Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption

• US 20050067049A1
• Filed: 09/23/2003
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Raoul G. Fima
• Original Assignee: Raoul G. Fima
• Inventors: Fima, Raoul G.
• Application Number:
  US10/668,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20050067049A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/192
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/104 Inspection; Diagnosis; Trial operation
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/12 Preventing or detecting fluid leakage
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/212 Temperature of the water
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/242 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/248 of water storage tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/31 of valves having only one inlet port and one outlet port, e.g. flow rate regulating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/37 of electric heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/414 using electronic processing, e.g. computer-based
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/2021 Storage heaters
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/002 by using thermal means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/186 for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2807 for pipes G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2815 using pressure measurements

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption in a water-based system are disclosed using one or more sensors for generating signals indicative of the operation thereof. One or more interface modules are provided as breaker circuits for receiving the generated signals, and a fluid control device is operable for limiting the water consumption. A motherboard receives the interface modules and provides communication therebetween for information processing. Signals from the various sensors are supplied to a controller, which provides signals to status indicators, and also operates to provide alarm signals via network interfaces to remote locations and to operate an alarm. In an alternate embodiment, a water monitoring system is designed to shut off the water supply to the water device and to shut off either the electrical supply or the gas supply to the heating unit of the water device in response to sensing a malfunction through one or more of a number of different sensed parameters. These parameters include a water leak detector located beneath the water device, a water level float sensor, a temperature sensor to sense excess temperature, and a pressure sensor located in line.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and controlling water consumption, comprising:

a sensor for monitoring a water consumption parameter in a water-based system and for generating signals indicative of the operation thereof;

an interface module for receiving signals from the sensor;

a fluid control device operable with the interface module for limiting the water consumption in the water-based system; and

a power panel for receiving one or more of the interface module.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, comprising a processor residing in the power panel, the processor being in communication with the interface module for interpreting signals from the sensor.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a fluid flow sensor to sense the water flow within a component of the water-based system.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor connected to sense the pressure inside a component of the water-based system to generate an output signal when the sensor pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold.

5. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the fluid control device comprises a valve in a water supply line of a component of the water-based system.

6. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the interface module controls the fluid control device for disconnecting a water or energy source from the water-based system.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor receives the signal from the sensor, and in response thereto, communicates with the interface module to close the valve in the water supply line.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the water-based system is in a residential or commercial structure and includes one or more of a sink, toilet, dishwasher, washing machine, water heater, swimming pool and sprinkler sub-systems, requiring monitoring and control of the water consumption thereof.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor is on a motherboard and the motherboard includes a communication port enabling communications via the processor.

10. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the motherboard includes an information port for establishing a computer network interface.

11. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein the interface module is configured by a remote computer via the information port.

12. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the interface module is operable to configure an Internet website.

13. A method for monitoring and controlling water consumption, comprising:

generating signals indicative of a water consumption parameter sensed from a water-based system;

receiving the generated signals to monitor the water consumption parameter;

operating a fluid control device for limiting the water consumption in response to the received signal; and

information processing of the received signal providing a communication interface for interpreting signals.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the water-based system resides in a residential or commercial structure and includes one or more of a sink, toilet, dishwasher, washing machine, water heater, swimming pool and sprinkler sub-systems, requiring monitoring and control of the water consumption thereof.

15. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the water-based system is a tank-less toilet comprising measurement and control of the water metered through the tank-less toilet system.

16. A system for monitoring and controlling water consumption, comprising:

at least one sensor for monitoring a water parameter in a water-based system;

at least one receiver for receiving signals from the sensor, the signals generated from the sensor being indicative of the operation of the water-based system;

a processor in communication with the at least one sensor and for monitoring and controlling the water consumption; and

a fluid control device operable with the processor for limiting the consumption of water in the water-based system.

17. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the processor is in a housing providing a circuit box for receiving the at least one sensor and receiver, each of the at least one sensor or receiver acting as a circuit breaker of the monitored water-based system to protect from malfunction of the water-based system.

18. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the processor is connected to a network interface bi-directional data communications device.

19. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the processor is connected to a multi media interface for interactive video communications, for identifying a location in which the monitored water-based system operates.

20. A system as recited in claim 16, and a motherboard for receiving said processor, the motherboard having a connection for electronically communicating with one or more processors on other motherboards.