Abstract: An evapotranspiration (ET) unit includes a processor and a memory for storing a historical set of components of ET data. The processor can communicate with one or more environmental sensors each capable of generating a signal representing an actual value to be substituted for a corresponding one of the components of the historical set. Preprogrammed algorithms enable the processor to calculate changes to a set of watering schedules of a predetermined watering program of an irrigation controller based on any substituted actual value and the remaining historical set of components. The ET unit 10 communicates the changes to the irrigation controller.

Abstract: A transmitter for use with an underground utilities locator including a portable elongate housing; an electronic circuit mounted in the housing and configured to generate an electrical output signal at a frequency suitable for tracing an underground utility; a pair of springy helical coil type electrical cords each having an inner end connected to the circuit; means electrically connected to an outer end of each of the electrical cords for coupling the predetermined electrical output signal across the underground utility; and the housing having a pair of upwardly opening pockets formed on opposite ends of the elongate housing and each sized to permit the electrical cords to be wrapped into loops and stowed into corresponding ones of the pockets.

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 including a reduction gear train couples the impeller and the nozzle. A clutch in the drive assembly includes a clutch member having an axis of rotation that provides a positive drive connection under a normal load and axially displaces and slips under an excessive load.

Abstract: A method of locating a buried conductor such as a pipe uses an electronic transmitter to generate a signal having a predetermined frequency with is applied to the pipe via an alligator clip or other appropriate connector. A ground connection to the transmitter is established by connecting another alligator clip or other appropriate connector to a grounding sheet made of chain mail or metal cloth. A electrolyte solution is poured on the grounding sheet and/or around a portion of the surface region adjacent the grounding sheet. The signal that is re-radiated by the buried pipe is detected with a man portable locator which determines the location of the buried pipe and displays the same to a user.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a diaphragm valve, a pressure regulator and a solenoid. The pressure regulator is operatively coupled to the diaphragm valve for maintaining a predetermined pressure in water exiting the diaphragm valve despite fluctuations in the pressure of water entering the diaphragm valve. The solenoid is mounted on the pressure regulator so that a plunger axis of the solenoid extends through a coil spring of the pressure regulator. The solenoid is operatively coupled to the diaphragm valve through the pressure regulator for opening and closing the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: A modular irrigation controller includes a processor for executing a watering program and turning a plurality of irrigation valves ON and OFF in accordance with the watering program. The irrigation controller includes a plurality of receptacles for each receiving a station module including a station module circuit connectable to a corresponding one of the irrigation valves. A manually actuable mechanism locks the station module in the corresponding receptacle and applies power to the processor when the station module is locked.

Abstract: A portable self-standing electromagnetic (EM) field sensing locator system with attachments for finding and mapping buried objects such as utilities and with intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) displays. Accessories include a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system with a rotating Tx/Rx antenna assembly, a leak detection system, a multi-probe voltage mapping system, a man-portable laser-range finder system with embedded dipole beacon and other detachable accessory sensor systems are accepted for attachment to the locator system for simultaneous operation in cooperation with the basic locator system. The integration of the locator system with one or more additional devices, such as fault-finding, geophones and conductance sensors, facilitates the rapid detection and localization of many different types of buried objects.

Abstract: A sprinkler comprises a nozzle, a turbine and a gear train reduction. The gear train reduction has an output stage that is coupled to the nozzle. The turbine is located between the nozzle and the gear train reduction and is coupled to an input stage of the gear train reduction.

Abstract: A man-portable locator system for locating buried or otherwise inaccessible pipes, conduits, cables, wires and inserted transmitters using detector arrays and stochastic signal processing and similar techniques to analyze and display multiple target objects at differing frequencies in a layered user interface (UI). For example, the locator UI may be adapted to present a target plurality sorted by proximity of target conductor to the locator operator together with other useful information specifying the multiple objects, frequencies and changes in the subterranean landscape by means of a useful combination of graphical, numeric and acoustic representations.

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 sprinkler for irrigating turf and/or landscaping includes a turbine and a nozzle. A planetary gear drive and a reversing mechanism rotatably coupling the turbine and the nozzle. The planetary gear drive includes at least a portion of the reversing mechanism.

Abstract: A sleeve valve includes a rigid mandrel with a plurality of openings and a generally cylindrical elastomeric sleeve that surrounds the mandrel. A generally cylindrical rigid sleeve valve housing surrounds the elastomeric sleeve and defines a control chamber between the elastomeric sleeve and the sleeve valve housing. A pilot valve is mounted to the sleeve valve housing for supplying pressurized liquid to, and venting pressurized liquid from, the control chamber through a first passage formed in the sleeve valve housing. A filter screens debris from pressurized liquid entering an inlet end of the sleeve valve housing before it enters a second passage that communicates with the pilot valve.

Abstract: An adjustable arc sprinkler includes first and second adjacent members that define a nozzle orifice. The first member can be connected to the end of a riser and defines a flow path leading to the nozzle orifice. The second member is rotatable relative to the first member to select a desired size of an adjustable arc fan-shaped water spray pattern when water travels through the flow path and is ejected from the nozzle orifice. A pair of features formed on the first and second members are configured to enhance a distribution of water at the edges of the water spray pattern.

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 plurality of different underground objects can be simultaneously detected and their different locations can be simultaneously indicated to a user via audible sounds and/or visual images on a display.

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 valves. 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.

Abstract: A compact line illuminator for applying an oscillating signal to buried or otherwise inaccessible pipes, cables and conductors so that their location can be traced by detecting an electromagnetic signal emitted by these buried objects. The illuminator includes a circuit for generating a signal suitable for tracing a buried conductor and a holder for a portable power source that can energize the circuit. First and second leads each have a first end connected to the circuit and a second end connected to a corresponding mechanism such as an alligator clip for attaching to a buried conductor. A case encloses the circuit and the portable power source holder and is configured for having the first and second leads wrapped around an exterior of the case. Mechanisms are provided for holding the leads wrapped around the exterior of the case.