Corrosion Reducing Two-Wire Control Systems
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorAlex KOROL
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control system for a two-wire power and communication system is described herein. A gateway connects to an irrigation controller and at least two wires that are further connected to a plurality of decoders. The gateway includes an H-bridge circuit that creates an alternating potential at the same potential or lower than the nearby ground. In this respect, when one of the at least two communication wires are damaged, little or no wire corrosion will occur.
Claims18
A gateway for an irrigation system comprising:
- a first connection connectable to an irrigation controller for transmitting device information and accepting control signals from said irrigation controller;
- a second connection connectable to at least two power and communication wires;
- a communication circuit connected to said second connection to provide alternating current thereon;
- said communication circuit comprising:
- a power supply;
- and
- an H-bridge circuit;
- a ground connection connected to a ground wire located at least partially outside of said gateway for contact with soil;
- said ground connection in communication with a positive terminal of said power supply and said H-bridge circuit;
- and,
- a microprocessor coupled to said H-bridge circuit for creating alternating current pulses on said at least two wires.
A gateway for providing power and communications comprising:
- a first connection configured for communication with an irrigation controller;
- a second connection configured for connection to at least two power and communication wires;
- a power supply;
- an H-bridge circuit in communication with said power supply;
- said H-bridge circuit coupled to said second connection for providing alternating voltage between said at least two power and communication wires;
- a microprocessor in communication with said H-bridge circuit for directing said alternating voltage;
- and,
- a ground connection configured for connection to an external ground wire disposed in soil;
- said ground connection electrically connected between a positive terminal of said power supply and said H-bridge;
- said ground connection preventing corrosion of said at least two power and communication wires.
A method of preventing corrosion with a two-wire power and communication system comprising:
- providing a gateway;
- accepting control commands from an irrigation controller with said gateway;
- transmitting an alternating voltage with said gateway over two wires coupled to a decoder;
- maintaining said alternating voltage at or below a potential of nearby soil;
- and,
- preventing corrosion of said two wires when said two wires are damaged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.