Interactive Water Monitoring System

• US 20170335550A1
• Filed: 11/12/2015
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Water HERO LLC
• Original Assignee: Water HERO LLC
• Inventors: Sterling, Daniel, Cheimets, Alex
• Granted Patent: US 10,676,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/072 Arrangement of flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/00 Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow measuring a proportion of the volume flow G01F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2807 for pipes G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence

Abstract

An exemplary system for an interactive water supply management system for use in residential and commercial properties and a method of installation and use are provided. In the preferred embodiment is a system comprising a water consumption sensor capable of being externally mounted to a water meter, circuitry for the collection of water consumption data, a communication system allowing two way communication with a user and a water main valve shutoff. Remote vibration sensors on water pipes or acceleration sensors on manually articulated water valves provide feedback to the system to allow automatic identification of water consumed by each faucet or appliance. The communication system includes a means of two way communication through the manipulation of the water flow rate by the water shut off valve or by a user.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a water flow sensor configured to determine the flow rate of water in a pipe;

a motorized water valve mounted to said pipe;

a main computing unit configured to receive water consumption data from said water flow sensor, configured to control said motorized valve and in two way communication with a user through a communication system; and

a computer server in two way communication with said user and said main computing unit where said server hosts an interface for communicating with said user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said water flow sensor is a magnetometer configured to receive water consumption data from a water meter.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the system further comprises one or more vibration sensors mounted on a water supply pipe downstream of said water flow sensor and in communication with said main computing unit.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the system further comprises one or more acceleration sensors mounted on a water valve downstream of said water flow sensor and in communication with said main computing unit.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said communication system further comprises a method of communication with said user where said main computing unit directs said motor to restrict water flow in the system in a preset sequence.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said communication system further comprises a method of communication with said main computing unit where said user turns on a water valve downstream of said water flow sensor in a preset sequence where the change in water flow is detected by said magnetometer.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said interface conveys information to said user based on the data collected by said sensors.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said interface further includes a means of storing alert parameters and a means of sending one or more alerts to said user.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said motorized water valve comprises a motor externally mounted to the handle of a manual water valve and capable of articulating said handle.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said motor is an electric stepper motor.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said water flow sensor, motorized water valve and main computing unit are mounted within a single housing.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising one or more moisture sensors in communication with said main computing unit;

13. A method comprising:

attaching a water flow sensor with an identifier to a water meter;

registering said identifier with a computer server;

establishing communication between said water flow sensor and said computer server;

setting a system base leakage on said computer server; and

setting alert thresholds on said computer server based on the water flow rate and elapsed time of a water flow event on a water supply system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said method further comprises:

establishing a continuously evolving water usage profile on said computer server based on past data collected by said water flow sensor and instances where said alert thresholds were exceeded; and

said computer server comparing a current water flow rate to said water usage profile and characterizing said current water flow rate as in control or out of control and sending alerts where said current water flow rate exceeds said alert thresholds.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said computer server provides an interface where said user can view information and metrics derived from said water usage profile and where a user can set said alert thresholds.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises:

receiving time data from one or more acceleration sensors mounted on a water valve handle downstream of said water flow sensing sensor; and

characterizing a water activity based on pattern matching from a quantity of water detected by said water flow sensing sensor and time data from one or more said acceleration sensors.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said method further comprises:

providing an interactive interface to a user to convey at least the water usage data collected from said water flow sensing sensor and for said user to input alert thresholds based on said water usage data;

producing a continuously evolving water usage profile based on past water usage data received from at least said water flow sensing sensor;

comparing current water flow sensing sensor data to said water usage profile; and

alerting said user where said current water flow sensing sensor data exceeds said alert thresholds.

18. A computer readable medium comprising instruction, the instructions being executable by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving water usage data from a water flow sensing sensor;

receiving an identifier associated with said water flow sensing sensor;

receiving time data from one or more activity sensors mounted to a water pipe or water pipe fitting downstream from said water flow sensing sensor; and

characterizing a water activity based on pattern matching from the quantity of water detected by said water flow sensing sensor and time data from one or more said vibration sensors.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18 wherein said activity sensors are comprised of one or more vibration sensors.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19 wherein said activity sensors further comprise one or more acceleration sensors.