US4993640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid control system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-06-12
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Granted: 1991-02-19
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Expires: 2009-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A fluid control system for controlling one or more branches of a fluid delivery system, which can be manually controlled or, under general operating conditions, automatically controlled by ambient moisture conditions. When applied to sprinkler and irrigation systems, for example, the system will include a ground moisture sensor which, with associated means, can modify or adjust the preset watering times in accordance with soil needs as sensed by the sensor structure. The programmable timer is used for respective watering stations; the timers can be separately set to desired average watering time needed for particular stations. Sequencing functions and apparatus are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark R. Baugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:34
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/16; A01G25/167; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/10; Y02A40/22; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1842; Y10T137/1866; Y10T137/189
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
In combination, a water delivery system having a series of branches, first means for controlling said water delivery system to sequence the operation of said branches and to time the operating times of said branches, and second means coupled to said first means, and including a pair of mutually spaced probes, for modifying and locking in, prior to water delivery startups, any preset water delivery timing, thereby so modifying water delivery, by increasing and decreasing the same, in accordance with ambient soil conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
In combination, a water delivery system having a series of branches, first means for controlling said water delivery system to sequence the operation of said branches and to time the operating times of said branches, and second means coupled to said first means, and including a pair of mutually spaced probes, for modifying and locking in, prior to water delivery startups, any preset water delivery timing, thereby so modifying water delivery, by increasing and decreasing the same, in accordance with ambient soil conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
An electronically controlled watering system having a count down timer and also watering means at a series of watering stations thereof, and ground moisture sensor means coupled to said watering means whereby to operate as a resistor for controlling countdown rate of said count down timer of said system, thereby permitting the employment of said ground moisture sensor means to vary water delivery at a preselected number of said watering stations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
An electronically controlled watering system having a count down timer and also watering means at a series of watering stations thereof, and ground moisture sensor means coupled to said watering means whereby to operate as a resistor for controlling countdown rate of said count down timer of said system, thereby permitting the employment of said ground moisture sensor means to vary water delivery at a preselected number of said watering stations.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-18 | 1994-08-20 | 1995-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-08-20 | 1999-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-18 | 2002-08-20 | 2003-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |