Measurement and shut-off system for a liquid dispensing device

Abstract

Aspects of the invention relate to a measurement and shut-off system for a water dispensing device. The system includes a collection cup in which a float can reside. At least a part of the float can be magnetic. The cup is positioned within the coverage area of the dispensing device. Thus, as water from the dispensing device accumulates in the cup, the float begins to rise. The float can pass by a normally open switch that can be closed under the influence of a magnetic field. The switch can be positioned to correspond to the desired level of water accumulation. If the magnetic portion of the float approaches sufficiently near, the switch can close to complete a circuit that can activate a motor. The rotation of the motor shaft can be transmitted to close a valve so as to restrict the supply of water flow to the water dispensing device.

1 . A system comprising: 
 a collection cup for receiving a liquid;    a float provided within the collection cup, at least a portion of the float being magnetic and having an associated magnetic field;    a power source;    an open first switch positioned proximate the collection cup, the switch being operatively connected to the power source, the switch being closable under the influence of a magnetic field; and    a motor operatively connected to the power source and the switch,    wherein the float rises as a liquid accumulates in the collection cup, wherein the switch closes when the magnetic field of the float approaches sufficiently near the switch, whereby an electrical circuit is completed and the motor is activated.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the cup, the float, the power source, the switch and the motor is provided within a housing.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  further including: 
 an open second switch disposed at a different elevation relative to the first switch; and    a selector operatively connected to the first and second switches, wherein the selector selectively determines which of the first and second switches is operatively connected to the power source and the motor to form an electrical circuit.    
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the first and second switches are substantially vertically aligned.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  further including: 
 a fluid conduit; and    a valve provided along the fluid conduit, the valve being movable between an open position in which flow through the fluid conduit is substantially permitted and a closed position in which flow through the fluid conduit is substantially restricted, wherein the motor operatively engages the valve to move the valve between open and closed positions.    
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the motor operatively engages the valve by a plurality of gears.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  further including a motor end switch operatively connected between the power source and the first and second switch, wherein the motor end switch is operatively associated with one of the plurality of gears such that when the valve is moved into the closed position, the motor end switch opens, thereby deactivating the motor.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the position of the first switch is adjustable in the substantially vertical direction.  
   
   
       9 . A system comprising: 
 a liquid dispensing device, the liquid dispensing device having an associated area of coverage over which liquid is deposited;    a collection cup for receiving a liquid, wherein the collection cup is positioned in the area of coverage;    a float provided within the collection cup, at least a portion of the float being magnetic so as to exert a magnetic field;    a power source;    a motor operatively connected to the power source;    a plurality of open switches positioned proximate the collection cup, wherein each switch is disposed at a different elevation relative to the other switches, wherein each of the switches is closable under the influence of a magnetic field; and    a selector operatively connected to the plurality of switches, wherein the selector is movable to select one of the plurality switches to operatively connected to the power source and the motor so as to form an electrical circuit,    wherein the float rises as a liquid from the liquid dispensing device accumulates in the collection cup, wherein the selected one of the plurality of switches closes when the magnetic field of the float approaches sufficiently near the switch, whereby the electrical circuit is completed and the motor is activated.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the liquid dispensing device is one of a sprinkler, a sprayer, a mister or an irrigation tool.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the float includes a magnet attached thereto.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of switches includes at least three switches.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of switches are spaced substantially equally apart.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the plurality of switches is spaced unequally apart from the other switches.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of switches are substantially vertically aligned.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the collection cup, the float, the power source, the motor and the plurality of switches are provided within a housing.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the power source is at least one battery.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 9  further including: 
 a fluid conduit connected to the liquid dispensing device, whereby the fluid conduit delivers liquid to the liquid dispensing device; and    a valve disposed along the fluid conduit, the valve being movable between an open position in which liquid flow through the fluid conduit is substantially permitted and a closed position in which liquid flow through the fluid conduit is substantially restricted, wherein the motor operatively engages the valve such that, when activated, the motor moves the valve to the closed position.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18  further including: 
 a valve gear operatively associated with the valve such that rotation of the valve gear moves the valve between open and closed positions; and    a motor gear operatively associated with the motor, wherein the motor gear operatively engages the valve gear such that rotation of the motor gear is transmitted to the valve gear.    
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19  further including: 
 a motor end switch operatively connected between the power source and the selected one of the plurality of switches, wherein the motor end switch operatively engages the valve gear such that when the valve is moved into the closed position, the motor end switch opens, thereby deactivating the motor.    
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 18  further including a timer disposed along the fluid conduit and upstream of the valve.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the position of at least one of the plurality of switches is adjustable in the substantially vertical direction.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 9  further including a screen disposed above the collection cup.  
   
   
       24 . A system comprising: 
 a water source;    a water dispensing device, the water dispensing device having an associated area of coverage over which water is deposited;    a fluid conduit connecting the water source and the water dispensing device in fluid communication;    a valve disposed along the fluid conduit, the valve being movable between an open position in which flow through the fluid conduit is substantially permitted and a closed position in which flow through the fluid conduit is substantially restricted;    a valve gear operatively associated with the valve such that rotation of the valve gear moves the valve between open and closed positions;    a collection cup for receiving a liquid, wherein the collection cup is positioned in the area    a collection cup for receiving a liquid, wherein the collection cup is positioned in the area of coverage;    a float provided within the collection cup, the float being buoyant in water, wherein at least a portion of the float being magnetic and having an associated magnetic field;    a power source;    a motor operatively connected to the power source, the motor having a rotatable shaft;    a motor gear attached to the motor shaft, wherein the motor gear operatively engages the valve gear such that rotation of the motor gear is transmitted to the valve gear.    a plurality of open switches positioned proximate the collection cup, wherein each switch is disposed at a different elevation relative to the other switches, wherein each of the switches is closable under the influence of a magnetic field; and    a selector operatively connected to the plurality of switches, wherein the selector is movable to select one of the plurality switches to be operatively connected to the power source and the motor so as to form an electrical circuit,    wherein the float rises as water from the water dispensing device accumulates in the collection cup, wherein the selected one of the plurality of switches closes when the magnetic field of the float approaches sufficiently near the switch, thereby completing the electrical circuit to activate the motor, wherein the motor moves the valve to the closed position by way of the gears.    
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24  further including a motor end switch operatively connected between the power source and the selected one of the plurality of switches, wherein the motor end switch operatively engages the valve gear such that when the valve is moved into the closed position, the motor end switch opens, thereby deactivating the motor.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the valve, the collection cup, the float, the power source, the plurality of switches, and the selector are provided within a housing.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 24  further including a screen disposed above the collection cup.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27  wherein the screen is attached to the housing.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the position of at least one of the plurality of switches is adjustable in the substantially vertical direction.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 24  further including a timer disposed along the fluid conduit between the fluid source and the valve.