System And Method For Wireless Networked Control Of Consumer Utility Consumption
First Claim
1. A system for wireless transmission of signals to restrict consumption of a utility, the system comprising:
- at least one fluid control device for connection in an outlet line supplying the utility to a customer device using that utility;
wherein the at least one fluid control device includes a controller for opening and closing the fluid control device, the fluid control device being positioned such that actuating the fluid control device to stop supply to the customer device does not interrupt supply of the utility to a main customer service;
wherein the controller operates the fluid control device in response to receiving wireless control signals from a system control unit; and
wherein the controller operates the fluid control device to implement a schedule received from the system control unit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for sending wireless control signals from a system control unit (24) to operate valve assemblies (13, 14, 15, or 16) in a utility supply system to restrict usage based on a schedule determined by the utility provider and without interrupting essential utility services. The system control unit (24) is carried in a vehicle (21) or by a person. The wireless control signals can include data to close a valve, data to open a valve, a schedule for opening and closing one or more valves, a usage limit or flow rate limit a schedule for reporting status or settings to mitigate leakage. The valve assemblies (13, 14, 15, or 16) can also read in current usage totals from a meter (12) for comparison with usage criteria stored in the valve assemblies (13, 14, 15, or 16).
27 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for wireless transmission of signals to restrict consumption of a utility, the system comprising:
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at least one fluid control device for connection in an outlet line supplying the utility to a customer device using that utility; wherein the at least one fluid control device includes a controller for opening and closing the fluid control device, the fluid control device being positioned such that actuating the fluid control device to stop supply to the customer device does not interrupt supply of the utility to a main customer service; wherein the controller operates the fluid control device in response to receiving wireless control signals from a system control unit; and wherein the controller operates the fluid control device to implement a schedule received from the system control unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for wireless transmission of signals to restrict consumption of a utility, the method comprising:
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positioning at least one fluid control device in a distribution line supplying the utility from a main customer service to a customer device using that utility; operating the fluid control device to supply the customer device with the utility and operating the fluid control device to stop the supply of the utility to the customer device without interrupting supply to the main customer service; wherein the operating of the fluid control device is in response to receiving wireless control signals from a system control unit; and wherein the fluid control device is operated according to a schedule received from a system control unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification