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US 9,066,496 B2Granted
Automatic smart watering apparatus
OwnerRon Hymesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a smart water flow apparatus capable of maintaining a desired level of water in a reservoir while having an override or shutoff feature that is programmable to address variations in water pressure or to prevent flooding.
Claims20
A smart water flow apparatus comprising:
- a) an open top reservoir capable of retaining a fluid, said reservoir comprising a sensor mechanism comprising a start sensor and a stop sensor each capable of detecting the presence or absence of said fluid;
- b) a continuous water supply line capable of fluid communication with a continuous water source, wherein said communication allows continuous delivery of water to said reservoir;
- c) a valve capable of opening and closing, further wherein when in the open position said valve permits flow of said water from said continuous water supply line to said reservoir and when in the closed position said valve prevents flow of said water to said reservoir;
- d) a microcontroller operably connected to said sensor mechanism and said valve, said microcontroller comprising memory and executable programming comprising a timer that times the flow of fluid, further wherein said microcontroller stores in said memory a programmed time and compares a subsequent fill time to said programmed time, characterized in that said microcontroller calculates said programmed time by measuring a flow time between an unfilled state and said stop sensor then multiplying said measured flow time by a margin for error and said subsequent fill time is measured in subsequent fillings, further wherein said microcontroller instructs the closure of said valve if said programmed time is reached or if said subsequent fill time equals or exceeds said programmed time, further wherein said microcontroller delays opening of said valve after a programmed time delay initiated after receiving a start signal from said sensor mechanism;
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- e) a power supply.
3 more elements
A smart water flow system comprising:
- a) a plurality of open top reservoirs, each associated with a sensor mechanism capable of detecting a presence or absence of a fluid, said sensor mechanism comprising a start sensor and a stop sensor;
- b) a continuous water supply line fluidly connected to a continuous water source at one end and a series of water lines at an opposing end, said series of water lines fluidly connected to said plurality of reservoirs;
- c) a valve system comprising a plurality of valves capable of regulating the flow of fluid into each of said plurality of reservoirs;
- d) a plurality of microcontrollers operably connected to said sensor mechanisms and capable of instructing an opening or closing of said plurality of valves, said microcontrollers comprising memory and executable programming comprising timers that time flow of said fluid, further wherein said microcontrollers store in said memory a programmed time and compare a subsequent fill time to said programmed time, characterized in that said microcontrollers calculate said programmed time by measuring flow time to said stop sensor from an initial unfilled state then multiplying the measured flow time by a margin for error and said subsequent fill time is measured in subsequent fillings, further wherein said microcontroller instructs the closing of at least one of said plurality of valves if said programmed time is reached or if said subsequent fill time exceeds said programmed time for the corresponding reservoir, further wherein said microcontrollers delay opening of said valves for a programmed time delay after receiving a start signal from said sensor mechanism;
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- e) a power supply.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.