Clemar Manufacturing Corp.

Toribio Q Lobato

An apparatus and method that provides an auxiliary timing source for electronic clocks, normally powered by alternating current (ac). The apparatus and method includes calibrating an inexpensive resistor-capacitor oscillator, powered by a battery. The oscillator is calibrated during normal ac operation by comparing a digital timing pulse derived from the oscillator and a digital timing pulse derived from the alternating current. When a power failure occurs, the calibrated oscillator provides an inexpensive and accurate auxiliary timing source. The apparatus and method may also include a non-volatile solid-state storage medium for storing the time of day and a set of timing instructions in the event that the battery becomes drained.

Auxiliary timing source for ac-powered electronic clocks

A rain detector is provided for preventing operation of an irrigation system upon detection of an adjustably selected amount of rainfall. The rain detector is designed for use with an automatic irrigation control system of the type including a clock controller to electrically operate one or more normally closed valves for programmed supply of irrigation water to sprinklers individually or in selected groups. The rain detector comprises a switching circuit connected electrically in series with the sprinkler valves, with the switching circuit including spaced sensors extending for an adjustable depth into a collection tray exposed to rainfall. The switching circuit is normally closed in the absence of rainfall to permit normal programmed operation of the sprinkler valves. However, when rainfall within the collection tray reaches a level bridging the sensors, the switching circuit is triggered to form an effective open circuit condition between the clock controller and the sprinkler valves, thereby closing the sprinkler valves pending evaporation of the rainwater to a level below the sensors.

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San Dimas, CA, United States of America

Toribio Q Lobato