Simplified leak detection in a plumbing system using pressure decay principle

• US 10,428,495 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2016
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fortune Brands Water Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Flo Technologies, Inc. (Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.)
• Inventors: Halimi, Henry M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tietjen, Marina A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gray, Paul J
• Application Number:
  US15/356,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20170159267A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,045 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/003 Arrangement for testing of watertightness of water supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0092 Pressure sensor associated with other sensors, e.g. for measuring acceleration or temperature G01L9/025, G01L9/045, G01L9/065, G01L9/085, G01L9/105, G01L9/125, G01L19/02, G01L19/04 take precedence; measuring two or more variable G01D21/02; temperature sensors with pressure compensation G01K1/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/26 by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/3272 for verifying the internal pressure of closed containers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution

Abstract

A water pressure sensor assembly includes a water connection fitting attached to a housing, where the water connection fitting is configured to attach to a point of use in a plumbing system. A pressure sensor and an optional temperature sensor are disposed within the housing and configured to be in fluidic communication with the point of use in the plumbing system. Another temperature sensor measures the surrounding air temperature. An electronic microprocessor is disposed within the housing and in electrical communication with the pressure sensor and the temperature sensors. A power source is in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor. A data transmission path is in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor. A control device is in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor through the data transmission path, the control device including a visual display and at least one user control configured to control the water pressure sensor assembly.

Claims

1. A water pressure sensor assembly, comprising:

a water connection fitting attached to a housing, the water connection fitting attachable to a point of use in a plumbing system;

a pressure sensor disposed within the housing and configured to be in fluidic communication with the point of use in the plumbing system;

a temperature sensor disposed within the housing and configured to be in fluidic communication with the point of use in the plumbing system;

an electronic microprocessor disposed within the housing and in electrical communication with the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor;

a power source in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor;

a data transmission path in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor;

a control device in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor through the data transmission path, the control device comprising a visual display and at least one user control configured to control the water pressure sensor assembly;

wherein the water connection fitting comprises only one fluid connection for fluidic communication between the point of use in the plumbing system and the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor.

2. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the data transmission path is a wireless transmitter and receiver configured to transmit data from the electronic microprocessor to the control device and configured to send a user command from the at least one user control back to the microprocessor which then controls the water pressure sensor assembly.

3. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 2, wherein the control device comprises a wireless smart phone, a wireless tablet or a wireless laptop computer, and wherein the control device is configured to install and run a water pressure sensor assembly software which is associated with the water pressure sensor assembly.

4. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the data transmission path is hard wired to connect physically between the housing and the control device and transmit data from the electronic microprocessor to the control device and configured to send a user command from the at least one user control back to the microprocessor which then controls the water pressure sensor assembly.

5. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 4, wherein the control device comprises a smart phone, a tablet or a laptop computer, and wherein the control device is configured to install and run a water pressure sensor assembly software which is associated with the water pressure sensor assembly.

6. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, including a second temperature sensor disposed within the housing and in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor, the second temperature sensor configured determine the surrounding temperature.

7. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the control device is attached to or integrated into the housing.

8. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises an internal battery disposed within the housing.

9. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises an electrical plug attached to the housing, the electrical plug configured to connect to an electrical outlet.

10. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the water connection fitting comprises a female-side hose tap fitting.

11. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the water connection fitting comprises a male-side faucet tap fitting.

12. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the water connection fitting is removably attachable to a male-side hose tap fitting and to a female-side faucet tap fitting.

13. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the water connection fitting is removably attachable to a universal water tap fitting.

14. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein water connection fitting is attached to the point of use of the plumbing system, wherein the point of use of the plumbing system comprises a hose tap, a faucet tap or a shower tap.

15. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, including an output jack connected to the housing, the output jack in electrical communication with the electrical microprocessor and configured to connect to a test equipment.

16. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, including a motorized shut-off valve configured to be installed in the plumbing system, where the motorized shut-off valve is in electrical communication with the control device.

17. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the water connection fitting comprises a female-side fitting or a male-side fitting.

18. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, including a flexible portion configured to attach between the water connection fitting and the point of use in the plumbing system.

19. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing does not include a fluid valve in fluidic communication with the water connection fitting.

20. A water pressure sensor assembly, comprising:

a water connection fitting attached to a housing, the water connection fitting attachable to a point of use in a plumbing system, wherein the water connection fitting removably attaches to a male-side hose tap fitting and/or to a female-side faucet tap fitting;

a pressure sensor disposed within the housing and configured to be in fluidic communication with the point of use in the plumbing system;

an electronic microprocessor disposed within the housing and in electrical communication with the pressure sensor;

a power source in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor;

a data transmission path in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor;

a control device in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor through the data transmission path, the control device comprising a visual display and at least one user control configured to control the water pressure sensor assembly;

wherein the water connection fitting comprises only one fluid connection for fluidic communication between the point of use in the plumbing system and the pressure sensor.

21. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 20, including a temperature sensor disposed within the housing and configured to be in fluidic communication with the point of use in the plumbing system, wherein the temperature sensor is in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor.

22. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 20, including a second temperature sensor disposed within the housing and in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor, the second temperature sensor configured determine the surrounding temperature.

23. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 20, wherein the housing does not include a fluid valve in fluidic communication with the water connection fitting.

24. A water pressure sensor assembly, comprising:

a water connection fitting attached to a housing, the water connection fitting attachable to a point of use in a plumbing system, wherein the water connection fitting removably attaches to a male-side hose tap fitting and/or to a female-side faucet tap fitting;

a pressure sensor disposed within the housing and configured to be in fluidic communication with the point of use in the plumbing system;

an electronic microprocessor disposed within the housing and in electrical communication with the pressure sensor;

a power source in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor, wherein the power source comprises an internal battery disposed within the housing;

a data transmission path in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor;

a control device in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor through the data transmission path, the control device comprising a visual display and at least one user control configured to control the water pressure sensor assembly, wherein the control device is attached to or integrated into the housing;

wherein the water connection fitting comprises only one fluid connection for fluidic communication between the point of use in the plumbing system and the pressure sensor.

25. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 24, including a second data transmission path in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor, wherein the second data transmission path is a wireless transmitter and receiver configured to transmit data from the electronic microprocessor to a wireless smart phone, a wireless tablet or a wireless laptop computer, and wherein the wireless smart phone, the wireless tablet or the wireless laptop computer are configured to install and run a water pressure sensor assembly software which is associated with the water pressure sensor assembly.

26. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 25, including a temperature sensor disposed within the housing and configured to be in fluidic communication with the point of use in the plumbing system, wherein the temperature sensor is in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor.

27. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 25, including a second temperature sensor disposed within the housing and in electrical communication with the electronic microprocessor, the second temperature sensor configured determine the surrounding temperature.

28. The water pressure sensor assembly of claim 24, wherein the housing does not include a fluid valve in fluidic communication with the water connection fitting.