Other

Eco-drip Irrigation Systems, Inc.

Earl T Farley

David K Frerich

An apparatus for controlling an irrigation system having multiple irrigation zones. The apparatus comprises a processor with associated memory, a plurality of valve controllers, an input device and a display screen. Each of the valve controllers is selectively activatable by the processor to provide a control signal to a respective zone valve, if connected thereto. The input device is adapted for inputting to the memory first data designating which of the controllers are available for activation, second data designating how many of the available controllers are to be activated simultaneously and third data designating how many times during a predetermined time period each of the available controllers will be activated. The display device is connected to the processor for displaying the first, second and third data. Initially, the processor uses the first, second and third data to select a first set containing at least two of the available controllers, to simultaneously provide control signals to all controllers in the first set, and to maintain the control signals until a new set is selected. At a regular interval thereafter, the processor uses the data to select a new set containing at least two of the available controllers, the new set including at least one controller that was not in the preceding set.

Continuous-flow irrigation timer

A detector (42) is provided for testing a string of lamps (12) that are connected to a wire (14) in a series configuration. The detector (42) has a probe (44) disposed on the end thereof with a cavity (56) formed therein. The cavity (56) is operable to be disposed around the socket (30) of lamp (12). The electrodes (34) and (36) disposed in the interior of the socket (30) are disposed parallel to two electrodes (60) and (62) that are embedded in the probe (44). A detector circuit is provided for detecting the presence of an AC signal capacitively coupled from one of the electrodes (34) and (36) to one of the capacitive plates (60) and (62), respectively. A large DC signal will be present for a defective bulb having at least one of the electrodes (34) or (36) connected to one side of an AC supply (18).

Growing community of inventors

Lubbock, TX, United States of America

Earl T Farley