Residential water damage prevention system

• US 6,532,979 B1
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kris Richter
• Original Assignee: Kris Richter
• Inventors: Richter, Kris
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US10/023,439
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 137/624.11, 137/624.12, 137/357, 137/1, 251/129.04, 239/70
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer

Abstract

A residential water supply interruption system generally comprises a remotely controllable shut-off valve and a controller in communication with the remotely controllable shutoff valve. The remotely controllable shutoff valve is interposed a water line from a water main to the living quarters portion of a residential building, such that activation of the shutoff valve operates to prevent flow of water from the water main to the living quarters. In this manner, damage to the living quarters from failure of water pipes running through the living quarters is prevented during times that the shutoff valve is activated.

Claims

1. A residential water supply interruption system, said system comprising:

a remotely controllable shutoff valve interposed a water line from a water main to a portion of a residential building, said remotely controllable shutoff valve being located in a garage area of said residential building;

a controller comprising an electrical switch in communication with said remotely controllable shutoff valve, said controller being adapted to selectively prevent flow of water through said water line to said portion of said residential building, and

wherein said remotely controllable shutoff valve is interposed a sprinkler system and a household water supply line such that operation of said sprinkler system is independent of the state of said remotely controllable shutoff valve.

2. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 1, wherein said controller further comprises a timer, said timer being adapted to actuate said switch.

3. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 2, wherein said controller further comprises a temporary override, said temporary override being adapted to operate said switch such that flow of water through said water line to said portion of said residential building is enabled for a limited period of time.

4. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 3, said system further comprising a portable controller adapted to enable said temporary override.

5. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 4, wherein said portable controller is in communication with said controller via a radio signal.

6. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 1, wherein said remotely controllable shutoff valve comprises a ball valve operable via an electric motor.

7. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 1, wherein said remotely controllable shutoff valve comprises a gate valve operable via a solenoid mechanism.

8. A residential water supply interruption system, said system comprising:

a remotely controllable shutoff valve interposed a water line from a water main to a portion of a residential building, said remotely controllable shutoff valve being located in a garage area of said residential building; and

a controller comprising an electrical switch in communication with said remotely controllable shutoff valve, said controller being adapted to selectively prevent flow of water through said water line to said portion of said residential building.

9. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 8, wherein said portion of said residential building comprises living quarters.

10. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 9, wherein said controller is located within said living quarters.

11. A method for protecting a residential building from damage incident water pipe failure, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a remotely controllable shutoff valve in a water supply line to at least a portion of the residential building, said portion of the residential building comprising living quarters;

activating a controller in communication with said shutoff valve to selectively inhibit flow of water through said water supply line; and

wherein;

said controller comprises an electrical switch, said switch being adapted to effect control over said shutoff valve, and a timer, said timer being adapted to actuate said switch; and

said shutoff valve is interposed a first portion of said water supply line entering said living quarters and a second portion of said water supply line in fluid communication with a sprinkler system.

12. The method for protecting a residential building from damage incident water pipe failure as recited in claim 11, wherein said controller further comprises a timer, said timer being adapted to actuate said switch.

13. The method for protecting a residential building from damage incident water pipe failure as recited in claim 11, wherein said shutoff valve comprises a ball valve operable via an electric motor.

14. The method for protecting a residential building from damage incident water pipe failure as recited in claim 11, wherein said shutoff valve comprises a gate valve operable via a solenoid mechanism.

15. A residential water supply interruption system, said system comprising:

a remotely controllable shutoff valve interposed a water line from a water main to a portion of a residential building;

a controller in communication with said remotely controllable shutoff valve, said controller being adapted to selectively prevent flow of water through said water line to said portion of said residential building; and

wherein said remotely controllable shutoff valve is interposed a sprinkler system and a household water supply line such that operation of said sprinkler system is independent of the state of said remotely controllable shutoff valve.

16. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 15, wherein said controller comprises an electrical switch.

17. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 16, wherein said controller further comprises a timer, said timer being adapted to actuate said switch.

18. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 17, wherein said controller further comprises a temporary override, said temporary override being adapted to operate said switch such that flow of water through said water line to said portion of said residential building is enabled for a limited period of time.

19. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 18, said system further comprising a portable controller adapted to enable said temporary override.

20. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 19, wherein said portable controller is in communication with said controller via a radio signal.

21. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 16, wherein said remotely controllable shutoff valve comprises a ball valve operable via an electric motor.

22. The residential water supply interruption system as recited in claim 16, wherein said remotely controllable shutoff valve comprises a gate valve operable via a solenoid mechanism.