SENSOR DEVICE FOR USE IN CONTROLLING IRRIGATION

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided herein for sensing rain fall for use in irrigation control. In one embodiment, a wireless rain sensor comprises a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter. The first sensor comprises a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material.

主权项

1. A wireless rain and temperature sensor comprising:
a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter; the first sensor comprising a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall, wherein the moisture absorptive material comprises a plurality of hygroscopic material disks
wherein the first sensor further comprises a component coupled to a first portion of the moisture absorptive material and configured to move with the expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material; andwherein there is no rain fall threshold set at the wireless rain sensor; a temperature sensor at least partially covered by the housing; the controller coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material, wherein the controller is coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable air temperature; and the wireless transmitter configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material and additional data corresponding to the variable air temperature.