Communication system for multizone irrigation

Abstract

A multizone irrigation system includes a central control unit having a central control system interfaced with a central valve and a central communication unit. The central valve regulates water flow for irrigation from a water source and can lower water pressure in the pipes at its output. The central communication unit is constructed to transmit or receive pressure based communication signals providing irrigation information. Each zone includes a sprinkler control unit having a sprinkler connected to a water pipe for irrigation. Each sprinkler control unit includes a local controller interfaced with a local valve for controlling water flow to the sprinkler. The sprinkler control unit also includes a local communication unit (e.g., a pressure sensor) constructed to receive communication signals from the central communication unit and provide received irrigation information to the local controller.

1 . A communication system for an irrigation system, comprising:
 an irrigation system including a central controller interfaced with a central valve and a central communication unit, said central valve regulating water flow for irrigation from a water source; said central communication unit being constructed to transmit communication signals providing irrigation information;   a number of sprinkler units constructed to irrigate a land area, each said sprinkler unit including a local controller interfaced with a local valve for controlling water flow to a sprinkler, and   a local communication unit, said local communication unit being constructed to receive communication signals from said central communication unit and provide received irrigation information to said local controller, said local controller being constructed to control operation of said local valve based on said irrigation information.   
   
   
       2 . The communication system of  claim 1 , wherein said central communication unit is constructed to receive said communication signals, and said local communication unit is constructed to transmit communication signals. 
   
   
       3 . The communication system of  claim 2 , wherein said central communication unit and said local communication unit are coupled to water conduits connected to said water source and are constructed to generate pressure waves transmitted through water in said conduits. 
   
   
       4 . The communication system of  claim 3 , wherein said central communication unit and said local communication unit include a pressure sensor arranged to detect said pressure waves. 
   
   
       5 . The communication system of  claim 2 , wherein said central communication unit and said local communication unit are coupled to water conduits connected to said water source and are constructed to generate pressure pulses transmitted through water in said conduits. 
   
   
       6 . The communication system of  claim 5 , wherein said central communication unit and said local communication unit include a pressure sensor arranged to detect said pressure pulses. 
   
   
       7 . The communication system of  claim 2 , wherein said central communication unit and said local communication unit are coupled to water conduits connected to said water source and include ultrasound transducers arranged to introduce ultrasound waves into water in said conduits, said ultrasound transducers being also arranged to detect ultrasound waves propagating in said water conduits. 
   
   
       8 . The communication system of  claim 2 , wherein said central communication unit and said local communication unit include pressure sensors are coupled to water conduits connected to said water source and include valves arranged to introduce pressure pulses into said water conduits by opening and closing actions that lower and increase water pressure, said pressure sensors being arranged to detect said pressure pulses propagating in said water conduits. 
   
   
       9 . The communication system of  claim 2 , wherein said central communication unit and said local communication unit are RF communication units each coupled to an antenna constructed to rise using water pressure. 
   
   
       10 . The communication system of  claim 1 , wherein said local communication units are powered by a battery. 
   
   
       11 . The communication system of  claim 1 , wherein said local communication units are powered by a battery being re-charged by a self-contained power supply unit. 
   
   
       12 . The communication system of  claim 11 , wherein said self-contained power supply unit includes a solar element utilizing the photovoltaic effect. 
   
   
       13 . The communication system of  claim 11 , wherein said self-contained power supply unit includes a miniature water turbine utilizing the water flow energy for generating and providing electrical power to said battery. 
   
   
       14 . A communication method suitable for an irrigation system, comprising:
 providing an irrigation system including a central controller interfaced with a central valve and a central communication unit, providing a number of sprinkler units constructed to irrigate a land area, each said sprinkler unit including a local controller interfaced with a local valve for controlling water flow to a sprinkler, and a local communication unit;   transmitting communication signals carrying irrigation information; and   receiving said communication signals and providing received irrigation information to said local controller, said local controller being constructed to control operation of said local valve based on said irrigation information.   
   
   
       15 . The communication method of  claim 14 , further including transmitting communication signals by said local communication unit, and including receiving said communication signals by said central communication unit. 
   
   
       16 . The communication method of  claim 15 , wherein said transmitting and receiving includes generating pressure waves transmitted through water in said conduits. 
   
   
       17 - 26 . (canceled) 
   
   
       27 . An electrically operated valve for delivering water, comprising:
 a valve body having a water inlet and a water outlet;   a valve closure element located within said valve body and constructed to move between an open state enabling water flow from said inlet to said outlet and a closed state preventing said water flow from said inlet to said outlet;   an electromagnetic actuator attached to move with said valve element including a sealing member; and   a pilot mechanism constructed to control said movement of said valve element between said open state and said closed state based on a position of said sealing member.   
   
   
       28 . The electrically operated valve of  claim 27  wherein said valve closure element is a valve diaphragm. 
   
   
       29 . The electrically operated valve of  claim 27  wherein said valve closure element is a valve piston. 
   
   
       30 - 31 . (canceled) 
   
   
       32 . The electrically operated valve of  claim 27 , wherein said valve closure element includes a fram member and a sliding seal acting on a surface of a valve cavity inside said valve body for providing two pressure zones and being slidably movable within said valve cavity, said fram member assembly being constructed to move to an open position enabling water flow from said inlet to said outlet. 
   
   
       33 . The electrically operated valve of  claim 32 , wherein said two pressure zones include two chambers separated by said fram member and wherein a first pressure zone includes a pilot chamber. 
   
   
       34 . The electrically operated valve of  claim 32 , wherein said sliding seal includes a one-sided seal. 
   
   
       35 . The electrically operated valve of  claim 32 , wherein said sliding seal includes a two-sided seal. 
   
   
       36 . The electrically operated valve of  claim 33 , wherein said actuator is constructed and arranged to release pressure in said pilot chamber and thereby initiate movement of said fram member to said open position. 
   
   
       37 . The electrically operated valve of  claim 27 , wherein said actuator includes a latching actuator. 
   
   
       38 . The electrically operated valve of  claim 27 , wherein said actuator includes a non-latching actuator.