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Device for monitoring and controlling water flow

  • US 10,039,240 B2
  • Filed: 08/14/2014
  • Issued: 08/07/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for monitoring and controlling water flow in a sprinkler system including a plurality of water pipe branches, the method comprising:

  • monitoring, by a pressure or flow sensor and in real time, water flow through each of the plurality of water pipe branches, wherein each of the plurality of water pipe branches comprises;

    a pressure or flow sensor;

    an electronic circuit in communication with the sensor;

    a manifold for accepting the water flow;

    a control valve for controlling flow of water to a branch of the sprinkler system;

    measuring water flow through each of the plurality of water pipe branches for a predetermined period of time, in response to the monitoring;

    determining a baseline water flow level for each of the plurality of water pipe branches by a respective electronic circuit, in response to water flow measurements through each of the plurality of water pipe branches;

    estimating a first threshold and a second threshold for each of the plurality of water pipe branches, based on the baseline, water pressure, pipe diameter, water temperature, or a combination thereof in a respective water pipe branch, for each of the plurality of water pipe branches, wherein the first threshold is for triggering an alert and the second threshold is for reducing or stopping water flow in a respective water pipe branch; and

    adjusting the fluid flow in one or more of the plurality of water pipe branches of the sprinkler system by the electronic circuit by;

    receiving, by the electronic circuit, a first signal from one or more pressure or flow sensors of one or more of the water pipe branches;

    determining, by the electronic circuit, whether the water flow in said one or more of the water pipe branches exceeds the baseline by an amount more than the estimated first or second thresholds for said one or more of the water pipe branches, based on the first signal;

    when the baseline for a particular water pipe branch exceeds the first threshold for said particular water pipe branch, generating, by the electronic circuit, a second signal to a controller to trigger an alert; and

    when the baseline for the particular water pipe branch exceeds the second threshold for said particular water pipe branch, generating, by the electronic circuit, a third signal to the controller valve for said particular water pipe branch to reduce or stop water flow only in said particular water pipe branch.

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