Patent ID: 6401742
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: A01G,Y02A,Y10T

Abstract:
A removable soil moisture sensor system, configured to control the amount of soil moisture in a given area of turf or vegetative landscape, comprising:a single moisture sensing probe comprised of a first electrode having an circular, tubular shape, said electrode having a length, an inner dimension of width, an outer dimension of width, and a wall thickness; a second electrode having a cone shaped dimension, with an outer dimension of width matching said first electrode, a shaft matching the inner dimension of the first dielectric, said second electrode being oriented and substantially aligned to first electrode, said second electrode being spaced apart from said first electrode by a dielectric, a predetermined distance for maintaining the orientation of said first electrode relative to said second electrode when the electrodes are embedded in the soil; a source of electrical power connected to said first and second electrode for applying a first electrical potential to said first and second electrode; a first control unit for measuring the electrical potential between said first and second electrode when said first and second electrodes are imbedded in the soil, said first control unit configured to disarm a flow of electrical current from said source of electrical power to a first water valve if said first electrical potential drops below a pre-established value.