Malcolm N Napier

US Patent:

7558650, Jul 7, 2009

Filed:

Jul 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/458535

Inventors:

Dean C. Thornton - Alpine CA, US
Randall A. Hern - San Diego CA, US
Malcolm N. Napier - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Rain Bird Corporation - Azusa CA

International Classification:

G05D 11/00

US Classification:

700284

Abstract:

Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.

US Patent:

D622709, Aug 31, 2010

Filed:

Jan 18, 2007

Appl. No.:

29/276206

Inventors:

Randall A. Hern - San Diego CA, US
Malcolm N. Napier - San Diego CA, US
Rajiv Dabir - Post Falls ID, US
Dean C. Thornton - Alpine CA, US

Assignee:

Rain Bird Corporation - Azusa CA

International Classification:

1403

US Classification:

D14230

US Patent:

8010238, Aug 30, 2011

Filed:

Sep 17, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/212516

Inventors:

Mark M. Ensworth - Orange CA, US
Barbara E. Booth - Tucson AZ, US
Dean C. Thornton - Alpine CA, US
Randall A. Hern - San Diego CA, US
Malcolm N. Napier - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Rain Bird Corporation - Asuza CA

International Classification:

A01G 27/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700284, 239 67, 239 70

Abstract:

Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.

US Patent:

8185248, May 22, 2012

Filed:

May 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/464818

Inventors:

Mark M. Ensworth - Orange CA, US
Barbara E. Booth - Tucson AZ, US
Dean C. Thornton - Alpine CA, US
David G. Fern - Santee CA, US
Randall A. Hern - San Diego CA, US
Malcolm N. Napier - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Rain Bird Corporation - Azusa CA

International Classification:

G05B 11/01
G05D 7/00
G05D 11/00
A01G 25/00
A01G 27/00
B05B 12/08
B05B 17/04

US Classification:

700284, 700 16, 700 19, 700 2, 700282, 700283, 239 63, 239 64, 239 67, 239 69

Abstract:

Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.

US Patent:

8504210, Aug 6, 2013

Filed:

May 18, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/475863

Inventors:

Mark M. Ensworth - Orange CA, US
Barbara E. Booth - Tucson AZ, US
Dean C. Thornton - Alpine CA, US
David G. Fern - Santee CA, US
Randall A. Hern - San Diego CA, US
Malcolm N. Napier - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Rain Bird Corporation - Azusa CA

International Classification:

G05D 7/00
G05D 11/00
A01G 25/00
A01G 27/00
F16K 17/36
F16K 31/00
G05B 11/00

US Classification:

700282, 700283, 700284, 239 63, 239 64, 239 67, 239 68, 239 69, 239 70, 239 71, 137 782, 137 783

Abstract:

Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.

US Patent:

20070179674, Aug 2, 2007

Filed:

Mar 1, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/681153

Inventors:

Mark Ensworth - Orange CA, US
Barbara Booth - Tucson AZ, US
Dean Thornton - Alpine CA, US
David Fern - Santee CA, US
Randall Hern - San Diego CA, US
Rajiv Dabir - Post Falls ID, US
Malcolm Napier - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Rain Bird Corporation - Azusa CA

International Classification:

G05D 11/00

US Classification:

700284000

Abstract:

Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.

US Patent:

20110288690, Nov 24, 2011

Filed:

Jul 27, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/192420

Inventors:

Mark M. Ensworth - Orange CA, US
Barbara E. Booth - Tucson AZ, US
Dean C. Thornton - Alpine CA, US
David G. Fern - Santee CA, US
Randall A. Hern - San Diego CA, US
Rajiv Dabir - Post Falls ID, US
Malcolm N. Napier - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

RAIN BIRD CORPORATION - Azusa CA

International Classification:

G05D 7/06

US Classification:

700284

Abstract:

Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.

US Patent:

20130297082, Nov 7, 2013

Filed:

Jul 2, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/934161

Inventors:

Barbara E. Booth - Tucson AZ, US
Dean C. Thornton - Alpine CA, US
Randall A. Hern - San Diego CA, US
Malcolm N. Napier - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

A01G 25/16

US Classification:

700284

Abstract:

Several embodiments provide wireless irrigation control and related methods. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is can receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and can cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device. In some implementations, the receiver unit includes a capacitor charging circuit and battery to power the receiver unit and drive and control a latching solenoid.