Patent Publication Number: US-2004049978-A1

Title: Combined controller apparatus for a horticultural watering system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119 to prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/411,028 filed on Sep. 16, 2002. The entirety in which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates to horticultural liquid dispensation system, and more particularly to a dispensation system and method which employs a combined controller apparatus.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] Various approaches have been proposed for the injection of liquid additives into horticultural water and systems. A particular interest, liquid fertilizers have been injected into water and systems employed in the turf growth/maintenance industry for many years.  
       [0004] Known approaches for liquid fertilizer injection have included both powered and non-power systems. By way of primary example, metering pumps have been utilized in connection with golf course watering systems around the world. Such systems have proven to expensive to implement in many applications, including for example residential sprinkler systems.  
       [0005] It has been recognized that the application of small dosages of fertilizer to turf or foliage over an extended time is preferable to a single high dosage application. Low dosages avoid extreme growth/burning cycles, and otherwise enhance the establishment of desirable root structures. In turn, weed infestation is significantly reduced.  
       [0006] In a typical horticultural dispensation system, the system for controlling the zone is separate from the system which controls fluid injection into the water supply. As such, various connections between the zone controller and the dispensation controller are necessary so that amounts of liquid additives can be changed according to the particular zone which is currently being watered.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] Described herein is a system and method for controlling the injection of a liquid additive in a liquid dispensation system. In one configuration of the invention, a controller device is configured to generate one set of control signals for initiating and terminating liquid dispensation to one or more areas (zones) while simultaneously generating a least one second control signal which controls the injection rate of a liquid additive to the liquid being dispensed. The second control signal which is transmittable to one or more injector apparatus may be generated based on one or more criteria, which includes but is not limited to information about a particular zone, instructions manually entered through a user interface such as a keypad or card reader device, as well as inputs received from one or more external devices, such as sensors. The system may be further configured that upon detection of any number of conditions, such as expiration of a time period, the second control signal may be modified or terminated to account for the new condition.  
       [0008] In one configuration of the invention, the system described herein may include a microcontroller with a plurality of signal outputs. One portion of the signal outputs may be directed to one or more zone control devices, such as solenoid valves, which when opened provides for the application of a liquid to a particular zone. Other outputs may be configured to carry control signals to one or more injector assemblies. Included as part of these injector assemblies may be at least one injector, which is employed to inject an amount of the additive in the liquid to be dispensed in the zone.  
       [0009] Also in connection with the microcontroller may be one or more interface devices. These interface devices may include manual input devices such as buttons and/or keypads through which a system user may manually enter information such as instructions to be employed by the microcontroller in dispensing the liquid. Other interfaces may be employed for receiving signals from external devices, such as sensors, which are also processed by the microcontroller in controlling the injector rate for the additive.  
       [0010] Further in connection with the microcontroller may be one or more memory devices, such as a database, which is employable to store information relating to amounts of additive to be injected to one or more zones. Other information which is storable in memory may relate to injection rates which are based upon external information received, such as a system user inputting information as to the geographic region in which the controller is operating.  
       [0011] In one configuration of the invention, the injector control signals may be configured to control the operation of injector devices such as variable speed DC or AC motor driven pumps, flow through or water driven hydraulic pumps via an electric needle valve. The system may be configured to variably control the rate of dispensation based on flow data watering changes, system zone information and/or other including hydraulic solenoid operated piston pump. The injection devices may further include electric metering pumps, variable speed electric pumps, pulse activated hydraulic pumps and any other electrically controlled valve or pump designed to inject liquid.  
       [0012] In one configuration of the invention, the output signal may be a pulsing signal. The signal may be user or sensor controlled such that the oscillation (e.g. the flow on and flow off percentage) provides for a specified injection rate.  
       [0013] The system may be further configured to generate that multiple control signals which are transmittable to a plurality of injector devices which inject a plurality of chemicals for dispensation in a particular zone. For example, this system may be programmed such that due to conditions of a zone, it is desired that individual additive such as nitrogen, potassium, and/or phosphorus are separately controlled. Through the use of a single controller, multiple control signals are transmitted to the individual injectors which in turn are connected to supplies of the particular chemicals. Each injector will then provide for the injecting of the additive to the liquid supply, which then may be dispensed in a particular zone. For a complex system like a greenhouse with many different varieties of horticultural materials, the operator could specify various nutrient levels for each of the different plants via the sprinkler system with one set of injectors and one set of nutrient tanks.  
       [0014] The central controller may be further configured as a modification of a current controller for a liquid dispensing system, wherein it is reconfigured through implementation of software or hardware modifications to output one or more injector control signals. In another configuration of the invention, a separate controller may be installed in a common housing with a current controller, and a data link established between the controllers to provide for the generation of control signals transmittable to the injector assemblies.  
       [0015] In yet another configuration of the invention, the system described are may be configured to communicate with one or more sensors which provide input signals which are employable in controlling the injection rate for a particular chemical. For example, connections could be established with one or more weather station which would provide up to date rainfall, humidity, evapotranspiration rates, etc. for the environment in which the liquid is to be employed. Further, sensors such as conductivity or PH may be employed to control the amount of one or more chemical additives to a particular zone.  
       [0016] In operation, either automatically or manually, operation may be initiated wherein liquid is to be dispensed in a sequence of zones. Upon initiation of operation, a first zone is identified and the controller may access the memory to retrieve information relating to the particular zone. Further, in a dynamic system, information received from one or more external sources, such as sensors, may be employed either alone or in combination with the data retrieved from memory in order to calculate an injection rate for one or more additives to the selected zone. Once the desired injection rate is identified, one or more control signals may be generated and output to the one or more injectors which provide for the injection of the additive.  
       [0017] In a dynamic system the sensor inputs may be further employed with the retrieved data, or alone, to generate the injector control signals. After a manual termination signal is received, or after a specified time period has expired, the central controller may then terminate the transmission of the control signal. At this point a next zone may be identified and the process begun again. This may continues until all zones are covered or the process is otherwise terminated.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0018]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention as implemented with an exemplary conventional lawn sprinkling system.  
     [0019]FIG. 2 discloses a system diagram of the combined controller.  
     [0020]FIG. 3 discloses a flow chart, which describes the operational step of the dual controller. 
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0021]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment  10  of the present invention as implemented with an exemplary conventional lawn sprinkler system  100 , which is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,979 which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. As will become apparent, the described embodiment  10  may be packaged and installed with a conventional system  100  or may be readily implemented to interface with a previously instilled conventional system  100 . Further, the described embodiment  10  comprises features that may be readily adapted for use in connection with liquid dispensation systems other than the illustrated exemplary system  100 . For example, the present invention may be utilized in connection with hydroponic growth systems and tank-fed, sprayer systems.  
     [0022] In the exemplary watering system  100 , a main watering system line  110  is fluidly interconnected to a main water supply (e.g. a city water supply or pump supply line) via valve  112 , wherein water within the main water line  110  is “pressurized”. Pressurization within the main water line  110  may also be provided via one or more dedicated pumps for the watering system. The main water line  110  is fluidly interconnected by a manifold  112  to a series of watering zone feed lines  130 ,  140 ,  150  and  160 , via corresponding solenoid valves  132 ,  142 ,  152  and  162 , respectively. Each of the zone feed lines  130 ,  140 ,  150  and  160  supply one or more corresponding water emitters (e.g. spray heads, drip heads, etc.)  134 ,  144 ,  154  and  164 , respectively. The selective actuation, or opening/closing, of solenoid valves  132 ,  142 ,  152  and  162  may be effected via the transmission of electrical control signals by a main controller  170  through corresponding control signal lines  173 ,  174 ,  175  and  176 , so as to effect the desired watering of corresponding watering zones A, B, C and D, respectively.  
     [0023] In the exemplary watering system  100 , controller  170  includes a control clock  172 , programming input keys  173 , and duration-setting controls  176 . The programming input keys  173  and duration-setting controls  176  may be utilized to establish one or more desired start time(s) for the watering system and the desired length of each watering period for each of the watering zones A-D serviced by corresponding solenoid valves  132 ,  142 ,  152  and  162 , respectively. While the programmable controller  170  shown in FIG. 1 includes eight durational control knobs  176 , and corresponding control signal line output ports  178  (e.g. to service up to eight corresponding watering zones), controller  170  may be provided with more/less zone control knobs/output ports. Similarly, while FIG. 1 shows an exemplary watering system  100  servicing four watering zones A-D, more/less zones may be readily defined in corresponding relation to the number of zone watering controls provided by a given controller  170 .  
     [0024] Most typically, the control clock  172  of controller  170  will be set in accordance with real clock time and program input keys  174  will be utilized to establish one or more set times to initiate automatic operation of the system. Upon initiation of a watering cycle, controller  170  may be programmed to automatically transmit control signals through control lines  173 ,  174 ,  175  and  176  in a successive manner, wherein valve  132  stays open for a durational period set by the corresponding control  176  for zone A, then valve  132  closes and valve  142  is opened for a durational period set via the corresponding control  176  for zone B, and so on. Numerous additional features and configurations of exemplary watering system  100  will be known to those skilled in the art and are employable with the present invention, including the described embodiment  10 .  
     [0025] In the later regard, the invention embodiment  10  shown in FIG. 1 includes an injection assembly  50  and a liquid additive containment assembly  90 . Injection assembly  50  is fluidly interconnected to the main watering system line  110  as well as the liquid additive containment assembly  90 . Further, injection assembly  50 , is electrically interconnected to programmable controller  170  via injection signal circuit lines  30  and  32 . As will be further described, injection assembly  50  operates to successively draw a predetermined amount, or “slug”, of liquid additive from containment assembly  90  and inject such “slugs” into the main water line  110  of exemplary watering system  100  in response to electrical pulses received via injection signal circuit lines  30  and  32  from programmable controller  170 . The injection pulses are transmitted by programmable controller  170  at a predetermined rate that is selectable by a user on a watering zone-specific basis.  
     [0026] Disclosed in FIG. 2 is a system diagram for the programmable controller  170 . Incorporated in the programmable controller is a microcontroller  202 , which may be configured as any number of microprocessor devices currently available, which are configured to control one or more aspects of computerized systems. Exiting from the microcontroller are output lines  210  which are in electrical connection with the solenoid valves for controlling water flow to the watering zones. Signals carried over the output lines provide for the activation and de-activation of the solenoid valves. Also output from the microcontroller  202  are output lines  204  which are in electrical connection with the injector assembly. These signals control the rate of injection of the liquid additive in the water supply.  
     [0027] The control signals may be configured as either analog or digital signals to control the rate of injection via such things as motor speed, pulse rate, flow valve pulsing, etc. For example, when a pulse signal is sent, the pulsing would create a user controlled or sensor controlled flow on and flow off percentage thereby creating a specified injection rate. The system could further provide an analog output to control the motor speed via DC voltage or AC frequency. The control signals may also be configured to control motor speed as of a stepper motor driven variable controlled valve or alike. This allows precise injection to be programmed by the user or controlled via a sensor input. More specifically, injection systems which may be controlled, include hydraulic, solenoid operate piston pump, variable speed DC or AC motor driven pumps, or even flow through water driven hydraulic pumps via an electric needle valve, which variably control the rate of dispensation based on flow data or system zone sensing, through use of analog or digital data received.  
     [0028] Further in connection with microcontroller  202  is the interface and display device  206  which provides for the manual programming of the microcontroller as well as the display of the operational status of the system. The interfaces may include any number of switches, buttons, keypads, and/or any other input devices configurable in the housing of the controller unit. The displays may comprise any numbers of display devices such as LED&#39;s and/or LCD&#39;s for the display of operational information relating to the operation of the system.  
     [0029] Further in connection with microcontroller  202  is interface  208  which is configured to be connectable to any number of external devices such as sensors which sense conditions which may affect the amount of additive injected in the water supply. The sensors may include weather stations or soil condition sensors such as those which sense conductivity and Ph. Still further in connection with microcontroller  202  may be one or more memory devices  210  which are configured to store operational information relating to the operation of the system. This information may include, but is not limited to, injection rates for a particular zone, geographic information which may affect injection rate, data relating to soil types which may affect injection rates. In one use of the memory device this information which is stored in memory may be presented on the display  206 , and through the use of various interface devices, a user may select this data and it may be employed in controlling the injection of additives in one or more of the zones. This information may also be retrieved by the controller during operations and automatically used to control injection rates.  
     [0030] Disclosed in FIG. 3 is a flow chart which describes in detail the various operational steps performed by the controller for the control of an additive to one or more watering zones. Before the controller even begins watering operations, a system user may provide various programming for watering the particular zones. For example; based on what is being watered in a particular zone, the system user may enter a desired additive injection rates. Other information which may be entered may be certain geographical climatologically, and/or horticultural information about the environmental conditions that the horticultural material being watered experiences. Through use of data stored in memory the microcontroller may be configured such that based on this entered information, a desired additive injection rate may be calculated. For example, a country like the United states may be divided into a  10  geographic regions. These regions might have similar average annual rainfall and/or similar evapotranspiration rates and/or similar soil types. The controller will then ask for data relating to the horticultural material grass, woody ornamentals, trees and/or xeriscape. This information may be entered for each watering zone. The user will then enter the size and GPM flow of each system zone. From this data, the system may be configured to calculate ideal watering times and duration as well as fertilization rates based on industry accepted standards.  
     [0031] Further, in order to determine injection rates, various sensor inputs may be received which may be used to calculate or recalculate ideal rates based on entered information. Fertility would be the most likely thing controlled but also antitransprints or even some fungicides might be applicable. Other sensor inputs which may affect the concentration in the system may include conductivity or PH, for example, that directly relate to the additive concentration. For example, the system may be configured to control parts per million of nitrogen, part per million of phosphorus, and parts per million of potassium, wherein the injector assembly includes multiple injectors and each injector controls the addition of a particular nutrient. In the system, multiple tanks including additives may be employed wherein a particular injector is associated with a particular tank.  
     [0032] Returning again to the flow chart of FIG. 3, during operation of the watering system, the microcontroller will select a first zone to begin watering. At this point, the microcontroller will access the memory and retrieve information stored therein relating to the watering of the particular zone. Alternatively, or in combination, instructions relating to the injection of additives may be received manually through the user interface. A further query may be made as to whether a received external input, such as from a sensor, shall be processed in order to calculate a injection rate for the particular zone. This external information may be employed alone or in combination with stored data.  
     [0033] Once the data has been retrieved from memory and any external inputs processed, one or more control signal(s) for controlling the injection rate(s) may be generated and transmitted to the relevant injector. As was noted above, a particular controller may be configured to control one or more injectors and as such, injection control signals are transmitted to each of the appropriate injector assemblies. Once the signal is transmitted, the controller may monitor the operation and at the end of a designated time period, terminate the transmission of the particular control signal. The controller may also be configured to change the control signal during the watering process based on one or more inputs received.  
     [0034] Once the time period has expired and the control signal is terminated, the microcontroller identifies the next zone to be watered and the memory is access to retrieved information relating to that zone. The above process is then repeated. In a situation where all zones have been water, the watering process is terminated.  
     [0035] The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.