Moisture sensing valves and devices

Abstract

There are provided moisture sensing devices. These devices can be used to sense moisture in various mediums. They also can be used to control irrigation through use in valves and electronic switches and data feedback devices.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An irrigation device comprising:
 an inlet;   an outlet;   a valve seat intermediate the inlet and the outlet;   a valve member biased away from the valve seat to an open position; and   a swellable material in operational engagement with the valve member to move the valve member relative to the valve seat.   
     
     
         24 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  further comprising a porous member adjacent the swellable material. 
     
     
         25 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 24  wherein the porous member material is selected from the group consisting of ceramic, porous sintered metal, porous metal injection molding, porous plastic, screen, screen/fabric combinations, or some combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the valve member is a first diaphragm having a first biasing force away from the valve seat. 
     
     
         27 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 26  comprising a second diaphragm interchangeable with the first diaphragm to provide a different biasing force away from the valve seat. 
     
     
         28 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the swellable material contracts in response to a reduction in soil matric potential to a value within the range of about −130 kPa to −90 kPa. 
     
     
         29 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the swellable material comprises a polymer material. 
     
     
         30 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 29  wherein the swellable material is made of a flexible polyether and rigid polyamide. 
     
     
         31 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 30  wherein at least a portion of the polymer material is Pebax® MH 1657, Pebax® MH 2030, Irgastat® P20, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  wherein at least a portion of the swellable material is sodium bentonite clay, calcium bentonite clay, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the swellable material is in a powdered form wherein the particle size is in the range of about 500 microns or less. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  further comprising a chamber containing the swellable material, and the chamber being variable in size depending on the operational engagement of the swellable material with the valve member. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 36  wherein the chamber is accessible to alter an amount or type of the swellable material. 
     
     
         38 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  further comprising a bypass from the inlet to the outlet to allow flow through the valve when the valve member is in engagement with the valve seat. 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  further comprising a pressure regulator downstream of the valve member. 
     
     
         41 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the outlet provides a low pressure flow for irrigation. 
     
     
         42 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the outlet provides flow to a spray emission device. 
     
     
         43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A device for regulating irrigation in response to soil moisture comprising:
 a variable sized chamber;   a swellable material in the chamber;   a path allowing water to flow in and out of the chamber;   a variation in chamber size based on a water absorption expansion relationship between the swellable material in the chamber and soil moisture; and   the size of the chamber controlling irrigation.   
     
     
         45 . The device in accordance with  claim 44  wherein the size of the chamber being coordinated with a predetermined electrical signal to control irrigation and the electrical signal being transmitted to a controller to adjust or interrupt watering schedules. 
     
     
         46 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . The device in accordance with  claim 44  further comprising a sensor configured to make measurements corresponding to soil moisture based on the degree of expansion of the chamber. 
     
     
         52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A device for monitoring moisture comprising:
 a variable sized chamber;   a swellable material in the chamber;   at least one path allowing moisture to flow in and out of the chamber;   a variation in chamber size based on a water absorption expansion relationship between the swellable material in the chamber and the moisture being monitored; and   the size of the chamber or the pressure in the chamber corresponding to the amount of moisture.   
     
     
         54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the swellable material is in the form of a single, unitary body. 
     
     
         56 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 55  wherein the swellable material is heated from a powdered form within the range of 150° C. to 160° C. to cause the powdered swellable material to adhere and form the single, unitary body. 
     
     
         57 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 56 , wherein the single, unitary body is a temporary, intermediate form and the swellable material returns, at least in part, to a powdered form following exposure to moisture. 
     
     
         58 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 23  wherein the valve member comprises a plunger, the irrigation device further comprising a spring providing a biasing force against the plunger and away from the valve seat. 
     
     
         59 . The irrigation device in accordance with  claim 58  wherein the spring is adjustable to change the biasing force against the plunger.