{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"#183 - For Immediate Release, Patent US3808385","description":"For immediate release\u2014breaking news, kind of. In this solo episode of The Sprinkler Nerd Show, Andy dives into what seems like a revolutionary product: a mechanical rain sensor that requires no batteries, no Wi-Fi, no firmware updates\u2014just pure, functional design. It shuts off irrigation during rainfall and turns it back on when conditions dry out, all thanks to hygroscopic discs that expand and contract to trigger a simple switch. This device sounds like the newest drop in water-saving technology\u2014until Andy reveals the twist: it's not new at all. In fact, it's based on US Patent 3,808,385, filed in 1972 and granted in 1974. That's over 50 years ago. And the core concept of the mechanical rain sensor hasn\u2019t changed since. Andy breaks down how the device works, why it\u2019s still effective today, and what it says about the pace of innovation in the irrigation industry. He challenges contractors and tech developers alike to ask the big question: why are we still using 1970s technology in 2025? Could we create a smarter, data-driven rain sensor that actually logs rainfall events, provides historical context, and informs better irrigation decisions? If so\u2014why hasn\u2019t anyone built it yet? Key Highlights: Breakdown of how the moisture-responsive switch actuator works Benefits for contractors: simplicity, reliability, zero maintenance Installation and adjustment tips Why the current state of rain sensors is a wake-up call A challenge to the industry: let\u2019s rethink how we track rain and respond to it Andy closes the episode with a call to action for all Sprinkler Nerds: always ask why. Why things work the way they do, why they've stayed the same\u2014and how we can make them better. ","author_name":"The Sprinkler Nerd Show","author_url":"https:\/\/sprinklernerd.com","html":"