Automatic fluid flow shut-off device

• US 6,209,576 B1
• Filed: 08/05/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Davis, Dan
• Original Assignee: Davis, Dan
• Inventors: Davis, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Krishnamurthy, Ramesh
• Application Number:
  US09/368,668
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 137/624.11, 137/487.5, 137/460, 137/486
• US Class Current: 137/487.5
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2807 for pipes G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7727 Excessive flow cut-off
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7759 Responsive to change in rate of fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer

Abstract

An automatic fluid shut-off device for interrupting fluid flow through a fluid supply path in a fluid delivery system. The automatic fluid shut-off device includes: a fluid flow sensor structured and disposed for monitoring fluid flow in a fluid supply path; a control panel housing, a central processing unit, and including a visual display panel, programming buttons, and indicator lights; and either a solenoid actuated fluid shut-off valve or relay that interrupts power to a fluid pump. The fluid flow sensor monitors fluid flow in the fluid supply path and outputs the fluid flow data to the central processing unit. The central processing unit compares the measured fluid flow value with the value preprogrammed for the particular operating conditions or for the particular active zone in a multi-zone fluid delivery system. The central processing unit actuates the solenoid to close the shut-off valve and/or trigger the relay to an open position to thereby stop fluid flow through the system when the measured fluid flow value exceeds the applicable preprogrammed maximum value. An audible alarm tone and flashing light are also triggered when the measured fluid flow value exceeds the maximum value. User inputs are provided for inputting maximum fluid flow values and for selecting particular operating modes for the system.

Claims

1. A device for interrupting fluid flow through a fluid supply path in a fluid delivery system having a controller for selectively directing the fluid flow to a plurality of independent zones, said device comprising:

a fluid flow sensor structured and disposed for monitoring said fluid flow through said fluid supply path and for measuring fluid flow values associated with said fluid flow through each of said plurality of independent zones, said fluid flow sensor being further structured for outputting data correlating to said measured fluid flow values in each of said plurality of independent zones;

means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path;

a central processing unit communicating with said fluid flow sensor and said means for terminating said fluid flow, said central processing unit including;

means for receiving input data corresponding to each of said plurality of independent zones including data establishing at least one maximum fluid flow value for each of said plurality of independent zones;

memory means for storing said input data;

means for receiving said output data from said fluid flow sensor correlating to said measured fluid flow values;

means for detecting initiating and subsequent termination of said fluid flow through each of said plurality of independent zones to thereby define a plurality of flow cycles, wherein each of said plurality of flow cycles corresponds with one of said plurality of independent zones;

data processing means for evaluating and comparing said data correlating to said measured fluid flow values with said input data stored in said memory means in order to identify an alarm condition when one or more of said measured fluid flow values exceed said at least one maximum fluid flow value in any of said plurality of independent zones;

means for triggering actuation of said means for terminating said fluid flow upon identifying said alarm condition;

means for delaying said evaluating and comparing by said data processing means for a predetermined amount of time after initiation of each of said flow cycles;

means for selectively bypassing said evaluating and comparing by said data processing means to thereby prevent actuation of said means for triggering actuation of said means for terminating said fluid flow;

means for entering and programming said input data into said central processing unit; and

indicator means for providing an alert upon said system identifying said alarm condition.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path comprises a solenoid actuated fluid shut-off valve positioned along said fluid supply path and being operable between a normally open position to allow said fluid flow through said fluid supply path and to a selected one or more of said plurality of independent zones and a closed position to interrupt said fluid flow through said fluid supply path thereby preventing said fluid flow to the selected one or more of said plurality of independent zones.

3. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path comprises means for interrupting power to a fluid pump in said delivery system.

4. A fluid delivery system, comprising:

a plurality of independent zones each in fluid flow communication with a fluid supply path;

a controller between said plurality of independent zones and said fluid supply path for selectively controlling fluid flow from said fluid supply path to one or more of said plurality of independent zones according to a predetermined timed sequence;

a fluid flow sensor structured and disposed for monitoring said fluid flow through said fluid supply path and for measuring a volume of said fluid flow to each of said plurality of independent zones, said fluid flow sensor being further structured for outputting data correlating to said measured fluid flow volume for each of said plurality of independent zones;

means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path;

a central processing unit communicating said fluid flow sensor and said shut-off valve, said central processing unit comprising;

means for receiving input data corresponding to each of said plurality of independent zones including data establishing at least one maximum fluid flow volume for each of said plurality of independent zones;

memory means for storing said input data;

means for receiving said output data from said fluid flow sensor;

means for detecting initiation and subsequent termination of said fluid flow through each of said plurality of independent zones to thereby define a plurality of cycles, wherein each of said plurality of flow cycles corresponds with one of said plurality of independent zones;

data processing means for evaluating and comparing said data correlating to said measured fluid flow volume during said flow cycle with said input data stored in said memory means in order to identify an alarm condition when said measured fluid flow volume during said flow cycle exceeds said at least one maximum fluid flow volume in any of said plurality of independent zones;

means for detecting initiation of a change in said fluid flow volume prior to said termination of said fluid flow in each of said plurality of independent zones;

means for resetting said means for evaluating and comparing by said data processing means to thereby define said flow cycles for a selected time period;

means for triggering actuation of said fluid shut-off valve upon identifying said alarm condition to thereby operate said shut-off valve to said closed position;

means for selectively bypassing said evaluating and comparing by said data processing means to thereby enable selective control of said means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path or to actuate said means for terminating said fluid flow upon said fluid flow sensor measuring said fluid flow volume being greater than zero;

means for entering and programming said input data into said central processing unit;

indicator means for providing an alert upon said system identifying said alarm condition;

means for tabulating said fluid flow volume for a selected time period;

means for resetting said means for tabulating said fluid flow volume;

means for outputting data to display results of said tabulating; and

means for outputting data to display said output data from said fluid flow sensor.

5. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path comprises a solenoid actuated fluid shutoff valve positioned along said fluid supply path and being operable between a normally open position to allow said fluid flow through said fluid supply path and to a selected one or more of said plurality of independent zones and a closed position to interrupt said fluid flow through said fluid supply path thereby preventing said fluid flow to the selected one or more of said plurality of independent zones.

6. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path comprises means for interrupting power to a fluid pump in said delivery system.

7. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for entering and programming said input data into said central processing unit comprises a control panel structured and disposed to house and electronically communicate with said central processing unit, said control panel comprising:

a visual display;

an audio transducer structured and disposed to transmit an audible tone when said alarm condition is triggered;

a flashing light structured and disposed to flash when said alarm condition is triggered;

means for selecting and entering said input data;

means for communicating with said central processing unit to activate said means for selectively bypassing said evaluating and comparing by said data processing means; and

means for communicating with said central processing unit to activate said means for resetting said tabulating said fluid flow volume.

8. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for selecting and entering said input data comprises:

button means for selecting said at least one maximum fluid flow volume;

means for displaying said at least one maximum fluid flow volume on said visual display panel; and

button means for entering said at least one maximum fluid flow volume being displayed on said visual display panel into said central processing unit.

9. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for communicating with said central processing unit to activate said means for selectively bypassing said evaluating and comparing by said data processing means comprises button means.

10. A device for interrupting fluid flow through a fluid supply path in a fluid delivery system having a controller for selectively directing the fluid flow to a plurality of independent zones, said device comprising:

a fluid flow sensor structured and disposed for monitoring said fluid flow through said fluid supply path and for measuring fluid flow values associated with said fluid flow through each of said plurality of independent zones, said fluid flow sensor being further structured for outputting data correlating to said measured fluid flow rates in each of said plurality of independent zones;

means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path;

a central processing unit communicating with said fluid flow sensor and said means for terminating said fluid flow, said central processing unit including;

means for receiving input data corresponding to each of said plurality of independent zones including data establishing at least one maximum fluid flow rate for each of said plurality of independent zones;

memory means for storing said input data;

means for receiving said output data from said fluid flow sensor correlating to said measured fluid flow rates;

means for detecting initiating and subsequent termination of said fluid flow through each of said plurality of independent zones to thereby define a plurality of flow cycles, wherein each of said plurality of flow cycles corresponds with one of said plurality of independent zones;

data processing means for evaluating and comparing said data correlating to said measured fluid flow rates with said input data stored in said memory means in order to identify an alarm condition when one or more of said measured fluid flow rates exceed said at least one maximum fluid flow rate in any of said plurality of independent zones;

means for triggering actuation of said means for terminating said fluid flow upon identifying said alarm condition;

means for delaying said evaluating and comparing by said data processing means for a predetermined amount of time after initiation of each of said flow cycles;

means for selectively bypassing said evaluating and comparing by said data processing means to thereby prevent actuation of said means for triggering actuation of said means for terminating said fluid flow;

means for entering and programming said input data into said central processing unit;

indicator means for providing an alert upon said system identifying said alarm condition;

a time clock, said time clock communicating with said central processing unit and being structured and disposed for determining when each of said plurality of flow cycles begins, and said time clock further being structured and disposed for determining the duration of each of said plurality of flow cycles; and

said means for triggering actuation of said means for terminating said fluid flow being structured and disposed to reset after completion of each of said plurality of fluid flow cycles wherein said alarm condition is identified, thereby enabling said fluid flow through said fluid supply path and to another one of said plurality of independent zones upon the next of said plurality of fluid flow cycles being initiated.

11. The device as recited in claim 10 wherein said means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path comprises a solenoid actuated fluid shut-off valve positioned along said fluid supply path and being operable between a normally open position to allow said fluid flow through said fluid supply path and a closed position to interrupt said fluid flow through said fluid supply path.

12. The device as recited in claim 10 wherein said means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path comprises means for interrupting power to a fluid pump in said delivery system.

13. The device as recited in claim 12 wherein said means for entering and programming said input data into said central processing unit comprises a control panel structured and disposed to house and electronically communicate with said central processing unit, said control panel comprising:

a visual display panel that displays the status and flow meter reading of each of said plurality of independent zones;

an audio transducer structured and disposed to transmit an audible tone when said alarm condition is triggered;

a flashing light structured and disposed to flash when said alarm condition is triggered;

a flashing light structured and disposed to flash when said fluid flow rate is not constant;

a light structured and disposed to illuminate when said fluid flow rate is constant;

means for setting said device for interrupting fluid flow into programming mode;

means for selecting and entering said input data; and

means for setting said device for interrupting fluid flow into automatic mode.

14. The device as recited in claim 13 wherein said means for selectively bypassing said evaluating and comparing by said data processing means comprise button means.