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).

  • Patent number: 8671969
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel D. Dresselhaus, Kevin G. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20120091222
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel D. Dresselhaus, Kevin G. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8104498
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel D. Dresselhaus, Kevin G. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20110036155
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel D. Dresselhaus, Kevin G. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7836910
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel D. Dresselhaus, Kevin G. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7707770
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventors: Mimi Liu, Kevin G. O'Brien, Mark M. Ensworth
  • Patent number: 7243810
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin G. O'Brien, Gerald E. Peterson, James G. Coates, Beatrice John, Barbara E. Booth, Mark M. Ensworth
  • Patent number: 6285564
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Keystone Electronics Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin G. O'Brien
  • Patent number: D524611
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Mimi Liu, Kevin G. O'Brien, Mark M. Ensworth
  • Patent number: D527439
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Mimi Liu, Kevin G. O'Brien, Mark M. Ensworth