# US 7,613,547 B1 · Modular irrigation controller with separate field valve line wiring terminals

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,613,547 B1
- Document ID: US7613547B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 11/860,774
- Filed: 2007-09-25
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2005-07-28
- Assignees: Hunter Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Peter J. Woytowitz
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7613547B1

## CPC

- A01G 25/165: {Cyclic operations, timing systems, timing valves, impulse operations}
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)

## Abstract

A modular irrigation controller includes a processor capable of executing a stored watering program and controlling a plurality of removable station modules in accordance with the watering program. Each station module includes a station module circuit for opening and closing a plurality of valves. A plurality of connectors can mate each mate to establish a communications link between the station modules and the processor. A plurality of terminals are each connectable with a corresponding one of a plurality of field valve lines from the valves. The terminals are mounted separate from the station modules and are connected to the connectors. This allows the irrigation controller to have a more compact design, provides connection terminals for spare field valve lines, and eliminates malfunctions due to erroneous re-connection of field valve lines during station module replacement.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A modular irrigation controller, comprising:
a processor capable of executing a watering program and controlling at least one station module capable of controlling a plurality of valves in accordance with the watering program;
a plurality of first connectors that can mate to establish a communications link between the station module and the processor;
a plurality of second connectors that can mate to establish a power link between the station module and each one of the valves; and
a plurality of terminals each connectable with a corresponding one of a plurality of field valve lines, the terminals being mounted on a support structure and connected to the second connectors, the support structure not being a portion of the station module.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The controller of claim 1 and further comprising means connected to the processor for entry or selection of the watering program.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The controller of claim 1 and further comprising a memory capable of storing the watering program.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of terminals are screw terminals.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of terminals are provided in the form of a terminal strip.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The controller of claim 1 wherein the field valve lines are wires.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The controller of claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of receptacles for each removably receiving a corresponding station module.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The controller of claim 7 and further comprising a mechanism for locking and unlocking the station modules in the receptacles.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The controller of claim 1 wherein the processor is mounted inside a removable face pack.

### Claim 10

A modular irrigation controller, comprising:
a processor capable of executing a watering program and controlling at least one station module with circuitry that selectively turns a plurality of valves ON and OFF;
a plurality of terminals mounted on a support structure separate from the station module, each terminal being connectable to a corresponding field valve line, the support structure not being a portion of the station module;
a plurality of first connectors that can mate to establish a communication link between the station module and the processor; and
a plurality of second connectors that can mate to establish a power link between the station module and corresponding terminals.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The controller of claim 10 and further comprising means for entry or selection of the watering program.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The controller of claim 10 and further comprising a memory capable of storing the watering program.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The controller of claim 10 wherein the terminals are screw terminals.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The controller of claim 10 wherein the terminals are part of a terminal strip.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The controller of claim 10 wherein the field valve lines are wires.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The controller of claim 10 and further comprising a plurality of receptacles for each removably receiving a station module.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The controller of claim 16 and further comprising a mechanism for locking and unlocking the station modules in the receptacles.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The controller of claim 10 wherein the processor is mounted in a removable face pack.

### Claim 19 (depends on 10)

The controller of claim 10 wherein the first and second connectors are selected from the group consisting of multi-pin connectors, card edge connectors and multiple conductive path male/female plug configurations.