US 12,264,948 B2
Irrigation flow sensor systems and methods of detecting irrigation flow
Steven D. Geerligs, Tucson, AZ (US); Russell Churchill, Phoenix, AZ (US); Randy R. Montgomery, Tucson, AZ (US); Chong Wang Kwak, Tucson, AZ (US); Joseph G. Porrazzo, Jr., Sahuarita, AZ (US); Michael A Landis, Gilbert, AZ (US); and Angel Reyes Archundia, Tijuana (MX)
Assigned to Rain Bird Corporation, Azusa, CA (US)
Filed by Rain Bird Corporation, Azusa, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 12, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/412,389.
Application 18/412,389 is a continuation of application No. 17/242,253, filed on Apr. 27, 2021, granted, now 11,874,149.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/161,127, filed on Mar. 15, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/016,159, filed on Apr. 27, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0151563 A1, May 9, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01F 1/115 (2006.01); A01G 25/16 (2006.01); G01F 15/06 (2022.01)
CPC G01F 1/1155 (2013.01) [A01G 25/16 (2013.01); G01F 15/066 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An irrigation flow sensor system, comprising:
a magnetic sensor, within a housing, configured to provide a sensor output when a magnetic element of a rotary flow device passes the magnetic sensor, the rotary flow device rotating in the presence of fluid flow in a fluid path of an irrigation system to transport water to irrigation distribution devices of the irrigation system; and
a switch coupled to the magnetic sensor and a current loop, wherein the sensor output operates the switch to change a current in the current loop between a first current flow value and a second current flow value, wherein a frequency of transitions between the first current flow value and the second current flow value corresponds to a flow rate of the fluid flow.