Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption
First Claim
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1. A method of preventing freezing of a water conduit in a water-supply system, the method comprising:
- sensing, with a temperature sensor, a temperature at a location; and
if the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined threshold, sending, to at least one fluid control device interfaced with the conduit, at least one control signal to impede a flow of water through the conduit and to drain water from the conduit.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption in a water-supply system are disclosed using one or more sensors for generating signals indicative of the operation thereof. In one embodiment, a method of preventing freezing of a water conduit in a water-supply system comprises sensing, with a temperature sensor, a temperature at a location; and, if the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined threshold, sending, to at least one fluid control device interfaced with the conduit, at least one control signal to impede a flow of water through the conduit and to drain water from the conduit.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of preventing freezing of a water conduit in a water-supply system, the method comprising:
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sensing, with a temperature sensor, a temperature at a location; and
if the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined threshold, sending, to at least one fluid control device interfaced with the conduit, at least one control signal to impede a flow of water through the conduit and to drain water from the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system to prevent freezing of a water conduit in a water-supply system, the system comprising:
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a controller configured to send control signals to at least one device in the water-supply system;
at least one fluid control device; and
an interface module configured to communicate with the controller and the at least one fluid control device, the interface module configured to receive, from a temperature sensor, information indicative of a sensed temperature, and to send, to the at least one fluid control device, at least one control signal responsive to the sensed temperature. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An interface module in a system to prevent freezing of a water conduit in a water-supply system, the interface module comprising:
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a communications portion configured to send status information indicative of an operational status in the water-supply system;
a receiver configured to receive information indicative of a sensed temperature; and
a sender configured to send at least one control signal responsive to the sensed temperature. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A standalone module to prevent freezing of a water conduit in a water-supply system, the standalone module comprising:
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a receiver configured to receive information indicative of a sensed temperature; and
a sender configured to send at least one control signal to at least one fluid control device interfaced with the water-supply system, responsive to the sensed temperature. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A valve system, comprising:
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a unidirectional valve; and
a motorized ball valve interfaced with the unidirectional valve, the ball valve having a valve chamber, a valve inlet, a first valve outlet, a second valve outlet, a rotatable ball positioned in the valve chamber and having a fluid channel that is T-shaped in cross-section, and a motor to rotate the rotatable ball between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the rotatable ball permits flow of liquid through the valve inlet and the first valve outlet and obstructs flow of liquid through the second valve outlet, and wherein in the second position, the rotatable ball obstructs flow of liquid through the valve inlet and permits flow of liquid through the first valve outlet and the second valve outlet. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for monitoring water consumption in a multi-unit structure having a water-supply system, the system comprising:
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a controller; and
a plurality of flow meters in communication with the controller, each of the flow meters having a respective unique identifier readable by the controller, each of the flow meters configured to generate water flow information indicative of detected water flow, at least two of the flow meters arranged in a daisy-chained configuration, and the controller configured to read the water flow information generated by each flow meter. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of determining a premium for an insurance policy, the method comprising:
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receiving descriptive information about a water-supply system covered by the insurance policy, the water-supply system including at least one water conduit, wherein the descriptive information includes an indication whether the water-supply system is configured such that, if temperature sensed by a temperature sensor falls below a predetermined threshold a flow of water to the conduit is impeded and water in the conduit is drained from the conduit; and
determining the premium based upon the descriptive information, wherein, if the indication is affirmative, the determined premium is lower relative to a second insurance policy whose descriptive information includes a negative indication but otherwise identical descriptive information. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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Specification