US4527353A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Irrigation/fertilization control and distribution system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-04-04
•
Granted: 1985-07-09
•
Expires: 2003-04-04
Abstract
Abstract An irrigation and fertilization control/distribution system characterized by a distribution network and a control assembly coupling the distribution network to a pressurized water source. The control assembly includes an on/off valve mechanism operative to supply water to the distribution network when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined level, and a fertilizer metering mechanism operative to supply liquid fertilizer to the distribution network on the rising portion of a temperature cycle. The distribution network can include an inclined, hydroponic growth tube and a drip/mist tube.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Newby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:22
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/16; A01G31/00; A01G31/02; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/20; Y02P60/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An irrigation/fertilization control and distribution system for use with a pressurized water source, said system comprising: a water/fertilizer distribution network; water valve means responsive to the ambient temperature and operative to couple said water source to said water/fertilizer distribution network when said temperature exceeds a predetermined level; a source of liquid fertilizer contained within a fertilizer reservoir; and metering means responsive to ambient temperature cycles and operative to couple said source of liquid fertilizer to said water/fertilizer distribution network during a portion of said cycle, said metering means including a sealed metering chamber floating in said fertilizer reservoir, a first conduit permitting fluid to flow from said fertilizer reservoir into said metering chamber, and a second conduit permitting fluid to flow out of said metering chamber to said water/fertilizer distribution network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An irrigation/fertilization control and distribution system for use with a pressurized water source, said system comprising: a water/fertilizer distribution network; water valve means responsive to the ambient temperature and operative to couple said water source to said water/fertilizer distribution network when said temperature exceeds a predetermined level; a source of liquid fertilizer contained within a fertilizer reservoir; and metering means responsive to ambient temperature cycles and operative to couple said source of liquid fertilizer to said water/fertilizer distribution network during a portion of said cycle, said metering means including a sealed metering chamber floating in said fertilizer reservoir, a first conduit permitting fluid to flow from said fertilizer reservoir into said metering chamber, and a second conduit permitting fluid to flow out of said metering chamber to said water/fertilizer distribution network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An irrigation/fertilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said water/fertilizer distribution network includes a growth conduit supported on an incline and provided with a growth conduit inlet proximate an upper end thereof, and provided with a growth conduit outlet proximate a lower end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An irrigation/fertilization system as recited in claim 2 wherein said growth conduit includes an elongated, hollow body, and a water permeable cover for covering at least a portion of said outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An irrigation/fertilization system as recited in claim 2 wherein said growth conduit includes a hollow, perforated tube disposed within said hollow body, the length of said tube being a substantial fraction of the length of said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An irrigation/fertilization system as recited in claim 3 wherein said outlet is an open, lower end of said body, and wherein said permeable cover includes a screen covering at least a portion of said open, lower end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An irrigation/fertilization system as recited in claim 3 wherein said body is at least partially filled with a root supporting mass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
An irrigation/fertilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said water valve means includes a water reservoir open to atmospheric pressure and partially filled with water, a water chamber sealed from atmosphere pressure and partially filled with water, means providing fluid communication between said water reservoir and said water chamber, a float disposed within said water chamber, and valve means coupled to said float and having a valve inlet coupled to said pressurized water source, and a valve outlet coupled to water/fertilizer distribution network, said valve means being operative to couple said valve inlet to said valve outlet when said float drops below a predetermined level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An irrigation/fertilization system as recited in claim 1 wherein said metering means includes means for refilling said fertilizer reservoir when the liquid fertilizer contained therein drops below a predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An irrigation/fertilization system as recited in claim 8 wherein a portion of said second conduit extends above the surface of said liquid fertilizer and is vented to the atmosphere.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An irrigation/fertilization system as recited in claim 9 wherein said first conduit has a smaller cross sectional diameter than said second conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An irrigation/fertilization system as recited in claim 10 wherein said first conduit is provided with a check valve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An irrigation/fertilization system as recited in claim 2 further comprising a drip feeder coupled to said water valve means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A water valve as recited in claim 7 further comprising a vapor barrier for inhibiting evaporation from said water reservoir.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
In a fertilization system, a fertilizer metering device comprising a fertilizer reservoir at least partially filled with liquid fertilizer, a sealed metering chamber floating in said fertilizer reservoir, a first conduit permitting fluid to flow from said fertilizer reservoir into said metering chamber, and a second conduit permitting fluid to flow out of said metering chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
In a fertilization system, a fertilizer metering device comprising a fertilizer reservoir at least partially filled with liquid fertilizer, a sealed metering chamber floating in said fertilizer reservoir, a first conduit permitting fluid to flow from said fertilizer reservoir into said metering chamber, and a second conduit permitting fluid to flow out of said metering chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fertilizer metering device as recited in claim 14 wherein said metering means includes means for refilling said fertilizer reservoir when said liquid fertilizer drops below a predetermined level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fertilizer metering device as recited in claim 15 wherein a portion of said second conduit extends above the surface of said liquid fertilizer and is vented to the atmosphere.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fertilizer metering device as recited in claim 16 wherein said first conduit has a smaller cross-sectional diameter than said second conduit, and extends above the level of said second conduit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-08 | 1989-01-07 | 1989-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-08 | 1993-01-07 | 1993-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-08 | 1997-01-07 | 1997-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |