GB1348371A - Devices for automatically controlling the watering of plants - Google Patents

Abstract

1348371 Valves F O G RIDDIFORD 6 May 1971 [6 Feb 1970] 5913/70 Addition to 1192424 Heading F2V [Also in Divisions A1 and G1] A valve controlling the automatic watering of seeds and plants has a closure member defined by one limb of a bent strip 16 co-operable with seat 18 in conduit 4 to control flow through passage 17, the other limb of the strip 16 carrying a first permanent magnet 3, co-operable with a second permanent magnet 10 carried by a lever 6 pivoted at 7. In one mode of use, lever 6 carries an absorbent pad 9 and is biased by counterweight 8 to position magnet 10 with its poles adjacent unlike poles of magnet 3 so that the strip rotates counterclockwise to allow flow to the seeds &c. at 14. Water also flows at 12 on to pad 9 the weight of which is eventually sufficient to rotate lever 6 clockwise to close the valve by orientating magnet 10 with its poles adjacent like poles of magnet 3. When the pad is lightened by evaporation, the valve automatically reopens and the cycle repeats. Rotatable eccentric magnet 13 provides an adjustable bias. In a modification, lever 16 is replaced by a pivoted wire frame carrying a metallic or p.t.f.e. closure ball which, when unseated, engages a cam track to urge the two magnets together. In another modification, a lever equivalent to lever 16 engages a rotary ball closure member. In other modes of use, the pad 9, which may be corrugated or pleated, can be in contact with the growing medium or dip into the water in a plant container. The pad might also be replaced by a seed or plant tray or by an adjustable, indented, rimmed plate. The valve may alternatively be opened by magnetic repulsion and closed by magnetic attraction. Closure can also be effected by the water pressure or a mechanical bias. The pipe 12 can be omitted if the outlet spray is deflected to fall on to the pad or its replacement.