GB2405899A

GB2405899A - Automatic watering control device

Info

Publication number: GB2405899A
Application number: GB0321258A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Francis Need Grazebrook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-09-11
Filing date: 2003-09-11
Publication date: 2005-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-11
Also published as: GB0321258D0; GB2405899B

Abstract

An automatic watering control device wherein a water supply valve (2) is controlled by the weight of a wettable material (14) which is exposed to the atmosphere such that the valve is closed when the material is wet and open when the material is dry. Suitably, the valve is operable by a permanent magnet (9) attached to a beam (10) which pivots in response to the weight of the wettable material.

Description

Automatic WaterinE Control Device Automatic watering devices are used for

irrigating plants during dry weather while there is nobody available to perform the task. The present invention provides a convenient means to water a small planted area while the owner gardener is on away holiday for example. The supplies required by the device are water under pressure and typical weather conditions. Water is controlled so as to provide sufficient in dry conditions and none in wet weather. The device is placed in open air close to the plants to be watered.

An example of the invention will be described with reference to drawings figure I and figure 2.

Figure I shows a diagram of the device including the main components and the direction of water flow.

Figure 2 shows a practical embodiment of the device mounted on board 24, set in a garden with sprinklers 22 and plants 23.

Water is supplied through inlet pipe 1 to magnetically controlled valve 2. Valve 2 is of type which is commonly used in automatic washing machines where the valve is operated by electric current in a solenoid mounted on the valve. In the present invention, the electric current and solenoid are replaced by magnetic field produced by permanent magnet 9. Magnet 9 is fixed on the left hand end of beam 10 which pivots on fixed spindle 1 1. Beam 10 together with components attached to it, forms a balance where weight 19 on the left side substantially balances the weight of absorbent cup 14 which is attached by cords 13 hanging from attachment point 12 on the right end of beam 10. Cup 14 is made from a porous material, cotton fabric for example, which can absorb water and can allow evaporation of this water so as to dry in the open air according to ambient weather conditions.

When cup 14 is dry, its weight is arranged to balance beam 10 so that it is horizontal and magnet 9 is close to valve 2 such that it opens. In this condition, water flows through pipe 3, pipe 5 and tee junction 4. Some of the water flows through pipe 6 and manually operated valve 7 to pipe 8 which is arranged to fill tipping cup IS.

Cup 15 with its weighted base 18 is arranged to swivel on spindle 17 such that when it is empty, it swivels to the nearly upright position resting against peg stop 20. Water from pipe 8 fills cup 15 until the mass of water and cup on the right side exceeds the masses on the left side of spindle 17. In this condition, cup 1 S overturns and empties its contents into cup 14. The result of this is a momentary rapid increase of weight of cup 14 which absorbs some water and allows the rest to drain away. Thus the right side of beam balance is heavy and it rests on peg stop 21. Magnet 9 is removed from valve 2 which closes and stops flow in pipes S and 8. Tipping cup I S. after emptying is contents, returns to its near upright position ready to be filled again.

When cup 14 dries, it becomes lighter and eventually allows beam 10 to become horizontal again.

Thus the aforementioned sequence repeats. The time taken for cup 1 S to refill is controlled by the setting of valve 7. This is adjusted to suit the exposure of the plants 23 to water from sprinklers 22. In practice the setting of valve 7 is made according to the judgement of the gardener who can observe the soil and plant conditions over a suitable period of time to make such adjustment. After this the device will perform for extended periods without attention.

Advantageousely, the magnet 9 could be used to operate an additional magnetically operated switch adjacent to valve 2. This switch could be used to control electrically operated water valves or water pumps used for irrigation.

Advantageousely, the porous cup 14 could be made of material resistant to rotting and repellent to insects as well as being water absorbent. Also it could be made easily removeable for cleaning.

Claims

CLAIMS *

1. A means for controlling a supply of water where the average volume rate of water supplied is e inversely proportional Bathe drying time, in air, of a wettable material which is weighed such i that when it reaches its dry weight, it is wetted again and a quantity of water is supplied for a preset time, in this way providing a repeating sequence.

2. A water controlling means as described in 1 where the preset time for supplying the quantity of water is determined by the time to fill a tipping cup through a presetting valve.

3. A water controlling means as described in 1 and 2 where the wettable material is removable for cleaning.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAI-5IS 1. An automatic watering control device comprising a main valve to control water supply, the valve being operable by the weight of a wettable material which is wet by a branch pipe, with setting valve, from the outlet side of the main valve, for supplying water to the wettable material which is exposed to the atmosphere, the main valve being closed when the wettable material is wet and open when the wettable material is dry.

2. An automatic watering control device as described in Claim 1 where the water supply valve is operable by a permanent magnet attached to the moving part of the weighing means.

3. An automatic watering control device as described in Claim I where the preset time for supplying the quantity of water is determined by the time to fill a tipping cup through the setting valve, where the water emptied from from the tipping cup is used to wet the

wettable material.

4. An automatic watering control device as described in Claim I where the wettable material is removable for cleaning.

5. An automatic watering control device as described in Claim 2 where the permanent magnet controls a plurality of watering devices through water valves or switches.

6. An automatic watering control device as described in Claim 2 where the permanent magnet and the magnetic part of the main control valve provide a balancing force for the weighing means.

7. An automatic watering control device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 & 2 of the accompanying drawings.