US 5,870,302 A · Evapotranspiration remote irrigation control system

Abstract

A system and method for using evapotranspiration (ET) and/or predicted precipitation data in controlling automated and semi-automated irrigation systems. In accordance with the present invention, meteorological data is monitored and used to adjust watering schedules for an irrigation site. A central computer uses the meteorological data and ET data to compute a watering factor. The watering factor represents the difference between a reference watering schedule (which can be stored at the irrigation site) and a new watering schedule. The new watering schedule can be based on similar climatic conditions of a geographic area in which the irrigation site is located. The watering factor is then sent to the irrigation site, which uses the watering factor to modify the reference watering schedule, if appropriate. Alternatively, meteorological data and site characteristics can be monitored at the irrigation site and sent to the central computer, which then computes the watering factor based on this specific site information. The computed ET data is preferably based on a current prediction of future events based upon present meteorological conditions. The system and method of the present invention achieves a substantial savings in water usage.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A method for efficiently controlling irrigation, including the steps of:

(a) electronically computing a watering factor by a host computer, wherein the watering factor represents the amount of change between a reference watering schedule and a new watering schedule, wherein:
(1) the new watering schedule is based on computed evapotranspiration (ET) data that includes at least one of forecast precipitation data or forecast meteorological data, the forecast precipitation data and forecast meteorological data comprising a current prediction of future events based upon present meteorological conditions:
and
(2) the reference watering schedule corresponds to a site control device located at an irrigation site remote from the host computer and is based upon selected characteristics of the irrigation site;
(b) sending the watering factor from the host computer to a site control device;
(c) adjusting the reference watering schedule by the watering factor to obtain a modified watering schedule;
and
(d) controlling at least one irrigation valve coupled to a site control device in accordance with the modified watering schedule, wherein the modified watering schedule controls when and how much to irrigate through each irrigation valve.

5 more elements

A system for efficiently controlling irrigation, including:

(a) electronic computing means for computing a watering factor, wherein the watering factor represents the amount of change between a reference watering schedule and a new watering schedule, wherein:
(1) the new watering schedule is based on computed evapotranspiration (ET) data that includes at least one of forecast precipitation data or forecast meteorological data, the forecast precipitation data and forecast meteorological data comprising a current prediction of future events based upon present meteorological conditions;
and
(2) the reference watering schedule corresponds to an irrigation site remote from the electronic computing means and is based upon selected characteristics of the irrigation site;
(b) transmitting means for transmitting the watering factor;
and
(c) site control means, located at or near the irrigation site, for:
(1) receiving the watering factor from the transmitting means,
(2) adjusting the reference watering schedule by the watering factor to obtain a modified watering schedule, and
(3) controlling at least one irrigation valve coupled to the site control means in accordance with the modified watering schedule, wherein the modified watering schedule controls when and how much to irrigate through each irrigation valve.

7 more elements

A system for efficiently controlling irrigation, including:

(a) at least one irrigation control system, located at or near an irrigation site and coupled to at least one irrigation valve, for storing a reference watering schedule and for controlling the at least one irrigation valve;
and
(b) a host computer for computing a watering factor and for sending the watering factor to the irrigation control system, wherein the watering factor represents the amount of change between the reference watering schedule and a new watering schedule, wherein:
(1) the new watering schedule is based on computed evapotranspiration (ET) data that includes at least one of forecast precipitation data or forecast meteorological data, the forecast precipitation data and forecast meteorological data comprising a current prediction of future events based upon present meteorological conditions;
and
the reference watering schedule is modified by the watering factor;
wherein the irrigation control system modifies the reference watering schedule by the watering factor to obtain a modified watering schedule and controls the at least one irrigation valve in accordance with the modified watering schedule.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Evapotranspiration remote irrigation control system

Life of this patent

Evapotranspiration remote irrigation control system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28