초록 ▼

The present invention includes a unique irrigation sprinkler system with a unique sprinkler head design; a unique method of defining the planted area to be served by the sprinkler head; a unique method for determining when that planted area needs to be watered; a unique way of providing even coverag

The present invention includes a unique irrigation sprinkler system with a unique sprinkler head design; a unique method of defining the planted area to be served by the sprinkler head; a unique method for determining when that planted area needs to be watered; a unique way of providing even coverage throughout the planted area when being watered; the ability to use one sprinkler head to individually water multiple, non-overlapping planted areas; a unique way of addressing multiple sprinkler heads in the same sprinkler system; and a unique method for remotely determining the integrity of the sprinkler system.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A sprinkler system to accurately provide a determined amount of water from a water source to a defined planted area of interest, said sprinkler system comprising:a water feeder line disposed to be coupled to said water source to receive water therefrom; a sprinkler head coupled to said water feed

1. A sprinkler system to accurately provide a determined amount of water from a water source to a defined planted area of interest, said sprinkler system comprising:a water feeder line disposed to be coupled to said water source to receive water therefrom; a sprinkler head coupled to said water feeder line to receive water therefrom, said sprinkler head being electrically controllable during delivery of said water to vary angular position and flow rate of water to limit water delivery to said planted area of interest; a power and data line coupled to said sprinkler head to provide power and control data thereto; and a master controller disposed to be connected to a power source and coupled to said power and data line to provide power and control data to said sprinkler head; wherein said sprinkler head comprises: an input port coupled to said water feeder line; a control valve coupled to said input port to provide controlled water flow through said control valve; a flow rate varying means coupled to said control valve to vary said water flow through said control valve; a flow rate monitoring unit adjacent said control valve to monitor said water flow as it exits said control valve and provide a feedback signal to said control valve to regulate said water flow said control valve; a nozzle having a proximate end adjacent said flow rate monitoring unit to receive said water flow from said control valve and to expel said water from a distal end of said nozzle to said planted area of interest; a nozzle drive means affixed to said nozzle for use in angularly positioning said distal end of said nozzle; an angular position monitoring unit disposed to determine a position of said distal end of said nozzle; and a control subsystem coupled to said electric and data line, and to said control valve drive means, said flow rate monitoring unit, said nozzle drive means and said angular position monitoring unit to monitor and control the flow rate through, and angular position of, said nozzle.