Automated irrigation malfunction diagnostic system

A method of identifying a watering zone malfunction, the zone including a valve connected to a conduit delivering water to one or more water distributors, the system comprising:

• storing a profile defining at least one profile parameter based upon a transient operation of the zone in an intact state during a calibration operation;
• sensing mechanical perturbations of the watering zone during a watering operation when the zone is in an unknown state;
• computing a operation parameter based upon the sensed mechanical perturbations for at least one time window including a transient portion phase of the watering operation;
• comparing the operation parameter to the profile parameter;
• and
• determining whether to take a further action based upon the comparison.

A system for identifying a watering zone malfunction, the zone including a valve connected to a conduit delivering water to one or more water distributors, the system comprising:

• a sensor configured to output a signal based upon mechanical perturbations of the watering zone;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• perform a calibration operation during an intact state including:
• operate the valve to allow fluid flow to occur for a time duration during the calibration;
• receive the sensor signal during one or more transient phases of the zone during the calibration;
• analyze the sensor signal from the calibration to define a profile parameter;
• and
• store the profile parameter;
• perform a watering operation during an unknown state including:
• operate the valve to allow fluid flow to occur during a time duration during the watering operation;
• receive the sensor signal during one or more transient phases of the zone during the watering operation;
• analyze the sensor signal from the watering operation to define at least one operation parameter;
• compare the operation parameter to the profile parameter;
• and
• determine whether a malfunction is occurring based upon the comparison.