Abstract: A sprinkler includes a riser, an impeller mounted in the riser, and a nozzle rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser. A drive assembly couples the impeller and the nozzle. A clutch in the drive assembly includes a radially deformable collet that surrounds a drive shaft. A spring urges the collet against the drive shaft and provides a positive drive connection under a normal load and slips under an excessive load.

Abstract: A portable locator for detecting a buried object characterized by an electromagnetic (EM) field emission employing three-dimensional (3D) sensor arrays each having three substantially-identical EM field sensors disposed on a flexible annular wall having a radial centroid defining a sensing axis. The flexible annular sensors are retained in substantial concentricity with the corresponding sensing axes disposed in substantial mutual orthogonality. A pair of 3D sensor arrays disposed on a first axis substantially orthogonal to a second axis defined by another pair of EM field sensors each having a sensing axis disposed along the second axis. The locator introduces a user-reconfigurable user interface (UI) employing a “sticky” ratcheting audio UI and a hollow hinge assembly for redisposing the sensor assembly from an operating to a storage disposition.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated pilot valve includes a pilot valve housing defining a pilot valve chamber and a solenoid. The solenoid includes and end cap connected to the pilot valve housing, a reciprocable plunger, and a piston having a shaft with a first end connected to and end of the plunger and a second end connected to a piston head. The end cap has a bore through which the shaft of the piston reciprocates and a first port separate from the bore. A first seal on a first side of the piston head is provided for sealing a first end of the first port. A second seal on a second side of the piston head is provided for sealing a first end of a second port in the pilot valve housing.

Abstract: At least one antenna array including three mutually orthogonal antennas each sharing a common center point senses an electromagnetic signal emitted by a buried object such as a utility line, pipe or sonde. A circuit at least partially mounted in a housing is connected to the array and determines a location of the buried object by measuring signal strength and field angles in three dimensions without having to align the antenna array relative to the buried object while eliminating nulls and false peaks. A graphical user interface (GUI) has user-friendly icons, symbols, menus, numbers and graphical and auditory representation of signal strength. A SEARCH view indicates signal strength by showing a rotating strength indicator, a trace mode MAP view in which line location is shown by a line that moves side-to-side, and a sonde mode MAP view in which sonde location is shown by a moving line, pole and equator.

Abstract: A human-portable utility locator system for locating and tracing a buried utility line characterized by an electromagnetic field emission. The locator may include a horizontal spaced sensor pair for detecting the horizontal field asymmetry of the emitted field in one or more independent frequency bands, which is employed to assist in determining an accurate “virtual depth” measurement for producing detection events. An event detector may be disposed to detect events corresponding to extremum in the B-field gradient with respect to time and a user interface (UI) coupled to the event detector signals the detected event to a user. In a preferred embodiment, one pair of spaced-apart 3D magnetic sensor arrays is disposed substantially orthogonal to another intermediate spaced-apart pair of sensors.

Abstract: An irrigation controller includes inputs for entry or selection of a watering program and a memory capable of storing the watering program. A plurality of station modules are removably received in a plurality of corresponding receptacles. Each station module includes a station module circuit for switching a source of electrical power to open and close at least one of a plurality of valves. When the station modules are inserted into the receptacles a communication path is established between each station module circuit and the processor. The processor is capable of executing the watering program and sending commands to the station module circuits to open and close the valves in accordance with the watering program. A manually actuable mechanism allows a power signal to be applied to each station module circuit after the station modules have been inserted into their corresponding receptacles and the communication path has been established.

Abstract: Portable locators are disclosed for finding and mapping buried objects such as utilities. A articulatable antenna node configuration and the use of Doppler radar and GPS navigation are also disclosed.

Abstract: An evapotranspiration (ET) unit includes a first communication link, a processor and a second communication link. The first communication link receives actual ET data from a plurality of environmental sensors. The processor calculates changes to a set of watering schedules of a predetermined watering program of a separate irrigation controller based on the actual ET data. The changes can increase or decrease the frequency and/or length of ON times for selected stations. The second communication link transmits the changes to the irrigation controller.

Abstract: A plurality of receptacles in an irrigation controller removably receive a plurality of modules. At least one station module is configured for insertion into a first one of the receptacles and is connectable to a corresponding solenoid actuated valve through a dedicated field valve line and common return line. The station module includes at least one switching device for selectively providing a first power signal that energizes the corresponding solenoid actuated valve. At least one encoder module is configured for insertion into a second one of the receptacles and is connectable to a multi-wire path for sending encoded signals and a second power signal along the multi-wire path for selectively energizing one of a plurality of solenoid actuated valves connected to corresponding decoder circuits connected along the multi-wire path. A processor executes the stored watering program and controls the station module and/or the encoder module in accordance with the stored watering program.

Abstract: Portable locators are disclosed for finding and mapping buried objects such as utilities. A articulatable antenna node configuration and the use of Doppler radar and GPS navigation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A human-portable utility locator system for locating and tracing a buried utility line characterized by an electromagnetic field emission. The locator may include a horizontal spaced sensor pair for detecting the horizontal field asymmetry of the emitted field in one or more independent frequency bands, which is employed to assist in determining an accurate “virtual depth” measurement for producing detection events. An event detector may be disposed to detect events corresponding to extremum in the B-field gradient with respect to time and a user interface (UI) coupled to the event detector signals the detected event to a user. In a preferred embodiment, one pair of spaced-apart 3D magnetic sensor arrays is disposed substantially orthogonal to another intermediate spaced-apart pair of sensors.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a riser having an inlet end and an outlet end. A nozzle is rotatably supported at the outlet end of the riser and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending stream forming slots. An orifice member is removably mounted adjacent the outlet end of the riser and has an orifice shaped to deliver water flowing through the riser into the stream forming slots in a manner that produces a predetermined water distribution pattern. A rotatably adjustable deflector ring is configured and mounted for intercepting streams of water ejected from the stream forming slots to vary a reach thereof.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes an outer case and a riser mounted for reciprocation within the case. The riser supports a nozzle, an impeller, and a drive linkage connecting the nozzle and the impeller. A diaphragm valve is mounted in outer case beneath the riser and includes a valve member vertically reciprocable within a valve support housing to engage and disengage a valve seat. The valve seat can reciprocate relative to the valve support housing to reduce mechanical loading.

Abstract: A sonde includes an elongate flexible ferromagnetic core and a coil surrounds an intermediate segment of the core. A housing surrounds and supports the coil. An electronic drive circuit is mounted in the housing for supplying the coil with an electric signal that will induce the core to emit electromagnetic signals at a predetermined strength and frequency that can be remotely detected. Self-contained battery powered float-type and pill-type sondes are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inductive clamp includes a pair of jaws configured to surround a conductor, and a pair of handles, each connected to a corresponding jaw. A pivotal connection is provided that allows the jaws to close around a conductor. The jaws are optionally biased to hold them closed around the conductor. A ferromagnetic core is mounted in each jaw and a coil surrounds at least one of the cores. An indicator is provided that tells a user that a signal has been applied to at least one of the cores.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a drive mechanism mounted in a riser that rotates a nozzle at the top of the riser. The drive mechanism enables a user to select between oscillation of the nozzle through an adjustable arc and uni-directional full circle rotation of the nozzle.

Abstract: A modular irrigation controller includes a processor capable of executing a stored watering program and controlling a plurality of removable station modules in accordance with the watering program. Each station module includes a station module circuit for opening and closing a plurality of values. A plurality of connectors can mate each mate to establish a communications link between the station modules and the processor. A plurality of terminals are each connectable with a corresponding one of a plurality of field valve lines from the valves. The terminals are mounted separate from the station modules and are connected to the connectors. This allows the irrigation controller to have a more compact design, provides connection terminals for spare field valve lines, and eliminates malfunctions due to erroneous re-connection of field valve lines during station module replacement.