U.S. patent application number 10/197083 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for landscape sprinkling systems.
Invention is credited to Float, Ardele Y., Float, Kenneth W..
Application Number | 20040026529 10/197083 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30442896 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040026529 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Float, Ardele Y. ; et
al. |
February 12, 2004 |
LANDSCAPE SPRINKLING SYSTEMS
Abstract
Landscape sprinkling systems that incorporate fire sensors,
optional moisture sensors, and control electronics that
continuously monitor the perimeter of a property for fire and/or
smoke, and optionally low soil moisture conditions. When an alarm
is detected, the systems automatically turn on selected sprinkler
valves to water areas that would be most impacted by a fire or are
in need of water. Wireless and wired system embodiments are
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Float, Ardele Y.; (Coto de
Caza, CA) ; Float, Kenneth W.; (Coto de Caza,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kenneth W. Float
Law Offices of Kenneth W. Float
P.O. Box 80790
Rancho Santa Margarita
CA
92688
US
|
Family ID: |
30442896 |
Appl. No.: |
10/197083 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G 25/167
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/63 |
International
Class: |
B05B 012/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A landscape sprinkling system comprising: one or more sprinkler
solenoid valves that are each coupled between a water supply and
one or more sprinkler heads; a controller coupled to the one or
more sprinkler solenoid valves; and one or more remote fire/smoke
sensors that communicate with the controller and transmit an alarm
signal to the controller in the event that fire and/or smoke are
detected thereby; and wherein the controller is configured to
process the alarm signal and activate selected solenoid valves to
allow water to be sprinkled onto selected areas of the
landscape.
2. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 that further
comprises a moisture sensor coupled to the controller for
indicating low soil moisture content.
3. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the
controller comprises a master controller
4. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the
controller comprises one or more fire controllers that are
respectively coupled to the one or more sprinkler solenoid
valves.
5. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the
remote fire/smoke sensors communicate with the controller using
radio frequency (RF) communication signals.
6. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the
remote fire/smoke sensors communicate with the controller using
infrared communication signals.
7. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the
remote fire/smoke sensors communicate with the controller using a
wired communication link.
8. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the
remote fire/smoke sensors each comprise: a detector for detecting
the presence of fire and/or smoke and outputting an alarm signal
when fire and/or smoke are detected; a transmitter; a receiver; and
a microprocessor coupled to the transmitter, the receiver and the
detector for processing the alarm signal and transmitting it to the
controller.
9. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 8 wherein the
remote fire/smoke sensors each further comprise a battery coupled
to the microprocessor, transmitter, receiver and detector.
10. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 8 wherein the
remote fire/smoke sensors each further comprise a solar array
coupled to the battery.
11. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 8 wherein the
remote fire/smoke sensors each further comprise a DC-DC converter
coupled between a voltage source and the microprocessor,
transmitter, receiver and detector.
12. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the
controller is configured to poll each of the remote fire/smoke
sensors to determine if they are operative.
13. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 1 wherein the
one or more fire controllers comprise: a transmitter; a receiver; a
switch coupled to an associated solenoid valve; and a
microprocessor coupled to the transmitter, the receiver, and the
switch, for processing a received alarm signal and triggering the
switch to activate the associated solenoid valve coupled
thereto.
14. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 13 wherein the
one or more fire controllers each further comprise a battery
coupled to the microprocessor, transmitter and receiver.
15. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 13 wherein the
one or more fire controllers each further comprise a solar array
coupled to the battery.
16. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 13 wherein the
one or more fire controllers each further comprise a DC-DC
converter coupled between a voltage source and the microprocessor,
transmitter and receiver.
17. A landscape sprinkling system comprising: one or more sprinkler
solenoid valves that are each coupled between a water supply and
one or more sprinkler heads; and one or more remote fire/smoke
sensors coupled to the one or more sprinkler solenoid valves that
generate an alarm signal in the event that fire and/or smoke are
detected thereby, and to process the alarm signal and activate
selected solenoid valves to allow water to be sprinkled onto
selected areas of the landscape.
18. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 17 wherein the
remote fire/smoke sensors each comprise: a detector for detecting
the presence of fire and/or smoke and outputting an alarm signal
when fire and/or smoke is detected; a switch coupled to an
associated solenoid valve; and a microprocessor coupled to the
detector and the switch for processing the alarm signal and
transmitting a trigger signal to the switch to activate the
associated solenoid valve coupled thereto.
19. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 18 wherein the
one or more remote fire/smoke sensors each further comprise a
battery coupled to the microprocessor, transmitter and
receiver.
20. The landscape sprinkling system recited in claim 18 wherein the
one or more fire controllers each further comprise a solar array
coupled to the battery.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to landscape
sprinkling systems, and more particularly, to landscape sprinkling
systems that include remote fire and moisture sensing features.
[0002] The present inventors live in a California community that is
adjacent to a national forest, wildlife parks, and conservancy
area. The community also has dedicated conservation areas
throughout it that contain native vegetation that is not watered
except by rain. Unfortunately, these areas are very prone to
fires.
[0003] A recent fire that affected this community burned very dry
native vegetation that was located about fifty feet away from many
dwellings. While no homes were lost, this was a terrifying
experience for many, and revealed a real problem regarding planting
that is in close proximity to dwellings that are in fire prone
areas.
[0004] There is a need for a landscape sprinkling system that would
automatically turn on selected sprinkler valves to water specific
areas to help minimize the impact of fires on a dwelling or other
structure. Such a system would be particularly valuable in the
event that occupants of the structure were not home, for
example.
[0005] Also, in the past, moisture sensors have been used that
sense the amount of moisture in the ground and inhibit operation of
the irrigation system in selected areas that are too wet and do not
need additional water. However, such conventional moisture sensors
are normally hard-wired in series with the sprinkler solenoid
valve.
[0006] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to
provide for landscape sprinkling systems that have remote fire and
moisture sensing features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] To meet the above and other objectives, the present
invention provides for landscape sprinkling systems that
incorporate fire and/or smoke sensors and control electronics that
continuously monitor the perimeter or other selected areas of a
property for fire and/or smoke. Optional moisture sensors employed
with the remote fire and/or smoke sensors implement integrated
feedback-based systems.
[0008] In the event that fire or smoke is detected, the systems
automatically turn on selected sprinkler valves to water areas that
would be most impacted by a fire. Remote areas of the property or
areas adjacent to an affected property may therefore be watered
before a fire reaches the property so as to minimize the impact of
the fire on the property and structures thereon.
[0009] Use of the optional moisture sensors allows for remote
sensing of the moisture content of the ground. The optional
moisture sensors output signals that allow specific low-moisture
area of a landscape to be watered when needed.
[0010] An exemplary system comprises one or more remote fire/smoke
sensors (that may include an optional moisture sensor) that
communicate with a master controller or fire controllers that are
attached to sprinkler solenoid valves. The master controller
controls the sprinkler solenoid valves in a conventional manner for
normal irrigation purposes. In a first embodiment, the master
controller controls the sprinkler solenoid valves in response to
the detection of fire and/or smoke by the remote fire/smoke sensors
in the event of a fire, or in response to signals output by the
optional moisture sensors. In a second embodiment, the remote
fire/smoke sensors communicate with the fire controllers to
activate selected sprinkler solenoid valves in response to the
detection of fire and/or smoke, or in response to signals output by
the optional moisture sensors.
[0011] The remote fire/smoke sensors may communicate with the
master controller or fire controllers by way of radio frequency
(RF) communication signals, or optionally by way of infrared
communication signals if the sensors are located at relatively
short distances from the master controller, and line-of-sight
communication paths are present. The remote fire/smoke sensors are
intended to be on at all times and each of them are separately
identified and send a signal to the master controller at regular
intervals indicating that they are operative. The remote fire/smoke
sensors are preferably powered by a battery, but may be powered by
a solar cell and battery combination. Alternatively, the remote
fire/smoke sensors may be hard wired to the master controller,
which has some desirable benefits, although this is may be a
slightly more involved or costly implementation.
[0012] In a first embodiment, the master controller includes a
transmitter and one or more receivers that are used to poll the
remote fire/smoke sensors (and optional moisture sensors). The
master controller processes alarm signals transmitted by the remote
fire/smoke sensors in the event that fire and/or smoke are detected
by one or more of the remote fire/smoke sensors, or processes
output signals from the optional moisture sensors indicating low
moisture content. Once an alarm signal is received by the master
controller, it is processed to turn on one or more solenoid valves
that allow water to be sprinkled onto the affected area, or to hold
off sprinkling in areas of excessive moisture.
[0013] In a second embodiment, the remote fire/smoke sensors (and
optional moisture sensors) communicate with fire controllers that
are individually attached to respective sprinkler solenoid valves.
In the event that fire and/or smoke are detected by a remote
fire/smoke sensor, or low moisture is detected, signals are
transmitted to one or more fire controllers responsible for the
affected area to turn on the solenoid valves to sprinkle water onto
the affected area.
[0014] As was mentioned above, the present invention may
incorporate moisture sensors along with the remote fire/smoke
sensors. Remote fire/smoke sensors containing a moisture sensor
have the ability to monitor the moisture content of the ground and
output signals that are communicated to the master controller or
fire controller to activate or inactivate sprinkler usage during
normal irrigation operation. The output of the remote fire/smoke
sensor would supercede the output of the moisture sensors in the
case of a fire.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The various features and advantages of the present invention
may be more readily understood with reference to the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural
elements, and in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates embodiments of
exemplary landscape sprinkling systems implemented in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates exemplary remote
fire/smoke and moisture sensors that may be employed in the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary fire
controller that may be employed in the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary
master controller employed in the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 5 is a table that illustrates a typical serial
communication protocol that may be used in the present systems
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 is a block diagram
that illustrates embodiments of exemplary landscape sprinkling
systems 10 implemented in accordance with the principles of the
present invention. The exemplary systems 10 comprise one or more
remote fire/smoke sensors 11 that may each include an optional
moisture sensor 11a. The remote fire/smoke sensors 11 (and moisture
sensors 11a) communicate with a master controller 12 or with fire
controllers 15 that are attached to sprinkler solenoid valves
13.
[0022] The sprinkler solenoid valves 13 are coupled to a water
supply 16 and to a plurality of sprinkler heads 14 that are part of
separate irrigation areas or zones by way of pipes 17, such as
plastic (PVC) tubing 17. The master controller 11 is electrically
coupled to the sprinkler solenoid valves 13 using low voltage
wiring 19 and controls them in a conventional manner during normal
irrigation times, typically using 12 volt DC control signals.
[0023] In a first embodiment of the system 10, the master
controller 11 controls the sprinkler solenoid valves 13 in response
to the detection of fire and/or smoke by the remote fire/smoke
sensors 11 in the event of a fire, or in response to signals output
by the optional moisture sensors 11a indicating low moisture
content of the soil.
[0024] In a second embodiment of the system 10, the remote
fire/smoke sensors 11 communicate with the fire controllers 15 to
activate selected sprinkler solenoid valves 13 in response to the
detection of fire and/or smoke, or in response to signals output by
the optional moisture sensors 11a.
[0025] The remote fire/smoke sensors 11 may communicate with the
master controller 12 or fire controllers 15 preferably using radio
frequency (RF) communication signals 18, or may optionally use
infrared communication signals 18, for example. Infrared
communication signals 18 may be used if the remote fire/smoke
sensors 11 are located at relatively short distances from the
master controller 12, for example, and line-of-sight communication
paths are present. The remote fire/smoke sensors 11 are operable at
all times and each of them is separately identified and send a
signal 18 to the master controller 12 when polled (generally at
regular intervals) indicating that they are operative. This will be
discussed in more detail below.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary
remote fire/smoke sensor 11 including the optional moisture sensor
11a that may be employed in the systems 10 shown in FIG. 1. The
remote fire/smoke sensor 11 comprises a detector 23 that is coupled
to the battery 21. The detector 23 detects fire and/or smoke and
outputs an alarm signal.
[0027] The detector 23 is coupled to a microprocessor 24, which is
also coupled to the battery 21. An optional moisture sensor 11a is
also coupled to the microprocessor 24. The moisture sensor 11a
outputs a signal that is input to the microprocessor 24 when the
moisture level of the soil in which it is placed falls below a set
level or limit.
[0028] The microprocessor 24 is coupled to a receiver 26 and to a
transmitter 27. The receiver 26 and transmitter 27 are coupled to
the battery 21. The receiver 26 and transmitter 27 are each coupled
to an antenna.
[0029] The exemplary remote fire/smoke sensor 11 is preferably
powered by the battery 21, but may be powered by a solar cell 22
and battery 21 combination. Alternatively, the remote fire/smoke
sensor 11 may be hard wired to receive 12 volt DC power, such as
from the master controller 11. However, this is a bit more
complicated, because it would also require the addition of a DC-DC
converter 25 for converting a 12 volt DC input, output by the
master controller 12, for example, to a 5 volt DC output that
powers the detector 23, microprocessor 24, receiver 26, and
transmitter 27, and possibly the moisture sensor 11a if this is
required.
[0030] Nonetheless, it is relatively inexpensive to implement a
hardwired solution at the sprinkler head 14 instead of paying for
batteries 21 and solar cells 22. This is because the DC-DC
converter 25 is a three-terminal voltage regulator that costs on
the order of $0.25. Furthermore, in the hard wired 10, there is no
requirement for solar or battery power at the sprinkler head 14
(except for power backup), there is a simple communication link and
reliable channel. Burying wire during sprinkler system installation
has minimal cost impact, and even in retrofit applications, it is
very simple to lay wire with minimal intrusion.
[0031] The transmitter 27 is used to transmit the alarm signal to
the master controller 11 or fire controllers 15, and to transmit
signals indicating that it is operative. The receiver 26 is used to
receive polling signals from the master controller 11 that cause
the remote fire/smoke sensor 11 to transmit an output signal (data
packet) indicating that it is operative. The "operative" output
signal is transmitted to the master controller 11 when the remote
fire/smoke sensor 11 is operative. The master controller 11 outputs
a warning signal when the "operative" output signal is not
received, thus indicating the presence an inoperative remote
fire/smoke sensor 11.
[0032] Furthermore, the remote fire/smoke sensor 11 may be used to
provide direct and autonomous control of a local solenoid valve 13.
This is achieved using a switch 28 that is coupled to the
microprocessor 24 and wired to switch 12 volt DC power to the
solenoid valve 13. The microprocessor 24 outputs a trigger signal
to the switch 28 in the event that an alarm signal or low water
level signal occurs.
[0033] Exemplary radio transmitters 27 and receivers 26 for use in
the system 10 are available from Micrel Semiconductor, for example.
The Micrel devices are known as QuikRadio.TM. transmitters and
receivers and are single-chip RF integrated circuits that employ
amplitude-shift-keyed/on-off keyed (ASK/OOK) modulation. These
circuits are relatively low in cost and are easily integrated into
the system 10.
[0034] Other RF transmitters 27 and receivers 26 are available from
Ericsson and National Semiconductor which conform to the
Bluetooth.TM. specification. The Bluetooth transmitters and
receivers provide point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless
RF connectivity between the transmitters and receivers.
[0035] Exemplary moisture sensors 11a that may be adapted for use
in the systems 10 are available from Global Water Instrumentation,
Inc., Gold River, Calif., Davis Instruments Corp., Hayward, Calif.,
and Environmental Sensors Inc., Victoria, British Columbia, for
example.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary fire
controller 15 that may be employed in the systems 10 shown in FIG.
1. The exemplary fire controller 15 may be powered by a battery 31,
but may be powered by a solar cell 32 and battery 31 combination.
The fire controller 15 may also be powered using 12 volt DC power.
The use of the battery 31 provides added protection in the event
that utility power is lost due to a major fire.
[0037] The fire controller 15 comprises a microprocessor 33 that is
coupled to a receiver 35 and a transmitter 36. The microprocessor
33 is also coupled to a switch 37. The switch 37 is coupled to
receive 12 volt DC power that is ultimately switched to the
solenoid valve 13 coupled thereto. The battery is coupled to the
microprocessor 33, the receiver 35, and the transmitter 36. The
microprocessor 33 outputs a trigger signal to the switch 37 in the
event that an alarm signal (or low water level signal) is
received.
[0038] In the case where the fire controller 15 is powered using 12
volt DC power, the fire controller 15 comprises a DC-DC converter
34 (or voltage regulator 34) that is coupled to a 12 volt DC input
derived from the master controller 12, for example. The DC-DC
converter 34 converts the 12 volt DC input to a 5 volt DC output
that powers the receiver 35 and transmitter 36 (such as a Micrel
receiver and transmitter, for example). The receiver 33 outputs a
trigger signal that is applied to a switch 34 that switches the 12
volt DC input to the solenoid valve 13 when a signal is received
from the remote fire/smoke sensor 11 or moisture sensor 11a.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates an exemplary
master controller 12 employed in the systems 10 shown in FIG. 1.
The exemplary master controller 12 comprises a power supply 42 that
is coupled to an AC voltage source. The power supply 42 is also
coupled to a backup battery 41 and to a DC-DC converter 43. The
DC-DC converter 43 converts 12 volts DC into 5 volts DC, for
example. The DC-DC converter 43 is coupled to a transmitter 47 and
to one or more receivers 48. The one or more receivers 48 are
coupled to a master fire controller 44.
[0040] The power supply 42 is coupled to the master fire controller
44 and to a solenoid controller 45. The power supply 42 is also
coupled to a plurality of switches 46 and supplies 12 volts DC
thereto. The master fire controller 44 and solenoid controller 45
are each respectively coupled to the plurality of switches 46 and
are used to switch the 12 volt DC signal to solenoid valves 13
coupled thereto. The switches 46 are respectively coupled to
individual solenoid valves 13.
[0041] The solenoid controller 45 is conventional and controls
operation of the landscape sprinkling systems 10 during normal
conditions. The master fire controller 44 controls operation of the
solenoid valves 13 in the event of fire and optionally in the event
of low moisture detected by the optional moisture sensor 11a.
[0042] The master fire controller 44 is contains substantially the
same components that are employed in the fire controller 15, except
for the battery 31, solar array 32 and DC-DC converter 34 shown and
described with reference to FIG. 3. The master fire controller 44
also comprises a plurality of switches 37 corresponding to the
number of solenoid valves 13 in the system 10 that are controlled
thereby.
[0043] The master controller 12 polls each of the remote fire/smoke
sensors 11 on a regular basis to determine if they are operative.
FIG. 5 is a table that illustrates an exemplary serial
communication protocol that may be used in the present systems
10.
[0044] As is illustrated in FIG. 5, an exemplary data packet
includes three (3) synchronization bytes, two (2) address bytes
identifying a "To" address, two (2) address bytes identifying a
"From" address, two (2) bytes indicating a data type, two (2) bytes
indicating a data length, a plurality of data bytes, a verification
checksum, and an end of message marker. By way of example, and as
is shown in FIG. 5, an exemplary data packet may be as follows
{@@@, A3, 01, 02, 06, A, 2, . . . , F, 3D, ###}. As for the data
type, a "0" may be used to identify a "heartbeat", i.e., that the
sensor 11 is operational, a "1" may be used to identify a report
request, a "2" may be used to identify a report response, and a "3"
may be used to identify an unsolicited transmission, i.e., the
alarm. It is to be understood that the number and use of the data
identifiers may vary, and is at the discretion of the designer of
the system 10.
[0045] The synchronization bytes are characters indicating the
start of a packet. The "To" address comprises 16 bits and provides
more than 65,000 remote device addresses. The "From" address
comprises 16 bits and provides more than 65,000 remote device
addresses. The data type comprises 16 bits and provides different
definitions of the data that follows, including encryption, for
example. The data length indicates how many bytes follow within the
current packet. The data comprise individual bytes of data within
the packet. The verification checksum comprises a number of bytes
that indicates that the data packet arrived completely and
correctly. The end of message marker comprises marker bytes that
indicate the end of the current packet.
[0046] Each remote fire/smoke sensor 11 has a unique identification
(ID) number assigned to it, which is a predetermined number of bits
of a data packet that is transmitted back to the master controller
12. The data packet transmitted by the master controller 12
includes the identification (ID) number bits, one or more bits
indicating that the sensor 11 is "operative", and a checksum
bit.
[0047] During polling, the master controller 12 transmits a data
packet containing the ID number of a selected remote fire/smoke
sensor 11. All remote fire/smoke sensors 11 receive and process the
transmitted data packet. The processing of the data packet is
performed in the microprocessor 24. The selected remote fire/smoke
sensor 11 having the ID number contained in the data packet
responds to the received data packet by transmitting a data packet
containing the "operative" output signal. The microprocessor 33 in
the master controller 12 processes the received data packet
containing the "operative" output signal to verify that the
selected remote fire/smoke sensor 11 is operative.
[0048] When an event occurs, such as detection of fire or smoke or
a low moisture condition, the affected remote fire/smoke sensor 11
transmits a data packet to the master controller 12 that contains
its identification (ID) number, a predetermined number of bits
corresponding to an alarm output signal, and a checksum bit. The
master controller 12 activates the appropriate solenoid valve 13 to
sprinkle water onto the affected area of the landscape.
[0049] Alternatively, the affected remote fire/smoke sensor 11
transmits the data packet to the corresponding fire controller 15
that controls the solenoid valve 13 for the affected area of the
landscape. The fire controller 15 activates the associated solenoid
valve 13 to sprinkle water onto the affected area of the
landscape.
[0050] Thus, remote sensing is provided by the remote fire/smoke
sensors 11 (and remote moisture sensors 11a) and output signals
from affected ones of the sensors 11, 11a are wirelessly
communicated to the master controller 12 or fire controller 15 for
processing and control of appropriate sprinkler heads 14 of
affected irrigation areas or zones.
[0051] In a wireless system embodiment, it is preferred that the
remote fire/smoke sensors 11 are asleep most of the time, waking
once per minute, for example, to test for smoke, heat or moisture.
The remote fire/smoke sensors 11 would then autonomously transmit
if an event has occurred, or if it is time for their regular
heartbeat transmission. In general, one would not poll the remote
devices since they are typically asleep. In a wired system
embodiment, just the opposite is preferred, since unlimited power
is available at the remote device. In this case, the communication
wires would also carry the power, and polling is appropriate.
[0052] Each of the remote fire/smoke sensors 11 are polled by the
master fire controller 44, generally at regular intervals. When
polled, each of the remote fire/smoke sensors 11 respectively
output a data packet indicative that it is operational. The data
packet is transmitted to the master fire controller 44 by way of
its one of more receivers 48, or to the fire controllers 15 by way
of their receiver 35. An alarm signal is output by he master fire
controller 44 in the event that one of the remote fire/smoke
sensors 11 is not operational.
[0053] Thus, the master controller 12 or fire controllers 15 thus
process alarm signals transmitted by the remote fire/smoke sensors
11 in the event that fire and/or smoke is detected, or process
output signals from the optional moisture sensors indicating low
moisture content. Once an alarm signal is received by the master
controller 12 or fire controllers 15, it is processed to turn on
one or more solenoid valves 13 that allow water to be sprinkled
onto the affected area.
[0054] Thus, landscape sprinkling systems that include remote fire
and moisture sensing features have been disclosed. It is to be
understood that the described embodiments are merely illustrative
of some of the many specific embodiments which represent
applications of the principles of the present invention. Clearly,
numerous and other arrangements can be readily devised by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *