Temperature sensitive water supply shut-off system

• US 5,638,847 A
• Filed: 02/02/1995
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: QP & H Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: QP & H Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Moore, Bruce A., Hoch, John R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/383,486
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 137/459, 137/460, 137/554, 137/78.3, 137/80, 137/312, 137/79
• US Class Current: 137/80
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/10 Devices preventing bursting of pipes by freezing devices preventing bursting of pipes in general F16L55/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/16 with staggered markings
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/44 for weighing persons
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/20 Indicating weight by mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1963 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1987 With additional diverse control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7727 Excessive flow cut-off

Abstract

A water supply control apparatus includes a flow sensor, connected to a supply line of an indoor plumbing network, which sends a flow signal to a controller when flow is detected. The controller includes a power circuit which is interrupted upon detection of flow, thereby causing a shut-off valve to close. Moisture sensors and temperature sensors can also be coupled to the controller so that the shut-off valve can be closed in response to the detection of moisture or an incipient freeze condition.

Claims

1. A water supply control apparatus for an indoor plumbing system having a water supply line, comprising:

a shut-off valve disposed in the water supply line;

electric motor means for actuating the shut-off valve and being operable between open and closed positions;

a flow sensor coupled to the water supply line downstream of the shut-off valve, and being operable to sense a condition when water flows through the water supply conduit; and

control means, receiving an input signal from the flow sensor, for actuating the shut-off valve to the closed position when flow through the water supply line is detected.

2. A water supply control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor means is a solenoid.

3. A water supply control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow sensor includes a switch disposed in fluid communication with the water supply line, and being actuated to a closed position in response to fluid flow.

4. A water supply control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one temperature sensor disposed in a position of exposure to cold temperatures, and being coupled to the control means, the control means being operable to actuate the shut-off valve to the closed position when a threshold temperature is detected by the temperature sensor.

5. A water supply control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one moisture sensor adapted to be located in a position of exposure to water leaking from household appliances, and being coupled to the control means, the control means being operable to actuate the shut-off valve to the closed position when moisture is detected by the moisture sensor.

6. A water supply control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one temperature sensor disposed in a position of exposure to cold temperatures, and being coupled to the control means, the control means being operable to actuate the shut-off valve to the closed position when a threshold temperature is detected by the temperature sensor, and at least one moisture sensor adapted to be located in a position of exposure to water leaking from household appliances, and being coupled to the control means, the control means being operable to actuate the shut-off valve to the closed position when moisture is detected by the moisture sensor.

7. A water supply control apparatus comprising:

a shut-off valve connectable to a supply line of an indoor plumbing network, the shut-off valve having an open position and a closed position;

a power circuit connectable to a primary power supply and including electric motor means for actuating the shut-off valve from the closed position to the open position when the power circuit is in a closed circuit condition so that the electric motor means is supplied with electric energy, the valve returning to the closed position when the power circuit is in an open circuit condition so that the electric motor means is not supplied with electric energy, and first switch means for changing the condition of the power circuit;

a control circuit including at least one temperature sensor means, mountable indoors, for producing a signal indicative of ambient temperature, and comparison means for comparing the signal of the temperature sensor means to a predetermined threshold temperature and outputting a control signal to cause the first switch means to change the condition of the power circuit to open when the ambient temperature is at or below the threshold value;

at least one moisture sensor, coupled to the control circuit and comparison means to change the condition of the power circuit when moisture is detected, and being positioned at a location indoors near a water-supplied appliance; and

a flow sensor coupled to the water supply line downstream of the shut-off valve, and being operable to sense a condition when water flows through the water supply conduit and being coupled to the control circuit and comparison means to change the condition of the power circuit when moisture is detected.

8. A water supply control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one moisture sensor comprises a non-conductive base member having first and second wiring patterns formed thereon and defining an open circuit, the open circuit being closed by moisture bridging the first and second wiring patterns.

9. A water supply control apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising manual reset means for changing the condition of the power circuit back to closed.