Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100084140 | DOWNHOLE SEAL AND ANCHOR RELEASING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A downhole seal and anchor releasing device includes, a seal defeatable via a first pull, an anchor releasable via a second pull, and an energy dissipation device configured to dissipate enough energy from the first pull subsequent defeat of the seal to prevent release of the anchor in response to the first pull | 04-08-2010 |
20100096122 | Wellbore Cleaning Devices - Non-rotating tubular wellbore cleaning devices are described which include a central tool mandrel with radially surrounding stabilizers and a cleaning member subassembly. A rotational bearing is provided that is partially radially recessed, thereby improving the overall strength of the cleaning device. | 04-22-2010 |
20110024106 | Ball Catcher with Retention Capability - A ball catcher is designed to stop balls that are the same size or different sizes at an inlet on a seat that is connected to a movable biased sleeve. Once the ball or other shaped object lands at the seat the flow around it increases differential pressure on the seat and sleeve and displaces them against the bias. The ball goes into a surrounding annular space and cannot exit. A preferably spiral sleeve guide the movement of the balls in the annular space so that efficient use of the annular space is made to maximize the number of balls that can be captured per unit length of the annular space. As soon as the ball enters the annular space the sleeve shifts back to the original position to stop the next ball at the inlet. Once in the annular space, the balls cannot escape if there is a flow reversal. The central passage remains open to pass other tools and flow. | 02-03-2011 |
20110265988 | Wellbore Cleaning Devices - A wellbore cleaning device having a unitary tool mandrel surrounded by a retaining sleeve that is rotatable with respect to the mandrel. A locking ring is used to secure the retaining sleeve to the mandrel. Cleaning blades are retained within recesses in the retaining sleeve and are biased radially outwardly from the recesses by springs. | 11-03-2011 |
20110271470 | Brush Assembly with Non-Rotating Stabilizer and Brushes - A brush assembly for cleaning a surrounding tubular member. The brush assembly includes a brush portion that is rotationally moveable with respect to a central tool mandrel and debris chamber. The brush portion includes at least one brush and a stabilizer. | 11-10-2011 |
20110284203 | Downhole Magnetic Retrieval Devices with Fixed Magnetic Arrays - A magnetic retrieval tool used for collecting metallic debris and material from within a wellbore or other surrounding downhole tubular. The tool includes a tool mandrel with one or more pockets formed in its outer radial surface. A removable insert resides within each pocket. Each of the inserts retains a plurality of individual magnets in a fixed array or matrix surrounding the mandrel. | 11-24-2011 |
20110284210 | Dual-Pole Magnetic Attraction Downhole Magnetic Retrieval Apparatus - A magnetic retrieval tool used for collecting metallic debris and material from within a wellbore or other surrounding downhole tubular. The tool includes a tool mandrel with a removable insert which contains one or more magnets. The insert is formed such that both the north and south magnetic poles of the one or more magnets are able to attract metallic debris. | 11-24-2011 |
20110284211 | Retaining and Isolating Mechanisms for Magnets in a Magnetic Cleaning Tool - A magnetic retrieval tool used for collecting metallic debris and material from within a wellbore or other surrounding downhole tubular. The tool includes a tool mandrel. A removable insert resides upon the tool mandrel. The insert retains a plurality of individual magnets in a fixed array or matrix surrounding the mandrel. | 11-24-2011 |
20110285155 | Magnetic Retrieval Apparatus and Method for Retaining Magnets on a Downhole Magnetic Retrieval Apparatus - Magnetic retrieval tools for use in a wellbore or other tubular member to remove metallic debris. A magnetic retrieval tool includes a tool body having a central shaft with a plurality of ribs that project radially outwardly therefrom. The ribs present lateral sides that have recesses formed therein. Magnet bars are retained within the recesses by wedge members and retaining rings. The magnet bars include a hollow protective housing that encloses a plurality of magnets. Retaining plugs are used to secure the magnets within the housing. | 11-24-2011 |
20110315389 | Downhole Multiple Cycle Tool - A tool for use in a wellbore which includes a housing having an axial flow bore and a piston sleeve moveably disposed within the flow bore. The tool is moveable between first and second operating positions by an actuation mechanism having a piston with a ball seat. The tool can be moved between first and second operating positions with the use of actuating balls of different sizes that can be landed upon the ball seat. | 12-29-2011 |
20110315390 | Tool with Multi-Size Ball Seat Having Segmented Arcuate Ball Support Member - A tool for use in a wellbore which includes a housing having an axial flow bore and a piston sleeve moveably disposed within the flow bore. The tool is moveable between first and second operating positions by an actuation mechanism having a piston with a ball seat having a partially annular shape with an outer base and a plurality of retaining segments projecting radially inwardly therefrom. The tool can be moved between first and second operating positions with the use of actuating balls of different sizes that can be landed upon the ball seat. | 12-29-2011 |
20120111556 | Casing Spears and Related Systems and Methods - A casing spear may comprise a mandrel, and a slip assembly comprising at least one slip. The at least one slip may comprise a generally wedge-shaped surface positioned and configured to cause the at least one slip to move radially outwards relative to the mandrel in response to a rotation of the mandrel and a torque acting on the slip assembly, the torque opposing the rotation of the mandrel. Additionally, a method of operating a casing spear may comprise inserting a casing spear into a casing, rotating a mandrel of the casing spear, applying a torque to a slip assembly of the casing spear with the casing, opposing the rotation of the mandrel, and applying a force in a radial direction to at least one slip of a slip assembly of the casing spear in response to the torque. | 05-10-2012 |
20120227973 | Tool with Multisize Segmented Ring Seat - A wellbore tool which includes a housing having an axial flowbore and a piston sleeve movably disposed within the flowbore. The tool is moveable between first and second operating positions by an actuation mechanism having a piston with a seat having a plurality of separate arcuate segments. The tool can be moved between first and second operating positions with the use of actuating plugs of different sizes that can be landed upon the seat. | 09-13-2012 |
20130341017 | DOWNHOLE DEBRIS REMOVAL TOOL CAPABLE OF PROVIDING A HYDRAULIC BARRIER AND METHODS OF USING SAME - A downhole tool for removing debris from a wellbore comprises a body having a bore, a collection member, and a means for creating a hydraulic barrier within a wellbore annulus. The hydraulic barrier within the wellbore annulus restricts upward movement of a debris laden fluid within the wellbore annulus causing the debris laden fluid to be directed toward the collection member. Thus, the hydraulic barrier facilitates removal of debris from the wellbore. | 12-26-2013 |
20130341027 | DOWNHOLE DEBRIS REMOVAL TOOL AND METHODS OF USING SAME - A downhole tool for removing debris from a wellbore comprises a screen member, an incoming fluid accelerator, and a cavity for capturing debris. The incoming fluid accelerator is disposed above the screen and accelerates the flow of an incoming fluid through the accelerator and into a screen bore. The incoming fluid then exits the bottom of the tool, mixes with wellbore fluid containing debris to form a combination fluid that is transported upward within the wellbore annulus. A pressure differential between the incoming fluid flowing within the screen bore and the wellbore annulus pulls the combination fluid containing the debris into the cavity where the debris is captured. Fluid and/or debris not blocked by the screen flows through the screen into the screen bore to be circulated downward and out of the tool where it can pick up additional debris for capture. | 12-26-2013 |
20140196889 | DOWNHOLE ANCHORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING SAME - Anchoring systems for disposition in wellbores and tubular devices comprise a tubular member defined by two or more radially expandable slip members. The upper ends of the slip members are shaped such that when the slip members are in their respective run-in positions and in their respective set positions, a portion of an upper end of one slip member overlaps a portion of an upper end of another slip member so that the longitudinal space between each slip member that is created when the slip members are in their set position are blocked by the upper end of at least one of the slip members. Thus, in their set position, the upper end of at least one of the slip members provides a back-up to a sealing element that can be disposed adjacent to and in contact with the upper ends of the slip members when in their set positions. | 07-17-2014 |
20140251593 | Shear Member Post Shear Segment Retention Apparatus - Shear member designs in various formats are presented with additional features for segment retention and subsequent removal after a shearing event and removal of the tool from a subterranean location. In some embodiments a portion of the shear member is retained by threads so that the segment stays in the part and then can be removed at the surface with putting a notch in the segment and removing it with a screwdriver. In another embodiment a retaining pin in an intersecting bore can hold onto a sheared remnant of the shear pin by pushing the remnant laterally in the bore that it is mounted. Another design for a shear ring uses a split design with the right angle portion of the ring that gets sheared appearing in segments so that the ring can be rapidly snapped into a groove at its outer periphery followed by a retaining cap facilitating removal. | 09-11-2014 |
20140332205 | Anchor Slip and Seal Locking Mechanism - A test packer is lowered to a set liner hanger in a locked position that prevents the seal and slips from setting during running in. A first ball is dropped to shift a sleeve to release the grip of dogs to a groove on an outer housing. Setting down weight sets the test packer seal and sets the slips. After the casing integrity pressure test is done the test packer is lifted to again position the groove in the outer housing by the dogs. A second ball lands on the same seat now enlarged due to earlier movement and breaks a retainer on a locking sleeve. A spring return or continued downhole motion of the locking sleeve locks the packer in the run in position. Subsequent rotation and circulation can take place as completion fluid is circulated in. A circulation port above the packer can be opened optionally for circulation or reversing above the test packer. | 11-13-2014 |
20140374111 | Downhole Debris Removal Tool and Methods of Using Same - A downhole tool for removing debris from a wellbore comprises a mandrel and a shroud disposed around a portion of the mandrel. The mandrel includes at least one mandrel port in fluid communication with a mandrel bore. The shroud includes a cavity and a shroud port. Debris laden fluid is pulled into the shroud cavity by flowing fluid through the mandrel bore, out the mandrel port, into the shroud cavity, and through the shroud port. The debris-laden fluid is pulled into the shroud cavity due to a pressure differential created by the flow of the fluid through the mandrel port and out of the shroud port. As the debris laden fluid flows into the shroud cavity, the debris is captured within the tool. | 12-25-2014 |
20150027780 | One Trip Drill and Casing Scrape Method and Apparatus - A drilling assembly is tripped in a cased hole to make more open hole. The assembly features retracted scrapers and a closed circulation sub so that the drilling can commence with string pressure delivered to bit nozzles due to the circulation sub being in a closed position. When drilling is done and the bit is to be removed, an object lands on a seat on a sleeve that acts as a piston to break scraper retainers for casing scraping deployment and to open the circulation port. A bypass opens around the seated ball when the sleeve shifts to allow flow around the seated ball for circulation while scraping. Drilling and casing scraping are accomplished in a single trip. | 01-29-2015 |
20150337618 | Disintegrating Plug for Subterranean Treatment Use - A disintegrating plug uses a setting tool to push a swage into the plug body that has external ribs that contact the wall of the surrounding tubular. The ribs retain the body to the surrounding tubular wall with frictional contact. Some leakage may ensue but in fracturing some leakage does not matter if enough volume under the right pressure reaches the formation. The sheared member during the setting comes out with the mandrel that is part of the setting tool. In an alternative embodiment one or more o-rings are used to seal while anchoring is assisted by the hardened insert(s) that can be snap fitted in using rib flexing or that can be a c-ring that is expanded and snapped in. The o-ring(s) are axially spaced from the insert(s). | 11-26-2015 |
20150337619 | Partly Disintegrating Plug for Subterranean Treatment Use - A disintegrating plug uses a setting tool to push a swage into the plug body that has external ribs that contact the wall of the surrounding tubular. The ribs retain the body to the surrounding tubular wall with frictional contact. Some leakage may ensue but in fracturing some leakage does not matter if enough volume under the right pressure reaches the formation. The sheared member during the setting comes out with the mandrel that is part of the setting tool. In an alternative embodiment one or more o-rings are used to seal while anchoring is assisted by the hardened insert(s) that can be snap fitted in using rib flexing or that can be a c-ring that is expanded and snapped in. The o-ring(s) are axially spaced from the insert(s). | 11-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110186287 | Cleaning Device - A cleaning device for use in cleaning wellbores and other tubular members in subterranean fluid production operations. The cleaning device includes a tool mandrel with cleaning components, such as a scraper assembly and stabilizers, secured thereupon with an attaching ring assembly. The attaching ring assembly includes a housing and a plurality of locking wedges that are movable with respect to the housing. | 08-04-2011 |
20110290334 | Wellbore Debris Cleanout Assembly and Method to Remove Debris from a Debris Catcher - A cleanout assembly for removal of debris from a debris chamber in a wellbore cleaning tool. The cleanout assembly includes a mandrel, a boot radially surrounding the mandrel and a debris chamber defined radially between the mandrel and the boot. The boot has one or more windows therein to permit debris to be cleaned out of the debris chamber. A cover is disposed within the debris chamber and is movable within the debris chamber between a first position, wherein the one or more windows are blocked by the cover, and a second position, wherein the one or more windows are not blocked by the cover | 12-01-2011 |
20130025877 | Sliding Sleeve Valve with Feature to Block Flow Through the Tool - Sliding sleeve valves that include a housing with an axial flowbore defined along its length and at least one lateral fluid port disposed through the housing. One or more sliding sleeve members are disposed within the flowbore and carry first and second ball seats. Landing a first ball onto the first ball seat will move the valve from a first position wherein lateral flow is blocked to a second position wherein lateral flow is permitted. Landing a second ball onto the second ball seat will move the valve to a third position wherein lateral flow is again blocked and axial flow is permitted. | 01-31-2013 |
20130186616 | TUBULAR ANCHORING SYSTEM AND A SEAT FOR USE IN THE SAME - A tubular anchoring system includes a first frustoconical member. Slips in operable communication with the first frustoconical member are radially expandable into an anchoring engagement with a structure in response to longitudinal movement relative to a frustoconical surface of the first frustoconical member. A collar in operable communication with the first frustoconical member is radially expandable into sealing engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal movement relative to a second frustoconical member. A seat in operable communication with the first frustoconical member having a surface configured to be sealingly engagable with a plug runnable thereagainst, is configured and positioned relative to the collar to aid the seat in maintaining a radially expanded configuration against a pressure differential formed across the seat when plugged. | 07-25-2013 |
20130186647 | TUBULAR ANCHORING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A tubular anchoring system includes a frustoconical member and a sleeve with at least one first surface that is radially alterable in response to longitudinal movement of the frustoconical member relative to the sleeve. The at least one first surface is engagable with a wall of a structure positioned radially thereof to maintain position of at least the sleeve relative to the structure when engaged therewith. A seal with at least one second surface is radially alterable in response to longitudinal movement of the frustoconical member relative to the seal, and a seat is in operable communication with the frustoconical member having a land which is sealingly engagable with a removable plug runnable thereagainst. The land is longitudinally displaced relative to the sleeve in an upstream direction defined by direction of flow that urges the plug thereagainst. | 07-25-2013 |
20130186648 | TUBULAR ANCHORING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A tubular anchoring system includes a frustoconical member having a first frustoconical portion and a second frustoconical portion. The first frustoconical portion is tapered in a direction opposing a direction of taper of the second frustoconical portion and slips in operable communication with the first frustoconical portion are radially expandable in response to longitudinal movement of the first frustoconical portion relative to the slips. A seal in operable communication with the second frustoconical portion is radially expandable in response to longitudinal movement of the second frustoconical portion relative to the seal, and a seat having a surface configured to be sealingly engagable with a plug runnable thereagainst. | 07-25-2013 |
20130186649 | TUBULAR ANCHORING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A tool setting arrangement includes a mandrel, and a tool positionable at the mandrel. The tool includes, a cone, and at least one slip in operable communication with the cone configured to radially expand to set the tool when the slip is moved relative to the cone with at least a setting load. The at least one slip has a portion configured to engage with a feature of the mandrel such that movement of the mandrel relative to the cone causes the at least one slip to move relative to the cone, at least one of the portion and the feature is configured to release at a release load to disengage the mandrel from the tool. The release load is selected to be greater than the setting load. | 07-25-2013 |
20130206409 | ONE-WAY FLOWABLE ANCHORING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF TREATING AND PRODUCING A WELL - A one-way flowable anchoring system includes a plurality of same anchors that are sealedly fixedly engagable within a structure and each of the plurality of same anchors has a flow bore longitudinally therethrough with a first seat and a second seat on opposing ends thereof The system also has a plug positionable within the structure between two of the plurality of same anchors positioned longitudinally adjacent one another. The plug is sealedly engagable to substantially block flow through the flow bore of a first of the plurality of same anchors when sealingly engaged with the first seat thereof and the plug is seatingly engagable to allow flow around the plug and into the flow bore of the second of the plurality of same anchors through an area at least equal to that of the flow bore when the plug is seated at the second seat thereof | 08-15-2013 |
20130299184 | Multi-Cycle Ball Activated Circulation Tool with Flow Blocking Capability - A valve and method of use wherein the valve includes a housing having an axial flowbore defined along its length. A lateral fluid flow port is disposed through the housing. A piston sleeve is disposed within the flowbore and is selectively moveable to block flow through the lateral flow port. The valve can be moved between operating positions wherein flow through the lateral flow port is blocked or allowed and axial flow through the flowbore is blocked or permitted. | 11-14-2013 |
20130299185 | DISINTEGRABLE METAL CONE, PROCESS OF MAKING, AND USE OF THE SAME - A frustoconical member includes a metal composite that has a cellular nanomatrix comprising a metallic nanomatrix material; a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix; and a first frustoconical portion. A process of making the frustoconical member includes combining a metal matrix powder, a disintegration agent, and metal nanomatrix material to form a composition; compacting the composition to form a compacted composition; sintering the compacted composition; and pressing the sintered composition to form the frustoconical member having a tapered portion on an outer surface of the frustoconical member. The frustoconical member can be used by contacting a frustoconical portion of the frustoconical member to a tapered surface of an article; applying pressure to the frustoconical member; urging the frustoconical member in a direction relative to the article to expand a radial dimension of the article; and contacting the frustoconical member with a fluid to disintegrate the frustoconical member. | 11-14-2013 |
20130299192 | DISINTEGRABLE TUBULAR ANCHORING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A disintegrable tubular anchoring system comprises a frustoconical member; a sleeve with at least one first surface being radially alterable in response to longitudinal movement of the frustoconical member relative to the sleeve, the first surface being engagable with a wall of a structure; a seal with at least one second surface being radially alterable; and a seat having a land being sealingly engagable with a removable plug runnable thereagainst. The frustoconical member, sleeve, seal, and seat are disintegrable and independently comprise a metal composite which includes a cellular nanomatrix comprising a metallic nanomatrix material; and a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix. A process of isolating a structure comprises disposing the disintegrable tubular anchoring system in the structure; radially altering the sleeve to engage a surface of the structure; and radially altering the seal to the isolate the structure. | 11-14-2013 |
20130300066 | DISINTEGRABLE AND CONFORMABLE METALLIC SEAL, AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A seal includes a metal composite that has a cellular nanomatrix that includes a metallic nanomatrix material, a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix, and a disintegration agent; an inner sealing surface; and an outer sealing surface disposed radially from the inner sealing surface. The seal can be prepared by combining a metal matrix powder, a disintegration agent, and metal nanomatrix material to form a composition; compacting the composition to form a compacted composition; sintering the compacted composition; and pressing the sintered composition to form the seal. | 11-14-2013 |
20140041857 | SETTING TOOL, ANCHORING AND SEALING DEVICE AND SYSTEM - An anchoring and sealing device includes at least one slip, a seal and a tubular in operable communication with the at least one slip and the seal. The anchoring and sealing device is configured to cause radial movement of the at least one slip into anchoring engagement with a structure and to cause radial movement of the seal into sealing engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal compression of the anchoring and sealing device. The anchoring and sealing device is also configured to maintain anchoring and sealing engagement with the structure without additional components remaining in contact therewith. | 02-13-2014 |
20150184485 | SEAT FOR A TUBULAR TREATING SYSTEM - A seat for a tubular treating system includes a single piece body having a central portion, and a frustoconical surface extending longitudinally from the central portion in a first direction configured to radially expand slips urged thereagainst. The seat also includes a collar extending longitudinally from the central portion in a second direction configured to be radially expanded into sealing engagement with a structure in response to a frustoconical member urged thereagainst. A seal surface is sealably engagable with a plug run thereagainst, and the seal surface is longitudinally displaced from the collar in the first direction. | 07-02-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090076659 | Wireless Extension to an Irrigation Control System and Related Methods - Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device. | 03-19-2009 |
20090222141 | WIRELESS EXTENSION TO AN IRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS - Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device. | 09-03-2009 |
20110224836 | SENSOR DEVICE FOR INTERRUPTING IRRIGATION - Methods and apparatus are provided herein for permitting or interrupting irrigation using sensor equipment. In one embodiment, a method for controlling irrigation comprising the steps of: generating an indication representing the amount of rain fall at a sensor unit; transmitting a signal comprising at least the indication from the sensor unit to an interface unit, wherein the interface unit is adapted to cause an interruption of programmed watering schedules of an irrigation controller; receiving the signal at the interface unit; determining, based at least on the indication from the signal, whether irrigation should be interrupted; and generating an interrupt command to interrupt irrigation. | 09-15-2011 |
20110238227 | SENSOR DEVICE FOR INTERRUPTING IRRIGATION - Methods and apparatus are provided herein for permitting or interrupting irrigation using sensor equipment. In one embodiment, a method for controlling irrigation comprising the steps of: generating an indication representing the amount of rain fall at a sensor unit; transmitting a signal comprising at least the indication from the sensor unit to an interface unit, wherein the interface unit is adapted to cause an interruption of programmed watering schedules of an irrigation controller; receiving the signal at the interface unit; determining, based at least on the indication from the signal, whether irrigation should be interrupted; and generating an interrupt command to interrupt irrigation. | 09-29-2011 |
20110288690 | Wireless Extension to an Irrigation Control System and Related Methods - Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device. | 11-24-2011 |
20120215366 | USER INTERFACE FOR A SENSOR-BASED INTERFACE DEVICE FOR INTERRUPTING AN IRRIGATION CONTROLLER - Some embodiments provide an interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, comprising: a housing; a controller configured to instruct an interruption of a watering schedule executed by the irrigation controller, the interruption based on one or both of sensed temperature and sensed rainfall amount, and based on one or both of user entered temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to signaling from the controller; and a user interface comprising: a plurality of user input devices configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon user's engagement, and configured to allow the user to define the temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; and a user display comprising a display screen; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey whether irrigation is being interrupted. | 08-23-2012 |
20120229284 | SENSOR DEVICE FOR USE IN CONTROLLING IRRIGATION - Methods and apparatus are provided herein for sensing rain fall for use in irrigation control. In one embodiment, a wireless rain sensor comprises a housing at least partially covering a first sensor, a controller and a wireless transmitter. The first sensor comprises a moisture absorptive material located to be contacted by rain fall and configured to expand in response to the contact with the rain fall and contract in response to an absence of the rain fall. The controller is coupled to the first sensor and configured to output signals corresponding to a variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals, at least one wireless signal comprising data corresponding to the variable amount of expansion and contraction of the moisture absorptive material. | 09-13-2012 |
20120232708 | WIRELESS EXTENSION TO AN IRRIGATION CONTROL SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS - Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device. | 09-13-2012 |
20130297082 | WIRELESS IRRIGATION CONTROL - Several embodiments provide wireless irrigation control and related methods. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is can receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and can cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device. In some implementations, the receiver unit includes a capacitor charging circuit and battery to power the receiver unit and drive and control a latching solenoid. | 11-07-2013 |
20150351338 | USER INTERFACE FOR A SENSOR-BASED INTERFACE DEVICE FOR INTERRUPTING AN IRRIGATION CONTROLLER - Some embodiments provide an interface unit interfacing with an irrigation controller, comprising: a housing; a controller configured to instruct an interruption of a watering schedule executed by the irrigation controller, the interruption based on one or both of sensed temperature and sensed rainfall amount, and based on one or both of user entered temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; a switching device coupled with the controller, and configured to cause the interruption in response to signaling from the controller; and a user interface comprising: a plurality of user input devices configured to provide signaling to the controller based upon user's engagement, and configured to allow the user to define the temperature and rainfall threshold parameters; and a user display comprising a display screen; wherein the controller is configured to cause the display screen to display a plurality of pictorial representations that in combination convey whether irrigation is being interrupted. | 12-10-2015 |