Irrigation sprinkler body cover with an integrated battery-powered decoder
An apparatus comprising an irrigation sprinkler body cover with an integrated battery-powered decoder is disclosed. A method of retrofitting existing irrigation systems to wirelessly communicate with one or more of the present apparatus is also disclosed. Concerning the present method, an irrigation controller provides message data to a gateway regarding the control of irrigation valves. The gateway contains configurable encoder software that encodes and then wirelessly transmits the message data, for example via long-range radio hardware at 902-928 MHz frequency. The encoded data is received by a present apparatus to which the message is addressed. The apparatus decodes the message data and subsequently provides a power signal via wire to one or more proximally-located DC latching solenoid valves to control the irrigation valves according to the user input.
1. A battery-powered decoder apparatus comprising:
a plastic body;
the plastic body further comprising
a plastic body cap with identical form to that of a sprinkler body cover, thereby enabling the apparatus to integrate seamlessly with a sprinkler body; and
plastic body sides that form a cylindrical or rectangular-box shape;
the plastic body houses a PCBA (printed circuit board assembly) and one or more batteries;
the plastic body is filled with a potting compound to protect and seal the PCBA and one or more batteries;
a solar panel;
the solar panel is affixed to a top, external surface of the plastic body cap;
the solar panel is connected to one or more batteries via wire;
positive and negative wires that run to the DC latching solenoid(s) extend from the PCBA and out of the plastic body;
the form of the plastic body cap is identical to the form of a sprinkler body cover, thereby enabling the apparatus to integrate seamlessly with a sprinkler body; and
for installation,
first removing an existing sprinkler body cover;
replacing the existing AC solenoid with a DC latching solenoid;
connecting +/− wires from the apparatus to +/− wires on the DC latching solenoid;
securing the apparatus in sealing position over the sprinkler body compartment and
the apparatus then enables remote operation of the DC latching solenoid, once the apparatus is wirelessly paired with an on-site gateway.
2. A battery-powered decoder apparatus comprising:
a plastic body;
the plastic body further comprising
a plastic body cap with identical form to that of a sprinkler body cover, thereby enabling the apparatus to integrate seamlessly with a sprinkler body; and
plastic body sides that form a cylindrical or rectangular-box shape;
the plastic body houses a PCBA (printed circuit board assembly) and one or more batteries;
the plastic body is filled at least partially with a potting compound to protect and seal the PCBA;
positive and negative wires that run to the DC latching solenoid(s) extend from the PCBA and out of the plastic body; and
the form of the plastic body cap is identical to the form of a sprinkler body cover, thereby enabling the apparatus to integrate seamlessly with a sprinkler body for installation, and
for installation,
first removing an existing sprinkler body cover;
replacing the existing AC solenoid with a DC latching solenoid;
connecting +/− wires from the apparatus to +/− wires on the DC latching solenoid;
securing the apparatus in sealing position over the sprinkler body compartment; and
the apparatus then enables remote operation of the DC latching solenoid, once the apparatus is wirelessly paired with an on-site gateway.
3. A method of retrofitting existing irrigation systems to wirelessly communicate with one or more battery-powered decoders, comprising the steps of
opening a mobile app, which immediately searches for a wireless apparatus in range;
the mobile app displays an option to pair the mobile device with the gateway, as the gateway is wirelessly-enabled;
selecting the option to pair the mobile device with the gateway;
the mobile device is paired with the gateway;
the mobile app prompts selecting a controller manufacturer;
selecting the correct manufacturer for the controller;
the mobile app prompts selecting a controller model;
selecting the correct model for the controller;
station IDs for the particular manufacturer and model of controller are downloaded from the mobile app backend to the gateway; this only happens once, during configuration;
the gateway stores this information for later use;
the mobile app prompts selecting the appropriate station to control via a selected battery-powered decoder;
selecting the appropriate station to control via a selected battery-powered decoder;
the station and battery-powered decoder are then paired in the mobile app, gateway, or mobile app backend; and
the system is now capable of translating a message from that particular station to that particular battery-powered decoder.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the steps of
a cable or wireless communication technology provides a connection from the controller to a gateway;
the gateway is connected to one or more battery-powered decoders via wireless communication technology which in turn control DC solenoid valves;
pairing a selected station on the controller with a selected battery-powered decoder;
programming the controller to run the station a specified duration;
the controller sends a message to the gateway that the controller is activating the station;
the gateway translates the message to activate the paired battery-powered decoder;
the gateway relays the message to the battery-powered decoder, upon subsequent communication with the battery-powered decoder;
the battery-powered decoder receives the message to activate and completes this task;
after the specified duration, according to the program input received, the controller sends a message to the gateway that the controller is deactivating the station;
the gateway translates the message to deactivate the paired battery-powered decoder;
the gateway relays the message to the battery-powered decoder upon subsequent communication with the battery-powered decoder; and
the battery-powered decoder receives the message to deactivate and completes this task.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the steps of
to pair a station and battery-powered decoder, the mobile app prompts scanning a code on a battery-powered decoder; this code contains a unique ID for the battery-powered decoder;
scanning the code on a battery-powered decoder;
the station and battery-powered decoder are then paired in the mobile app, gateway, or mobile app backend;
the system is now capable of translating a message from that particular station to that particular battery-powered decoder.
6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the steps of
individual controller terminals are connected via wire to individual 24VAC relay switches housed within an apparatus;
a cable or wireless communication technology provides a connection from the apparatus to a gateway; and
the gateway is connected to one or more battery-powered decoders via wireless communication technology which in turn control DC solenoid valves.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising the steps of
opening a mobile app, which immediately searches for a wireless apparatus or gateway in range;
the mobile app displays an option to pair the mobile device with the apparatus or gateway, as the apparatus and gateway are wirelessly-enabled;
selecting the option to pair the mobile device with the apparatus or gateway;
the mobile device is paired with the apparatus or gateway;
the mobile app prompts selecting the appropriate station to control via a selected battery-powered decoder;
the mobile app prompts scanning a code on a battery-powered decoder; this code contains a unique ID for the battery-powered decoder;
the station and battery-powered decoder are then paired in the mobile app, apparatus, gateway, or mobile app backend; and
the system is now capable of translating a message from that particular station to that particular battery-powered decoder.