Automated water delivery systems with feedback control

Abstract

A water irrigation system includes a water input port, a controller, and a valve device. The water input port is constructed to be coupled to a water conduit receiving water from a remotely located water source. The controller is located near the water input port and is connected to at least one sensor. The valve device includes an actuator located near and connected to the water input port; wherein the valve device is constructed to receive control signals from the controller for providing water to a water delivery unit. The controller is usually battery operated. The actuator may be a latching actuator, a non-latching actuator, or an isolated latching actuator. The sensor may be a precipitation sensor, a humidity sensor, a soil moisture sensor, a light sensor, a temperature sensor or any other sensor used for providing information to the controller.

1 . A remotely located irrigation system, comprising: 
 a water input port constructed to be coupled to a water conduit receiving water from a remotely located water source,    a controller located near said water input port and connected to at least one sensor, and    a valve device including an actuator located near and connected to said water input port; said valve device being constructed to receive control signals from said controller for providing water to a water delivery unit.    
   
   
       2 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said controller is battery operated.  
   
   
       3 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is a latching actuator.  
   
   
       4 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is a non-latching actuator.  
   
   
       5 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is an isolated latching actuator.  
   
   
       6 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a precipitation sensor.  
   
   
       7 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a humidity sensor.  
   
   
       8 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a soil moisture sensor.  
   
   
       9 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a temperature sensor.  
   
   
       10 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a water leak sensor.  
   
   
       11 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1  including an indicator associated with said controller.  
   
   
       12 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1  including a wireless communication unit connected to said controller for receiving data or sending data.  
   
   
       13 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1  including a manual data input associated with said controller.  
   
   
       14 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said water delivery unit is a sprinkler.  
   
   
       15 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said controller is constructed to provide control signals to at least two said actuators each associated with one valve device, each said valve device being located near and connected to said water input port; said valve device being constructed to receive control signals from said controller for providing water to an water delivery unit.  
   
   
       16 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said controller is constructed as a time based controller.  
   
   
       17 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1 , wherein said controller is constructed as a non-time based controller.  
   
   
       18 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1  constructed to be removably located at a selected location.  
   
   
       19 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 1  constructed to be mounted on a mobile irrigation platform.  
   
   
       20 . The remotely located irrigation system of  claim 19 , wherein said mobile irrigation platform is self propelled.  
   
   
       21 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . An electrically operated valve for a water delivery system, comprising: 
 a valve body having a water inlet and a water outlet,    a valve closure element located within said valve body and constructed to move between an open state enabling water flow from said inlet to said outlet and a closed state preventing said water flow from said inlet to said outlet;    an electrical actuator attached to move with said valve element including a sealing member; and    a pilot mechanism constructed to control said movement of said valve element between said open state and said closed state based on a position of said sealing member.    
   
   
       24 . The electrically operated valve of  claim 23  wherein said valve closure element is a valve diaphragm.  
   
   
       25 . The electrically operated valve of  claim 23  wherein said valve closure element is a valve piston.  
   
   
       26 . An irrigation method for controlling an irrigation system, comprising: 
 providing a water input port constructed to be coupled to a water conduit;    providing a controller connected to at least one sensor, and a valve device including an actuator;    generating control signals from said controller and delivering said control signals to said actuator;    controlling said valve device constructed to receive water from said water input port; and    delivering water to a water delivery unit based on control signals generated by said controller.    
   
   
       27 . An irrigation method for controlling an irrigation system, comprising: 
 providing a water input port constructed to be coupled to a water conduit;    providing a controller located near said water input port and connected to at least one sensor, and a valve device including an actuator located near and connected to said water input port;    generating control signals from said controller and delivering said control signals to said actuator;    controlling said valve device constructed to receive water from said water input port receiving water from a remotely located water source via said water conduit; and    delivering water to a water delivery unit based on control signals generated by said controller.