Motor control for irrigation apparatus

Claim 2

An irrigation system including: a water distribution means; means for connecting said distribution means to a source of water; a pump for pumping water through said connecting means and said distribution means; first means for connection to a source of electric power; an electric pump motor for driving said pump; a power circuit connected between said first means and said motor for supplying power to said motor; a control circuit; second means coupling said control circuit to said first means; said control circuit comprising a timer motor, an electromagnetic clutch connected to said second means and to said timer motor, first and second contact means connected to said clutch to be operated in response to the rotation of said timer motor, said first contact means connecting said timer motor to said second means to cause it to be energized when power is supplied from the source of electrical power and to cease operation when said first contact means has operated after a predetermined time interval in response to the rotation of the timer motor, said second contact means operating after a predetermined time interval in response to the operation of said timer motor to provide an output, and means connecting the output to said power circuit to cause said pump motor to be energized.

Claim 3

In the irrigation system of claim 1 wherein said output is constituted by a relay having a coil energized in response to operation of said second contact and whereby said means connecting said output to said power circuit comprises a relay contact controlled by said relay and a circuit controlled by said relay contact to close said power circuit to said pump motor.

Claim 4

In an irrigation system including: a motor distribution means; means for connecting said distribution means to a source of water; a pump for pumping water through said connecting means and said distribution means; an electric motor for driving said pump; a power circuit connected to said motor for supplying power to said motor; and a control circuit for controlling said power circuit; the improvement in said control circuit comprising a time delay circuit; said time delay circuit comprising an electromagnetically-controlled clutch; means for connecting said clutch to said power source whereby said clutch will be energized whenever power is available from the source; a timer motor having a shaft connected to said clutch; means for connecting one side of said motor to said power source; a first contact connecting the other side of said timer motor to said source; a relay; means for connecting one side of said relay to said source; a second contact; means for connecting the other side of said relay to said second contact; means for connecting said second contact to said first contact; said first and second contacts mounted to be operated when said clutch and said timer motor are energized; a relay contact operated by said relay; and control means operating in response to the closure of said relay contact to connect the power circuit to said motor.

Claim 5

In an irrigation system including: a motor distribution means; means for connecting said distribution means to a source of water; a pump for pumping water through said connecting means and said distribution means; an electric motor for driving said pump; a power circuit connected to said motor for supplying power to said motor; and a control circuit for controlling said power circuit; the improvement in said control circuit comprising a time delay circuit; said time delay circuit comprising an electromagnetically-controlled clutch; means for connecting said clutch to said power source whereby said clutch will be energized whenever power is available from the source; a timer motor having a shaft connected to said clutch; means for connecting one side of said motor to said power source; a first contact connecting the other side of said timer motor to said source; a relay; means for connecting one side of said relay to said source; a second contact; means for connecting the other side of said relay to said second contact; means for connecting said second contact to said first contact; said first and second contacts mounted to be operated when said clutch and said timer motor are energized; a relay contact operated by said relay; and control means operating in response to the closure of said relay contact to connect the power circuit to said motor.