A sprinkler valve wiring apparatus and method are provided. An irrigation system has a plurality of valves designed to be electrically activated by a control unit. Valve wires extend from the valves to a junction unit. Control unit wires extend from the control unit to the junction unit, and are ele
A sprinkler valve wiring apparatus and method are provided. An irrigation system has a plurality of valves designed to be electrically activated by a control unit. Valve wires extend from the valves to a junction unit. Control unit wires extend from the control unit to the junction unit, and are electrically coupled to the valve wires within the junction unit. The control unit wires include a common wire and a plurality of hot wires. Each hot wire is coupled to a corresponding valve, while the common wire is coupled to all of the valves by the junction unit. The junction unit utilizes resilient blocking members with frangible portions that block unused wire receptacles and can be removed to provide watertight access to the remaining wire receptacles. The junction unit is fixed in place via an anchoring mechanism such as a pipe clip or stake.
대표청구항▼
1. An irrigation system configured to irrigate an area, the irrigation system comprising:a plurality of water distribution units, each of which distributes water over at least a portion of the area;a plurality of conduits for conveying water to the water distribution units;a plurality of valves, eac
1. An irrigation system configured to irrigate an area, the irrigation system comprising:a plurality of water distribution units, each of which distributes water over at least a portion of the area;a plurality of conduits for conveying water to the water distribution units;a plurality of valves, each of which has an open configuration permitting water flow into least one of the conduits and a closed configuration substantially blocking water flow into at least one of the conduits;a control unit transmitting valve activation signals to electrically trigger movement of the valves between the open and closed configurations;a common wire to be coupled to the control unit;a plurality of valve wires to be coupled to the valves; anda junction unit to electrically couple the common wire to the plurality of valve wires independent of any direct physical contact between the common wire and the plurality of valve wires, wherein the junction unit comprises a control unit wire receptacle for receiving a junction end of the common wire, a plurality of valve wire receptacles for receiving junction ends of the valve wires, and a blocking member positioned to restrict moisture entry into the junction unit, the blocking member having a frangible portion configured to be ruptured to permit wire insertion into one of the receptacles.2. The irrigation system of claim 1, wherein the valve wire receptacles and the control unit wire receptacle maintain substantially watertight seals around the valve wires and the common wire, respectively, to restrict moisture contact with conductors of the valve wires and the common wire.3. The irrigation system of claim 1, wherein the junction unit comprises a plurality of control unit wire receptacles configured to receive the junction end of the common wire and a junction end of at least one hot wire configured to be coupled to the control unit.4. The irrigation system of claim 1, wherein each of the valve wires comprises a plug disposed at the junction end, wherein each of the valve wire receptacles comprises a jack configured to receive and retain at least a portion of one of the plugs.5. The irrigation system of claim 1, wherein the control unit wire receptacle is actuated by a user to receive the junction end of the common wire and to retain the junction end in response to cessation of user actuation.6. The irrigation system of claim 1, further comprising an anchoring mechanism configured to anchor the junction unit proximate the valves.7. A valving system for controlling flows of irrigation water, the valving system comprising:a plurality of valves, each of which has an open configuration permitting water flow to at least one water distribution unit and a closed configuration substantially blocking water flow to the water distribution unit;a control unit configured to transmit valve activation signals to electrically trigger movement of the valves between the open and closed configurations;a plurality of control unit wires configured to be coupled to the control unit to receive the valve activation signals;a plurality of valve wires configured to be coupled to the valves to convey the valve activation signals to the valves, wherein each of the valve wires comprises a plug disposed at the junction end; anda junction unit configured to electrically couple the plurality of control unit wires to the plurality of valve wires to convey the valve activation signals from the control unit wires to the valve wires, wherein the junction unit comprises a plurality of control unit wire receptacles for receiving junction ends of the control unit wires and a plurality of valve wire receptacles for receiving junction ends of the valve wires, wherein each of the valve wire receptacles comprises a jack configured to receive and retain at least a portion of one of the plugs.8. The valving system of claim 7, wherein the valve wire receptacles and the control unit wire receptacles are configured to maintain substantially watertight seals around the valve wires and the control unit wires, respectively, to restrict moisture contact with conductors of the valve wires and the control unit wires.9. The valving system of claim 8, wherein the junction unit further comprises a blocking member positioned to restrict moisture entry into the junction unit, the blocking member having a frangible portion configured to be ruptured to permit wire insertion into one of the receptacles.10. The valving system of claim 7, wherein the control unit wires comprise a common wire and a plurality of hot wires, wherein the junction unit is further configured to electrically couple each of the hot wires to one of the valve wire receptacles, and to electrically couple the common wire to all of the valve wire receptacles.11. The valving system of claim 7, wherein each of the control unit wire receptacles is configured to be actuated by a user to receive the junction end of one of the control unit wires and to retain the junction end in response to cessation of user actuation.12. The valving system of claim 7, further comprising an anchoring mechanism configured to anchor the junction unit proximate the valves.13. A junction unit for a valving system for controlling flows of irrigation water, the junction unit comprising:a control unit wire receptacle to retain a junction end of a common wire in watertight fashion; anda valve wire receptacle to retain a junction end of a valve wire in watertight fashion, wherein the valve wire comprises a plug disposed at the junction end and the valve wire receptacle comprises a jack for receiving and retaining at least a portion of the plug;wherein the control unit wire receptacle is in electrical communication with the valve wire receptacle to permit the conveyance of a valve activation signal from the common wire to the valve wire.14. The junction unit of claim 13, further comprising a blocking member positioned to restrict moisture entry into the junction unit, the blocking member having a frangible portion to be ruptured to permit wire insertion into one of the receptacles.15. The junction unit of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of additional control unit wire receptacles, each of which for retaining a hot wire, the junction unit further comprising at least one additional valve wire receptacle, wherein the junction unit electrically couples each of the hot wires to one of the valve wire receptacles, and electrically couples the common wire to all of the valve wire receptacles.16. The junction unit of claim 13, wherein the control unit wire receptacle is actuated by a user to receive the junction end of the control unit wire and to retain the junction end in response to cessation of user actuation.17. A water resistant junction unit comprising:a receptacle having an occupied configuration in which the receptacle retains a junction end of a wire and an unoccupied configuration in which the receptacle is vacant; anda blocking member having a frangible portion configured to restrict moisture entry into the receptacle in the vacant configuration, wherein the frangible portion may be ruptured to permit insertion of the junction end into the receptacle.18. The water resistant junction unit of claim 17, wherein the blocking member is configured such that rupturing the frangible portion leaves an opening in the blocking member sized to permit insertion of the junction end through the opening and to grip the junction end to restrict moisture entry into the receptacle through the opening when the junction end is disposed in the receptacle.19. The water resistant junction unit of claim 17, wherein the frangible portion comprises a protrusion for gripping with fingers of a user and pulled to tear away the frangible portion.20. The water resistant junction unit of claim 17, wherein the wire comprises a plug disposed at the junction end and the receptacle comprises a jack for receiving and retaining the plug.21. The water resistant junction unit of claim 17, wherein the receptacle is actuated by a user to receive the junction end and to retain the junction end in response to cessation of user actuation.22. A water resistant junction unit comprising:a receptacle for receiving a junction end of a wire and retaining the junction end; anda blocking member constructed of a resilient material, the blocking member having an opening sized to permit insertion of the junction end through the opening and to grip the junction end to restrict moisture entry into the receptacle through the opening when the junction end is disposed in the receptacle.23. The water resistant junction unit of claim 22, wherein the opening is formed by rupturing a frangible portion of the blocking member, wherein, prior to rupturing, the frangible portion is configured to restrict moisture entry into the receptacle.24. The water resistant junction unit of claim 22, wherein the junction end comprises an insulative sheath surrounding a conductor, wherein upon insertion of the junction end into the receptacle, the blocking member grips the insulative sheath to restrict moisture contact with the conductor.25. The water resistant junction unit of claim 22, wherein the wire comprises a plug disposed at the junction end and the receptacle comprises a jack for receiving and retaining the plug, wherein the plug comprises an insulative housing and a prong, wherein upon insertion of the junction end into the receptacle, the blocking member grips the insulative housing to restrict moisture contact with the prong.26. The water resistant junction unit of claim 22, wherein the receptacle is actuated by a user to receive the junction end and to retain the junction end in response to cessation of user actuation.27. A method for assembling a valving system for controlling irrigation water flow to at least one water distribution unit, the valving system having a control unit transmitting a valve activation signal to electrically trigger movement of the valve between open and closed configurations, a control unit wire to be coupled to the control unit to receive the valve activation signal, a valve wire to be coupled to the valve to convey the valve activation signal to the valve, and a junction unit having a valve wire receptacle and a control unit wire receptacle, the method comprising:inserting a junction end of the valve wire into the valve wire receptacle, wherein the valve wire comprises a plug disposed at the junction end and the receptacle comprises a jack for receiving and retaining the at least a portion of the plug, wherein inserting the junction end of the valve wire into the valve wire receptacle comprises inserting at least a portion of the plug into the jack; andinserting a junction end the control unit wire into the control unit wire receptacle to electrically couple the control unit wire to the valve wire to convey the valve activation signal from the control unit wires to the valve wires.28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:electrically coupling a valve end of the valve wire to the valve; andelectrically coupling a control end of the control unit wire to the control unit.29. The method of claim 28, wherein the junction unit comprises a blocking member to restrict moisture entry into the valve wire receptacle, the blocking member having a frangible portion, the method further comprising rupturing the frangible portion to form an opening in the blocking member, wherein the opening is sized to permit insertion of at least a portion of the plug through the opening and to grip the plug to restrict moisture entry into the receptacle.30. The method of claim 27, wherein inserting the junction end of the control unit wire into the control unit wire receptacle comprises:actuating the control unit wire receptacle;inserting the junction end of the control unit wire into the control unit wire receptacle; andreleasing the control unit wire receptacle to induce the control unit wire receptacle to retain the junction end.31. The method of claim 30, wherein the junction unit comprises a blocking member to restrict moisture entry into the control unit wire receptacle, the blocking member having a frangible portion, the method further comprising rupturing the frangible portion to form an opening in the blocking member, wherein the opening is sized to permit insertion of at least a portion of the junction end of the control unit wire through the opening and to grip the junction end to restrict moisture entry into the receptacle.32. The method of claim 27, wherein the junction unit further comprises at least one additional valve wire receptacle and at least two additional control unit wire receptacles, the valving system comprising at least one additional valve, at least one additional valve wire, and at least two additional control unit wires, the control unit wires comprising a common wire and at least two hot wires, the method further comprising coupling the additional control wires and the additional valve wire to the junction unit such that each hot wire is in electrical communication with one of the valves and the common wire is in electrical communication with all of the valves.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (7)
Hewitt Ronnie D. (Rte. 1 ; Bo 48 Oakley ID 83346), Adaptable irrigation valve operation system.
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