Abstract:
A low-cost control system for irrigation valves and the like, including a station advance control unit and a plurality of valve control units connected in a series string by a pair of power supply lines from the station advance control unit, each of the valve control units being associated with a single valve or a single group of valves. When power is first applied to a valve control unit, it actuates the valve or valves with which it is associated, and blocks the flow of power to succeeding control units in the series string. When a station advance signal is transmitted along a third line connected to all of the valve control units, the most remote control unit to which power is connected responds by deactuating its valve or valves, and switching power through to the next unit in turn. The station advance control unit generates station advance signals to control a watering sequence, and automatically disconnects power from the valve control units upon the transmission of a further station advance control signal after the last valve or valves in the series string have been actuated.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to irrigation control system and, more particularly, to sequential irrigation control systems in which water valves are actuated one at a time and in a predefined sequence. 
     In a typical, relatively small irrigatin system, many sprinklers are supplied from a single water supply line, and only a single sprinkler, or group of sprinklers, is actuated at a time. In a normal watering sequence, the sprinkler or sprinklers at a first valve station are turned on for a predetermined time, then the sprinkler or sprinklers at the next valve station are turned on for a different predetermined time, and so on, until an entire watering cycle has been completed. There are, of course, many control systems, some of which are quite complex, for initiating and timing such a watering sequence. Such systems usually require a relatively expensive central timing mechanism, which communicates with a plurality of valve stations, either by many pairs of conductors or by means of encoded control signals transmitted over two or three conductors. In any event, such systems are quite costly, and are therefore unsuited for such applications as residential irrigation. 
     One alternative to a complex central timing device is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,066 to Sturman et al., wherein a separate timing unit is employed at each valve station, and the valve stations are connected by a pair of lines in a series string. The first valve in the string is actuated for its preselected time, after which it automatically switches power to the next valve in turn, which then remains actuated for its preselected time, and so on. In another system of the prior art, described in U.S. Pat. 3,723,827 to Griswold et al., a central timer is used, and power is supplied over a pair of lines to a series string of valve control units, the power being switched from one unit to the next in response to short interruptions in the operating voltage supplied at the central site. Another system, described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,113,724 to De Bough is similar to the one described in the aforementioned Sturman et al patent, except that individual timers at the valve stations are not employed, but rather the conditions of water sensors determine the termination of watering at the stations. 
     Accordingly, there is still a need for a low-cost sequential irrigation controller system which is readily adaptable for control by a central timing and control unit or by manual means at the central site. The present invention is directed to this end. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention resides in a sequential irrigation control system having a plurality of valve control units connected in a series string, wherein the transfer of power from one control unit to the next one in the string is effected by a momentary control signal generated at the central site. Basically, and in general terms, the system of the invention comprises a plurality of valve control units connected together by a pair of power conductors in a series string, and a station advance control unit for initiating the connection of power to the first valve control unit, and for generating station advance control signals supplied to the valve control units over a third conductor. Each of the valve control units has power input terminals and power output terminals, and comprises first switching means, responsive to the initial presence of power supply voltage on the input terminals, to supply power to a solenoid valve, and second switching means coupled to the first switching means, to prevent connection of the power supply voltage to the power output terminals of the valve control unit. The first switching means is also responsive to a momentary station advance signal, thereby disconnecting the power from the solenoid valve and immediately closing the second switching means to supply power to the output terminals and thence to the next valve control unit in the series string. 
     In accordance with one important aspect of the invention, the power output terminals of the last valve control unit in the string are short-circuited, and the station advance control unit includes means responsive to the detection of a short-circuit current in the power conductors, for disconnecting power supplied to the valve control units, and thereby terminating the watering sequence. The station advance control unit also includes means for generating station advance signals. The latter means may be, as in the illustrative embodiement, a manually controlled circuit, or may be a low cost programmable electronic controller. 
     It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention represents a significant advance in the field of low-cost sequential irrigation control systems. In particular, it provides a system in which a watering sequence can be started manually or automatically and power can be switched from one valve control unit to the next in a series string by means of a centrally generated station advance signal. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an irrigation control system embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the station advance control unit included in the control system of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a valve control unit included in he control system of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention is concerned with sequential irrigation control systems, i.e., those in which a plurality of valves are actuated in a predetermined sequence during the course of a watering cycle. As shown in FIG. 1, a system of this type include a plurality of solenoid valves, indicated by reference numeral 10, each of which is controlled by a corresponding valve control unit 12, the valve control units supplying power to the solenoid valves over lines 14 and 16. Power is supplied to the first valve control unit over a pair of conductors, a power conductor 18 and a ground wire 20, and is transmitted from the first to the second valve control unit over lines 18.1 and 20.1, and from the second to the third valve control unit over lines 18.2 and 20.2, and so on. Each valve control unit includes means for controlling the flow of power to the next valve control unit in the series string. 
     In accordance with the present invention, the system is controlled by a station advance control unit 30, which supplies power over the lines 18 and 20 to the first valve control unit, and also supplies a station advance signal over line 32, a third conductor connected in common to all of the valve control units 12. When power is first applied over lines 18 and 20, valve control unit #1 switches power to its solenoid valve, but prevents power from being transmitted to valve control unit #2, the next control unit in the string. When a station advance signal is transmitted along line 32, valve control unit #1 responds by shutting off power to solenoid valve #1 and switching/power through valve control unit #1 to valve control unit #2. Valve control unit #2 then functions in exactly the same way as control unit #1 did when power was first applied to it. Solenoid valve #2 therefore remains switched on until another station advance signal is transmitted along line 32, at which time solenoid valve #2 is deactuated and solenoid valve #3 is actuated. 
     In this manner power is switched from control unit to control unit until all valves in the sequence have been actuated. After the last valve in the string has been actuated for its designated watering time, another station advance control signal is transmitted along line 32, and the last solenoid valve is switched off. Simultaneously, power is supplied to the output terminals of the last valve control unit, which are shorted together as indicated at 36. As will be further explained, the station advance control unit includes means for detecting a short-circuit current in the power conductors 18 and 20, and means responsive to the detection of such a short-circuit current, for disconnecting power from the lines 18 and 20, thereby terminating the watering sequence. The system also includes a dc power supply 40 of conventional design, for generating a constant voltage of, e.g., 24 volts. Output lines 42 and 44 from the power supply 40 are connected to the station advance control unit 30. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, each of the valve control units 12 has a pair of power input terminals 50 and 52 and a pair of power output terminals 54 and 56. The positive power input terminal 50 supplies power to a positive power bus 58 connected between the terminal 50 and the collector of an NPN transistor 60, the emitter terminal of which is connected by line 62 to the positive power output terminal 54 of the control unit. As will become clear, the transistor 60 is operative to switch power to the output terminal 54 in response to a station advance signal received over line 32. The solenoid valve 10 has one of its terminals connected by line 14 to the positive supply bus 58, and the other of its terminals connected by line 16 to a junction point 64, and thence by line 66 to the collector of another NPN transistor 68, the emitter terminal of which is connected by line 70 to a ground bus 71 between input terminal 52 and output terminal 56. It will be apparent that, when the transistor 68 is in a conductive state, the solenoid valve 10 is connected across the power supply. The base terminal of the transistor 60 is connected by line 72 to the junction point 64, and a diode 74 is connected between the emitter and base terminals of the transistor 60, with the anode of the diode being connected to the emitter. 
     A third NPN transistor 76 has its collector terminal connected through a resistor 78 to the positive power bus 58, and its emitter terminal connected to ground by line 80. The collector terminal of transistor 76 is also connected in series between the junction point 64 and the ground bus 71, and the junction point between these resistors, indicated at 86, is connected to the base terminal of the third transistor 76. The junction point 86 is also connected through another series pair of resistors 88 and 90 to the station advance line 32, and the junction point between the resistors 88 and 90 is connected to the anode of another diode 92. Also included is an RC circuit comprising a resistor 94 connected to the positive power bus 58 and a capacitor 96 connected to the resistor 94 and to the ground bus. The cathode terminal of the diode 92 is connected to the junction point between the resistor 94 and the capacitor 96. Finally, Zener diodes 98 and 100 are connected across the input terminals 50 and 52 and the output terminals 54 and 56 respectively. 
     When power is first applied to the input terminals 50 and 52, the base terminal of transistor 76 is biased to a relatively low voltage and the transistor is held in a non-conductive state. Consequently, current flows from the positive supply bus 58 through resistor 78 into the base terminal of transistor 68, which assumes a conductive state. With transistor 68 conducting, it will be apparent that the solenoid valve is energized, since it has one terminal permanently connected to the positive power supply bus 58, and its other terminal connected to ground through transistor 68. Moreover, the junction point 64 between the solenoid valve 10 and the transistor 68, will be held at essentially ground potential, thereby biasing the transistor 60, through line 72, to a non-conductive condition. Since transistor 60 is coupled between the positive input and output terminals 50 and 54, no power can flow through the control unit when transistor 60 is non-conductive. Furthermore, since the junction point 64 is tied, through resistor 82, to the base terminal of transistor 76, this transistor will be maintained in the non-conductive state, thereby ensuring that transistor 68 is held in the conductive state to keep the solenoid valve energized. 
     The voltage on the station advance line 32 is normally at ground, and rises momentarily to a positive level when a station advance signal is generated by the station advance control unit 30 (FIG. 1). Basically, the effect of such a positive pulse on line 32 is to raise the bias voltage on the base terminal of the transistor 76 momentarily, thereby switching the transistor on, which has the effect of removing the turn-on current applied to the base terminal of transistor 68, thereby switching it off and de-energizing the solenoid valve 10. When transistor 68 is non-conductive, the voltage at its collector terminal (juntion 64) rises rapidly to a value approximating the voltage on the positive supply bus 58. This voltage, in turn, generates a current through resistor 82 into the base terminal of transistor 76, ensuring that transistor 76 remains switched on. Moreover, as the voltage at the junction 64 rises, the base terminal of transistor 60 is also biased positively, and transistor 60 is switched on, thereby connecting power to the output terminal 54 at the same time that the solenoid valve 10 is de-energized. 
     The function of the network comprising resistor 94, capacitor 96 and diode 92 is to prevent the solenoid valve 10 from being immediately de-energized as a result of a station advance signal intended for the preceding valve control unit in the sequenct. It has been seen that the leading edge of a station advance pulse on line 32 has the effect of de-energizing the currently energized solenoid valve and switching power to the next control unit. However, a station advance signal of long enough duration could have the effect of immediately switching on transistor 76 in the next control unit, and thereby immediately deenergizing the solenoid valve that had just been energized. The resistor 94 and capacitor 96 provide a time delay, and it will be appreciated that the junction between these two components will be initially at ground potential when power is first applied to the input terminal 50. Consequently, when power is first applied to a control unit, the station advance signal on line 32 will be short-circuited through the diode 92 and the capacitor 96, and will have no effect on the operation of the transistor 76. After the capacitor 96 has charged up fully and the junction between capacitor 96 and resistor 94 is at the positive power potential, a subsequent line advance signal on line 32 will not be conducted through the diode 92, and will have the intended effect of switching on transistor 76 and switching off transistor 68 and the solenoid valve 10. Clearly, the values of the resistor 94 and capacitor 96 must be chosen to give a capacitor charging time which is significantly greater than the duration of the station advance pulse. 
     The Zeners 98 and 100 are intended to protect the transistors in the event of inadvertent misconnection of the power lines, and also to provide protection against transient voltages generated during switching of the solenoid valves 10. 
     Although the station advance control unit 30 (FIG. 1) could take the form of an electric timing device, which could be programmable in terms of the cycle start times and watering times of the valves, in its simplest form the control unit 30 can be manually operated, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Connected across the power input lines 42 and 44 is a capacitor 110, for filtering purposes, and a resistor 112 and capacitor 114 connectable in series by a single-pole double-throw switch 116. The resistor 112 is connected between one fixed contact of the switch 116 and the positive input line 42, and the capacitor 114 is connected between the movable contact of the switch and ground. The station advance line is connected to the other fixed contact of the switch 116. 
     The switch 116 is normally spring biased into the position connecting the resistor and capacitor in series, and may be momentarily actuated to connect the station advance line 32 to the capacitor. Consequently, with the switch 116 in its normal position the capacitor 114 is charged through the resistor 112. When the switch 116 is actuated, the capacitor 114 is discharged through station advance line 32, to switch control from one valve control unit to the next. 
     The power input line 42 is connected to the emitter of a PNP transistor 120, the collector of which is connected to the power output line 18, so that, when transistor 120 is in a conductive state, power is propagated along line 18 to one or more of the valve control units 12. The remainder of the circuitry of the station advance control unit 30 is concerned with manual and automatic means for switching the transistor 120, to control initiation and termination of a sequence of valve operations. The circuitry to accomplish this includes an NPN transistor 122 having its emitter connected to the output ground line 20 and its collector connected through a resistor 124 to the base terminal of the transistor 120, and also includes a three-position switch 125, referred to as the start/stop switch, and a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) 126. The circuitry also includes a resistive voltage divider comprising three resistors 128, 130 and 132 connected in series between the positive power supply line 42 and the ground output line 20. The resistor 128 is connected to the positive supply power line 42 and to resistor 130, as indicated at junction 134, and resistor 130 is connected to resistor 132, which is, in turn, connected to the output ground line 20. The base terminal of NPN transistor 122 is connected to the junction point between resistors 130 and 132. The cathode terminal of the SCR 126 is connected to the negative input power line 44, the anode terminal is connected to the junction point 134 of the voltage divider, and the gate terminal is connected through a resistor 136 to the output ground line 20, and also through a capacitor 138 to the negative input power line 44. The negative input power line 44 is connected to the output ground line through a small resistor 140. Another resistor 142 is connected between the emitter and base terminals of the power line transistor 120, and a further resistor 144 is connected between the output power line 18 and one fixed terminal, the &#34;stop&#34; terminal of the start/stop switch 125. The other fixed terminal, the &#34;start&#34; terminal, is connected to the junction point 134, and the movable contact is connected to the output ground line 20. 
     When power is first supplied to the station advance control unit 30, the base terminal of transistor 122 is biased such that the transistor will be initially in a conductive state. This, in turn, ensures that transistor 120 will also be in a conductive state, thereby initially connecting power to the output power line 18. The watering sequence will then begin as already described, and solenoid valve #1 will be first energized, and then solenoid valve #2, and so on. 
     At the end of the watering sequence the power line will be shorted to ground, as indicated at 36 (FIG. 1), and the resultant flow of current in the ground line 20 will produce a substantial voltage drop across the small resistor 140. This voltage drop is impressed on the gate terminal of the SCR 126, thereby causing the SCR to begin conducting, and essentially grounding the junction point 134. It will be apparent that, when the SCR 126 is in a conductive state, transistor 122 will be biased into the cutoff region and will cease conducting. Consequently, transistor 120 will also be switched off, and power will be disconnected from the positive output power line 18. 
     The same effect, i.e., disconnection of power, can be obtained by moving the start/stop switch 125 to the stop position, and thereby shorting the positive power line 18 through resistor 144 to ground. Again, this creates a voltage drop across the small resistor 140, fires the SCR 126, and opens both transistors 122 and 120. Once a watering cycle has been stopped in this manner, either on completion of the cycle or by means of the start/stop switch 125, it may be restarted by moving the start/stop switch to the start position. In the start position, the switch 125 connects the anode and cathode terminals of the SCR 126 together, thereby switching the SCR off and allowing transistors 122 and 120 to assume the conductive state again. 
     For convenience, the station advance control unit 30 also includes a light emitting diode 150 connected in series with a resistor 152 between the output power line 18 and the output ground line 20, to indicate when power is being supplied to the valve control units 12. 
     It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides a significant advance in the field of low cost irrigation control systems. In particular, it provides a system for energizing a sequence of solenoid valves by means of an advance signal generated at a central location, either by manual or automatic means. It will also be appreciated that, although a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.