초록 ▼

The invention comprises devices and methods for providing operational power to a solar-powered irrigation control system. In one aspect, a method includes producing electrical energy from light, storing the electrical energy in a capacitive module, and operating an irrigation controller using the st

The invention comprises devices and methods for providing operational power to a solar-powered irrigation control system. In one aspect, a method includes producing electrical energy from light, storing the electrical energy in a capacitive module, and operating an irrigation controller using the stored electrical energy independent of another power source. In another aspect, a device includes a control system comprising a computer having a programmed irrigation schedule which operates at least one irrigation device, a photovoltaic power module, and a capacitive module connected to said photovoltaic power module to store the electrical energy provided by the photovoltaic power module, where the capacitive module provides power for the control system to operate the at least one irrigation device independent of another power source.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An irrigation controller, comprising:a power system for providing electrical energy, comprisinga photovoltaic power module; anda power storage device comprising a capacitive module connected across said photovoltaic power module, said capacitive module stores electrical

The invention claimed is: 1. An irrigation controller, comprising:a power system for providing electrical energy, comprisinga photovoltaic power module; anda power storage device comprising a capacitive module connected across said photovoltaic power module, said capacitive module stores electrical energy generated by said photovoltaic power module;a control system housed with said power system, comprising:a wireless transceiver that receives operational signals and provides data to a wireless receiver;a timing component to provide a real-time clock time signal; anda computer programmed tooperate at least one irrigation flow device based at least in part on said operational signals and said time signal, said computer further monitors a voltage level of said power storage device andoperate said transceiver in an activated state when said monitored voltage level exceeds a transceiver threshold voltage level, and operate said transceiver in a deactivated state when said monitored voltage level is less than the transceiver threshold voltage level, andperform an orderly shutdown of said control system when said monitored voltage level falls below a system shutdown threshold voltage, and perform a start-up procedure of said control system when the control system is in a shutdown state and the monitored voltage level exceeds a system start threshold voltage,the system start threshold voltage being greater than the system shutdown threshold voltage;a boost module configured to receive electrical energy from the power system at a first voltage level and produce an output voltage at a second voltage level; andan actuation module comprising at least one capacitor, said actuation module configured to receive electrical energy from said boost module at the second voltage level to charge said at least one capacitor, said actuation module further configured to provide an output pulse to operate at least one irrigation control device connected to the irrigation controller;wherein the irrigation controller generates electrical energy by said photovoltaic device, the electrical energy is stored in said capacitive module to operate the irrigation controller, during programming of the irrigation controller, and to operate said transceiver, independent of another power source.