Method and apparatus for controlling irrigation

• Main Authors: BEAL CRAIG E, O'BRIEN MIKE, LEVY DAVID, HOLINDRAKE ERIK
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.02.2013
• Subjects: ACTUATING-FLOATS; AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; BLASTING; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTINGELECTRIC POWER; COCKS; CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; CONTROLLING; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPSOR SEAWEED; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING; ELECTRICITY; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FISHING; FORESTRY; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; GENERATION; HEATING; HORTICULTURE; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS ORELEMENTS; PHYSICS; REGULATING; SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY; TAPS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRAPPING; VALVES; WATERING; WEAPONS

The invention comprises devices and methods for providing operational power to a solar-powered irrigation control system. In one aspect, a method includes producing electrical energy from light, storing the electrical energy in a capacitive module, and operating an irrigation controller using the stored electrical energy independent of another power source. In another aspect, a device includes a control system comprising a computer having a programmed irrigation schedule which operates at least one irrigation device, a photovoltaic power module, and a capacitive module connected to said photovoltaic power module to store the electrical energy provided by the photovoltaic power module, where the capacitive module provides power for the control system to operate the at least one irrigation device independent of another power source.