The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 03, 2014
Filed:
May. 19, 2010
Applicants:
Peter J. Woytowitz, San Diego, CA (US);
LA Monte D. Porter, San Marcos, CA (US);
Inventors:
Peter J. Woytowitz, San Diego, CA (US);
La Monte D. Porter, San Marcos, CA (US);
Assignee:
Hunter Industries, Inc., San Marcos, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01W 1/14 (2006.01); G01W 1/02 (2006.01); G01N 27/74 (2006.01); G01N 25/26 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
An intelligent rain sensor incorporates at least one hygroscopic member and a sensor that generates signals representative of its amount of expansion due to absorption of moisture. A microcontroller executes a pre-programmed algorithm that determines at least the rate of expansion and uses that information to distinguish between actual rainfall events on the one hand, and high humidity, dew or a light sprinkle on the other hand, and sends a shut off command to an irrigation controller.