Differential relative humidity and temperature sensitive irrigation control
AssigneeAlphonse E. Caprio
InventorAlphonse E. Caprio
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An Electrically operated valve controls the flow of irrigation water. A clock or computer controls the time of day and a programmed watering schedule. The clock signal is serially connected through differential relative humidity (RH) and temperature sensitive circuits. These circuits sense the difference between the surrounding RH and above ground temperature and set points derived from meterological “Normals, Means and Extremes” weather data. When the difference between the set point readings and the surrounding RH or temperature becomes zero and beyond, solenoid activation is prevented during and sometimes before inappropriate weather and evapotranspiration conditions; such as rain, snow or freeze.
Claims16
A method for preventing the activation of an outdoor system in a region during a period of precipitation in the region by preventing activation of the outdoor system before precipitation begins, the method comprising:
- providing an outdoor electrical load that is adapted for activation of the outdoor system;
- providing relative humidity measurements for the region, the relative humidity measurements including a value for the highest humidity for a given time period;
- providing means for setting a relative humidity threshold value at a relative humidity value based on the value for the highest relative humidity;
- providing means for sensing ambient relative humidity and providing an ambient relative humidity value output;
- providing comparator means for receiving the ambient relative humidity value output of said means for sensing ambient relative humidity and comparing the ambient relative humidity value with the relative humidity threshold value to determine when the ambient relative humidity value approximates the relative humidity threshold value;
- and
- preventing activation of the outdoor system when the ambient relative humidity value approximates the threshold relative humidity value by automatedly preventing electrical activation of the outdoor electrical load, so that the outdoor system is not activated during precipitation.
A method for automatedly preventing the activation of an electrically actuated outdoor watering system during a period of precipitation by preventing activation of the electrically actuated outdoor watering system before precipitation begins, the outdoor watering system being in a geographic region, the method comprising:
- providing relative humidity measurements for the region;
- correlating the relative humidity measurements for the region with precipitation in the region to produce a relative humidity value;
- providing means for setting a relative humidity threshold value at the relative humidity value;
- providing means for sensing ambient relative humidity and providing an ambient relative humidity value output;
- providing comparator means for receiving the ambient relative humidity value output of said means for sensing ambient relative humidity and comparing the ambient relative humidity value with the relative humidity threshold value to determine when the ambient relative humidity value approximates the relative humidity threshold value;
- and
- automatedly preventing activation of the outdoor system when the ambient relative humidity value approximates the threshold relative humidity value, so that the outdoor system is not activated during precipitation.
An automated system that is activated or deactivated during precipitation which follows a relative humidity value determined from atmospheric data, the system comprising:
- an electrically controlled outdoor system having means for setting a relative humidity threshold value;
- means for sensing ambient relative humidity and providing an ambient relative humidity value output;
- comparator means for receiving the ambient relative humidity value output of said means for sensing ambient relative humidity and comparing the ambient relative humidity value with the relative humidity threshold value to determine when the ambient relative humidity value approximates the relative humidity threshold value, the comparator being connected to the outdoor system, so that the outdoor system is triggered by said comparator means, so that the outdoor system is selectively activated or deactivated during precipitation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.