REMOTE WATER SHUT-OFF DEVICE
First Claim
1. A device for remotely shutting off the flow of water from an external water supply to a water heater, the device comprising:
- a substantially sealed housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid tight chamber disposed between and in fluid communication with said inlet and said outlet;
an inlet pipe mounted to the housing inlet, said inlet pipe operable to allow fluid communication between the external water supply and the housing chamber;
an outlet pipe mounted to the housing outlet, said outlet pipe operable to allow fluid communication between the housing chamber and the water heater;
a valve unit disposed within the housing chamber between the housing inlet and the housing outlet;
an antenna capable of receiving an externally transmitted first signal and henceforth communicating a corresponding second signal;
a solenoid capable of receiving the second signal communicated from the antenna; and
a power supply source connected to and capable of providing electrical energy to the antenna and the solenoid,wherein, upon the antenna receiving a first “
off”
signal, the solenoid actuates the valve unit to a closed position, thereby preventing the flow of water through the device, and wherein, upon the antenna receiving a first “
on”
signal, the solenoid actuates the valve unit to an open position, thereby restoring the flow of water through the device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein, is a device and system for remotely shutting off the supply of water to water heaters, thereby preserving a reservoir of potable water within the water heater during exigent times. An “off” signal may be sent within a region, thereby preventing the further flow of water into water heaters when the water supply has become contaminated. The device includes an antenna for receiving signals, a valve unit, and a solenoid capable of opening and closing the valve unit upon the receipt of “on” and “off” signals. The device may be battery operated and may sound a warning alarm when activated and/or when the batter is low. Also described, is a method of preserving a potable reservoir of water within a water heater upon the water supply leading to the water heater becoming contaminated.
24 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A device for remotely shutting off the flow of water from an external water supply to a water heater, the device comprising:
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a substantially sealed housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid tight chamber disposed between and in fluid communication with said inlet and said outlet; an inlet pipe mounted to the housing inlet, said inlet pipe operable to allow fluid communication between the external water supply and the housing chamber; an outlet pipe mounted to the housing outlet, said outlet pipe operable to allow fluid communication between the housing chamber and the water heater; a valve unit disposed within the housing chamber between the housing inlet and the housing outlet; an antenna capable of receiving an externally transmitted first signal and henceforth communicating a corresponding second signal; a solenoid capable of receiving the second signal communicated from the antenna; and a power supply source connected to and capable of providing electrical energy to the antenna and the solenoid, wherein, upon the antenna receiving a first “
off”
signal, the solenoid actuates the valve unit to a closed position, thereby preventing the flow of water through the device, and wherein, upon the antenna receiving a first “
on”
signal, the solenoid actuates the valve unit to an open position, thereby restoring the flow of water through the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for remotely shutting off the flow of water from an external water supply to a water heater, the system comprising:
-
a remotely located transmitter capable of sending “
off” and
“
on”
signals; anda water shut-off device, said water shut-off device comprising; a substantially sealed housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid tight chamber disposed between and in fluid communication with said inlet and said outlet; an inlet pipe mounted to the housing inlet, said inlet pipe fluidly connected to the external water supply; an outlet pipe mounted to the housing outlet, said outlet pipe fluidly connected to the water heater; a valve unit disposed within the housing chamber between the housing inlet and the housing outlet; an antenna capable of receiving the “
off” and
“
on”
signals from the remotely located transmitter and henceforth communicating a corresponding action signal;a solenoid capable of receiving the action signal communicated from the antenna; and a power supply source connected to and capable of providing electrical energy to the antenna and the solenoid, wherein, upon the antenna receiving an “
off”
signal, the solenoid actuates the valve unit to a closed position, thereby preventing the flow of water through the device into the water heater, and wherein, upon the antenna receiving an “
on”
signal, the solenoid actuates the valve unit to an open position, thereby restoring the flow of water through the device to the water heater. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of preserving a potable source of water in a water heater upon the water supply to the water heater becoming contaminated, the method comprising:
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placing a remotely controllable shut-off device at the water supply entry point of the water heater, wherein said remotely controllable shut-off device is capable of closing an internal valve upon receiving an “
off”
signal; andtransmitting an “
off”
signal to the remotely controllable shut-off device. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification