US 12,283,816 B2
Hydro-power generation for irrigation control
Michael J. Millius, Vail, AZ (US); Leo M. Pedlow, Jr., Vail, AZ (US); Riccardo J. Tresso, Oro Valley, AZ (US); and Steven D. Geerligs, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to Rain Bird Corporation, Azusa, CA (US)
Filed by Rain Bird Corporation, Azusa, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 9, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/408,450.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/437,992, filed on Jan. 9, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0235193 A1, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. H02J 3/00 (2006.01); A01G 25/16 (2006.01); F03B 13/08 (2006.01); H02J 3/32 (2006.01); H02J 7/14 (2006.01); H02K 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC H02J 3/007 (2020.01) [F03B 13/08 (2013.01); H02J 3/32 (2013.01); H02J 7/1415 (2013.01); H02K 7/1823 (2013.01); A01G 25/16 (2013.01); F05B 2220/706 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydro-power generation system for an irrigation system comprising:
a generator comprising a turbine at least partially inserted into a fluid flow path of a conduit of the irrigation system and configured to be activated by a fluid flow in the conduit, wherein the generator is configured to output an electrical power signal in response to the activation of the turbine;
a control circuit coupled to the generator, wherein the control circuit is configured to:
determine a characteristic of the electrical power signal;
determine, based on the characteristic, a load impedance selected from a plurality of load impedances; and
output a control signal to select the load impedance; and
a variable load circuit coupled to the control circuit and configured to:
receive the control signal; and
provide the load impedance based on the control signal;
wherein an impedance of the variable load circuit is based on the characteristic to provide power generation over various flow rates of fluid in the fluid flow path of the conduit of the irrigation system wherein the variable load circuit comprises:
a load having a nominal load impedance;
a switch coupled to the control circuit; and
a supplemental load comprising one or more additional loads coupled to the switch, wherein the control signal controls the switch to selectively couple and decouple at least one of the one or more additional loads to provide the load impedance selected from the plurality of load impedances.