Water monitoring system
First Claim
1. A water monitoring and control system adapted for use with a supply line from a water source to user location, the system comprising:
- an electrically operated water shut-off valve located in the supply line;
a pressure sensor located in the supply line to detect a drop in water pressure; and
a controller/timer interfaced to the pressure sensor and the electrically operated water shut-off valve, the controller/timer being operative to terminate the flow of water to the user location in the event that a drop in pressure is detected for longer than a predetermined period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A water monitoring and control system adapted for residential and commercial use automatically shuts off the water supply after a predetermined period of time, whether the flow is intentional or unintentional, thereby preventing damage from leaks and other malfunctions. The system also gives an indication of all water flow ranging from normal usage to leakage of a few drops and large flow, as would typically occur due to a break in the plumbing system. The system is easily bypassed in the event of power outages. In terms of hardware, the main components of the system include a normally closed water shut-off valve, preferably solenoid-operated. A pressure-responsive switch senses changes in water pressure and sends a signal in the event of a pressure drop, and a timer is provided to start a timing cycle when there is a demand for water, either intentional or unintentional, and shut-off the flow after a predetermined period of time selected by the user. The system also preferably incorporates a water demand indicator used to visually indicate water usage in the system, again, whether it is intentional or unintentional.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A water monitoring and control system adapted for use with a supply line from a water source to user location, the system comprising:
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an electrically operated water shut-off valve located in the supply line;
a pressure sensor located in the supply line to detect a drop in water pressure; and
a controller/timer interfaced to the pressure sensor and the electrically operated water shut-off valve, the controller/timer being operative to terminate the flow of water to the user location in the event that a drop in pressure is detected for longer than a predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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12. A water monitoring and control system adapted for use with a supply line from a water source to user location, the system comprising:
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an electrically operated, normally closed solenoid valve located in the supply line;
a pressure sensor located in the supply line to detect a drop in water pressure;
a controller/timer interfaced to the pressure sensor and the electrically operated water shut-off valve, the controller/timer being operative to terminate the flow of water to the user location in the event that a drop in pressure is detected for longer than a predetermined period of time; and
a user control center including a timer reset function operative to reset the timer and reestablish the flow of water through the water shut-off valve in the event that water usage beyond the preset period of time is intentional.
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Specification