Water control device for agriculture

A water control device includes a valve pipe section with an inlet, an outlet and a lower diaphragm valve housing with an internally disposed fluid aperture. An upper diaphragm valve housing includes an extension with an adjustment screw opening for a flow adjustment screw. A diaphragm valve assembly seals and unseals to the fluid aperture by an electric motor driven mechanical actuation fluid pressure diverter assembly. The flow adjustment screw includes a tamper proof surface that can be engaged by a flow adjustment tool. A base structure and cover protect sensitive components and are removable via a cover nut that also has a tamper proof surface. A flow turbine assembly is also removably disposed within the valve pipe section. The entire water control device can be removed and replaced through the use of pipe stub fittings using connecting nuts to engage the inlet and outlet of the valve pipe section.

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to water flow control. More particularly, the present invention relates to a water flow and control device that is designed for use in agriculture.

Background of the Invention

Despite recent technological advances with the Internet of Things, where almost all electronic home devices are getting smarter and more capable with wireless connections and associated software, the agricultural field has lagged. For example, it is still common for farmers and/or workers to manually turn on and off the irrigation valves on a daily or a regular basis to water their crops, such as grapes in vineyards, almonds, pistachios, etc. However, many times such farmers or their workers either forget to turn on or forget to turn off these valves according to watering schedules resulting in overwatering or underwatering. Such manual control also requires that the farmer/worker be on site each time such watering is needed and most importantly these operations can only take place during the day. There are many advantages to night watering such as reduced evaporation, cheaper power sources etc.

In many agricultural settings the fields are divided into blocks that each require different irrigation schedules and watering volumes. In the complex agricultural settings these schedules may be managed by different teams. Water supply to most irrigation systems is provided by pump(s) that provide pressurized water in the irrigation lines. Most larger farms have multiple pumps that either provide water to a specific section of the farm or provide water to a manifold that is on the outlet side of two or more pumps. Depending on the demand from the irrigation schedule, pump(s) are turned on and off and the speed that the pump runs at is also adjusted to provide the desired flow and pressure to all demand points. Manual operation of the pumps and communication of field information to the pump operators to actuate the pumps is expensive and lacks accountability.

Despite the recent global technological advances, the agricultural industry has not kept pace with modernization that other industries have enjoyed. There have been very few fundamental breakthroughs compared to the other industries and the agricultural industry has progressed organically by introduction of many “better and improved ways” that have been incomprehensive fixes to larger existing issues. There have been very few efforts to resolve the root cause. For decades field automations have been in the forefront of the agriculture industry innovations, but most of the systems have failed due to extensive use of wiring to power the irrigation valves and control devices. Additionally, all previous attempts have relied on the line power and control devices that have been adopted from other industrial applications, rendering these systems unreliable and hard to use in an agricultural setting. Experience has shown that wiring in the agricultural fields is prone to damage and hard to maintain. This is the reason behind the manual use of most of the automated valves in agricultural applications.

Thus, there have been devised automated agricultural valves that attempt to reduce such problems and lead to a more reliable watering operation. These automated valves for agricultural use are similar to the solenoid valves used for residential landscaping watering but are much larger in diameter. The actuation of these residential valves is by means of applying electric voltage to a solenoid coil that in turn moves a plunger to divert pressurized water between upper and lower chambers of the valve. Due to the high peak and consumption demand of the solenoids these valves are powered by (line voltage) electric power and the valves are hard wired to the control panel. Hard wiring is maintainable in smaller areas such as residential applications but in the farming applications they have proven to be unreliable and damage prone. Hence the electrical actuation is hardly ever used, and the valves are manually operated. This is obviously expensive and labor intensive considering the size of agricultural fields. Furthermore, there is a variation of the solenoids that latch in the on or off position with alternating electrical pulses. These are much lower in power consumption but still have usage peak upon actuation. The reason these valves are not favored in agriculture is the fact that they stay on or off without the user knowing what status they are which leads to a no feedback situation.

Furthermore, most agricultural solenoid valves are equipped with a flow regulator that restricts the valve diaphragm movement. This limits the volume of water that may pass through the valve. Turning this control knob allows the farmer/worker the ability to control the flow volume once the valve is turned on. The flow “control knob” on the agricultural valves that are equipped with this feature are placed on the top of the valve that is very obvious and easily accessible. The flow control feature is normally used once or twice in a growing season and is not intended for everyday use. With unrestricted access, these knobs may be turned and the flow adjusted by good-intentioned but curious individuals or even by unscrupulous people such as vandals or competitive businesses. The prominent position and ease of access to these valves invites tampering. As mentioned above, the current flow control knobs for agricultural valves have a large adjustment knob at the very top of the device. The adjustment knob is an attractive nuisance that may be adjusted by people who come across it not knowing the problems they are creating if they turn these knobs. Adjustments made by untrained, uneducated, or ill-intended actors may result in damage to the crops due to overwatering or underwatering.

Furthermore, rodents, livestock, farm machinery, and the like can negatively impact these automated valves. Rats and mice can chew through the water piping or the electronic wires used to control such automated valves. These conditions can cause havoc as such problems may go unnoticed for days or even weeks.

After learning of all the various ways automated waterflow control devices may be impaired, the inventor of the present invention has created a solution which reduces and/or eliminates such problems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS.1and2illustrate a simplistic representation of a traditional diaphragm valve1.FIG.1shows the valve in the closed position whereasFIG.2shows the valve in the open position. A flexible and resilient diaphragm2is preloaded with a compression spring3. The fluid4creates pressure and forces the diaphragm to seal the opening5inFIG.1. A solenoid6(i.e., plunger6) is kept downward and seals a port7. InFIG.2the solenoid is raised and fluid (e.g., water, oil and/or gas) is allowed to flow from port7to port8which then allows fluid to reach the opposite side of the diaphragm2. The pressure of the fluid then forces the diaphragm upwards such that the fluid can flow directly through the opening5.

The diaphragm valve ofFIGS.1and2are described as being controlled by a Solenoid or Electromagnetic Actuation, which is the abbreviation SEA. These traditional electromagnetic actuators need to be hard wired because they consume electricity while activated and have a high peak consumption upon actuation. The latching electromagnetic actuators consume far less power, but they are not widely used because of lack of accountability. It is difficult to ascertain the valve's on/off status without information from a second source. Due to the problems discussed above, the present invention uses an Electric Motor Driven Mechanical Actuation, which has the abbreviation of EMDMA. The use of EMDMA necessitates changes in the traditional valve body, which is further discussed herein.

FIGS.3and4illustrate a simplistic representation of a diaphragm valve10of the present invention.FIG.3shows the valve in the closed position whereasFIG.4shows the valve in the open position. A valve pipe section11is configured for the transportation of a fluid and/or a gas12and has a fluid inlet13opposite a fluid outlet14. A diaphragm valve assembly30seals the fluid aperture16inFIG.3and is opened inFIG.4to let the fluid flow through the fluid aperture. A valve chamber45has three ports with a diverter valve46that is similar to toggle having a “seesaw” action. InFIG.3, the diverter valve closes the first port48. This means that fluid is able to flow between the second port49and the third port50. This means that the pressure in the lower internal space19is the same as the pressure in the upper internal space23, which in turn keeps the diaphragm valve assembly closed. InFIG.4, the diverter valve opens the first port48to atmosphere54and closes the third port50. Pressure inside the third port49is also then vented to atmosphere. This releases the pressure inside the upper internal space which in turn forces the diaphragm valve assembly to open and let the fluid and/or gas to flow through the fluid aperture. The toggling arm inFIG.3is in the position that connects the upper and pressurized chambers of the valve hence pushing the diaphragm down against the seal.FIG.4shows the valve in open position because the upper chamber of the valve is exposed to the atmosphere causing the inlet media pressure to push the diaphragm up sending the media from the inlet to the outlet side over the seal.

The valve of the present invention with EMDMA uses a small DC electric motor47to toggle the diverter valve46. This in turn requires very short bursts of power to change the valve status. This consumes far less power to actuate the valve and allows a battery to supply power over a long period of time. Now, solar charging can also be used to maintain the batteries power level if desired. Now that a basic understanding the diaphragm valve of the present invention is understood, one skilled in the art is prepared to better understand the embodiment of the present invention shown and described inFIGS.5-7.

Furthermore, the position of diverter valve46can be detected with a mechanical and/or optical sensor132as seen inFIGS.3and4that will affirm the position of the valve in case of interruption or to provide confirmations. In fact, one sensor may be sufficient because movement of46is binary, as it is in either one of just two positions.

FIG.5is an isometric view of one embodiment of the present invention being a water control device10configured for agricultural irrigation.FIG.6is a partially exploded view of the structure ofFIG.5.FIG.7is a sectional view of the structure ofFIG.5taken along lines7-7fromFIG.5.

The valve pipe section11is configured for the transportation of a fluid and/or a gas12. The valve pipe section is best seen inFIGS.9-10. The valve pipe section comprises a fluid inlet13opposite a fluid outlet14. The valve pipe section comprises a lower diaphragm valve housing15disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The valve pipe section comprises an internally disposed fluid aperture16. The fluid inlet and fluid outlet are in fluidic communication when the fluid aperture is not blocked. Correspondingly, the fluid inlet and fluid outlet are not in fluidic communication when the fluid aperture is blocked. The fluid aperture separates an inlet portion17associated with the fluid inlet from an outlet portion18associated with the fluid outlet. The lower diaphragm valve housing comprises a lower internal space19with a lower flange20delimiting a diaphragm opening21. It is noted that the lower internal space is disposed in the outlet portion as it is on the outlet side of the fluid aperture16. As best seen inFIGS.9-10, the fluid inlet, the fluid outlet, the lower diaphragm valve housing, the fluid aperture and the lower flange of the valve pipe section are integrally (monolithically) formed as a single part from either a plastic injection molding process or a metal casting process.

As best seen inFIGS.11-12, and also seen inFIG.7, an upper diaphragm valve housing22defines an upper internal space23. The upper internal space is disposed between an upper flange24opposite an extension25. The extension has an adjustment screw opening26. The upper flange and lower flange are configured to be attached to one another and fluidically seal to one another through the use of a flange seal27. At least a portion of the extension has an internally disposed screw thread28. At least a portion of the extension has an externally disposed screw thread29.

A diaphragm valve assembly30is best seen inFIGS.23-24and alsoFIG.7. The diaphragm valve assembly is disposed at least partially in the lower internal space and/or the upper internal space. The diaphragm valve assembly comprises a flexibly resilient diaphragm31connected to a fluid aperture seal32. The flexibly resilient diaphragm is captured at a periphery33between the lower flange and the upper flange. The fluid aperture seal is configured to seal and unseal the fluid aperture dependent upon position of the fluid aperture seal. When the diaphragm valve assembly is installed between the lower flange and the upper flange it fluidically seals and separates the upper internal space from the lower internal space.

A flow adjustment screw34is best seen inFIGS.17-18and also inFIG.7. The flow adjustment screw extends longitudinally along a length35from a distal end36to a proximal end37. At least a portion of an outside surface38of the flow adjustment screw has an externally disposed screw thread39. The externally disposed screw thread of the flow adjustment screw is configured to threadably engage with the internally disposed screw thread of the flow adjustment screw opening of the upper diaphragm valve housing. A flow adjustment screw seal40is disposed between the flow adjustment screw and the extension of the upper diaphragm valve housing. In this embodiment, the seal40is captured in an annular channel109. The proximal end of the flow adjustment screw comprises a non-circular end41configured to be non-rotatably engaged. The distal end of the flow adjustment screw is configured to abut at least a portion42of the diaphragm valve assembly when the diaphragm assembly is opened to allow the gas and/or fluid to flow past the fluid aperture. This means that rotation of the flow adjustment screw moves its distal end closer to or father away from the diaphragm valve assembly when opened allowing control over a flow rate of the water control device.

The embodiment shown inFIG.7does not show the compression spring43for simplicity. The compression spring43is the same as compression spring43taught inFIGS.3-4. The compression spring is biased and disposed between the diaphragm valve assembly and the upper diaphragm valve housing.

An electric motor driven mechanical actuation fluid pressure diverter assembly44is best seen inFIGS.3-4,8and20-22. The assembly44comprises a valve chamber45and a diverter valve46mechanically driven by an electric motor47. The valve chamber comprises a first port48, a second port49and a third port50. The diverter valve is configured to move between a first position51and a second position52by the electric motor as best seen inFIGS.3and4. The diverter valve in the first position fluidically seals the first port and allows fluidic communication through the valve chamber between the second port and the third port. The diverter valve in the second position fluidically seals the third port and allows fluidic communication through the valve chamber between the second port and the first port. A first fluidic connection53is between the first port of the valve chamber and an external atmosphere54. A second fluidic connection55is between the second port of the valve chamber and the upper internal space of the upper diaphragm valve housing. A third fluidic connection56is between the valve chamber and the inlet portion of the valve pipe section. InFIG.5, the second fluidic connection55is not shown but represented by the arrows55. Likewise, inFIG.5, the third fluidic connection56is not shown but represented by the arrows56.

A control assembly57is configured to be removably mounted to the upper diaphragm valve housing. The control assembly comprises a base structure58and a cover59, wherein the cover is configured to be disposed on top of the base structure forming an interior space60therebetween. A seal110can reside between the base structure and cover. The base structure is best seen inFIGS.13-14. The cover is best seen inFIGS.15-16.

As best seen inFIG.8, the electric motor driven mechanical actuation fluid pressure diverter assembly is mounted to or formed as part of the base structure.

The base structure has a base hole61and the cover has a cover hole62. When the control assembly is mounted to the upper diaphragm valve housing at least a part of the extension of the upper diaphragm valve housing extends through the base hole and the cover hole where the externally disposed screw thread of the extension at least partially extends past the cover hole. The cover hole is delimited by a cover hole flange63.

As best seen inFIG.6, a cover nut64has an internally disposed screw thread65configured to threadably engage with the externally disposed screw thread of the extension. The cover nut is configured to abut the cover hole flange and threadably engaged with the extension securing the cover to the base structure and in turn securing the base structure to the upper diaphragm valve housing.

The base hole of the base structure is configured to engage the extension non-rotatably. The extension comprises at least one protrusion66that non-rotatably engages with at least one recess67formed in the base hole.

As seen inFIG.6and best inFIGS.33-34, a flow regulation knob68has a non-circular recess69configured to non-rotatably engage with the non-circular end of the flow adjustment screw. The non-circular end and non-circular recess are rectangular shaped, square shaped or triangular shaped. The flow regulation knob comprises a tamper proof surface70acomprising a first plurality of protrusions and/or recesses71which are configured to be non-rotatably engaged by a separately disposed flow adjustment tool72comprising a second plurality of recesses and/or protrusions73.

The flow adjustment tool72is best seen inFIGS.29-31. A separately manufactured handle115has a non-circular recess117that is configured to non-rotatably receive the non-circular proximal end116of the flow adjustment tool. It is understood that the flow adjustment tool and the handle could be manufactured as a single part or fastened together to create a single part. In this embodiment, there are two tabs133that stick downward, as these tabs are used to hold the cover nut64or flow regulation nut68during insertion or removal.

The cover nut also comprises a second tamper proof surface70bsimilar in shape to the tamper proof surface of the flow regulation knob.

The cover hole flange is disposed recessed from a top74of the cover forming a cover recess75having a top cover aperture76located the top of the cover. A cover cap77is configured to attach and close the top cover aperture. As seen inFIG.7, the flow regulation knob and the cover nut are configured to be disposed within the cover recess and located between the cover hole flange and the top of the cover.

As best seen inFIGS.25-28, a flow turbine assembly78is removably disposed within the inlet portion as seen inFIG.7. The flow turbine111is configured to rotate about a shaft79with the optional use of a bearing113when the fluid and/or the gas flows through the valve pipe section. The flow turbine has at least one magnet80. The shaft79is connected to a turbine housing112. The turbine housing is configured to easily be placed and/or removed from the inlet portion of the valve pipe section. A turbine cone114helps the flow through the turbine111. Referring toFIG.7, a Hall Effect sensor81is disposed in close proximity to the at least one magnet, wherein the Hall Effect sensor is located within the control assembly.

A Hall Effect sensor81and a flow sensor PCB (i.e., printed circuit board83) are utilized to sense the rotation of the flow turbine wheel111due to the magnets80. A Hall Effect sensor is a transducer that varies its output voltage in response to a magnetic field. Hall Effect sensors are commonly used to time the speed of wheels and shafts, such as for internal combustion engine ignition timing, tachometers and anti-lock braking systems. Herein, they are used to detect the position of the permanent magnet. It is understood by one skilled in the art that other sensors could be utilized to determine the flow rate of the fluid. Other sensors include a thermal mass flow sensors, an ultrasonic flow sensors and a piston sensor. Furthermore, in place of the Hall Effect sensor a reed switch can also be used.

The control assembly includes a battery82powering an electronic circuit board83. The electronic circuit board is configured to control the electric motor. The electronic circuit board includes a wireless connection utilizing a transmitter84and a receiver85configured to send and receive over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Satellite, or Cellular communications. It is also possible to hardwire electrical power to the water control device of the present invention.

It is worth noting that the water control device and the electric motor driven mechanical actuation fluid pressure diverter assembly does not comprise a solenoid and does not comprise an electromagnetic actuation.

The diverter valve comprises a toggle arm86configured to pivot between the first position and the second position.

The fluid inlet of the valve pipe section comprises an external (i.e., male) screw thread87formed on an outside circumferential surface88.

Referring toFIGS.6-8, an inlet-side nut89comprises an internal (female) screw thread90formed on an inside circumferential surface91of the inlet-side nut. The fluid outlet of the valve pipe section comprises an external (male) screw thread92formed on an outside circumferential surface93. An outlet-side nut94comprising an internal (female) screw thread95formed on an inside circumferential surface96of the outlet-side nut.

A first pipe stub97is configured for the transportation of the fluid and/or the gas defining a first end98opposite a flanged end99. The inlet-side nut is configured to be disposed around the first pipe stub, wherein the first end of the first pipe stud is configured to be permanently attached to a first pipe section100. The flanged end is configured to attach to the fluid inlet of the valve pipe section by the inlet-side nut abutting the flanged end of the first pipe stub when the internal screw threads of the inlet-side nut threadably engages with the external screw threads of fluid inlet of the valve pipe section.

The first pipe stub is fluidically sealed to the fluid inlet of the valve pipe section by an inlet-side O-ring and/or annular seal101disposed therebetween. The inlet-side seal is at least partially disposed within a first annular cavity102formed in the fluid inlet of the valve pipe section. In this embodiment, the seal101has a square or rectangular section as opposed to a circular section. O-rings with circular sections often get displaced or fall off during the installation. Thus, in this embodiment, there is a slightly tapered channel that is formed as the first annular cavity102. Thus, the seal is generally rectangular or square in a sectional view such that it is partially captured within the first annular cavity102when it is placed within during installation. Furthermore, the rectangular or square section creates more contact area in comparison to a circular section and therefore creates a better seal.

A second pipe stub103is configured for the transportation of the fluid and/or the gas defining a first end104opposite a flanged end105. The outlet-side nut is configured to be disposed around the second pipe stub, wherein the first end of the second pipe stud is configured to be permanently attached to a second pipe section106. The flanged end is configured to attach to the fluid outlet of the valve pipe section by the outlet-side nut abutting the flanged end of the second pipe stub when the internal screw threads of the outlet-side nut threadably engages with the external screw threads of fluid outlet of the valve pipe section. The second pipe stub is fluidically sealed to the fluid outlet of the valve pipe section by an outlet-side O-ring or annular seal107disposed therebetween. The outlet-side seal is at least partially disposed within a second annular cavity108formed in the fluid outlet of the valve pipe section. The second annular cavity108and seal107can be formed similarly as to the previous teaching of the first seal101and cavity102.

The embodiment taught herein using the valve of the present invention is more flexible because the connections to the upper and lower chambers of the valve can be independent as opposed to the SEA type that should be stacked. This allows a lot more flexibility of design because the hoses running from the chambers to the divertor that is attached to the actuator, can be configured according to the design needs.

The detachable control assembly57(i.e., base structure58and cover59) described herein acts as a control box. This contains the following: EMDMA actuation mechanism, batteries, and the circuit board. The circuit board, in addition to a host of other circuits, contains the following: microcontroller/microprocessor; data storage/memory; solar battery charging circuit; multi-format auxiliary circuits; Hall Effect signal processor circuit for the device flow sensor; mesh network communication circuit; low battery power notification circuit; tamper proof ON/OFF switch that is concealed and cannot be activated with removing the housing/control box; and external connection for solar panel, antenna, and pressure sensor.

In this embodiment, there are at least two software configurable auxiliary connections that in addition to DC voltage outputs, can act as an input channel for a third-party analog and/or binary signals in addition to a two-way digital communication, digital and audiovisual communication capability with other smart devices. It is noted that an analog signal can be 0-5 VDC or 4-20 mA such as pressure sensors, digital signals with another microprocessor/controller, a weather station or a video camera. Data from the auxiliary ports can be imputed to the processor algorithms to optimize irrigation parameters.

FIG.20is a picture of some of the EMDMA components shown unassembled.FIG.21is an enlarged view of a flywheel121. When the EMDMA is assembled, a handle-arm part136is disposed within the diverter46as shown inFIG.22.

Furthermore,FIG.36is an exploded and simplified sketch of some of the EMDMA components shown inFIGS.20-22. The upper parts are shown with hidden lines whereas the lower parts are sectional views, as these sketches best help convey the function of the valve design. Then,FIG.37is a simplified representation of the structures ofFIG.36assembled and now showing fluid flowing in a first configuration. The components from the top ofFIG.36are assembled inFIG.37and as shown they are positioned on top of one another as they would be aligned when assembled. Therefore, their shapes were simplified such that a better understanding of their function would be gained. The motor47and gearing118was left off inFIGS.37and38for simplicity. Likewise,FIG.38is another simplified representation of the structures of FIG.36assembled and showing the fluid flowing in a second configuration that is the opposite of the first configuration.

In reference toFIGS.20-22and36-38, a DC (direct current) motor47has a gear118attached to its shaft119, where the gear118engages with the inside gears120formed on the inside of the flywheel121. The flywheel then rotates around a shaft122(center bottom ofFIG.20) about a flywheel's center134. The flywheel also has a slot135formed slightly less than 180 degrees in rotation about the center134.

Another part is called the handle-arm136that rotates about a hole137. The same shaft122is disposed through the hole137when assembled as its also disposed through the flywheel center134. The handle-arm has a circular and/or curved outside surface138that is not centered about the hole137. Because the hole is not centered about the circular outside surface138, the surface138acts similar to how a cam operates. An extension139sticks outwardly beyond the surface138and extends in a parallel direction to the hole137, where the extension will be disposed within the slot135of the flywheel.

There are two V-shaped metal springs124a,124bthat are captured within the diverter46and provide a gradual and constant force to one of the two ports for creating the valve used by the present invention. The V-shaped springs are held in place by tabs141and the inside walls142of the diverter at several locations.

When assembled, the extension139of the handle-arm is disposed within the slot135of the flywheel. Thus, as the electric motor turns the flywheel, the handle-arm is forced to pivot (i.e., toggle) to the left or to the right. The V-shaped metal springs are abutting the cam surface138. The cam surface138then causes the diverter to pivot about its hole140that has another shaft141rotatably connecting it to the overall base.

As shown inFIGS.36-38, there are two plungers143a,143bthat take the pivoting action of the diverter and transform it into an up and down movement. This is because a proximal end of the plunger abuts the diverter whereas a distal end of the plunger then presses against a resiliently flexible seal144. The seal144spans across and delimits one side of the valve chamber45. The seal is captured in place with other structures not shown.

InFIG.37, the flywheel has rotated clockwise, which then caused the handle-arm to toggle clockwise. This causes the cam to press on the V-shaped springs to the right which pivots the diverter to the right. This in turn presses down on plunger143bwhile releasing plunger143a. Fluid is then able to flow between ports48and49.

FIG.38is the opposite ofFIG.37. InFIG.38, the flywheel has rotated counter-clockwise, which then caused the handle-arm to toggle counter-clockwise. This causes the cam to press on the V-shaped springs to the left which pivots the diverter to the left. This in turn presses down on plunger143awhile releasing plunger143b. Fluid is then able to flow between ports49and50.

FIG.19shows an electrical board125with two LEDs126and a switch127on top of the actuating device. The switch is used for manual operation of the valve and also communication for onboarding and setup. The two multicolor LEDs, individually or in combination, indicate a host of information such as status of the valve (ON/OFF), power, communication, notifications, etc. As can be appreciated, the cover protects the switch, LEDs and all associated electronics within, such that rodents cannot interfere with their operation. The user facing LEDs are able to notifier a user of the valve status, device health status and/or the battery status, along with other relevant information such as Wi-Fi connectivity.

As shown inFIG.35, the water control device10(a, b, c. . . ) can be remotely controlled from a user interface128. The user interface128may be a computer, a touch computer screen, a screen, a keyboard and/or a smart device such a mobile telephone. Here, the user interface is depicted as a smart phone. The user interface128is communicating with a base unit145and then the base unit communicates with each individual water control device through a peer-to-peer mesh communication network. It is noteworthy that as long as one water control device is in connection with base unit all water control devices are connected and can report and obtain information through the mesh network. The base unit would have its own transmitter and receiver. Accordingly, a plurality of water control devices10a-10ecan be controlled from the user interface. For example, the user interface can control water control device10awith the use a satellite129. User interface can control water control device10bthrough the use a cellular tower130using Wi-Fi, the Internet or the like. The base unit is then able to report activity for any or all of the water control devices and also is available to receive a new watering schedule and push it out to all the water control devices. A new watering schedule can be changed over time due to changes in weather conditions, changes in soil moisture, or changes in water needs based off of analyzing the crops being produced. The present invention allows flexibility to account for all of these changes and more. For example, if the flow rate of any one water control device is too low, it could indicate a clog in the system that needs investigating. If the flow rate of any one water control device is too fast, it could indicate a rupture has occurred and again needs investigating. The present invention provides all of this capability and more.

Each device10may have an antenna and receiver, that may be internal and/or external, so they could communicate with another or the base unit. For example, devices10b,10cand10dare depicted as being capable of communication with one another. Device10cis also hardwired to the base unit145or could have electrical power hardwired in addition to the battery. Water control device10dmay communicate directly with the base unit through a connection such as Bluetooth. Likewise, Bluetooth could be used to communicate between the user interface and the base unit.

Additionally, relay units131aand131bmay be used to provide instructions to a device10ethat may be out of range of traditional wireless communication methods. These relay units would have their own power source, such as batteries and or solar panels, so that maintenance and servicing would not be needed for a long time in the field.

If connection is lost, the water control devices10can be configured to operate automatically. This is because the devices10are primarily battery operated and could have additional power provided from solar panels, battery packs or direct line power.

The base unit is also configured to communicate with a pump and third-party device control146, as this is very important in providing an overall solution for the agricultural industry. Residences typically have plumbing supplied with water pressure from municipalities. This is not possible in agriculture where there are no municipalities in range to provide water. Rather, the agricultural industry is dependent upon well water or other sources of water that are mechanically pumped. Thus, one or a plurality of pumps are used to provide water to the water control devices of the present invention.

Many times in prior art agriculture these pumps can be mistakenly left on or left off which can then cause a wide range of problems. The present invention uses the onboard flow sensors or third-party pressure sensors that enable smart control with the base unit145. The base unit can then communicate with the pump control146to automatically turn on and off the pumps or adjust the pump motor speed when needed. This provides accountability such that the pumps are always turned on and off and provide the desired water flow/pressure when needed and not left to manual labor which may make mistakes.

All water control devices in a system can be configured to enter a sleep period simultaneously where it reduces power consumption for a (software configurable) set period of time, such as 2 minutes. All devices can then simultaneously wake up, search for incoming signals, communicate with each other and base unit and then turn back off to save power. This cycle can then keep repeating itself. This is done such that battery power is limited thus extending the range of the device in the field.

Referring toFIG.5, there are shown optional plug nuts147that are sealing additional ports148. These can be threaded at ¼ NPT for example and allow additional functionality to the water control device, such as attachment of pressure sensors, addition of fertilizers or plant food feeds, or even adding other water/gas supply extension/outlets. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, these additional ports can be used for a wide variety of devices and functionality.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.

NUMERALS