The present invention teaches a solenoid-valve actuator that is battery-powered and communicates remotely and wirelessly (e.g., via LoRaWAN) to a gateway that communicates with the internet, thereby enabling a user to remotely control fluid flow through a solenoid valve. The end device interfaces to a range of latching solenoid operated valves, e.g., for the control of water flow in irrigation systems.

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for detecting and adjusting the position of an irrigation span. More particularly, the present invention provides a system and method for detecting and removing deflection stresses from irrigation spans caused by corner arm positioning.

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for detecting and adjusting the position of an irrigation span. More particularly, the present invention provides a system and method for detecting and removing deflection stresses from irrigation spans caused by corner arm positioning.

According to one embodiment, a method to increase drought tolerance for grass is disclosed. The method includes estimating by a server a root depth of grass watered by an irrigation system based on one or more of historical watering data of the grass, grass type characteristics, or soil characteristics of soil in which the grass is growing; determining by the server a target water depletion threshold of the grass based on the root depth; generating by the server an irrigation schedule based on the target water depletion threshold and weather information; and transmitting by the server the irrigation schedule to an irrigation controller to selectively activate the irrigation system based on the irrigation schedule.

A watering schedule control system (200) includes a power source (106), a power status sensor (108) to generate a signal indicative of remaining power with the power source (106), and a controller (204) communicably coupled to the power source (106), and the power status sensor (108). The controller (204) has access to a watering schedule. The controller (204) is configured to receive the signal from the power status sensor (108) and modify the watering schedule based on the received signal.

The present invention provides a system and method for analyzing sensor data related to an irrigation system. According to a preferred embodiment, the system includes algorithms for analyzing real-time, near real-time and historical data acquired from sensors in communication with a mechanized irrigation machine. Further, the algorithms of the present invention system may analyze collected sensor data to determine if an event has occurred or is predicted to occur. Further, the algorithms of the present invention may provide commands to an irrigation machine and notifications to users. According to further aspects of the present invention, the algorithms of the present invention may preferably apply machine learning and other data analysis tools to detect maintenance patterns, geographic trends, environmental trends, and to provide predictive analysis for future events.

An irrigation subsystem for locating a decoder unit in an irrigation system includes an irrigation controller controlling a plurality of irrigation units installed around branches of one or more water pipes in a field. Each irrigation unit includes a decoder unit placed in a box partially sunk in a ground and a solenoid. The subsystem further includes a memory, a memory control controlling data loading and retrieval into the memory, and an NFC interface having an NFC plate arranged in the box ensuring communication and energy supply with a mobile phone of an installer or searcher when being positioned close to the NFC plate. The communication includes downloading location coordinates of the decoder unit into the memory. The irrigation controller includes a memory for storing location data obtained from the decoder units in the form of a location database.

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.

This disclosure describes techniques that facilitate the sale and exchange of plant growth systems to consumer plant growers. Particularly, a script offering system may act as an intermediary medium that allows merchants to advertise plant growth scripts to consumer plant growers via an electronic marketplace. In some examples, the script offering system may allow merchants to advertise plant growth scripts to consumer plant growers that have expressed an interest or need for a particular plant growth script. In other examples, the script offering system may allow a consumer plant grower to solicit merchant bids for the sale of plant growth script. A consumer plant grower may solicit bids for plant growth scripts that address specific needs identified via key word inputs or sensor data attributable to an existing plant growth operation that exhibits less than optimal plant growth.

A valve box riser extension is disclosed, including a valve box riser extension positioned between a valve box lid and a valve box. A rim is positioned about a perimeter of an exterior surface of the valve box riser extension. The rim is constructed as an inverted wedge having an acute incline angle surface lip portion. The lip portion allows dirt or other material to be placed thereon to prevent the valve box riser extension from being pulled out of the ground when removing the lid.