermined period of time when a flow of water through the distribution control device is detected.

A flow control center can include a barometric sensor, at least one ball valve assembly, and a computing device. The ball valve can be controllable among a plurality of discreet positions to selectively change a flow of fluid. The computing device can have a communication device configured to receive signals from the barometric sensor. The computing device can determine a first flow rate in response to the sensed pressure represented by the first signal. The computing device can also control a motor of the ball valve assembly to move a ball valve to a first of the plurality of discreet angular positions. The first of the plurality of discreet angular positions can correspond to the sensed pressure represented by the first signal.

A surge irrigation system with one or more valve location units configured for location at a flood irrigation valve assembly. Each valve location unit has an elongate linkage with a rod configured to rotatably open and close a flood irrigation valve assembly with a powered actuator. A control unit is connected to the powered actuator and configured to wirelessly receive instructions to operate the powered actuator. Various embodiments also implement a base station to relay information and/or instructions between valve location units and a user. A user may control the system through, for example, a mobile device interface. Embodiments of the invention may also include moisture sensors configured to provide feedback to the system. A method of using the surge irrigation system is also disclosed.

The present disclosure is related to a smart irrigation system that includes a first sensor configured to monitor a moisture level at a location and a second sensor configured to monitor a contamination level within a fluid. The smart irrigation system also includes one or more processors configured to receive a first signal from the first sensor, receive a second signal from the second sensor, and route the fluid to the location in response to the first signal indicating that the moisture level is below a moisture threshold and the second signal indicating that the contamination level is below a contamination threshold.

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.

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.

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.

An individual spray nozzle contains two or more valves that are actuated by time or frequency modulated signals such as pulse width modulated (PWM) signals. The PWM signals are interleaved to open and close each of the respective valves that enable fluid to flow from an input to a combined output. The opening and closing positions of two or more different valves are interleaved to increase the range of performance, such as to increase the frequency of fluid flow from the input to the combined output. Additional embodiments are described.

An irrigation system comprises an irrigation controller that receives user input and provides a power signal and command and message data to an encoder. The encoder encodes the command and message data onto the power signal to provide a data encoded power waveform that is sent over a two-wire path. The irrigation system further comprises one or more decoders in communication with the two-wire path to receive the data encoded power waveform and one or more irrigation valves in communication with the one or more decoders. The data encoded power waveform provides power to the decoders and the decoders decode the command and message data from the data encoded power waveform to control the irrigation valves according to the user input.

A surge irrigation system with one or more valve location units configured for location at a flood irrigation valve assembly. Each valve location unit has an elongate linkage with a rod configured to rotatably open and close a flood irrigation valve assembly with a powered actuator. A control unit is connected to the powered actuator and configured to wirelessly receive instructions to operate the powered actuator. Various embodiments also implement a base station to relay information and/or instructions between valve location units and a user. A user may control the system through, for example, a mobile device interface. Embodiments of the invention may also include moisture sensors configured to provide feedback to the system. A method of using the surge irrigation system is also disclosed.