Apparatus, system and method for monitoring, recording and billing for individual fixture and unit water usage in a multi-unit structure

• US 20060245467A1
• Filed: 04/07/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: H20flo LLC
• Original Assignee: H20flo LLC
• Inventors: Lipford, Keith W., Casella, Michael H., Lipford, Brian L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,508,318 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/41
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/115 with magnetic or electromagnetic coupling to the indicating device
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/005 Valves valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 25/10 of flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/886 using energy harvesting, e.g. solar, wind or mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

The present invention relates to water use monitoring, recording and billing, and more particularly to monitoring, recording and billing for water use at both an individual fixture and dwelling unit-level in a multi-unit dwelling structure. In an embodiment, a module includes an inlet portion defining an inlet opening and adapted to be connected to and in fluid communication with a fluid inlet line; and a first flow conditioner in fluid communication with and adapted to receive and condition a fluid flowing through the inlet opening. The module also includes a flow measuring device in fluid communication with the first flow conditioner and adapted to measure the conditioned fluid as the conditioned fluid flows past the flow measuring device and to generate a signal representing an amount of the conditioned fluid flowing past the flow measuring device; and a power generator in fluid communication with the first flow conditioner and adapted to generate and supply power. The module further includes an electronic component adapted to receive and store the generated power from the power generator and to store the signal representing the measured amount of the conditioned fluid received from the flow measuring device using the power from the power generation component or flow sensing device and, when sufficient power is available, to transmit the stored signal representing the measured volume of the displaced conditioned fluid to a monitoring system; and an outlet portion defining an outlet opening in fluid communication with the flow measuring device and the outlet opening adapted to be connected to an outlet line and to allow the conditioned fluid that flows past the flow measuring device to exit the apparatus; where the apparatus is sized to completely fit and operate from inside one of a plurality of plumbing fixtures.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an inlet portion defining an inlet opening and adapted to be connected to and in fluid communication with a fluid inlet line;

a first flow conditioner in fluid communication with and adapted to receive and condition a fluid flowing through the inlet opening;

a flow measuring device in fluid communication with the first flow conditioner and adapted to measure the conditioned fluid as the conditioned fluid flows past the flow measuring device and to generate a signal representing an amount of the conditioned fluid flowing past the flow measuring device;

a power generator in fluid communication with the fluid inlet opening and to receive at least part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening and to generate and supply power using the received at least part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening;

an electronic component adapted to receive and store the generated power from the power generator and to store the signal representing the measured amount of the conditioned fluid received from the flow measuring device using the power from the power generator and, when sufficient power is available, to transmit the stored signal representing the measured volume of the displaced conditioned fluid to a monitoring system; and

an outlet portion defining an outlet opening in fluid communication with the flow measuring device and the outlet opening adapted to be connected to an outlet line and to allow the conditioned fluid that flows past the flow measuring device to exit the apparatus;

the apparatus being sized to completely fit and operate from inside one of a plurality plumbing fixtures.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a second flow conditioner in fluid communication with and to receive the conditioned fluid from the flow measuring device and to condition the conditioned fluid.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second flow conditioner is located upstream from the outlet opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power generator is located before the flow measuring device and the at least part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening received by the power generator flows from the power generator to and past the flow measuring device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a pressure relief valve located downstream from the flow measuring device to receive at least another part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening, the pressure relief valve to allow the at least another part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening to bypass the power generator, if the pressure exerted by another part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening exceeds a predetermined threshold at the pressure relief valve.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the pressure relief valve operates in parallel with the power generator.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the pressure relief valve is connected between an inlet channel to the power generator and an outlet channel from the power generator.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mechanism to detect fouling.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the mechanism to detect fouling comprises one of a differential pressure sensor and an optical sensor.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the predetermined threshold at the pressure relief valve is controlled by a biasing mechanism.

11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the electronic component is a signal processor and telemetry electronics component.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the signal processor and telemetry electronics component comprises:

a telemetry antenna;

a telemetry electronics component coupled to the telemetry antenna; and

a signal processor to process the signal representing the amount of the conditioned fluid flowing past the flow measuring device and store flow information for the amount in the telemetry electronics component;

when sufficient power is stored in the electronic component, the telemetry electronics component to transmit the flow information to a receiver/transmitter unit or a central collection point via the telemetry antenna.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power generator comprises:

an axle disposed perpendicular to a direction of flow of the at least part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening;

a fluid measuring device coaxially aligned and engaged with the axle and the fluid measuring device disposed in a fluid measuring device chamber within the apparatus through which the at least part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening flows; and

a generator portion coaxially aligned and engaged with the axle and the generator portion disposed outside the fluid measuring device chamber, the generator portion to move in unison with the fluid measuring device in reaction to the at least part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening flowing past the generator and to transmit the generated power to the electronic component.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flow measuring device comprises:

a flow chamber coaxially disposed in the apparatus body between the first flow conditioner and a second flow conditioner and upstream from the outlet opening;

a flow measuring device assembly coaxially aligned with the flow measuring device chamber and a direction of flow of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening flows, the flow measuring device assembly including a central axis coaxially aligned with the flow measuring device chamber, an elongated central hub coaxially aligned with and attached to the central axis, and a plurality of flow measuring device blades; and

a sensor element attached to an exterior wall of the flow measuring device chamber and connected to the electronic component, the sensor element to measure a number of rotations of components within the flow measuring device assembly and to transmit the number of rotations to the electronic component as a measure of the amount of fluid flow.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the sensor element is selected from the group comprising:

a magnetic sensor;

a variable reluctance sensor;

a piezoelectric sensor;

a magnetostrictive sensor; and

a capacitive sensor.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the magnetic sensor comprises one of:

a Hall effect sensor;

a variable reluctance sensor; and

a reed switch.

17. A plumbing fixture assembly comprising:

a plumbing fixture; and

a wireless flow metering apparatus installed within the plumbing fixture, the wireless flow metering apparatus including

an inlet portion defining an inlet opening and adapted to be in fluid communication with a fluid inlet line;

a first flow conditioner in fluid communication with and adapted to receive and condition a fluid flowing through the inlet opening;

a flow measuring device in fluid communication with the first flow conditioner and adapted to measure the conditioned fluid as the conditioned fluid flows past the flow measuring device and to generate a signal representing an amount of the conditioned fluid flowing past the flow measuring device;

a second flow conditioner in fluid communication with and to receive the conditioned fluid from the flow measuring device and to condition the conditioned fluid;

a power generator in fluid communication with the fluid inlet opening and to receive at least part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening and to generate and supply power using the at least part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening;

an electronic component adapted to receive and store the power from the power generator and to store the signal representing the measured amount of the conditioned fluid received from the flow measuring device using the power from the power generator and, when sufficient power is available, to transmit the stored signal representing the measured volume of the displaced conditioned fluid to a monitoring system; and

an outlet portion defining an outlet opening and adapted to be connected to an outlet line, the outlet portion in fluid communication with the inlet portion and to allow the conditioned fluid that flows past the flow measuring device to exit the apparatus through the outlet opening.

18. The plumbing fixture assembly of claim 17 wherein the wireless flow metering apparatus is installed in the plumbing fixture downstream of a point at which hot and cold water are mixed in the plumbing fixture and upstream of the outlet portion.

19. The plumbing fixture assembly of claim 18 wherein the wireless flow metering apparatus is concealed within the plumbing fixture assembly.

20. The plumbing fixture assembly of claim 19 wherein the plumbing fixture comprises one of a faucet, a shower head, a toilet, a dishwasher, a washing machine, and a refrigerator.

21. The plumbing fixture assembly of claim 19 wherein the wireless flow metering apparatus is capable of operation at high and low-flow rates of water.

22. The plumbing fixture assembly of claim 19 wherein the wireless flow metering apparatus further comprises:

a pressure relief valve located downstream from the flow measuring device to receive at least another part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening, the pressure relief valve to allow the at least another part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening to bypass the power generator, if the pressure exerted by the at least another part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening exceeds a predetermined threshold at the pressure relief valve.

23. A method of measuring fluid flow for each individual fixture in a single unit in a multi-unit structure, the method comprising:

measuring and storing flow information for a fluid flowing through each of a plurality of fixtures in a single unit in a multi-unit structure using an independent module assembly installed inside each fixture;

generating and storing power from the fluid flowing through each module assembly in each of the plurality of fixtures;

if available power in any module assembly is sufficient to transmit, transmitting in a wireless transmission the flow information with a unique identifier associated with each module assembly;

if available power in any module assembly is insufficient to transmit, accumulating the flow information for each module assembly with insufficient power in a storage area in that module assembly;

processing the measured fluid flow received from each fixture to determine a cost of the fluid that flowed through each fixture in the single unit and a total cost of the fluid that flowed through all of the fixtures in the single unit; and

generating a bill for the total cost of the fluid for the single unit.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the transmitting in the wireless transmission the flow information with the unique identifier associated with each fixture comprises:

transmitting in the wireless transmission the flow information with the unique identifier associated with each fixture, if the amount of power generated is sufficient to enable the wireless transmission; and

storing the flow information with the unique identifier associated with each fixture in the module assembly, if the amount of power generated is sufficient to enable the wireless transmission.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein measuring and storing the flow information on the fluid flowing through each fixture in the single unit in the multi-unit structure using the module installed in each fixture comprises:

measuring the flow of the fluid using the module; and

storing the measured flow of the fluid in an electronic component in the module assembly and that is connected to the module.

26. A system comprising:

a fixture assembly including

a plumbing fixture; and

a wireless metering apparatus installed and concealed in the plumbing fixture, the wireless metering apparatus having

an inlet portion defining an inlet opening and adapted to be connected to and in fluid communication with a fluid inlet line;

a first flow conditioner in fluid communication with and adapted to receive and condition a fluid flowing through the inlet opening;

a flow measuring device in fluid communication with and adapted to measure the conditioned fluid as the conditioned fluid flows past the flow measuring device and to generate a signal representing an amount of the conditioned fluid flowing past the flow measuring device;

a second flow conditioner in fluid communication with and to receive the conditioned fluid from the flow measuring device and to condition the conditioned fluid;

a power generator in fluid communication with the inlet opening and to receive at least part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening and to generate and supply power using the at least part of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening;

an electronic component adapted to receive the power from the power generator and to store the signal representing the measured amount of the conditioned fluid received from the flow measuring device using the power from the power generator and, when sufficient power is available, to transmit the stored signal representing the measured amount of the conditioned fluid to a monitoring system; and

an outlet portion defining an outlet opening and adapted to be connected to an outlet line, the outlet portion in fluid communication with the inlet portion and to allow the conditioned fluid that flows past the flow measuring device to exit the apparatus through the outlet opening;

a local receiver/transmitter component to receive transmissions from the fixture assembly containing information on the amount of fluid flowing through the fixture assembly and to forward the transmissions;

a hub to receive the forwarded transmissions of the information on the amount of fluid flowing through the plumbing fixture from the local receiver/transmitter, to process the information, and to transmit the processed information for billing; and

a processing system programmed to receive the processed information on the amount of fluid flowing through the plumbing fixture, determine a cost associated with the amount of fluid flowing through the plumbing fixture, allocate the cost to an account, and bill an owner of the account for the cost.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the local receiver/transmitter is accessible to review the information sent from the fixture assembly.

28. The system of claim 26 wherein the hub is accessible to review the processed information on the amount of fluid flowing through the fixture assembly.

29. The system of claim 26 further comprising a mechanism to detect fouling.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the mechanism to detect fouling comprises one of a differential pressure sensor and an optical sensor.

31. An apparatus for measuring fluid flow for each individual fixture in a single unit in a multi-unit structure, the apparatus comprising:

means for measuring and storing flow information for a fluid flowing through each of a plurality of fixtures in a single unit in a multi-unit structure, and each means for measuring and storing operates independently of all other means for measuring and storing;

means for generating and storing power from the fluid flowing through each of the plurality of fixtures;

means for transmitting in a wireless transmission the flow information with a unique identifier associated with each of the plurality of fixtures having sufficient stored power to transmit the flow information;

means for accumulating the flow information in a storage area for each of the plurality of fixtures with insufficient stored power to transmit the flow information;

means for processing the measured fluid flow received from each of the plurality of fixtures to determine a cost of the fluid that flowed through each fixture in the single unit and a total cost of the fluid that flowed through all of the fixtures in the single unit; and

means for generating a bill for the total cost of the fluid for the single unit.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the means for measuring and storing comprises:

a module installed in and adapted to measure the flow information for the fluid flowing through one of the plurality of fixtures; and

a telemetry electronics component installed in the one fixture and adapted to receive the measured flow information from the module.

33. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the means for generating and storing power comprises:

a power generator installed in the one fixture and adapted to generate power from at least a portion of the fluid flowing through the one fixture; and

a telemetry electronics component installed in the one fixture and adapted to receive and store the power and signals generated by the power generator and the flow measuring device.

34. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the means for transmitting comprises:

a telemetry electronics component adapted to wirelessly transmit the flow information from the means for measuring and storing using the stored power from the means for generating and storing power.

35. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the means for accumulating comprises:

a telemetry electronics component adapted to receive and accumulate the flow information until the telemetry electronics component has sufficient stored power to permit the accumulated flow information to be transmitted.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the means for processing the measured fluid flow comprises:

a communications hub adapted to receive, store and process the flow information transmitted from the telemetry electronics component and transmit the processed flow information.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the means for generating a bill comprises:

a billing system adapted to further process the flow information transmitted from the communications hub to prepare bills for each of the single units in the multi-unit structure.

38. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising a mechanism to detect fouling.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the mechanism to detect fouling comprises one of a differential pressure sensor and an optical sensor.

40. An apparatus comprising:

an inlet portion defining an inlet opening and adapted to be connected to and in fluid communication with a fluid inlet line;

a first flow conditioner in fluid communication with and adapted to receive and condition a fluid flowing through the inlet opening;

a flow measuring device in fluid communication with the first flow conditioner and adapted to measure the conditioned fluid as the conditioned fluid flows past the flow measuring device and to generate a signal representing an amount of the conditioned fluid flowing past the flow measuring device;

a power generator in fluid communication with the first flow conditioner and adapted to generate and supply power;

an electronic component adapted to receive and store the generated power from the power generator and to store the signal representing the measured amount of the conditioned fluid received from the flow measuring device using the power from the power generator and, when sufficient power is available, to transmit the stored signal representing the measured volume of the displaced conditioned fluid to a monitoring system; and

an outlet portion defining an outlet opening in fluid communication with the flow measuring device and the outlet opening adapted to be connected to an outlet line and to allow the conditioned fluid that flows past the flow measuring device to exit the apparatus;

the apparatus being sized to completely fit and operate from inside one of a plurality plumbing fixtures.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising:

a second flow conditioner in fluid communication with and to receive the conditioned fluid from the flow measuring device and to condition the conditioned fluid.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the second flow conditioner is located upstream from the outlet opening.

43. The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising a mechanism to detect fouling.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the mechanism to detect fouling comprises one of a differential pressure sensor and an optical sensor.

45. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the electronic component is a signal processor and telemetry electronics component.

46. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the signal processor and telemetry electronics component comprises:

a telemetry antenna;

a telemetry electronics component coupled to the telemetry antenna; and

a signal processor to process the signal representing the amount of the conditioned fluid flowing past the flow measuring device and store flow information for the amount in the telemetry electronics component;

when sufficient power is stored in the electronic component, the telemetry electronics component to transmit the flow information to a receiver/transmitter unit or a central collection point via the telemetry antenna.

47. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the flow measuring device comprises:

a flow chamber coaxially disposed in the apparatus body between the first flow conditioner and a second flow conditioner and upstream from the outlet opening;

a flow measuring device assembly coaxially aligned with the flow measuring device chamber and a direction of flow of the fluid flowing through the inlet opening flows, the flow measuring device assembly including a central axis coaxially aligned with the flow measuring device chamber, an elongated central hub coaxially aligned with and attached to the central axis, and a plurality of flow measuring device blades; and

a sensor element attached to an exterior wall of the flow measuring device chamber and connected to the electronic component, the sensor element to measure a number of rotations of components within the flow measuring device assembly and to transmit the number of rotations to the electronic component as a measure of the amount of fluid flow.

48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the sensor element is selected from the group comprising:

a magnetic sensor;

a variable reluctance sensor;

a piezoelectric sensor;

a magnetostrictive sensor; and

a capacitive sensor.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the magnetic sensor comprises one of:

a Hall effect sensor;

a variable reluctance sensor; and

a reed switch.

50. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the power generator comprises:

at least one power generating device disposed in a wall that defines the flow chamber of the flow measuring device to generate an electric current when at least one of the plurality of flow measuring device blades rotates past the at least one power generating device as a result of fluid flowing past the the plurality of flow measuring device blades.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the at least one power generating device is selected from the group comprising:

a magnetostrictive material; and

a piezoelectric material.

52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the at least one power generating sensor is adapted to measure a number of rotations of components within the flow measuring device assembly and to transmit the number of rotations to the electronic component as a measure of the amount of fluid flow.

53. An apparatus comprising:

means for defining an inlet opening and adapted to be connected to and in fluid communication with a fluid inlet line;

means for conditioning a first flow in fluid communication with and adapted to receive and condition a fluid flowing through the inlet opening means;

means for measuring flow in fluid communication with the first flow conditioner and adapted to measure the conditioned fluid as the conditioned fluid flows past the flow measuring means and to generate a signal representing an amount of the conditioned fluid flowing past the flow measuring means;

means for generating power in fluid communication with the first flow conditioner and adapted to generate and supply power;

means to receive and store the generated power from the power generator and to store the signal representing the measured amount of the conditioned fluid received from the flow measuring device using the power from the power generating means or flow measuring means and, when sufficient power is available, to transmit the stored signal representing the measured volume of the displaced conditioned fluid to a monitoring system; and

means for defining an outlet opening in fluid communication with the flow measuring means and the outlet opening adapted to be connected to an outlet line and to allow the conditioned fluid that flows past the flow measuring means to exit the apparatus;

the apparatus being sized to completely fit and operate from inside one of a plurality of plumbing fixtures.