Methods and Apparatus for Remotely Monitoring and/or Controlling a Plumbing System

• US 20170122575A1
• Filed: 12/02/2016
• Published: 05/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Conservation Technologies Development, Advanced Conservation Technology Distribution, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Conservation Technology Distribution, Inc.
• Inventors: Acker, Larry K.
• Granted Patent: US 10,215,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 17/0031 with accumulation of the heated water
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1063 counting of energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1081 counting of energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/104 Inspection; Diagnosis; Trial operation
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/12 Preventing or detecting fluid leakage
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/136 Defrosting or de-icing; Preventing freezing
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/20 characterised by control inputs
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/219 after heating
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/238 Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/242 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/254 Room temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/281 Input from user
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/31 of valves having only one inlet port and one outlet port, e.g. flow rate regulating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/335 Control of pumps, e.g. on-off control control of compressors of heat pumps F24H15/38
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/355 Control of heat-generating means in heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/45 remotely accessible
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/486 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23051 Remote control, enter program remote, detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25168 : Domotique, access through internet protocols

Abstract

Methods and compositions for controlling and monitoring residential and commercial pumping systems. Preferably, the controlling and monitoring functions include a remotely located controller component capable of displaying alerts and/or from which a user may input commands regulating the functioning of the plumbing system. In particularly preferred examples, the plumbing system is an “on command” hot water system in which hot water availability, use and energy efficiencies and conservation are monitored and maximized.

Claims

1. ) A structural on demand hot water system, comprising

a hot water source, a hot water delivery line, a hot water return line, one or more sensors, and a hot water circulation pump and at least one microprocessor, said at least one microprocessor comprised in a remotely located controller component structured to control said hot water system from a remote location,

said at least one microprocessor microprocessor having a memory component, at least one input connector component for receiving sensor signals, and at least one output connector component for sending control signals;

wherein at least one sensor sends a sensor signal to said controller component detecting a change in water temperature (delta T) at said hot water delivery line or said hot water return line over a temperature gradient time period;

said controller component being structured to export a control signal to one or more HWS components if delta T exceeds a predetermined value.

2. ) The structural on demand hot water system of claim 1, wherein said remotely located controller component resides in a different room than the one occupied by the hot water circulating pump or hot water source.

3. ) The structural on demand hot water system of claim 1, wherein said remotely located controller component resides in a different building than the one occupied by the hot water circulating pump or hot water source.

4. ) The structural on demand hot water system of claim 1, wherein said remotely located controller component resides in a different geographical location than the one occupied by the hot water circulating pump or hot water source.

10. ) A remotely located controller component for a structural on demand hot water system (HWS), said HWS comprising a hot water source, a hot water delivery line, a hot water return line, one or more sensors, and a hot water circulation pump;

comprising;

a controller component remotely located from said HWS for coordinating water and energy use comprising a microprocessor having a memory component, at least one input connector component for receiving sensor signals, and at least one output connector component for sending control signals,

at least one sensor comprising a temperature sensor, said temperature sensor detecting water temperature at said hot water delivery line or said hot water return line over a temperature gradient time period;

said remotely located controller component being structured to receive temperature-dependant data from said temperature sensor, detect a change in hot water line temperature (Δ

T) at said sensor over a temperature gradient time period; and

export a control signal to one or more HWS components;

wherein said controller component receives signals from, and/or sends signals to, said one or more HWS components wirelessly.

15. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 10 structured to receive sensor signals from, and send control signals to, the HWS via the internet using at least in part a method selected from the group consisting of wifi, Bluetooth®

, satellite, and a cellular telephone network.

16. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 10 wherein the controller component is structured to receive sensor signals from and/or send control signals to one or more device selected from the group consisting of:

an alarm system, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a heating system, a door lock, and structural lighting.

18. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 10 wherein said controller is structured to accept user input and transmit a control signal based thereon to said one or more HWS component.

19. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 10 structured to detect an event selected from the group consisting of a loss of water pressure, a loss of water flow, or a lack of hot water in the hot water line, and if such event is detected to turn the pump on for a predetermined circulation time period.

20. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 10 structured to determine patterns of pump activity, water presence or flow, water pressure, temperature, period of pump activity or inactivity, period of hot water source activity or inactivity.

11. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 11 structured to receive sensor signals from, and send control signals to, the HWS via the internet.

5. ) The structural on demand hot water system of claim 13, wherein said remotely located controller component connects to the hot water system by means of a communication system selected from the group consisting of:

power line networking (PLN), DSL, a cable internet connection, an ethernet system, a USB universal computer buss, a non-USB universal computer buss, and a wireless networking system.

7. ) The structural on demand hot water system of claim 13, further comprising a local controller component structured to receive signals from and send signals to the remotely located controller component.

8. ) The structural on demand hot water system of claim 13, comprising a trunk and branch-type line delivery system.

9. ) The structural on demand hot water system of claim 7, comprising at least one additional local controller component.

12. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 11, structured to receive status data signals from the HWS and display an alert to the user.

13. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 11, structured to receive alert data signals from a local controller component of the HWS and display an alert to the user.

14. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 12, structured to receive alert data signals from a local controller component of the HWS and display an alert comprising information selected from the group consisting of image, video, energy usage, water usage, and video feed data to the user.

17. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 102 wherein said one or more HWS components are selected from the group consisting of a water flow sensor, a water line pressure sensor, a manual valve, an automated valve, a water temperature sensor, a pump status sensor, a local controller, a sound detector, a camera, a video camera, a pump flow rate sensor, a hot water source status sensor, a hot water source thermostat, a moisture detector, a time of day indicator, a day of week indicator, and a timer status detector.

6. ) The structural on demand hot water system of claim 17, wherein said remotely located controller component connects to the hot water system by means of a wireless networking system selected from the group consisting of wireless internet, WiFi, Bluetooth®

, satellite communication, or a cellular data network.

21. ) A remotely located controller component for a structural on demand hot water system (HWS), said HWS comprising a hot water source, a hot water delivery line, a hot water return line, one or more sensors, and a hot water circulation pump;

comprising;

a controller component remotely located from said HWS for coordinating water and energy use comprising;

a microprocessor having a memory component, at least one input connector component for receiving sensor signals, and at least one output connector component for sending control signals,

at least one sensor comprising a temperature sensor, said temperature sensor configured to work in conjunction with a controller component to determine changes in hot water temperature selected from the group consisting of whether the water temperature reaches a threshold temperature, or whether a change in water temperature (Δ

T) in the conduit has occurred;

said controller component structured to export a control signal to one or more HWS components when a temperature threshold or temperature gradient threshold is passed;

wherein said controller component receives signals from, and/or sends signals to, said one or more HWS components wirelessly, and

wherein said controller component is structured to permit a user to access HWS data selected from the group consisting of photographic, video, energy usage data, water usage data, and video feed data to the user.

22. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 21, wherein said data is accessed by a user inputting a control signal.

23. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 21, wherein said data is accessed by a user receiving an alert from the controller component.

24. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 21, wherein the data comprises historical data recorded by said controller component.

25. ) The remotely located controller component of claim 21, wherein the data is displayed at least in part as a visual representation selected from the group consisting of a photographic representation, a video representation, a graphical representation and a tabulated representation.