Moisture detection apparatus
OwnerWarren G. Lohoffinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A soil moisture detector is disclosed herein for incorporation between a timer controller and an electrical water supply valve. The detector includes a pneumatic diaphragm apparatus whereby a pressure level is maintained or released between a pair of diaphragms in response to a moisture sensing valve buried in the ground. The pneumatic condition of the detector permits the slug of a solenoid valve, responsive to the timing sequence of the timer controller, to open or close a switch for supplying voltage to the water supply valve.
Claims13
A soil moisture detector and actuation apparatus for opening and closing a water supply valve, the combination comprising:
- a timer opening said water supply valve for a predetermined period of time;
- a soil moisture sensing means comprising a porous air valve buried in the soil adapted to block the passage of air when moist and to conduct the passage of air when dry;
- a detector having a pneumatic actuator means whereby a pressure level is maintained or released within a pressure chamber in response to the wet or dry soil condition sensed by said sensing valve;
- and
- release of said pressure level in said pressure chamber of said pneumatic actuator means operable in unison with said timer during said predetermined period of time to actuate said water supply valve.
Moisture detection apparatus comprising;
- a water supply valve;
- timer means;
- soil moisture sensing means;
- a switch means operably coupling said timer means and said sensing means to said water supply valve whereby actuation of said switch means is responsive to energization by said timer means and detection of dry soil by said sensing means;
- and
- said sensing means is an air valve buried in the soil adapted to block the passage of air when moist.
The invention as defined in clain 10 wherein said plunger actuations are hydraulic characterized by said first mentioned plunger being moved by the presence of a hydraulic pressure on one side;
- and its opposite side as well as said other plunger being spring biased to return to original positions.
Moisture detection apparatus comprising;
- a water supply valve;
- timer means;
- soil moisture sensing means;
- a switch means operably coupling said timer means and said sensing means to said water supply valve whereby actuation of said switch means is responsive to energization by said timer means and detection of dry soil by said sensing means;
- and
- said sensing means is composed of a non-organic, capillary type material having pores of predetermined diameter whereby said means acts as an air valve to restrict air movement from the soil through said porous material when the soil in contact therewith has reached a predetermined high moisture condition wherein the moisture within the soil has closed said pores and to permit the passage of air from the soil through said porous material when the soil has reached a predetermined low moisture condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.