Electronic water utility safety and monitoring apparatus

• US 5,764,148 A
• Filed: 02/06/1997
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Berwyn Travis Frasier
• Original Assignee: Berwyn Travis Frasier
• Inventors: Frasier, Berwyn Travis
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIEU, JULIE BICHNGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/795,678
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 340/606, 340/611, 340/626, 340/614, 137/551, 137/557, 73/40.5 R
• US Class Current: 340/626
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/003 using electromagnetic, electric or electronic means G01F15/002, G01F15/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/28 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A electronic water utility monitoring system including a control box for the system positionable within the house of a user. Further provided is a first electrical line from the control box to a source of potential within the house. Associated therewith is a second electrical line from the control box to a water line for the house. Also included is a flow metering device mounted on the second electrical line to determine the rate of flow of the water within the water line. Finally, an electrical circuit is included for controlling the box. Such electric circuit has a port for allowing coupling with a conventional computer thereby allowing the storing of the rate of flow of water and further calculating the amount of water consumed over a predetermined amount of time and the price of water consumed.

Claims

1. A new and improved electronic water utility safety and monitoring system, comprising, in combination:

a control box for the system positionable within the house of a user;

a digital light emitting diode display mounted to the box to indicate a numerical value indicative of a sensed water pressure and a rate of flow of water;

a buzzer mounted in the box to generate an audible signal upon the pressure being identified outside of an acceptable range;

a first electrical line from the control box to a source of potential within the house;

a second electrical line from the control box to a water line for the house;

a pressure sensor mounted on the second electrical line to determine the pressure within the water line and to allow the display to indicate such determined pressure;

a flow metering device mounted on the second electrical line to determine the rate of flow of the water within the water line and to allow the display to indicate such determined rate of flow of the water;

a valve actuated via a solenoid, the valve located within the water line and mounted thereto adjacent to the pressure sensor in a fashion similar to that of an existing main control valve, the valve adapted to shut off the flow of water automatically upon the pressure being outside of the acceptable range for a predetermined amount of time, the valve adapted to shut off the flow of water manually from the control box at the discretion of a user upon the inspection of the display;

an electrical circuit for controlling the box including a port for allowing coupling with a conventional computer thereby allowing the storing of the rate of flow of water and further calculating the amount of water consumed over a predetermined amount of time and the price of water consumed.

2. A new and improved electronic water utility monitoring system, comprising:

a control box for the system positionable within the house of a user;

a first electrical line from the control box to a source of potential within the house;

a second electrical line from the control box to a water line for the house;

a flow metering device mounted on the second electrical line to determine the rate of flow of the water within the water line;

an electrical circuit for controlling the box including a port for allowing coupling with a conventional computer thereby allowing the storing of the rate of flow of water and further calculating the amount of water consumed over a predetermined amount of time and the price of water consumed;

a pressure sensor mounted on the second electrical line in determine the pressure within the water line; and

a valve actuated via a solenoid, the valve located within the water line and mounted thereto adjacent to the pressure sensor in a fashion similar to that of an existing main control valve, the valve adapted to shut off the flow of water automatically upon the pressure being outside of the acceptable range for a predetermined amount of time, the valve adapted to shut off the flow of water manually from the control box at the discretion of a user upon the inspection of the display.

3. A new and improved electronic water utility monitoring system as set forth in claim 2 and further including a digital light emitting diode display mounted to the box to indicate a numerical value indicative of a rate of flow of water, whereby the flow metering device is adapted to allow the display to indicate such determined rate of flow of the water.

4. A new and improved electronic water utility monitoring system as set forth in claim 2 and further including a digital light emitting diode display mounted to the box to indicate a numerical value indicative of a sensed water pressure, whereby the pressure sensor is adapted to allow the display to indicate such determined pressure.

5. A new and improved electronic water utility monitoring system as set forth in claim 2 and further including a buzzer mounted in the box to generate an audible signal upon the pressure being identified outside of an acceptable range.

6. A new and improved electronic water utility safety system, comprising, in combination:

a control box for the system positionable within the house of a user;

a digital light emitting diode display to indicate a numerical value indicative of a sensed water pressure;

a buzzer mounted in the box to generate an audible signal upon the pressure being identified outside of an acceptable range;

a first electrical line from the control box to a source of potential within the house;

a second electrical line from the control box to a water line for the house;

a sensor mounted on the second electrical line to determine the pressure within the water line and to allow the display to indicate such determined pressure;

a valve actuated via a solenoid, the valve located within the water line and mounted thereto adjacent to the sensor in a fashion similar to that of an existing main control valve, the valve adapted to shut off the flow of water automatically upon the pressure being outside of the acceptable range, the valve further adapted to shut off the flow of water manually from the control box at the discretion of a user upon the inspection of the display;

said valve adapted only to shut off the flow of water automatically upon the pressure being outside of the acceptable range after a predetermined amount of time; and

an electrical circuit for controlling the box.