US 11,990,823 B2
Self-powered irrigation systems, generator systems and methods of controlling irrigation
Michael J. Millius, Tucson, AZ (US); Riccardo J. Tresso, Oro Valley, AZ (US); Randy R. Montgomery, Tucson, AZ (US); Patrick J. Hibbs, Gilbert, AZ (US); Parthiv A. Rajgor, Marana, AZ (US); Michael A. McAfee, Tucson, AZ (US); Jiangjiang Dai, Tucson, AZ (US); John E. Price, Tucson, AZ (US); and Bradley H. Dolbin, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to Rain Bird Corporation, Azusa, CA (US)
Filed by Rain Bird Corporation, Azusa, CA (US)
Filed on May 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/744,349.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/218,771, filed on Jul. 6, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/189,003, filed on May 14, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0368195 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. H02K 7/18 (2006.01); A01G 25/16 (2006.01); G05D 16/06 (2006.01); H02K 11/00 (2016.01); H02K 11/04 (2016.01)
CPC H02K 7/1823 (2013.01) [A01G 25/16 (2013.01); G05D 16/0636 (2013.01); H02K 11/0094 (2013.01); H02K 11/04 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An irrigation generator system, comprising:
a main conduit comprising an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit;
a flow control system positioned within the main conduit;
a generator conduit comprising a generator inlet conduit and a generator outlet conduit, wherein the generator inlet conduit is fluidly coupled with the main conduit upstream of the flow control system, the generator outlet conduit is fluidly coupled with the main conduit downstream of the flow control system; and
a generator comprising a rotor assembly, wherein the generator is positioned with the rotor assembly cooperated with generator conduit and configured to be physically activated by a flow of fluid through the generator conduit causing rotation of the rotor assembly and a generation of electrical power in response to the rotation of the rotor assembly;
wherein the flow control system is configured to transition between a closed state to an open state in response to a water pressure within the inlet conduit exceeding a first pressure threshold enabling water to flow through the main conduit and preventing water flow greater than a threshold flow rate through the generator conduit.