FLUID SUPPLY MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20090194719A1
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Brass Craft Manufacturing Co (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Brass Craft Manufacturing Co (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Mulligan, Timothy David
• Application Number:
  US12/333,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20090194719A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/129.01
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/026 the valve member being a movable body around which the medium flows when the valve is open
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0083 by measuring valve parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0091 by measuring fluid parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/06 using electric or acoustic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2807 for pipes G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2815 using pressure measurements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution

Abstract

A fluid supply monitoring system includes a shutoff valve and an indicator. The shutoff valve selectively blocks a fluid flow. The indicator selectively communicates a signal to the shutoff valve to prevent the shutoff valve from blocking the fluid flow.

Claims

1. A fluid supply monitoring system, comprising:

a shutoff valve that selectively blocks a fluid flow; and

an indicator that selectively communicates a signal to said shutoff valve, wherein said shutoff valve is prevented from blocking the fluid flow is response to receiving said signal.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said indicator communicates said signal in response to operation of an appliance associated with the fluid supply monitoring system.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the appliance is a water softener.

4. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the appliance is a reverse osmosis water filter.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said indicator includes a housing, a poppet valve positioned within said housing, and at least one magnet.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said poppet valve is axially displaceable along a longitudinal axis of said housing in response to communication of a fluid flow through said housing.

7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein said at least one magnet includes a plurality of magnets, and said plurality of magnets sense a position of said poppet valve.

8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said signal is communicated to said shutoff valve in response to a magnet of said poppet valve aligning with one of said plurality of magnets.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said indicator is positioned in fluid communication with an appliance.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said indicator includes a plug-in indicator that senses an electrical power draw of an appliance.

11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein said plug-in indicator is positioned between an electrical cord of said appliance and an electrical outlet.

12. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein said indicator communicates said signal to said shutoff valve is response to sensing said electrical power draw.

13. A method of monitoring a fluid flow through a fluid supply system having a fluid supply monitoring system and at least one appliance, comprising the steps of:

a) detecting whether the at least one appliance is in use;

b) communicating a signal to the fluid supply monitoring system in response to detection that the at least one appliance is in use; and

c) preventing blockage of the fluid flow in response to receiving the signal that the at least one appliance is in use.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein an indicator is in communication with the fluid supply monitoring system, and said step a) includes the step of:

detecting a fluid flow through the indicator.

15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said step a) includes the step of:

sensing an electrical power draw of the at least one appliance.

16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said step b) includes the step of:

wirelessly communicating the signal.

17. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said step b) includes the step of:

communicating the signal over a hard-wired connection.

18. The method as recited in claim 13, comprising the step of:

preventing the blockage of the fluid flow for an entire period of time the at least one appliance is in use.

19. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the at least one appliance includes a plurality of appliances, and said step a) includes the step of:

detecting whether each of the plurality of appliances is in use.