Abstract: An actuator may include a drive motor, an actuatable output, and a sensor for sensing a first sensed parameter in or around the actuator. The first sensed parameter may have a first sensed parameter value that can change with time. The actuator may also include electronics that may identify a first identified value representative of the first sensed parameter value and increment a first counter value when the first identified value falls within a first range of values, and increment a second counter value when the first identified value falls within a second range of values.

Abstract: An actuator may include a drive motor, an actuatable output, and a sensor for sensing a first sensed parameter in or around the actuator. The first sensed parameter may have a first sensed parameter value that can change with time. The actuator may also include electronics that may identify a first identified value representative of the first sensed parameter value and increment a first counter value when the first identified value falls within a first range of values, and increment a second counter value when the first identified value falls within a second range of values.

Abstract: An actuator may include a drive motor, an actuatable output, and a sensor for sensing a first sensed parameter in or around the actuator. The first sensed parameter may have a first sensed parameter value that can change with time. The actuator may also include electronics that may identify a first identified value representative of the first sensed parameter value and increment a first counter value when the first identified value falls within a first range of values, and increment a second counter value when the first identified value falls within a second range of values.

Abstract: An actuator may include a drive motor, an actuatable output, and a sensor for sensing a first sensed parameter in or around the actuator. The first sensed parameter may have a first sensed parameter value that can change with time. The actuator may also include electronics that may identify a first identified value representative of the first sensed parameter value and increment a first counter value when the first identified value falls within a first range of values, and increment a second counter value when the first identified value falls within a second range of values.

Abstract: A wall module of a building control system is described that is configured to capture a thermal image using a passive infrared (PIR) sensor four or more individually readable pixels arranged in two or more rows and two or more columns.

Abstract: The amount of water emitted from an elongated irrigation tube having a series of holes in its periphery can be decreased by forming an enlarged wall portion of the peripheral wall of the tube and locating the dispensing holes in this enlarged portion. Preferably the holes are located so as extend at an angle of less than 45.degree. to the center of the tube.

Abstract: A spray structure with an integral stake useful in spraying water in gardens and related locations can be constructed inexpensively by forming on the top of a stake a spray mechanism including a horizontally extending nipple having an elongated groove leading to a surface which is employed to divert water passing through the groove in the nipple toward a deflecting surfaced which deflects such water outwardly form the stake. The stake preferably includes a flat strip transverse to the orientation of the nipple which aids in preventing tilting of the entire structure when a watering tube is mounted on the nipple.

Abstract: The pressure drop and, hence, the flow through the holes in the peripheral walls of irrigation tubing can be increased without increasing the cross-sectional area of such holes by using non-round holes instead of conventional cylindrical holes. Preferred results when the non-round holes have a star shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by flexible fingers.

Abstract: An irrigation tube having a polymer peripheral wall can be constructed so that the peripheral wall is composed of an even number greater than 2 of substantially rigid panels connected at their side edges by the same number of line like flexible areas. Water flow from such a tube can be regulated through the use of holes in such panels of various different shapes. Because of the use of such panels and line like areas the tube can be easily collapsed to a lay flat configuration in which it can be easily coiled, stored and handled until it is used and can be easily expanded to a normal configuration when it is used.

Abstract: In accordance with the disclosed invention a desirable, elongated irrigation tube having a plastic or polymer peripheral wall in which there are a series of dispensing holes leading from the interior of said tubing to the exterior of said tubing is constructed so as to include at least one of the following: (1) all of said holes having a cross-sectional shape along a section taken perpendicular to the length of said holes such that the ratio of the length of the perimeter of the interior of the wall of each hole to the cross-sectional area of the hole is greater than that of a circle; (2) that said wall includes a body of a plastic material containing an effective amount of a root inhibitor to preclude root growth within said holes and adjacent to said holes at the exterior of said wall; and (3) said wall consisting of an even number of elongated panels and line like areas of reduced thickness which are more flexible than said panels joining said panels, said areas permitting said tubing to automatically fold

Abstract: One piece spray structures can be constructed so as to include a body shaped so as to hold a slotted nipple which directed toward a deflecting surface in the body. The body is preferably integral with a stake capable of supporting the body and the nipple in such a manner that when a tube is located on the nipple water will pass form the tube against the deflecting surface and be deflected outwardly away from the body. Diverging side walls are located along the deflecting surface so as to define a control slot through which the water has to pass in combination with the end of the tube on the nipple and the deflecting surface. If desired walls may be located so as to overhand the cavity generally above the defecting surface. Several nipples may be located on the body. When this is done preferably each nipple is used so as to distribute water differently than the other nipple on the body.

Abstract: A distribution fitting primarily useful in connection with drip or seep irrigation can be constructed so as to utilize a series of ports defined by circular holes located immediately adjacent to one another around a spherical wall, each of the ports being constructed so to serve as a compression fitting.