Interactive water monitoring system
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a water flow sensor configured to determine the flow rate of water in a pipe, where said water flow sensor is a magnetometer configured to receive water consumption data from a water meter;
a motorized water valve mounted to said pipe;
a main computing unit configured to receive water consumption data from said water flow sensor, configured to control said motorized valve and in two way communication with a user through a communication system;
a computer server in two way communication with said user and said main computing unit where said server hosts an interface for communicating with said user;
one or more vibration sensors mounted on a water supply pipe downstream of said water flow sensor and in communication with said main computing unit;
one or more acceleration sensors mounted on a water valve downstream of said water flow sensor and in communication with said main computing unit; and
where said communication system further comprises a method of communication with said user where said main computing unit directs said motor to restrict water flow in the system in a preset sequence to determine flow rate or leakage condition on a water supply pipe system.
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Abstract
An exemplary system for an interactive water supply management system for use in residential and commercial properties and a method of installation and use are provided. In the preferred embodiment is a system comprising a water consumption sensor capable of being externally mounted to a water meter, circuitry for the collection of water consumption data, a communication system allowing two way communication with a user and a water main valve shutoff. Remote vibration sensors on water pipes or acceleration sensors on manually articulated water valves provide feedback to the system to allow automatic identification of water consumed by each faucet or appliance. The communication system includes a means of two way communication through the manipulation of the water flow rate by the water shut off valve or by a user.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
- a water flow sensor configured to determine the flow rate of water in a pipe, where said water flow sensor is a magnetometer configured to receive water consumption data from a water meter;
a motorized water valve mounted to said pipe;
a main computing unit configured to receive water consumption data from said water flow sensor, configured to control said motorized valve and in two way communication with a user through a communication system;
a computer server in two way communication with said user and said main computing unit where said server hosts an interface for communicating with said user;
one or more vibration sensors mounted on a water supply pipe downstream of said water flow sensor and in communication with said main computing unit;
one or more acceleration sensors mounted on a water valve downstream of said water flow sensor and in communication with said main computing unit; and
where said communication system further comprises a method of communication with said user where said main computing unit directs said motor to restrict water flow in the system in a preset sequence to determine flow rate or leakage condition on a water supply pipe system. - View Dependent Claims (2)
- a water flow sensor configured to determine the flow rate of water in a pipe, where said water flow sensor is a magnetometer configured to receive water consumption data from a water meter;
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3. Method comprising:
- attaching a water flow sensor with an identifier to a water meter;
registering said identifier with a computer server;
establishing communication between said water flow sensor and said computer server;
setting a system base leakage on said computer server; and
setting alert thresholds on said computer server based on the water flow rate above the base leakage rate and elapsed time of a water flow event on a water supply system. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
- attaching a water flow sensor with an identifier to a water meter;
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8. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instruction, the instructions being executable by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:
- receiving water usage data from a water flow sensing sensor;
receiving an identifier associated with said water flow sensing sensor;
receiving time data from one or more activity sensors mounted to a water pipe or water pipe fitting downstream from said water flow sensing sensor; and
characterizing a water activity based on pattern matching from the quantity of water detected by said water flow sensing sensor and time data from one or more said activity sensors and establishing communication between said water flow sensor and said computer server;
setting a system base leakage on said computer server; and
setting alert thresholds on said computer server based on the water flow rate above the base leakage rate and elapsed time of a water flow event on a water supply system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- receiving water usage data from a water flow sensing sensor;
Specification