WATER LEAK DETECTION, PREVENTION AND WATER CONSERVATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20150376874A1
• Filed: 04/30/2015
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aqualock Global Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aqualock Global Corporation
• Inventors: Breedlove, Anthony Todd
• Application Number:
  US14/701,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20150376874A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/003 Arrangement for testing of watertightness of water supply conduits
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/06 using electric or acoustic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution

Abstract

A water leak detection and prevention system uses sensors, wires, and wireless transmitters, to monitor all plumbing fixtures (faucets, toilets, hose bibs, etc.) and water-using appliances (dishwashers, washing machines, icemakers, etc.). When water is being used at a plumbing fixture or a water-using appliance, the sensor shows water that is expected to be used at that location and communicates the usage and the amount of flow for that location. Excessive usage or flow, or any flow when a location has not called for water, is indicative of a leak. Water to the building is on all the time—water pressure remains in the plumbing—creating no delay in water delivery. Water pressure and water flow are monitored at all times whether water is off or on. Should a leak occur the water flow sensor will show that water is flowing and that no approved location has called for water. The main valve will immediately be turned off and water in the plumbing system will be purged safely outside the building. Plumbing system protection: Should an over-pressure situation occur—due to expanding water being heated for instance—system will evacuate a small amount of water to the outside of the building, protecting plumbing, fixtures and appliances. Temperature sensors placed on piping at strategic locations will protect plumbing from freezing. Should temperatures near the freezing point, the system will purge water from the pipes. Water conservation system: should a toilet flapper become stuck open or partially open, or a faucet left dripping or running, the system main valve will close and water will be conserved.

Claims

1. A method for protecting a home or business building from flooding caused by a leak or rupture in the building plumbing or a malfunctioning appliance comprising:

when no fixture or water-using appliance (e.g., faucet, toilet, shower, dishwasher, clothes washer, refrigerator, humidifier, reverse osmosis unit, water treatment unit, thermal solar panel, etc.) demands water, a flow sensor detects water leakage and determines an amount of water that has been leaked;

water to the building is turned off and water in a plumbing system is purged safely outside the building;

each plumbing fixture and water-using appliance is monitored by a sensor and communicates wirelessly with a control panel that monitors flow of water through a main plumbing supply;

the control panel is programmed with a location of each fixture or appliance and a maximum amount of water that fixture or appliance uses

should the flow sensor detect water usage in excess of an allowed limit for that fixture or appliance, water will be turned off and any water in the plumbing system will be purged safely outside the building.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each said faucet and water-using appliance will use water for a period of time specified for that location or upon an indication from the sensor that water is no longer needed.

3. A method for detecting a water leak wherein water flow is detected and no authorized location has called for water, water supply will be turned off, an alarm will sound and a signal will be sent wirelessly to the user'"'"'s cell phone indicating there has been a water leak and the building has been protected and that user needs to have the leak fixed.

4. A method wherein water usage for various periods (day, week, month, year) will be listed on the control panel and water bill can be calculated based upon municipal supply water prices, wherein this data can be sent to the user'"'"'s cell phone and this function will allow the user to monitor water usage real-time, know what water costs are and help user conserve water.

5. A method wherein water temperature will be monitored at various locations simultaneously, should water temperature drop near freezing, main water valve will close and water will be pumped from the supply lines to the outside of the building via a pump connected to the system, wherein this data can be sent wirelessly to the user'"'"'s cell phone and, air temperature outside the building and water temperature within the building can be monitored and temperature projections by the National Weather Service for the area communicated to the control panel, which can analyze the data to project a plumbing freeze possibility, and should there be a likelihood of a freeze within the next 8 hours or so, the control panel will sound a freeze warning indicating a possible freeze condition, which data can be sent to the user'"'"'s cell phone alerting user that conditions indicate a possible freeze of the water in the plumbing system hours before freeze conditions occur, allowing the user to take precautions.

6. A method wherein areas in which water can collect or overflow will be monitored by a moisture sensor, a signal communicated wirelessly to the control panel, and this data can be sent to the user'"'"'s cell phone.