WO2021146180A1

WO2021146180A1 - Self-contained fluid control system and method of use

Info

Publication number: WO2021146180A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/013062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Silas HOLT
Original assignee: Holt Silas
Priority date: 2020-01-16
Filing date: 2021-01-12
Publication date: 2021-07-22

Abstract

A self-contained fluid control system is intended to operate in remote locations and enable precise control over a water disbursement network such as a sprinkler line. A control device that obtains power from the environment in which it operates and activates the sprinklers or the like. The control device is able to connect to a person's cell phone so that changes to the operation parameters without manual interaction.

Description

SELF-CONTAINED FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to irrigation systems, and more specifically, to a self-contained fluid control system that enables the water distribution with minimal infrastructure investment, this relates to irrigation, fluid management, pneumatics or other fluid applications.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] Irrigation systems are well known in the art and are effective means to provide water to plants within the area of the system. Commonly, pipes and sprinklers are used to move the water out to where it is needed and then spread it about. The flow of water through the system is regulated by a control that will open and close a valve. The controls commonly use timers or signals from a timer to open and close the valve. To implement this common system an electrical system of wires is places alongside the pipes and sprinklers.

[0003] One of the problems commonly associated with common irrigation systems is its limited efficiency. For example, the required electrical system caused excessive cost and labor to implement.

[0004] Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of irrigation systems, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a front view of a self-contained fluid control system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the self-contained control device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the preferred method of use of the system of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the self-contained control device of FIG. 3.

[0006] While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0007] Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer’s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0008] The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional irrigation systems. Specifically, the present invention provides means of distributing water without a separate electric system. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0009] The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

[0010] The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application to fluid management and pneumatics with its practical use, to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

[0011] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a self-contained fluid control system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 101 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional irrigation systems.

[0012] In the contemplated embodiment, system 101 includes a self-contained control device 103 in fluid communication with sprinklers 105 via pipes 107. The self-contained control is also in electronic communication with a network 109. Water from a pump 111 or other source flows through the pipes 107 to the sprinklers 105. It is contemplated that the self-contained control 103 is buried beneath the ground 113 inline with the pipe 107. [0013] Referring now to FIG. 2 the self-contained control device 103 is depicted and includes a housing 201 wherein a power generator 203, valve 205, communication device 209, battery 209 are all in communication with a computing device 211 . The power generator 203 is configured to have the flow of the fluid in pipe 107 pass therethrough and generate electricity. The communication device 207 is configured to enable the self- contained control 103 to communicate with the network 109.

[0014] In use, water or another fluid is conveyed through the pipes 107 to the sprinklers 105. The self-contained control 103 allows and restricts this flow perpetually as the water recharges the battery 209 while flowing through the power generator 203.

[0015] It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is that the power generator 203 enables the placement and use of the self-contained control 103 without a supporting electrical system.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 3 an alternative embodiment of the system 101 is depicted. Embodiment 301 includes similar features as system 101 wherein a user 303 with a personal communication device 305 is also in communication with the self-contained control device 103 via the network 109. It is contemplated that the user 303 is able to access the computing device 211 of the self-contained control 103 to alter or monitor the status or operation thereof.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 4 the preferred method of use of the system 301 is depicted. Method 401 includes installing the self-contained control in a fluid disbursement system 403, placing the self-contained control in communication with a network 405, supplying fluid to the fluid disbursement system via the self-contained control 407 and allowing the self-contained control to manage the disbursement of the fluid 409.

[0018] An alternative embodiment of the self-contained control device 103 is depicted. It is contemplated that in some environments that the fluid flow in the pipes will not be sufficient to power the self-contained control device 103 and that alternative sources of power generation such as a solar cell 503 could be used to augment or provide the sole source of electricity for the self-contained control device 501 . [0019] The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

What is claimed;

1 . A self-contained fluid control system comprising: at least on control device that includes: at least one power generator; at least one battery; at least one valve; and at least one computing device; at least one sprinkler in fluid communication with the control device via at least one pipe; at least one network; and at least one pump; wherein the control device continually operates the sprinkler through the power generator and battery; and wherein the control device is self-sustaining via the electricity created by the power generator.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the electricity is created via the flow of water through a pipe.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the electricity if generated by a solar cell.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein a computing device is in communication with the control device via the network and the function of the control device is altered by said computing device.

5. A method of distributing water in a remote location, comprising; installing a self-contained control in a fluid disbursement system; placing the self-contained control in communication with a network; supplying fluid to the fluid disbursement system via the self-contained control; and allowing the self-contained control to manage the disbursement of the fluid.