Patent Application
20110301767
The present invention relates to automated landscape irrigation, particularly regarding municipally restricted or regulatory authority established schedules of allowed watering times to save water and reduce the infrastructure pumping and water delivery load. These mandated restrictions have heretofore required manual periodic adjustments for year round compliance, with little success without a concerted policing and fining effort by the local municipalities.
Landscape water accounts for 50-70% of all the residential water use in the West. Landscape water conservation is required for two purposes. The first is to save water, a limited natural resource. The second is to reduce the load on the pumping and water delivery capacity to preserve adequate water pressure for irrigation system efficiency without incurring massive infrastructure upgrading costs.
Two methods have heretofore been devised to meet one or both of these water conservation goals:
Several uses, methods and apparatus as well as advantages and shortcomings of smart technology have been previously discussed in the present applicant's earlier patents including U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,058,478, 7,266,428, 7,844,368, and pending applications Ser. Nos. 12/011,801 and 12/955,839 (incorporated herein), as well as elsewhere. In addition, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation has published a complete listing (as of September 2009) of all “Weather and Soil Moisture Based Landscape Irrigation Scheduling Devices”.
It is to be appreciated that it may be desirable for irrigation controllers, add-ons or plug-in to incorporate automated watering restrictions in combination with any of the weather based or soil moisture based devices which have heretofore required periodic manual adjustments.
In order to conserve water, the irrigation industry, state government water related agencies, and local water districts have encouraged for several years the use of smart irrigation controllers to save water. Smart controllers referred to adjust their irrigation schedule depending upon local environmental conditions. Most of these smart irrigation controllers use evapotranspiration (ET) as the basis for determining the landscape watering needs. These irrigation related measures have been taken because western states frequently experience drought conditions, making water supplies critical. Residential landscape irrigation accounts for 50% to 70% of all residential water use in California, Nevada, and Arizona. Current attempts to generate public education and interest for water conservation using “smart”, irrigation controllers and modules that adjust themselves to accommodate for varying environmental conditions throughout the year, have not proven effective. A 2009 study of 3112 ET based smart controllers performed by AquaCraft showed that only an average of 6.3% of the landscape water was saved in one year over the previous year, with 47% of the controllers using more water with ET controllers than with conventional controllers. While theoretically irrigation efficient, they have not solved the problem of conserving significant water due to their extremely low voluntary user and installer participation and disappointing results primarily due to their complexity.
For example, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District (MWD) and its twenty six associated water districts provide water to 3.5 million residential and commercial customers in Southern California. To promote water conservation, the MWD has been promoting the use of “smart” irrigation controllers that adjust themselves to changing daily weather conditions, since customers generally fail or forget to adjust their non-smart irrigation controllers on their own. MWD's associated water districts have either provided a variety of smart controllers from well-known manufacturers either free of charge, or rebated them up to 100%. The MWD reports that after 3 years of their smart controller rebate programs, less than 10,000 customers of the 3.5 million have tried to use these smart controllers. Of these, it is estimated that no more than 50% are properly used in their smart mode. This translates to far less than 1% effective usage, which would produce minimal water conservation. Another large water district, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA—which includes Las Vegas, Nev.), reports that in over two years, fewer than 100 controllers have been rebated in an area encompassing about 500,000 addresses. Other water districts report similarly poor response to smart controller programs. Some reasons for these mediocre results are set forth below:
Separate from the need for water conservation, to address infrastructure shortcomings such as pumping, water delivery, and operating water pressure, some communities have limited the hours and days of allowable irrigation by specifying, for example, even or odd street address watering schedules, watering groups, times during the day when watering is prohibited, limiting watering to even or odd calendar days, or certain interval(s) of days, etc. In most instances, after an initial education period, these methods have proven to be easier to adhere to and more effective in water conservation than in particular smart ET controllers. The problem with this voluntary approach is that it still requires the homeowner or landscape contractor responsible for the maintenance of commercial sites to return to each site a number of times a year to manually reprogram each controller, in addition to their normal maintenance responsibilities. The SNWA estimates that near full compliance to their mandated watering schedules of allowed (or restricted) watering schedules would save at least 10% of the entire annual water needs (residential, commercial and industrial) in Clark County Nevada, which includes Las Vegas. This is important because the cost of upgrading the infrastructure or importing water from the Northern Sierra Nevada could run into the billions of dollars.
Based upon a study sponsored by the Irrigation Association, most irrigation users are not willing, incapable or neglect to change their schedules as required during the course of the year. It is therefore desirable to provide inexpensive, easily installable, easily programmable, automated water restrictions in add-ons, plug-ins, or within controllers themselves, whether smart or non-smart. This approach has the potential to save many times more real water than any existing smart controller
In addition, in locations with rapidly increasing population, these devices would alleviate the pumping and delivery problems of the available water thereby also saving pumping energy costs. Energy and water are two resources that are critical to any community that need to be conserved and managed. Energy conservation has been promoted by electric utilities in many communities for years in the following ways:
All of the above attempts are exclusively related to energy conservation during certain times of the day. It would therefore be desirable to conserve both water and energy used for landscape irrigation by reducing the use of additional pumps or larger horsepower pumps by providing an inexpensive, easily installable, easily programmable, non-smart, automated, irrigation methods and apparatus to automate implementation of governmentally established watering restrictions.
Water districts and municipalities have been periodically restricting landscape irrigation for decades either to save water or relieve the water load demand based upon the water pumping and delivery capabilities available. Typically, an even or odd designation is made by street address corresponding to the even or odd day of the month. Correspondingly, controller manufacturers have incorporated this even-odd watering capability into irrigation controllers. Upon initial setup of the irrigation controller, the user designates his (street address) ending number, so that, corresponding to the even or odd numbered day of the month, irrigation will or will not occur. This method tends to reduce the stresses on the water pumping and water delivery infrastructure if followed faithfully. However, depending upon the time of the year, geographic location, water availability, and existing infrastructure, it is common for those watering restrictions to vary seasonally as required by the governing authority or water district. This existing even/odd or other watering restriction would still require the user to manually change the watering days and/or times of day several times a year in their irrigation controllers. Fines are commonly levied if watering occurs during a non allowed day of the week or a non allowed time of day.
In terms of smart water technology, large number of new controllers, add-ons and plug-ins are now available that can adjust their irrigation schedules based upon weather conditions. An example of a module add-on is the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,114. This patent discloses monitoring of the inrush and holding currents output from the controller in order to “learn” the initial programmed station run times. After calculating desired run times from supplied environmental parameters, the controller outputs are cut off at the new calculated time. The cut offs fluctuate from day to day depending on the environmental parameters and the calculations. In another embodiment, ET values are accumulated until a minimum threshold value is reached before irrigation occurs. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,987, an irrigation scheduler automatically modifies irrigation schedules of installed irrigation controllers to affect irrigating of the landscape based on the water requirements of the landscape plants, and calculates a daily ET value which is then used to control the output of the controller. Publication No. 2004/0039489 describes wireless transmission of various environmental data such as temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind, and rainfall to calculate an ET value in a module attached to the output of an irrigation controller which then modifies its schedule. This design is manufactured by Weather Reach and commercially marketed by Rain Bird.
The recent Hunter ET System and Solar Sync, and the Irritrol Climate logic system are examples of smart plug-in modules that can control an existing controller's irrigation cycles to make them smart based upon environmental conditions.
The September 2009 edition of “Weather and Soil Moisture Based Landscape Irrigation Scheduling Devices” (published by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation) describes most of the currently manufactured “smart” irrigation control devices. Ground moisture sensors systems, as controllers and add-on devices are also disclosed in the Bureau of Reclamation publication such as those provided by Irrometer, Acclima, Dynamax, Lawn Logic, and Watermonics. These devices measure soil moisture to determine the need for irrigation.
It is apparent from the foregoing that a number of “smart” controllers, add-on and plug-in modules are currently available that are designed to manage the outputs of irrigation controllers based on changing environmental conditions. However, all of these inventions are dependent upon environmental factors or ground moisture to calculate or determine the time, duration, or frequency of irrigation cycles. In contrast, embodiments of the present invention when used independent of smart technology do not require real time environmental data, any additional equipment such as weather stations, stored historical weather data, transmitted or calculated weather data, or any form of smart technology to control an irrigation controller's output(s).
Heretofore, landscape watering restrictions have been manually set into irrigation controllers that frequently required seasonal or periodic manual adjustment during the course of the year. The present invention provides simple automated methods and apparatus for implementing seasonal or periodic governmental watering restrictions in controllers add-ons and plug-ins. Embodiments of the present invention accomplish water conservation that balances the infrastructure demands for water delivery by facilitating easy compliance with a community's watering regulations and restrictions as imposed by local governmental authorities. The present invention saves water and energy, improves irrigation efficiency, and saves the cost of infrastructure upgrading using simple methods and apparatus that have heretofore not been contemplated with any existing technology. Some physical embodiments include seasonally automated water restriction schedule(s) within controllers, add-ons or plug-ins, or centrally located units that broadcast to any of these. Embodiments of the present invention also provide for automated selection from multiple pre-programmed watering schedules based upon location. Embodiments of the present invention may also be incorporated into or used with smart controllers for complete automation of water conservation.
When the term “schedule” or “cycle” is used in the context of an “irrigation” or “watering” schedule or cycle herein, unless the context indicates otherwise, this refers to an irrigation or watering schedule or cycle of a controller. For example, a controller having four valves may be programmed to water every day beginning at 6:00 a.m., with each valve being operated for 15 minutes. This is an example of a daily irrigation or watering schedule having a four-part cycle that lasts for one hour.
When the term “restricted” is used with an irrigation or watering schedule, unless the context indicates otherwise, this refers to mandated restrictions on irrigation or watering schedules from a governmental body or other authority. For example, a certain city may prohibit watering after 6:30 a.m. every day during the summer. This is an example of a restricted schedule, which would prohibit some of the watering of the above example (operation of the last two valves) during the summer.
In addition, it is to be appreciated that unless the context indicates otherwise, a restricted watering schedule may refer to either (i) a single schedule (for example, an annual schedule) that may or may not include multiple shorter seasonal or periodic sub-schedules covering limited time periods (for example, four 3-month schedules from June-August, September-November, December-February, and March-May); or (ii) any one of such shorter seasonal or periodic sub-schedules. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention may receive a single schedule containing numerous sub-schedules, and automatically adjust to the applicable sub-schedule according to the current date/time. Alternatively, embodiments of the invention may receive multiple separate schedules or sub-schedules, and automatically select a different sub-schedule when it becomes applicable according to the current date/time, and adjust irrigation accordingly.
Another distinction should be made when “allowed” or “not allowed” watering times is discussed in reference to restricted watering schedules. Some governmental entities (such as water districts) designate watering days or times of day for certain groups, which are the allowed watering days for a particular group, and which inherently imply non-watering days or times of day for the other groups. It is to be appreciated that when the term “allowed” is used with respect to certain restricted watering days or times, unless the context indicates otherwise, this inherently excludes the remaining watering days or times as “not allowed”. For example, if there are allowed watering times during a day, then the rest of the time of the day watering is not allowed; or if there are allowed watering days of the week, the rest of the days of the week watering is not allowed.
In some of the preferred embodiments, a programmable add-on module is provided that is easily attached to any existing irrigation controller. The existing controller or its add-on may be powered by batteries, AC, DC, solar, or ambient light, and the controller may be a conventional or smart controller. The irrigation system may also be a central system where a central unit or computer directs the slave controllers in the local community when to irrigate. The module of the present invention may be powered by any suitable source including without limitation batteries, AC, DC, solar, ambient light, etc. A microprocessor incorporated within the module keeps the current time of day, calendar, and contains one or more schedules of watering restrictions or allowed watering time schedules determined by a local governmental authority. In some embodiments such as an add-on, the device is installed in series on the common electrical line between the controller and its valves, and is capable of breaking that line to prevent the valve solenoids from activating, thereby only allowing watering during the designated days or hours, depending upon the requirements imposed by the local governmental authority. These requirements may allow watering at different times depending upon such things as the address or location where the module is installed, the season, the date and/or the time of day. In these embodiments, only two wires need to be attached to any existing controller. These watering restrictions may then be periodically or seasonally automated for convenience according to the present invention.
In some embodiments, the add-on or plug-in module may be pre-programmed with one or more different pre-determined watering restrictions as established by a local governmental authority. Entering a zip code may be used to identify the location, thereby selecting the appropriate restrictions for that community or water district. For example, the identified or selected municipality may have watering restrictions as follows: during designated summer months, watering of even-numbered addresses is allowed on certain days and odd-numbered addresses allowed on different days, but no watering is allowed at any address during certain daylight hours; during non-summer months different watering days and times are allowed. An embodiment of a module of the present invention may have four sets of pre-programming schedules (or one set of four schedules), and a switch, button or other means on the module to select one of them: (1) summer-odd, (2) summer-even, (3) winter-odd, and (4) winter-even. Depending on the address where the module is used (even or odd) and the season of the year (twice a year, or four times a year, or any other periodic interval during the year), the user can easily set the module so that it follows the correct watering schedule for that particular time and location by selecting or programming the particular watering restrictions. It is to be understood that in preferred embodiments, this invention encompasses the capability to have pre-programming for additional restrictions depending upon the regulations of the local government. It may also be possible that one or more drought stages may be specified within the water district which may also be pre-programmed into the controller, module, or add-on.
More sophisticated embodiments may include an internal clock that is set to the correct date and time in order to automatically switch between pre-programmed summer, fall, winter, spring or other watering schedules. Such embodiments may not include any switches or switch settings, or they may include simple switches or settings such as “even-odd” to designate the address of the location. In other embodiments, separate modules may be provided without switches, for example one containing pre-programming for use with even-numbered addresses, and another containing pre-programming for use with odd numbered addresses. In other embodiments, additional programming and/or separate modules may also be provided for commercial as opposed to residential use, if different restrictions are imposed for commercial and residential properties by the local governmental authority. It is to be appreciated that multiple modules, or multiple switches, switch settings, buttons, or the like may be provided with modules of the present invention, to provide a selection of pre-programming options, and that a wide variety of different combinations of switch-selectable options may be implemented on different modules with or without an internal clock.
In other embodiments, the modules of the present invention may be provided with an input for receiving updated programming In some embodiments, such input may be in the form of a connector (e.g., USB, Ethernet, telephone jack, etc.) to which a cable is attached to download programming from an external source such as a USB flash drive (memory stick), computer or the Internet. This allows the programming in the module to be updated in the event of changes by the local governmental authority. In other embodiments, the module may include a reader that may receive a card, strip or other article having a magnetic strip or other means for holding data/programming that may be read and implemented by the module. These embodiments allow the local governmental authority to provide updates by simply mailing out cards, strips, or other convenient data transfer devices, by making programming updates available on line through the Internet, or by having a technician drop by to download the programming from a portable device.
In other embodiments, the module may be provided with a receiver that is capable of receiving a wireless transmission from another source to provide programming. The transmission may include initial programming from the local governmental authority, updated programming (e.g., for the current season), or emergency programming in the event the local governmental authority imposes unexpected restrictions (such as in the case of a worsening drought). The programming may be broadcast from a single central source, or from multiple sources, or technicians may travel through neighborhoods with transmitters to broadcast updated programming to locally affected areas.
In other embodiments, the module of the present invention may be attached to a master valve at a location to hydraulically disable the water supply at that location.
In other embodiments, the watering schedules of the local governmental authority may be incorporated within a controller, (conventional or smart) without the need for an external module to override or alter the controller's programmed watering schedules.
The present invention is unique in at least two respects. First incorporating one or more pre-programmed restricted watering schedules for specific locations which can then be automatically selected or selected by the user (for example, using a zip code); and secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the capability of the controller, add-on or plug-in to automatically vary the allowed watering days and times of day seasonally, periodically or by some other interval during the course of the year. A smart controller can automatically adjust itself to various daily environmental conditions without user input. The present invention automatically adjusts a controller, add-on, or plug-in according to identified or selected mandated schedules of government watering restrictions, and automatically updates and re-adjusts the controller, add-on, or plug-in at various times during the year with different restricted schedules as they become applicable.
It should be noted that automatically altering restricted watering schedules (allowed watering days and times of day based on seasonal or periodic local watering restrictions) may be provided, according to the present invention, in smart or conventional controllers, and smart or conventional add-ons or plug-ins. These seasonally adjustable watering restrictions are also suitable for non AC powered irrigation controllers, be they battery powered, solar powered, or ambient light powered.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus (controllers, add-ons, plug-ins, and/or central systems) for implementing periodically changeable time of use (watering restriction) regulations from local governmental water authorities within their territories.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus to identify and select one or more municipally restricted water schedules.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for easily implementing changes or updates to time of use regulations from local governmental water authorities within their territories. These apparatus may be controllers, add-ons or plug-ins or centrally broadcast systems.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide simple and effective methods and apparatus for water and energy conservation.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide simple, low cost, and effective methods and apparatus to alleviate significant infrastructure upgrade costs (pumping systems, water delivery systems, sewage treatment plants, etc.) by balancing water demands within communities.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus that are simple enough that virtually any end user can afford, install, and/or program the invention without the need for an electrician or other professional. In many instances, the device may be provided free of charge by the local water agency. A very cost effective module that is simple to install and program, provided free of charge, that reduces, simplifies or eliminates user reprogramming and contractor call backs with no monthly service fee, greatly improves the likelihood of high compliance that will save significant money in terms of water, energy, and infrastructure upgrading.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an add-on module, plug-in or controller that may be used with virtually any irrigation system anywhere in the world to implement time of use regulations from local governmental water authorities with only slight software modifications specific to a region or country.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a built-in module for an existing controller for implementing time of use regulations from local governmental water authorities.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an add-on module that may be used in conjunction with a master valve at a location to cut off the water supply at that location.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide controllers, add-ons, plug-ins or centrally broadcast systems that may be combined with smart watering technology.
Additional objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed descriptions and the claims herein.
Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to the illustrated embodiment of
In a preferred embodiment, two non-polarized wires or connections 31, 32 are provided for installation along the common output line 19 between the controller 25 and its valves 30. (See
In some embodiments, the data transfer device 36 may be a small device about ½ inch square and less than 0.1 inches thick with the new watering schedules could be supplied to the water authority which can then mail it to the customers with instructions to connect it or plug it into the module 20. Upon making an electrical connection, the module 20 recognizes that a new program is available and the microprocessor 21 automatically downloads the revised watering restrictions without the need for user programming It is to be appreciated that multiple watering schedules may be provided in this way. As an alternative, if changing conditions are anticipated by the water authority and stricter contingency plans have been contemplated, the module 20 may already have the stricter watering restrictions pre-programmed and the user may simply access it for example by making a selection on a switch 37, or changing a setting (such as an internal dip switch). The stricter schedules may also be accessed by means of the front panel programming buttons or data entry switches 23, or by a selectable switch 37 (which may be rotary, slide, dip, etc.).
Other alternative embodiments of the present invention that allow for changing watering schedules provide initial or revised watering restrictions by wireless means to modules 20 that have receivers 29 monitoring for such commands Upon receipt, the new watering restrictions are automatically enabled within the module 20. Each module 20 may have its own unique address or identifier in order that modules 20 at different locations or addresses may be addressed separately and receive different watering instructions. The module 20 in these embodiments does not require a display or date or calendar since this information may be supplied with the transmission. It is to be appreciated that the transmission may be broadcast from a single central source, from multiple sources that are strategically placed at different locations, from traveling vehicles carrying broadcasting equipment, or from hand-held broadcasting devices. As shown in
In other embodiments, the data transfer device itself 36 may include a receiver 29 for receiving updated watering schedules. The data transfer device is attached or plugged into a jack 27 on the module 20, and updated watering information is transmitted to receiver 29 and provided to module 20.
In alternative embodiments such as that shown in
Other configurations of the present invention may include display and data entry buttons, battery powered or AC powered; without a display or data entry buttons and current time and date provided with an NIST signal; with a selectable watering schedules selection means such a dip switch to select even or odd street addresses, or watering groups, or any combination thereof. In the embodiment illustrated in
Many “smart” controllers or smart add-on modules add the daily amount of water theoretically needed by the landscape vegetation root zone until a set threshold is reached. This is done to insure adequate root zone water penetration. When the threshold is reached, the controller is activated to open the valves and provide irrigation. However, the day or time that the irrigation threshold is reached may not be, and is frequently not, an allowed watering day. In such cases, the irrigation is omitted, and if subsequent threshold days fall several consecutive times on a non watering day, there may be an irrigation deficit detrimental to the landscape vegetation. Accordingly, several embodiments of the present invention include a feature of the module in the form of a display 34 or other indication that watering was attempted but prevented (skipped); in alternative embodiments, the feature may indicate the number of skipped watering attempts and/or the date or time of such attempt(s). The attempts at watering may be determined by the module which senses that the controller has come on, but because the output switch (e.g. common line) was open, no irrigation occurred.
Each of the following examples are for illustrative purposes only, and do not limit the scope of the appended claims.
The SNWA watering schedule (
AC power from either the nearby controller (typical 24 volts AC) or from a 115 volt outlet may be used, but if so, the module 20 is no longer isolated and subject to failure due to primary power surges and may require professional electrical installation. That is one reason why a battery powered module isolated from AC powered is preferred.
By way of example only, and without limiting the scope of the appended claims, programming of module 20 may be provided that includes the watering schedules established by the SNWA for groups A-F. The user installs the module 20 on the common output line 19 from an existing controller, and then enters the current date and time, and selects the watering group (A-F in this example) for the particular location where the module is installed, using a switch 37 or data input or programming buttons 23. The module is programmed to conform to the watering restrictions for each of these six watering groups, so entry of a watering group will determine which program of watering restrictions the module 20 will use. During the summer, for example, from May 1-August 31, watering is permitted for any group any day of the week, but not between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. (See
Typically, every day is an allowed watering day during the summer in Clark County. Therefore, in this example, during the spring and fall, the allowed watering days will automatically conform with the summer watering days. During the winter, while there is only one watering day allowed, it will also coincide with the summer schedule since every day during the summer was a watering day. Of course, watering will not occur on the non-allowed days during winter, spring and fall. Therefore, no change in programming is required by the homeowner, or landscape maintenance contractor for commercial projects. In alternative embodiments, automatic adjustments for daylight saving time and leap year may be included in the internal clock to make it even easier for the residential and commercial users.
In preferred embodiments, module 20 is self-powered, so household power failures, or surges from power lines should not affect the module 20. Because these embodiments are also isolated from the field, no lightning or solenoid caused transients should affect the module either, further improving the reliability and longevity of the module. Embodiments using low DC power operation, pose little or no safety concerns. The module 20 is designed to be installed by the homeowner because it is so simple to install (two wires to connect), and embodiments are so easy to program (enter water group). In some embodiments, the module may be provided in an even simpler configuration without a display and pre-programmed according to its water group designation.
In alternative embodiments, during non-watering periods, an icon could show on the display 22 (if provided) indicating that this is a non-watering period. In alternative embodiments, an override or bypass function 55 could be provided for emergency watering, during new lawn plantings to allow for germination or establishment, or for other special purposes. Even though module 20 is designed to have its battery operate the electronics and cutoff switch for as long as 10 years, in alternative embodiments a battery status indicator function 39 could be provided to indicate the state of the internal battery. For user friendliness, the allowed watering days for the current time of the year for the watering group assigned to the user could be displayed. In this way, the user can easily see if today is an allowed watering day, and when the next watering day will occur.
The mandatory use of such modules could provide nearly 100% compliance to the SNWA watering restrictions and could save an estimated 10% of all its total annual water usage in Southern Nevada. In addition, it should drastically reduce and/or eliminate virtually all fines due to violations, including elimination of the policing and administration of fines. Furthermore, landscape maintenance contractors will not have to return four additional times a year to each controller just to adjust for the seasonal programming changes; and homeowners can install the modules and not give them another thought for years on end.
Alternately, instead of using an add-on module to existing controllers, as shown and described in
While the SNWA program has been selected as an example, the same principle applies to other communities with mandatory governmental watering restrictions such as, for example, even or odd address groupings along with seasonal changes. A relatively simple change in software is all that is necessary to accommodate any community's or region's specific watering restrictions.
In alternate embodiments, the modules 20 of the present invention may be provided pre-programmed with the mandated irrigation schedule for a particular community without a display or data entry buttons, as shown in
In these embodiment, there is no programming required by the user. The water district provides a module with particular characteristics (e.g. blue, round, etc.) to the customers based upon the customer group or even/odd address, or other factor(s). The module contains the appropriate pre-programmed watering schedule(s) for that user's location. In some embodiments, a display may be provided which shows the pre-programmed time of day and date which can be adjusted by the user, or this information may be pre-programmed and not be adjustable by the user (with no need for data input or display). In alternative embodiments, the modules can be provided with the capability to receive the time of day and/or calendar signal from NIST. With current energy management technology and low power microprocessors, the internal battery may be of adequate capacity to operate the module for its effective life without need to change batteries. A override or bypass feature may be provided as an option for the convenience of the user for special situations when the watering schedule is not to be followed, such as new plantings or maintenance purposes.
In alternative embodiments, the modules may be pre-programmed with all of the possible watering schedules mandated by the local governmental authority (and/or additional watering schedules to allow for future changes in those restrictions). In these embodiments, it is possible to select a watering schedule by using a switch, button or other selection means 37 on the module 20. (See
By way of example only, and without limiting the scope of the appended claims, the customers of the local water agency are provided with a water scheduling module of the present invention. However, because of the persistence of a drought, or in combination of the draught and rapidly expanding demand upon the pumping and delivery capacity of the locale, the water district requires stricter watering schedules that are not already pre-programmed into the modules. For example, the SNWA area, instead of restricting watering from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer, this may be changed to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Or, instead of allowing watering seven days a week from May 1 to August 31, the summer season may be changed from June 1 to September 15. Or the SNWA may determine that Sundays are no longer be an allowed watering day during the summer. (The Irrigation Association recommends deficit irrigation practice during drought years. It is recommended that up to a 20% deficit in irrigation is acceptable and not permanently detrimental to landscape vegetation. Following this guideline 1/7th reduction in irrigation during the summer in Clark County, for example, would be acceptable practice and would correspondingly save a significant amount of landscape irrigation water.) It would be difficult for homeowners to manually comply with these types of changes if they are not already pre-programmed into the modules, and providing a new set of modules could be prohibitively expensive and time consuming
Should SNWA or any water district or authority wish to change the watering schedules for any reason (newly implemented schedules, changing draught conditions, additional stress upon the infrastructure, etc.), instead of replacing the modules 20 of the present invention, updates can be provided to embodiments of modules 20 of the present invention in a variety of different ways. In some of these embodiments, a small data storage device 36 is provided that contains the new or updated local water restrictions. Any suitable small data storage devices 36 may also be used, such as magnetic cards or strips, USB flash drives, etc. In some embodiments, the dimensions of this device 36 may be, for example, as small as about ½ inch square by 0.1 inch thick. The small data storage device 36 contains the new watering time of use schedules. It is preferably be small enough to be mailed by the water authority with the water bill in an envelope. Upon receipt, the user causes these embodiments of module 20 to read the data on the device 36, for example, by plugging the device 36 into the module 20 and then pressing an “enter” button, swiping device 36 through a reader on the module, etc. The revised schedule could then be immediately implemented throughout the local water district at little or no appreciable cost.
These embodiments of the present invention make it easier to implement new watering schedules without replacing the module, and avoid asking the homeowner to (a) remove the module, (b) take it to their computer, (c) attach a cable to the module in order to (e) download the new schedule, and then (e) remount the module. An even less desirable method of programming is to ask the homeowner to remove the device and take it in to a reprogramming location. Not only is this not convenient, many users may not comply with the watering restrictions if they have to remove the unit from their residence. Of course, as previously discussed, the new watering schedules may be entered into the module in the same way as into the controller.
It is to be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention, such as those in which the module contains a wireless receiver as discussed more fully below, may also be used in this example. However, wireless embodiments would add some cost to each module. However, while the module itself adds cost, the method of updating the module by wireless means may save time and virtually the entire cost of the data transfer device, and its mailing. It also makes the upgrading virtually instantaneous and not dependent upon the homeowner's performance, as simple as it may be. Each water district would need to weigh chances of requiring frequent upgrades versus a one time expense of a somewhat higher module cost and a broadcasting capability. The size of the water district and the possibility or probability or future upgrades would determine the method chosen by a community, water district, or governmental irrigation regulating agency, requiring each one to have a receiver that is continuously monitoring for the signal, which would require additional power. Other embodiments provide a connector or jack 27 on the module 20 into which a cable is inserted to download updated programming. The new programming may be provided via cable from any of a number of sources including the Internet, a local computer, a mobile hand-held device, or the like.
Conforming to restricted watering schedules not only conserves water, but also preserves the water delivery capabilities of most communities, saving considerable infrastructure cost upgrading to meet increasing populations, particularly in the western states. However, despite ET theory studies for the last 50 years, education by the EPA, Bureau of Water Reclamation, California Department of Water Resources, western water agencies, the Irrigation Association, and the Irrigation Center for Water Technology, and rebate enticements to convert to ET or weather based systems to conserve water, effective water conservation has not been achieved. A realistic goal of 60% compliance to restricted watering schedules using the present invention would be 600 times more effective than the 0.1% voluntary compliance to date with existing smart methods in terms of real water conservation.
By way of example only, and without limiting the scope of the appended claims, in alternative embodiments, very simple and inexpensive versions of module 20 of the present are provided. As with other embodiments, the module 20 is attached to the output of any existing irrigation controller along the common line. In these simple embodiments, the module 20 has no display, no data entry buttons, and does not need time of day and date. In these embodiments, module 20 does not even need a (relatively expensive) power supply. A small lithium battery may be provided to operate the microprocessor and a double EPROM may keep the programmed watering schedules. The module may draw the majority of its power from either the existing irrigation controller low voltage (typically 24 VAC supply) and internally convert it to usable DC voltage to operate a built in radio receiver 41, electronics, and common line switching means.
In the simplest of these embodiments, a centrally placed transmitter operated by the local community or water agency wirelessly transmits an ON or OFF signal. The transmission may be by any suitable wireless means such as, without limitation, cellular, pager, radio, microwave or the like. Every module 20 in the local receiving area would be monitoring for this signal. When the local watering restrictions prohibit watering (e.g. 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. every day), the “off” signal is sent, and all modules respond by braking the common line of the controller to which they are associated, preventing irrigation from taking place. When watering is allowed (e.g. after 6:00 p.m.) an “on” signal is then sent. No time of day or calendar is required within the device since the central location would keep that time, and the device is merely an ON or OFF module with a wireless receiver.
The next level of sophistication using these embodiments allows each module to be independently addressable. In these embodiments, each module has in internal address which is provided in the broadcast along with the ON or OFF command The “on” and “off” commands could be provided in such a way that all modules are directed to respond to them, or they may be addressed to groups of modules or individual modules, as desired. For example, and without limitation, each remote module could be addressed with an even or odd address, or watering group, or the like, which then recognizes the central signal as being specific to itself, thereby controlling the ON or OFF output command differently depending on its address or watering group.
The cost and complexity of these embodiments of the module of the present invention is reduced even further by the elimination of a display and data entry buttons, elimination of a sophisticated microprocessor. Very simple embodiments of the module of the present invention include only an addressable receiver and an on/off switch to break the common line from the controller, the module accessing power from the controller itself. Such embodiments would be completely controlled by broadcasts from the water authority. One significant advantage to the local water district is that the watering schedules may be instantly modified as the water supply and infrastructure allow, without having to manually re-program the modules. Current wireless technology is such that city-wide wireless data and command communications is not uncommon, relatively inexpensive, and reliable compared to the additional cost of paying for the additional complexity of microprocessors, programming, displays, data storage, etc.
Instead of mounting a module 20 of the present invention at the controller, it could be mounted adjacent to a master valve for convenience. These embodiments only work with irrigation systems having a master valve 35 upstream of all slave valves 30 in the system that must be opened before water reaches the slave valves. See
In alternative embodiments where a master valve 35 has been implemented with slave valves 30 in
It is to be noted that
In this example, the “big” picture is considered. One or more water reservoirs (dam, lake, aquifer, or the like) are used to store a local community's water supply. The water is used for agricultural, commercial, and domestic needs. With respect to domestic usage, landscape water use that accounts for over 50% of that usage. Certain times of the day account for peak water demand such as early morning when showers are taken, breakfast is cooked, or toilets are flushed, or clothes are washed. This would account for a relatively high water demand for domestic use between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. It would therefore be desirable that landscape irrigation not occur during those hours in order to not increase the water pumping and delivery demand. There may also be multiple peak water demand times that place excessive burdens upon the pumping and delivery system. Higher water demand may require additional pumps to go on line, which would increase the power to deliver that higher demand. Consequently, by preventing landscape irrigation during peak hours, the pumping and delivery demands are eased, and adequate water pressure is more easily maintained, which improves irrigation efficiency by supplying a relatively stable and adequate water pressure. In addition, by limiting the watering days to certain days of the week, during certain times of the year, landscape water usage is automatically reduced. The result is better irrigation efficiency, which saves water, less irrigation, which saves additional water, and less pumping demand which saves energy and the need to add additional pumping and delivery capabilities, which saves significant infrastructure upgrading costs.
In this example, modules with wireless receiving capability allow for instant program updating or shut down of irrigation systems in case of rain or cold temperatures.
In embodiments that require no external device or special programming, each irrigation controller may be provided with a receiver and software capable of receiving a broadcast signal designating whether or not irrigation can take place. In addition to controlling peak time watering activity, if it is raining, for example, each remote controller can be instructed to not irrigate for a period of time. If the temperature falls below a certain level, near freezing, for safety reasons, the controllers may be ordered to suspend irrigation until the temperature reaches above a certain level. For water conservation, only certain watering days may be permitted depending upon the season. For infrastructure capability reasons, watering may be limited or prohibited during certain times of the day. In the less expensive case, an add-on module is preferred, the module instead of the controller has wireless receiving capability that is attached to the output of any irrigation controller that will allow or not allow irrigation as previously described. The advantage of this method is that the module can work with any brand of controller, and with any number of stations. In addition, the homeowner does not need to learn to program a new controller. Another advantage is that the water district may consider providing the module free of charge to the customers if it is at reasonable cost. This wireless method would also allow changes to the watering rules to be immediately provided to the customer's irrigation system.
It is conceivable that a water district may want to upgrade the watering schedules by means of hand held wireless transmitters, or broadcasting the new water schedules by mobile means mounted on a driven vehicle which broadcasts the new watering restrictions area by area, or community wide. In a certain rapidly expanding area, for example, the water district may wish to alter the certain watering schedules without affecting the entire district. In these situations, the module 20 would be outfitted with a receiver that can accept the new program as the water district truck drives by the neighborhood. Only the modules with certain addresses or identity codes would be affected. This is an alternative to a general drought plan upgrade that may affect the entire region.
In other embodiments, the modules 20 may be outfitted with data ports or connector jacks into which a cable may be plugged. The user may then download updated watering restrictions via cable inserted into the connector from a variety of possible sources as directed by the local water authority, including without limitation, downloading from the Internet, a local computer, a hand-held device (brought to the module by a service person for the water authority), at a designated location established by the district for downloading of updated programming, or otherwise.
In a simple and low cost form, an embodiment of the module of the present invention may be provided with no display or data entry switches or buttons. In these embodiments, the time of day and calendar, daylight saving time, and leap year may be internally controlled with an accurate oscillator and real time clock. The watering schedule for a given watering group is pre-programmed into a set of modules 20, and each module in that set is color coded (or given some other unique characteristic) for identification with that particular watering group. Other modules with a different pre-programmed watering schedule are given a different characteristic (color). The modules of these embodiments are self-battery powered to last for at least 10 years (the effective life of the module), or from power from the controller with an internal small lithium battery to keep time in case of power failure. The modules are provided to each user containing the pre-programmed schedule for their address or location. In alternative embodiments, a simple indicator such as an LED light can indicate whether this is a watering day or not, and/or an external push button 55 can provide the bypass function, and/or a visual signal 34 may be provided to indicate that watering was attempted during disabling of the valves. Module of these embodiments attach with two wires to break the common from the controller to the valve(s). These modules automatically regulate the irrigation watering cycles.
In these embodiments, the local water district or governmental agency has already provided their users with a form of the module of this invention. However, the agency determines that a change to the watering restrictions is needed in one or more parts of the community due to rapidly expanding housing. In this example, each module is equipped with a receiver that is monitoring for a signal. If AC power is continuously provided from either the controller or a 115 VAC outlet near the module, the receiver can continuously monitor for a wireless signal. In one scenario, a remote vehicle equipped with a transmitter can travel through the neighborhoods in question and wirelessly reprogram the local modules with the new watering restrictions without the need to access the module which is typically placed near the controller, which is frequently located in the garage. Using this method, selective reprogramming can be accomplished if each module is electronically addressed to respond to the new watering restrictions. In another scenario, as shown in
In this example, one or more restricted watering schedules are programmed into an existing controller which may be conventional or smart, AC, DC, solar, or ambient light powered. The schedules may be programmed into the controller at the factory, downloaded, uploaded, or manually input. Assuming the controller already has smart water technology, the restricted watering schedule of allowed watering days or times of the day are also programmed into the unit. The controller screen with regard to watering restrictions at a particular location could appear as follows:
Season dates: Summer: May 1-August 31
Watering group: Even addresses (or odd, watering group, etc. . . . )
Seasonal allowed watering days:
In this example, depending upon the watering group designated, watering can be done on different days depending upon the season of the year. No watering is allowed on Sundays, and watering is not allowed year round between 8 am and 8 pm. In this example, the controller is programmed to automatically change the allowed watering days as the prescribed seasons change, not necessarily coinciding with the calendar season, depending upon the geographic location and the date and time.
In this example, if the watering restrictions were not automated, the user would need to reprogram his controller at least 4 times a year or face watering violations or fines. The present invention provides automation to the restricted watering schedules, a feature that can be provided in residential or commercial controllers, AC, DC (battery) or solar powered, with smart water technology, or conventional. The same approach can be provided with either an add-on that breaks the common line as previously discussed, or as a plug-in that communicates the water restrictions program directly to the existing controller through an input port.
The automated watering restrictions program can be either manually entered into the controller, add-on or plug-in, or wirelessly transmitted through a YFI computer generated program, or downloaded with the use of a memory stick or through a USB connection. The critical result is that the watering restrictions are automatically varied throughout the year without the need for manual adjustment.
In this example, a plug-in module (such as that shown in
In other embodiments of plug-ins, environmental data may be provided to the plug-in from a sensor, such as the weather station shown in
In this example, a smart irrigation controller, add-on or plug-in is augmented with watering restrictions which vary seasonally. For its smart technology, the controller, add-on or plug-in already has a data base with location identifying data (such as zip code). To implement and automate municipally mandated watering restrictions, the following steps would typically be followed:
Depending upon location, water supply and infrastructure conditions, some municipalities may choose to require smart controllers (such as in California after January 2012, tentatively). Some areas have an adequate water supply but inadequate pumping or water delivery capability. These areas would decrease the pumping load by dividing the time or days of water demand by instituting watering restrictions by even or odd address, watering groups, or the like. Some areas may have both a shortage of water supply and an infrastructure inadequacy. In such cases, there is a need to both save water and decrease the water load demand. In addition, in some locations, it may be desirable to vary the water load further seasonally by requiring seasonal or periodic changes in their watering restrictions. No simple, inexpensive automated solution has been offered to date to accommodate these needs.
Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions for many conditions affected by water availability and infrastructure needs by providing automated and selectable watering restrictions that can be automatically varied seasonally, and by augmenting smart technology in new controllers with such automated and selectable watering restrictions. For existing non smart controllers, add-on modules and plug-ins can provide smart technology as well as automated watering restrictions. Automation of watering restrictions allows for seasonal or periodic changes without the need for manual reprogramming of the irrigation controllers, add-ons or plug-ins to controllers. This automation can be wirelessly transmitted to the controllers, plug-ins or add-ons, or directly programmed into them. Automated water restrictions is also convenient to the user and eliminates fines, while potentially saving more water than smart water technology and the high cost of infrastructure upgrading.
Controllers of the present invention may be programmed to receive one or more restricted watering schedules, and automatically select and implement the appropriate schedule according to the current date and time and location. In the case of existing controllers (whether “smart” or not), an add-on module can still be attached to break the common line and perform its watering schedules in addition to the controller's smart functions, if present.
Embodiments of the present invention are universal in limiting watering to specific watering schedules, and can be used with or be made part of, added onto, plugged into or wirelessly communicate to an AC or DC controller, conventional or smart, with any number of stations, in residential, commercial, or turf applications. Embodiments may be self-powered for convenience, surge isolation, and safety. Embodiments are extremely simple to program and install, very cost effective, and will save more real water. In addition, embodiments will reduce or eliminate the policing and fining of violators, as well as visits by maintenance contractors simply to change irrigation programming as mandated by the water authority for the particular season of the year.
Finally, it is most important to note that one of the primary advantages of the present invention is automatic implementation of government mandated watering schedules. In the past, reducing water consumption has been accomplished by relying on the user to manually make changes (such as re-setting a thermostat), water infrastructure improvements postponement has been done with manual reprogramming of existing controllers, and smart controllers have to be manually programmed with data entry of existing landscape conditions often being dependent on available ET data (transmitted or by adjacent weather station). In contrast, embodiments of the present invention provide an automated watering schedule governor that requires little or no setup by the user (other than perhaps entry of even/odd, or selecting a watering group), automatically enforcing watering restrictions instead of relying on homeowners or commercial users for manual compliance.
It is to be appreciated that different versions of the invention may be made from different combinations of the various features described above. In addition, any of the features of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may also be incorporated into other embodiments, or adapted for use with master valves. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited by the specific embodiments or any of the examples disclosed herein, but only in accordance with the appended claims when read in light of the foregoing specification.
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/011,801 filed Jan. 30, 2008, which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 11/879,700 filed on Jul. 17, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,844,368, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/336,690 filed on Jan. 20, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,266,428, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 10/824,667 filed on Apr. 13, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,058,478, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/465,457 filed on Apr. 25, 2003, all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/955,839 filed on Nov. 29, 2010, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/899,200 filed on Feb. 1, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/000,066 filed on Oct. 22, 2007, all of which are also incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60465457 | Apr 2003 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12011801 | Jan 2008 | US |
| Child | 13159071 | US | |
| Parent | 11879700 | Jul 2007 | US |
| Child | 12011801 | US | |
| Parent | 11336690 | Jan 2006 | US |
| Child | 11879700 | US | |
| Parent | 10824667 | Apr 2004 | US |
| Child | 11336690 | US | |
| Parent | 12955839 | Nov 2010 | US |
| Child | 10824667 | US |
