US3604943A — Sprinkler systems and variable timing means

Claim 1

Independent Claim 66 words

In a programming system, a relaxation network involving a resistance-capacitance circuit which establishes the timing of said network; a plurality of adjustable resistances, one of which may be selected for insertion in said network to correspondingly establish the timing of said network; and switching means operated by said network in accordance with its timing for sequential selection and insertion of said adjustable resistances in said network.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 66 words

In a programming system, a relaxation network involving a resistance-capacitance circuit which establishes the timing of said network; a plurality of adjustable resistances, one of which may be selected for insertion in said network to correspondingly establish the timing of said network; and switching means operated by said network in accordance with its timing for sequential selection and insertion of said adjustable resistances in said network.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 73 words

A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said network includes a pair of relaxation oscillators with the first of said oscillators serving in accordance with its timing to trigger the other of said oscillators, and a selected one of said adjustable resistances serves as a frequency determining element of said other oscillator, and the oscillation rate of the first oscillator is greatly higher than the oscillation rate of said other oscillator.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said oscillators includes a unijunction transistor whose conductance is controlled by a resistance-capacitance circuit.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

A system as set forth in claim 1 including a source of voltage; a plurality of devices, one of which is selected for energization by said switching means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 151 words

A system as set forth in claim 4 in which three-position switching means including an ''''On'''' position, an ''''Off'''' position, and a ''''Repeat'''' position is connected in series with a corresponding one of said devices, the first-mentioned switching means being sequentially operated from one step to a succeeding step; said three-position switch in its ''''On'''' position being effective to cause said first switching means to advance only one step and connect its corresponding series connected device; said three-position switch in its ''''Off'''' position being effective to prevent energization of its corresponding series connected device and to cause said switching means to advance to its next step; said three-position switch in its ''''Repeat'''' position being effective to cause said first switching means to advance only one step and connect its corresponding series connected device at two different times during stepping of said first switching means during one of its cycles of operation.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 24 words

A system as set forth in claim 5 in which said sequentially operated switching means includes a motor for advancing associated step-by-step switching means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system as set forth in claim 5 in which said motor drives a switching device which makes one revolution per programming cycle.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as set forth in claim 5 in which said motor drives a switching device which makes a plurality of revolutions per programming cycle.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 136 words

In a programming system of the character described, a source of voltage; a plurality of devices, one of which is selected for energization by said source; step-by-step switching means sequentially operated through a plurality of more than two steps during one cycle of operation a plurality of selector switch means having an ''''On'''' position, an ''''Off'''' position, and a ''''Repeat'''' position and being connected in series with a corresponding one of said devices; said selector switch in its ''''On'''' position being effective to connect said source to its corresponding device; said selector switch in its ''''Off'''' position being effective to prevent energization of its correspondinG device; and said selector switch in its ''''Repeat'''' position being effective to connect said source to its corresponding device twice during one cycle of operation of said sequential operated switching means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 136 words

In a programming system of the character described, a source of voltage; a plurality of devices, one of which is selected for energization by said source; step-by-step switching means sequentially operated through a plurality of more than two steps during one cycle of operation a plurality of selector switch means having an ''''On'''' position, an ''''Off'''' position, and a ''''Repeat'''' position and being connected in series with a corresponding one of said devices; said selector switch in its ''''On'''' position being effective to connect said source to its corresponding device; said selector switch in its ''''Off'''' position being effective to prevent energization of its correspondinG device; and said selector switch in its ''''Repeat'''' position being effective to connect said source to its corresponding device twice during one cycle of operation of said sequential operated switching means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 27 words

An arrangement as set forth in claim 9 wherein said sequentially operated switching means includes a motor-driven switching device that makes one revolution during each said cycle.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

An arrangement as set forth in claim 10 in which said device makes more than said one revolution during each said cycle.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 69 words

A system as set forth in claim 5 including time clock operated means effective to initiate one of said cycles of operation, said three-position switch in its ''''Repeat'''' position being effective to cause said sequentially operated switching means to advance only one step and connect said source to a corresponding series connected device at two different times during one cycle without requiring a second initiation by said time-clock-operated means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 66 words

A system as set forth in claim 9 including time-clock-operated means effective to initiate one of said cycles of operation, said three-position switch in its ''''Repeat'''' position being effective to cause said sequentially operated switching means to advance only one step and connect said source to a corresponding series-connected device at two different times during one cycle without requiring a second initiation by said time-clock-operated means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 69 words

In a programming system of the character described, a relaxation network producing output pulses; a plurality of means for adjusting the timing of said output pulses; and switching means receptive to and operated by said network in accordance with only one individual output pulse for sequential selection of said adjusting means such that each output pulse produces a selection and a different timing of the next succeeding output pulse.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 69 words

In a programming system of the character described, a relaxation network producing output pulses; a plurality of means for adjusting the timing of said output pulses; and switching means receptive to and operated by said network in accordance with only one individual output pulse for sequential selection of said adjusting means such that each output pulse produces a selection and a different timing of the next succeeding output pulse.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 88 words

In a system of the character described, a relaxation network including a timing circuit therefor which may be adjusted to adjust the periodicity of pulses produced by said network; sequentially operated switching means operable sequentially to different positions; switch-operating means connected to said network for operating said switching means to different ones of its sequential positions in accordance with each single pulse; and adjustable means connectable in said timing circuit by said switching means for adjusting the periodicity of each of said pulses and thereby said time duration.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 88 words

In a system of the character described, a relaxation network including a timing circuit therefor which may be adjusted to adjust the periodicity of pulses produced by said network; sequentially operated switching means operable sequentially to different positions; switch-operating means connected to said network for operating said switching means to different ones of its sequential positions in accordance with each single pulse; and adjustable means connectable in said timing circuit by said switching means for adjusting the periodicity of each of said pulses and thereby said time duration.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 112 words

In a system of the character described, a stepping device first switching means sequentially operated by said stepping device; a plurality of utilization devices one of which is selected by said first switching means; a relaxation network including a resistance-capacitance timing circuit; a plurality of adjustable resistances, one of which may be selected for insertion in said circuit to establish the timing of said network; second switching means sequentially operated by said stepping device and serving to connect a corresponding one of said resistances in said circuit; and of means responsive to each pulse produced by said network for advancing said stepping device and said first and second switching means one step.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 112 words

In a system of the character described, a stepping device first switching means sequentially operated by said stepping device; a plurality of utilization devices one of which is selected by said first switching means; a relaxation network including a resistance-capacitance timing circuit; a plurality of adjustable resistances, one of which may be selected for insertion in said circuit to establish the timing of said network; second switching means sequentially operated by said stepping device and serving to connect a corresponding one of said resistances in said circuit; and of means responsive to each pulse produced by said network for advancing said stepping device and said first and second switching means one step.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 64 words

A system as set forth in claim 16 including third switching means operated by said stepping device; said pulse responsive means including a controlled rectifier connected in series with a relay coil having an associated relay switch; said third switching means being shunt with said controlled rectifier; a source of voltage; and said relay switch serving to connect said source to said stepping device.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 27 words

A system as set forth in claim 17 in which said relay switch is connected in a series circuit which includes said source and a time-controlled switch.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system as set forth in claim 18 in which said series circuit includes also a moisture sensor switch.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

A system as set forth in claim 18 in which another switch operated by said stepping device shunts said time-controlled switch.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-09-13	1975-03-15	1975-09-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-09-13	1979-03-15	1979-09-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-09-13	1983-03-15	1983-09-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Sprinkler systems and variable timing means

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