Patents by Inventor Kevin G. O'Brien
Kevin G. O'Brien has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8671969Abstract: Moisture sensor devices and methods are disclosed herein. One embodiment includes an integrated moisture sensor and controller to be placed in soil comprising a controller circuit for controlling a switch; a sensor circuit comprising a probe and adapted to provide a soil moisture level; and a memory coupled to the controller circuit. The controller, sensor circuits, and the memory integrated into a single device positioned within the soil; the switch coupled to the controller circuit and to be coupled to a control line of an irrigation controller between the controller and a valve, the control line to carry a power signal from the controller to the valve; the controller circuit is adapted to cause interruption of irrigation based on the moisture level of the soil and a soil moisture threshold; the memory adapted to store data of the soil moisture threshold level and the moisture level of the soil.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Daniel D. Dresselhaus, Kevin G. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20120091222Abstract: Moisture sensor devices and methods are disclosed herein. One embodiment includes an integrated moisture sensor and controller to be placed in soil comprising a controller circuit for controlling a switch; a sensor circuit comprising a probe and adapted to provide a soil moisture level; and a memory coupled to the controller circuit. The controller, sensor circuits, and the memory integrated into a single device positioned within the soil; the switch coupled to the controller circuit and to be coupled to a control line of an irrigation controller between the controller and a valve, the control line to carry a power signal from the controller to the valve; the controller circuit is adapted to cause interruption of irrigation based on the moisture level of the soil and a soil moisture threshold; the memory adapted to store data of the soil moisture threshold level and the moisture level of the soil.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: RAIN BIRD CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel D. Dresselhaus, Kevin G. O'Brien
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Patent number: 8104498Abstract: Moisture sensor devices and methods are disclosed herein. One embodiment includes an integrated moisture sensor and controller to be placed in soil comprising a controller circuit for controlling a switch; a sensor circuit comprising a probe and adapted to provide the controller circuit a signal corresponding to a moisture level of the soil. The controller and sensor circuits integrated into a single device positioned within the soil; the switch coupled to the controller circuit and to be coupled to a control line of an irrigation controller at an electrical position between the controller and a valve, the control line to carry a power signal from the controller to the valve; the switch to interrupt irrigation in response to a signal from the controller circuit; the controller circuit is adapted to determine an amount of time for which irrigation is interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2010Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Daniel D. Dresselhaus, Kevin G. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20110036155Abstract: Moisture sensor devices and methods are disclosed herein. One embodiment includes an integrated moisture sensor and controller to be placed in soil comprising a controller circuit for controlling a switch; a sensor circuit comprising a probe and adapted to provide the controller circuit a signal corresponding to a moisture level of the soil. The controller and sensor circuits integrated into a single device positioned within the soil; the switch coupled to the controller circuit and to be coupled to a control line of an irrigation controller at an electrical position between the controller and a valve, the control line to carry a power signal from the controller to the valve; the switch to interrupt irrigation in response to a signal from the controller circuit; the controller circuit is adapted to determine an amount of time for which irrigation is interrupted.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Daniel D. Dresselhaus, Kevin G. O'Brien
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Patent number: 7836910Abstract: Moisture sensor devices and methods associated with operation of the moisture sensor devices are disclosed herein. One embodiment includes a moisture sensor and controller device adapted to be placed in soil comprising a switch adapted to be coupled to a power control line of an irrigation controller, the power control line for sending an activating power signal to an irrigation valve; a control circuit coupled to the switch; and a sensor circuit coupled to the control circuit and adapted to provide a signal to the control circuit, the signal corresponding to a moisture level of the soil; wherein the control circuit is adapted to control the switch to interrupt the activating power signal based on the signal from the sensor circuit; wherein the switch and the control circuit are both external to the irrigation controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Daniel D. Dresselhaus, Kevin G. O'Brien
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Patent number: 7707770Abstract: A watering device for providing water to a sub-surface level is provided. The watering device includes a body portion for distributing water radially therefrom and along its length. The watering device includes an irrigation assembly for emitting water from a water source, the irrigation assembly emitting the water within the watering device, and the water then being distributed through the body portion to surrounding soil. The irrigation assembly may be supported by the body portion. The irrigation assembly may include a bubbler, and may include a check valve. The device may include a top cap including retaining structure for providing a generally vertical or other desired orientation to the irrigation assembly. The device may further include a bottom cap that generally restricts the flow of water out of the bottom of the device and cooperates with body portion to direct water radially from the device.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Inventors: Mimi Liu, Kevin G. O'Brien, Mark M. Ensworth
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Patent number: 7243810Abstract: An improved underground box and lid for use in irrigation systems and other underground systems is provided. A single box can be inverted, combined and interlocked with a second box to form a single enclosed structure that is twice as high. This can be used for those installations where underground system components are buried in the ground at a greater depth than can be accommodated by a single box.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Kevin G. O'Brien, Gerald E. Peterson, James G. Coates, Beatrice John, Barbara E. Booth, Mark M. Ensworth
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Patent number: 6285564Abstract: The invention is a retainer assembly that, upon being attached to a panel and placed in a slot in a housing, provides a smooth and continuous surface that allows the panel to slide freely in and out of the housing. The panel can be firmly retained within the housing slot by expanding the width of the retainer assembly. The retainer assembly provides a more uniform heat transfer surface when abutted against the housing slot. The retainer assembly is self-contained to prevent the individual components from becoming dispersed if the assembly is damaged or disassembled. Additionally, retainer assembly provides a mechanism to prevent it from accidentally disassembling.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Keystone Electronics Packaging, Inc.Inventor: Kevin G. O'Brien
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Patent number: D524611Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Mimi Liu, Kevin G. O'Brien, Mark M. Ensworth
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Patent number: D527439Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Mimi Liu, Kevin G. O'Brien, Mark M. Ensworth