Abstract: The present invention teaches a solenoid-valve actuator that is battery-powered and communicates remotely and wirelessly (e.g., via LoRaWAN) to a gateway that communicates with the internet, thereby enabling a user to remotely control fluid flow through a solenoid valve. The end device interfaces to a range of latching solenoid operated valves, e.g., for the control of water flow in irrigation systems.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a solenoid-valve actuator that is battery-powered and communicates remotely and wirelessly (e.g., via LoRaWAN) to a gateway that communicates with the internet, thereby enabling a user to remotely control fluid flow through a solenoid valve. The end device interfaces to a range of latching solenoid operated valves, e.g., for the control of water flow in irrigation systems.

Abstract: An elongated apparatus that measures soil water tension is disclosed, having a hydrogel chamber for receiving a plurality of macro-sized hydrogel particles through its open side and a sealed inner wall, the hydrogel held in the hydrogel chamber by a durable, hydrophilic, and porous window secured to the open side of the hydrogel chamber. The window, when the apparatus is received in soil, transmits moisture between the soil and the hydrogel chamber, causing variable pressure within the hydrogel chamber that can be converted to a measurement of soil water tension on the opposite side of the window. This pressure produces various mechanical effects, measurable by various types of sensors within the elongated probe. A method for measuring soil water tension at multiple depths within a soil profile is also disclosed.

Abstract: An elongated apparatus that measures soil water tension is disclosed, having a hydrogel chamber for receiving a plurality of macro-sized hydrogel particles through its open side and a sealed inner wall, the hydrogel held in the hydrogel chamber by a durable, hydrophilic, and porous window secured to the open side of the hydrogel chamber. The window, when the apparatus is received in soil, transmits moisture between the soil and the hydrogel chamber, causing variable pressure within the hydrogel chamber that can be converted to a measurement of soil water tension on the opposite side of the window. This pressure produces various mechanical effects, measurable by various types of sensors within the elongated probe. A method for measuring soil water tension at multiple depths within a soil profile is also disclosed.

Abstract: Tensiometer device for measuring soil water tension. A pair of screws secures a load cell or strain gauge to an inner frame, a dowel pin transmits force to the load cell, a polymer chamber is enclosed on one side by a rubber dam that retains the polymer within the polymer chamber, and a hydrophilic porous window covers the rubber dam. A second pair of screws secure an outer frame to the inner frame holding the components of one or more tensiometers spaced across the frame, and an end cap. The load cell acts as a strain gauge transferring the force exerted on it as a change in electrical voltage that can be converted to a soil water tension (SWT) measurement.