Wireless remotely-operable utility flow-control valve and method

• US 20050236594A1
• Filed: 04/23/2004
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lilly Brothers Ventures Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lilly Brothers Ventures Corporation
• Inventors: Lilly, Marcus J., Lilly, David J.
• Application Number:
  US10/830,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20050236594A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/129.30
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/02 electric F16K31/004 takes precedence; magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A wireless remotely controlled valve system includes a wireless switch with a transmitter, a valve actuator controlled by the wireless switch, and a valve attached to and controlled by the actuator, wherein the valve is a main supply shutoff for a residential utility supply system, wherein when the wireless switch is actuated, the transmitter transmits a signal that activates the actuator to toggle the valve between open and closed states to turn on and off the utility supply system.

Claims

1. A wireless remotely controlled valve system comprising:

a wireless switch with a transmitter;

a valve actuator controlled by the wireless switch; and

a valve attached to and controlled by the actuator, wherein the valve is a main supply shutoff for a residential utility supply system;

wherein when the wireless switch is actuated, the transmitter transmits a signal that activates the actuator to toggle the valve between open and closed states to turn on and off the utility supply system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless controllable switch is battery powered.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the battery is a solid-state battery system.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the wireless controllable switch is also powered via a standard alternating current power source.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a flow indicator.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the automatic valve actuator is battery powered.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the battery is a solid-state battery system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the utility supply system is one of a water supply system and a gas supply system.

9. The system of claim 1, where in the wireless controllable produces an encoded wireless control signal.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the actuator decodes the encoded wireless control signal.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the automatic valve actuator includes:

a wireless control signal receiver;

a battery power supply; and

a motor that actuates the valve;

wherein actuator opens or closes the valve when a control signal is received from the wireless switch.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the automatic valve actuator includes a status indicator showing the physical status of the valve,

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the automatic valve actuator includes a NEMA compliant housing.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a manual override valve handle to open or close the valve manually.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote water sensor that detects unwanted water and transmits a wireless signal to actuate the valve.

16. A method of remotely turning off a residential utility supply system, comprising:

actuating a wireless switch;

transmitting a wireless signal when the switch is actuated;

receiving the wireless signal;

actuating a valve attached to the residential utility supply system in response to receiving the wireless signal, wherein actuating the valve includes opening and closing the valve.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising detecting flow in the residential utility supply system.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising displaying the detected flow information.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising remotely sensing unwanted water and automatically transmitting a wireless signal to actuate the valve.

17. The method of claim 17, further comprising encoding the transmitted wireless signal and decoding the received wireless signal.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising setting a unique code to uniquely encode and decode the wireless signal.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising producing an audible alarm indicating that battery power in one of the wireless switch or the actuating ball valve is low.