Title of Invention

AUTOMATED WATER SPRINKLER SYSTEM FOR GARDENING, HORTICULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES

Abstract

Automated water sprinkler system for gardening, horticultural and agricultural purposes comprising a master unit and a plurality of slave units, the master unit consisting of a master controller and a pump, with each slave unit consisting of a slave controller having an identity code, the pump supplying water, from a source to each of the slave units, on a command from the master controller; means for generating and storing electric energy within each slave unit for powering the slave controller, each slave controller being activated by predetermined varying values of water pressure applied by the pump, at predetermined times, on commands from the master controller, to open and close, an exit valve of a slave unit bearing a specific identity code, at the beginning and end, respectively, of a predetermined interval of time, set by the master controller, to allow water from the source to flow out through the said exit valve to a water sprinkler connected thereto.

Full Text

This invention relates to an automated water sprinkler system for gardening, horticultural and agricultural purposes. The water sprinkler system proposed herein is versatile in operation for various reasons including those given below. The garden water sprinkler systems in existence consist of a network of sprinklers placed at appropriate points in the garden and are interconnected by a network of pipelines that supply water to such sprinklers. These conventional water sprinkler systems suffer from several disadvantages, which are: 1) The location of the sprinkler is static and cannot be changed at will, as it would involve digging up the soil to re-locate and re-lay the water line supplying the sprinkler. 2) The necessity to lay water lines to each sprinkler which would run criss-cross over the whole garden. 3) There is a need for electric batteries for operation 4) Frequent maintenance of the whole system. The present invention proposes an automated water sprinkler system which eliminates the drawbacks of the known sprinklers. The proposed system would facilitate the change in the location of sprinklers to various locations in the garden without the need to dig and disfigure the garden topography for re-locating pipelines. This proposed system is also self-sustaining and needs practically no maintainence. All the sprinklers in the proposed system are connected to a main unit which controls the timing and flow of water to each sprinkler individually. The required time of flow and quantity of flow can be predetermined and the system automatically starts and stops each sprinkler throughout the day/night as required. There is no need for setting up electrical communication lines in the garden or other area where the sprinklers may be installed. Apart from this invention being useful for domestic gardening purposes, such as, for watering the lawn and plants or trees, this invention is also eminently well suited for horticultural and agricultural purposes. For example in the industry relating to the cultivation of fruits and flowers on a larger scale than that involved in the domestic sphere, the invention proposed herein is well adapted for use in providing regulated quantities of water, periodically, according to requirements, automatically. So also, the sprinkler system proposed herein will find considerable utility in agriculture where, generally, large fields are involved and watering of crops require frequent attention at remote locations on a time schedule around the clock. In short, this invention provides a a sprinkler system that is flexible in operation, that is to say, a) allows the user to extend the reach of the sprinklers at will frequently without having to dig up and re-lay water pipelines b) allows the user to determine and program the time and duration of operation of each sprinkler for weeks/months in advance, c) is self-sustaining and requires minimal maintenance d) does not require batteries for storing power. The automated water sprinkler system for gardening, horticultural and agricultural purposes, according to this invention, comprises a master unit and a plurality of slave units, the master unit consisting of a master controller, a hydro generator and a pump, with each slave unit consisting of a slave controller having an identity code, the pump supplying water, from a source to each of the slave units, on a command from the master controller; means for generating and storing electric energy within each slave unit for powering the slave controller, each slave controller being activated by predetermined varying values of water pressure applied by the pump, at predetermined times, on commands from the master controller, to open and close, an exit valve of a slave unit bearing a specific identity code, at the beginning and end, respectively, of a predetermined interval of time, set by the master controller, to allow water from the source to flow out through the said exit valve to a water sprinkler connected thereto. This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrate by way of example, and not by way of limitation one of possible embodiments of the water sprinkler system proposed herein, Fig. 1 illustrating the layout of the said embodiment The embodiment comprises a master unit M and a plurality of slave units S one of which is illustrated for the sake of clarity. The master unit M consists of a master controller MC, a Master hydro generator MG and a reversible pump P which is operable to create delivery and suction pressures on receiving commands from the master controller. Each slave unit S consists of a slave controller SC having an identity code assigned to it. This identity code is registered with the master controller MC such that a command from the master controller is directed to any slave controller by reference to its identity code. The pump P supplies water from a source to each of the slave units S on a command from the master controller MC through the common feeder pipeline. Means for generating and storing electric energy within the main unit and within each slave unit S for powering the slave controllers SC are provided. One of possible forms of such means constitute a hydro generator (MG and SG) and a plunger T arrangement inside each slave unit. On a command from the master controller MC the pump goes into operation to create delivery and suction water pressures inside the designated slave unit S to impart a reciprocator motion to the plunger T. Due to the flow of water in forward and backward directions generates electricity in the hydro generator and the resulting electric energy is stored in means, such as, the capacitor F. This stored electric energy will be used for powering the slave controller SC. The flow of water through the main unit can be identified by the output from the main hydro generator MG. Whenever a specific water sprinkler is to operate at a given point of time and over a given interval, a command from the master controller MC to the pump P causes varying water pressures to be created by the pump through the plunger T. These varying pressure values are sensed by a sensor switch R which causes the slave controller SC to open an exit valve V with which each slave unit is provided and keep it open over a given interval of time, to allow water from the pump P to exit through the valve V of the designated slave unit S. The valve V is connected to a specific water sprinkler W and, consequently, the water emerges at such sprinkler from a given time and over a given interval in accordance with the command given by the master controller MC. The main micro controller MC is provided with a keyboard and display monitor for operation. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the automated water sprinkler system proposed herein are possible without departing from the scope and ambit of this invention. I Claim: 1. Automated water sprinkler system for gardening, horticultural and agricultural purposes comprising a master unit and a plurality of slave units, the master unit consisting of a master controller, a hydro generator and a pump, with each slave unit consisting of a slave controller having an identity code, the pump supplying water, from a source to each of the slave units, on a command from the master controller; means for generating and storing electric energy within each slave unit for powering the slave controller, each slave controller being activated by predetermined varying values of water pressure applied by the pump, at predetermined times, on commands from the master controller, to open and close, an exit valve of a slave unit bearing a specific identity code, at the beginning and end, respectively, of a predetermined interval of time, set by the master controller, to allow water from the source to flow out through the said exit valve to a water sprinkler connected thereto. 2. Automated water sprinkler system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the said means constitute a hydro generator and plunger arrangement inside each slave unit whereby on a command from the master controller the pump goes into operation to create delivery and suction water pressures inside the designated slave unit to impart a reciprocatory motion to the plunger and generation of electric energy in the hydro generator. 3. Automated water sprinkler system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the electric energy is stored in a capacitor. 4. Automated water sprinkler system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein varying water pressures created by the pump through the plunger, on command from the master controller, are sensed by a sensor switch which causes the micro controller to open the exit valve and keep it open over a given interval of time, to allow water from the pump to exit through the said valve of the designated slave unit. 5.Automated water sprinkler system for gardening, horticultural and agricultural purposes substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

1709-che-2006 complete specification as granted.pdf

1709-CHE-2006 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS.pdf

1709-CHE-2006 CORRESPONDENCE PO.pdf

1709-che-2006-abstract.pdf

1709-che-2006-claims.pdf

1709-che-2006-correspondnece-others.pdf

1709-che-2006-description(complete).pdf

1709-che-2006-drawings.pdf

1709-che-2006-form 1.pdf

1709-che-2006-form 18.pdf

1709-che-2006-form 26.pdf

EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY.PDF