8611results about "Self-acting watering devices" patented technology

We have developed a gas distribution showerhead assembly, for use in a semiconductor processing chamber, which can be easily cleaned, with minimal chamber downtime. The gas distribution showerhead assembly includes an electrode having openings therethrough, and a gas distribution plate which includes a plurality of through-holes for delivering processing gases into the semiconductor processing chamber. The gas distribution plate is bonded to a first, lower major surface of the electrode. A removable insert which fits into an opening in the electrode through which gas flows. Spacing between surfaces of the removable insert and surfaces of the electrode is adequate to permit gas flow, but inadequate for plasma ignition within the opening. The removable insert can be easily removed during cleaning of the gas distribution showerhead, permitting the holes in the gas distribution plate to be easily accessed from both sides of the gas distribution plate.

A passive wireless sensor and control transmitter subsystem is provided for operating irrigation or other hydraulic system. The system includes a master module unit hardwired to and in communication with an existing hydraulic system controller, and a field module unit that is hardwired to and in communication with field electromechanical control devices such as valves, solenoids and servo motors, and field sensors indicating, for example, atmospheric conditions. The master module unit and field module unit communicate with digital wireless communication and can act as a simple wireless bridge providing pass through data connectivity. The master module and field module units are capable of digitizing input signals from the devices to which they are hardwired and transmitting them to the opposite module; they are further capable of recreating the digitized signals received back into the analog form to reproduce the original input signal and communicating it to the device to which it is hardwired. Full duplex communication enables remote sensors to be hardwired to the field modules unit rather than directly to existing control apparatus, as well as being able to transfer valve, pump and relay status back to existing control apparatus. One embodiment enables the subsystem to receive sensor inputs and process them accordingly even though the hydraulic control system may not be capable of utilizing them. Supplemental functionality may be added to an existing hydraulic control system by including the WSCX and its system features of sensor functionality and control.

The present invention provides methods for water conservation with AC, DC, or ambient light powered irrigation controllers without the use of complex ET (evapotranspiration) data or ET related service fees. Programming may consist of the operator entering a preliminary irrigation schedule, and entering the local zip code. The controller then periodically calculates a water budget by comparing current (non ET) local geo-environmental data with stored local geo-environmental data, and then modifies the preliminary schedule using the water budget. A number of embodiments are possible: stand-alone controllers with a temperature sensor attached directly to the microprocessor within that controller, or as a centrally placed CBM (Central Broadcast Module) which calculates a water budget percentage which is transmitted to one or more field controllers by wired or wireless means. Alternately, a TBM (Temperature Budget Module) that is separate from the controller is connected between the controller outputs and the valves, or mounted at the valves themselves. The TBM periodically calculates the ,water budget, monitors the controller outputs and adjusts the irrigation schedule based upon the water budget ratio. Because of its flexible capabilities with AC, DC, solar, or ambient light powered controllers, as a centrally broadcast water budget ratio in a wired or wireless configuration, or as an add-on to existing controllers or valves, its programming simplicity and close approximation to ET without its complications and cost, the present invention has the potential to save more water and minimize runoff than currently available ET methods.

An irrigation controller includes a user interface capable of presenting information to a user and allowing the programming of the controller in a simple and intuitive fashion. Information presented may include values of all programmable irrigation parameters associated with an irrigation zone. Information presented may include values of irrigation parameters associated with multiple irrigation zones. Information may also be presented graphically, in color, and / or in a plurality of languages.

The present invention relates to a system and components thereof for intelligently watering an environment. The system comprises at least one sensor for monitoring particular environmental conditions, and at least one electrically powered valve that receives wireless information signals from the sensor and controls a watering device based on the signals. Power control units repeatedly toggle the sensor and valve between powered and unpowered states to conserve energy. The power control units are configured so that the powered states of the sensor and valve overlap in time to make it possible for the valve to receive the wireless information signals from the sensor.