Automatic shut-off for fluid treatment system
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Abstract
A water treatment system including an automatic shut-off control valve. The system preferably includes inflow and outflow sensors that monitor flow through the system and a pressure sensor that senses back pressure in a downstream plumbing system. If the sensors sense different flows, a leak in the system is assumed and the control valve is closed. In one embodiment, the flowing back pressure is monitored by the pressure sensor to detect leaks in the plumbing system. In another embodiment, the valve is closed after a specific volume of water flow is sensed and the pressure sensor measures static back pressure in the plumbing system to detect a leak. In yet another embodiment, incremental amounts of water are released by the valve and subsequent back pressures are tested to detect a leak. Optionally, the system includes a control to shut-off a water supply when a water treatment device enclosure is accessed.
24 Citations
35 Claims
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1-4. -4. (canceled).
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5. A system for treating a liquid flowing therethrough comprising:
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a conduit adapted to provide fluid communication between a pressurized liquid supply and a plumbing system;
a valve associated with said conduit and adapted to control a flow of liquid from the pressurized liquid supply to the plumbing system;
a first flow sensor in fluid communication with said conduit and adapted to measure an outflow from the plumbing system to form a first flow measurement; and
a processor to compare the first flow measurement to a second flow measurement corresponding to inflow to the plumbing system and adjust the valve when the first flow measurement differs from the second flow measurement. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11-34. -34. (canceled)
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35. A system for treating liquid flowing therethrough comprising:
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a conduit providing liquid communication between a pressurized liquid supply and a plumbing system;
a liquid treatment device in liquid communication with the conduit and positioned between the pressurized liquid supply and the plumbing system;
a first sensor in liquid communication with the conduit, said first sensor measuring an inflow to the liquid treatment device;
a valve in liquid communication with the conduit, the valve disposed downstream of the first sensor and upstream of the liquid treatment device;
a second sensor in liquid communication with the conduit, the second sensor disposed downstream of the liquid treatment device, the second sensor measuring outflow from the liquid treatment device; and
a processor in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, the processor adapted to compare the outflow to the inflow and to operate the valve to terminate liquid communication between the pressurized liquid supply on the liquid treatment device when the inflow is greater than the outflow.
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Specification