Abstract: A fastener for fastening a first element to a second element comprising: a first part; a second part fastenable to the first part via a first fastening mechanism; and a third part fastenable to the second part via a second fastening mechanism. The third part comprises at least one protruding member for inserting thereof to the second element for fastening the second element between the second and third parts. The first fastening mechanism is configured such that to open the fastening of the first part to the second part an external tool such as a key or a magnet should be applied.

Abstract: A fastener for fastening a first element to a second element comprising: a first part; a second part fastenable to the first part via a first fastening mechanism; and a third part fastenable to the second part via a second fastening mechanism. The third part comprises at least one protruding member for inserting thereof to the second element for fastening the second element between the second and third parts. The first fastening mechanism is configured such that to open the fastening of the first part to the second part an external tool such as a key or a magnet should be applied.

Abstract: Adaptive irrigation of vegetation is achieved with a probe implanted into the soil for detecting rootage wetness needs by measuring soil impedance with contacts distributed along the probe. When a dryness threshold indicating rootage needs is met at a depth ZBEGIN previously entered into a control logic coupled to the probe, then irrigation is started. Irrigation is stopped when a wetness front is detected at depth Zend(i) automatically provided by the control logic. The depth of arrest of the drainage front Zfinal(i) descending below the depth Zend(i) is compared with a depth ZFINAL, also previously entered into the control logic. The depth Zend(i) is adapted at each irrigation cycle i for the drainage front to stop at the depth ZFINAL. The probe may be used to determine the depth ZBEGIN where resistance drops are detected first, by measuring resistance over time.

Abstract: Adaptive irrigation of vegetation is achieved with a probe implanted into the soil for detecting rootage wetness needs by measuring soil impedance with contacts distributed along the probe. When a dryness threshold indicating rootage needs is met at a depth ZBEGIN previously entered into a control logic coupled to the probe, then irrigation is started. Irrigation is stopped when a wetness front is detected at depth Zend(i) automatically provided by the control logic. The depth of arrest of the drainage front Zfinal(i) descending below the depth Zend(i) is compared with a depth ZFINAL, also previously entered into the control logic. The depth Zend(i) is adapted at each irrigation cycle i for the drainage front to stop at the depth ZFINAL. The probe may be used to determine the depth ZBEGIN where resistance drops are detected first, by measuring resistance over time.

Abstract: A method for the optimization of irrigation of an area by a plurality of successive adaptive irrigation cycles is disclosed. The method is implemented as a system including an irrigation water controller, a probe for sensing a wetting-front depth, a computerized irrigation cycler, and a computer program running on the cycler. For the first irrigation cycle, input parameters related to the soil and to the wetting front arrival are entered either by default or manually. Data collected during the first irrigation cycle is used for the adaptive optimization of the following irrigation cycles. The steps of the computer program and the wetting-front detection probe are described.

Abstract: A method for the optimization of irrigation of an area by a plurality of successive adaptive irrigation cycles is disclosed. The method is implemented as a system consisting of an irrigation water controller, a probe for sensing a wetting-front depth, a computerized irrigation cycler, and a computer program running on the cycler. For the first irrigation cycle, input parameters related to the soil and to the wetting front arrival are entered either by default or manually. Data collected during the first irrigation cycle is used for the adaptive optimization of the following irrigation cycles. The steps of the computer program and the wetting-front detection probe are described.

Abstract: An automated furrow irrigation control method and system involves the initiation of an irrigation flow into an upstream end of a furrow at an initial water discharge rate; continuously or periodically sensing the progress of water flow along the furrow; continuously or periodically increasing the water discharge rate in response to the sensed progress of the water flow so as to ensure a substantially continuous flow in the furrow at a flow rate which lies substantially between .+-.30% of a constant value; sensing the arrival of the water flow at a downstream end of the furrow; reducing the water discharge rate in response to the sensed arrival of the water flow at the downstream end of the furrow; sensing the percolation of the water flow at the downstream end down to a predetermined depth; and terminating the irrigation flow in response to the sensed percolation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an irrigation cycle of an area of soil or like material are disclosed. The irrigation cycle may stop as soon as a wetting front of the applied fluid reaches a depth Zi. The wetting front may continue downward into the soil by drainage and percolation to a predetermined final depth Zf. The irrigation cycle controlling apparatus may include an irrigation controller such as a water valve and a wetness sensor configured as a tubular rod. The wetness sensor may be composed of a plurality of porous, hydrophilic plastic material rings, which are separated from each other by a plurality of non-porous, non-conductive rings. A pair of electrodes may contact the top and bottom surfaces of each porous ring and may emit signals to a central processing unit in accordance with the degree of soil wetness. A switching circuit may be connected to the central processing unit and to each of the electrodes.