MONITORING SYSTEM AND WATER FILTER MAINTENANCE METHOD

• US 20200131745A1
• Filed: 03/25/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2017
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Panta Rhei Advanced Technologies Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Panta Rhei Advanced Technologies Ltd.
• Inventors: MAZIEL, Eldad, GRYFNER, Oren
• Application Number:
  US16/493,359
• Publication Number:
  US 20200131745A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/072 Arrangement of flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/20 by detection of dynamic effects of the flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/24 with magnetic or electric coupling to the indicating device
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/26 of the valve type
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/26 by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/28 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/014 using sliding elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance

Abstract

A water flow measuring device comprises: a) a main body provided with a water flow sensor through which water can flow when demand therefor is made by a water supply system; and, b) data collecting circuitry suitable to collect data generated by said water flow sensor; said water flow sensor being provided with a plugging element coupled with a spring constricting element, which is suitable to block the flow of water therethrough when the water pressure at the inlet of said sensor is smaller than the mechanical pressure applied by said spring constricting element.

Claims

1. A water flow measuring device comprising:

a) a main body provided with a water flow sensor through which water can flow when demand therefor is made by a water supply apparatus;

b) data collecting circuitry suitable to collect data generated by said water flow sensor;

wherein said water flow sensor is provided with a plugging element coupled with a spring constricting element, which is suitable to block the flow of water therethrough when the water pressure at the inlet of said sensor is smaller than the mechanical pressure applied by said spring constricting element.

2. A water flow measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the plugging element is suitable to actuate a proximity sensor.

3. A water flow measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the proximity sensor is a reed switch and the plugging element is provided with a magnet.

4. A water flow measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the reed switch is a step switch provided with individually identifiable locations suitable to determine the position of the plugging element relative to it.

5. A water flow measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with peripheral slots the flow of water through which is blocked when the plugging element does not apply pressure against the spring constricting element.

6. A water flow measuring device according to claim 5, wherein displacement of the plugging element determines the flow rate of water that passes through the sensor.

7. A water flow measuring device according to claim 1, provided with one or more communication components selected from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and radio.

8. A system for performing maintenance of water dispensing apparatus, comprising:

(i) a water flow measuring device according to claim 1;

(ii) a distance server located on a network; and

(iii) a communication component suitable to transmit to and from a user.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the network is the Internet.

10. A system according to claim 8, wherein the communication component includes a portable communication device.

11. A method for maintaining a water dispensing system comprising

a) providing data storage means adapted to receive data representative of water usage of said system, said data being generated by a device coupled with, or provided in, said system;

b) correlating said data with a system maintenance need; and

c) providing to a user of said system data relative to said maintenance need.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the maintenance need comprises the required time of replacement of a disposable.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the maintenance need comprises data adapted to allow the user to select a disposable adapted to the user'"'"'s specific needs.

14. A method according to claim 11, further comprising providing the user with a connection to a supplier of disposables through which a specific disposable selected according to the user'"'"'s specific maintenance needs can be obtained.

15. A method according to claim 11, wherein providing to a user of the system data relative to said maintenance need includes alerting the user of a potential malfunctioning.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the potential malfunctioning is a leakage or a flooding of the system.