US 12,463,503 B2
Self-powered irrigation systems, generator systems and methods of controlling irrigation
Michael J. Millius, Vail, 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 Apr. 30, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/651,278.
Application 18/651,278 is a continuation of application No. 17/744,349, filed on May 13, 2022, granted, now 11,990,823.
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 2024/0283325 A1, Aug. 22, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F03B 13/10 (2006.01); A01G 25/16 (2006.01); G05D 16/06 (2006.01); H02K 7/18 (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)] 21 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 between the inlet conduit of the main conduit and the outlet conduit of 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 configured to be physically activated by a fluid flow of fluid through the generator conduit causing a generation of electrical power;
wherein the flow control system is configured to transition to an open state enabling water to flow through the main conduit and limit a generator fluid flow rate through the generator conduit.