Gerald O Peterson

US Patent:

6460563, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Aug 29, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/705321

Inventors:

Donald O. Olson - El Cajon CA
Gerald Peterson - Riverside CA
Aaron De Laby - Carlsbad CA

Assignee:

Olson Irrigation Systems - Santee CA

International Classification:

F16L 500

US Classification:

137364, 1376242, 137883

Abstract:

An improved apparatus and method are provided for irrigation systems such as automated sprinkler systems. A pre-assembled housing or valve box includes an inlet for receiving water and one or more outlets for distribution of water to other components in the irrigation system, and also includes manifolding and power and valve means for selectively controlling the flow of water from the outlets. Many of the manifold components are integrally molded with each other and provided in modular form so that the system can be relatively compact and can be customized into a variety of configurations. The manifold can consist of or include integrally formed or interconnected valve bases. The electrical power system includes a main terminal box with power lines leading to connectors adjacent each outlet, so that solenoid valves may be readily connected thereto and replaced as necessary. O-rings, non-conducting gel, and similar mechanisms are provided to ensure the water-tightness of the electrical connections. The box and its components may be manufactured, assembled, and installed more reliably, conveniently and economically than conventional irrigation systems, and may also be tested before installation.

US Patent:

6834662, Dec 28, 2004

Filed:

Aug 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/233214

Inventors:

Donald O. Olson - El Cajon CA
Gerald Peterson - Riverside CA
Aaron De Laby - Carlsbad CA

Assignee:

Olson Irrigation Systems - Santee CA

International Classification:

F16L 500

US Classification:

137 1518, 137883, 137364, 13731503, 13731518

Abstract:

An improved apparatus and method are provided for irrigation systems such as automated sprinkler systems. A pre-assembled housing or valve box includes an inlet for receiving water and one or more outlets for distribution of water to other components in the irrigation system, and also includes manifolding and power and valve means for selectively controlling the flow of water from the outlets. Many of the manifold components are integrally molded with each other and provided in modular form so that the system can be relatively compact and can be customized into a variety of configurations. The manifold can consist of or include integrally formed or interconnected valve bases. The electrical power system includes a main terminal box with power lines leading to connectors adjacent each outlet, so that solenoid valves may be readily connected thereto and replaced as necessary. O-rings, non-conducting gel, and similar mechanisms are provided to ensure the water-tightness of the electrical connections. The box and its components may be manufactured, assembled, and installed more reliably, conveniently and economically than conventional irrigation systems, and may also be tested before installation.

US Patent:

7949433, May 24, 2011

Filed:

Jun 20, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/766092

Inventors:

Randall A. Hern - San Diego CA, US
David G. Fern - Santee CA, US
Gerald E. Peterson - Riverside CA, US
Jordan S. Kutzarov - Irvine CA, US
David M. Redmond - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Rain Bird Corporation - Azusa CA

International Classification:

G05D 11/00

US Classification:

700284, 239 63, 239 69

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20110224836, Sep 15, 2011

Filed:

May 23, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/113900

Inventors:

Randall A. Hern - San Diego CA, US
David G. Fern - Santee CA, US
Gerald E. Peterson - Riverside CA, US
Jordan S. Kutzarov - Irvine CA, US
David M. Redmond - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

RAIN BIRD CORPORATION - Azusa CA

International Classification:

A01G 25/16

US Classification:

700284

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20110238227, Sep 29, 2011

Filed:

Jun 1, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/151269

Inventors:

Randall A. Hern - San Diego CA, US
David G. Fern - Santee CA, US
Gerald E. Peterson - Riverside CA, US
David M. Redmond - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Rain Bird Corporation - Azusa CA

International Classification:

G05D 7/06

US Classification:

700284

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20120229284, Sep 13, 2012

Filed:

May 23, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/479111

Inventors:

Randall A. Hern - San Diego CA, US
David G. Fern - Santee CA, US
Gerald E. Peterson - Riverside CA, US
David M. Redmond - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

RAIN BIRD CORPORATION - Azusa CA

International Classification:

G08B 21/18
G01N 5/02

US Classification:

340618, 73 73

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20220260751, Aug 18, 2022

Filed:

Apr 26, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/730019

Inventors:

- Azusa CA, US
David G. Fern - Santee CA, US
Gerald E. Peterson - Riverside CA, US
David M. Redmond - Scottsdale AZ, US

International Classification:

G01W 1/14
A01G 25/16
G01K 13/00

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20200386910, Dec 10, 2020

Filed:

Jul 31, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/945668

Inventors:

- Azusa CA, US
David G. Fern - Santee CA, US
Gerald E. Peterson - Riverside CA, US
David M. Redmond - Scottsdale AZ, US

International Classification:

G01W 1/14
A01G 25/16
G01K 13/00

Abstract:

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.