Remote operable corporation stop for water supply sources

• US 7,083,158 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2004
• Issued: 08/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frederick D. Ireland, James E. Burt
• Original Assignee: Frederick D. Ireland, James E. Burt
• Inventors: Burt, James E., Ireland, Frederick D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): deVore, Peter
• Application Number:
  US10/846,856
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.03, 251/129.04, 251/129.11, 251/304
• US Class Current: 251/129.03
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/08 Arrangement of draining devices, e.g. manual shut-off valvesdraining devices in general F16K, F16L
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/08 Underground hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/04 using a motor

Abstract

A system connectable to a water line for controlling the flow of water includes an underground housing, a shut-off mechanism disposed within the housing and connected to the water lines, and a controlling mechanism including a wand for sending a signal to the shut-off mechanism and thereby open and close the system. The shut-off mechanism includes a motor, an actuator interface, and a drive shaft operably connected to each other wherein the drive shaft rotates based upon the signal from the wand so that water flow can be adjusted as desired by an operator. The controlling mechanism includes an antenna and transceiver for communicating with the wand. The actuator interface is coupled to the antenna for processing and communicating a signal received from the wand and transmitting same to the motor and drive shaft.

Claims

1. A system connectable to an existing water line and for selectively controlling the flow of water therethrough, said system comprising:

a housing positionable into a ground surface and spaced upstream a select distance from an existing water meter, said housing having a plurality of openings for receiving a first water supply line having a first flow rate and directing a second water supply line having a second flow rate towards the existing water line, said second supply line being in fluid communication with the existing water meter;

means for shutting off water flow through said housing, said shutoff means being disposed within said housing and contiguously connected to the first and second water supply lines;

means for operably controlling said shut-off means so that an operator can selectively control the first and second flow rates, said controlling means being connected to said shut-off means and being disposed within said housing, wherein said controlling means comprises a hand-operable wand for generating and sending a signal to said shut-off means for toggling said system being open and closed modes; and

a power supply source passing through said housing and being connected to said controlling and shut-off means respectively;

wherein said controlling means further comprises;

an antenna including a transceiver connecting thereto for transmitting and receiving a signal from said wand;

wherein said controlling means further comprises;

an actuator interface electrically coupled to said antenna for processing the signal from said wand and communicating with said shut-off means during operating conditions;

wherein said shut-off means comprises

a motor operably connected to said actuator interface and including a drive shaft extending outwardly therefrom, said drive shaft being rotatable in a select direction based upon the signal transmitted by said wand,

an arm pivotally connected to said drive shaft and being movable along a select arcuate path, and

a valve member secured to said arm and being caused to contemporaneously move with said arm during operating conditions so that the first and second water flow rates can be adjusted as desired by an operator, said valve member being rotatable approximately one quadrant per 3 seconds to prevent a water hammer and air lock from occurring in the water main when said system is turned on and off respectively.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises:

a lid removably connected thereto and for allowing an operator to readily access said controlling and shut-off means disposed within said housing.

3. A system connectable to an existing water line and for selectively controlling the flow of water therethrough, said system comprising:

a housing positionable into a ground surface and spaced upstream a select distance from an existing water meter, said housing having a plurality of openings for receiving a first water supply line having a first flow rate and directing a second water supply line having a second flow rate towards the existing water line, said second supply line being in fluid communication with the existing water meter;

means for shutting off water flow through said housing, said shut-off means being disposed within said housing and contiguously connected to the first and second water supply lines;

means for operably controlling said shut-off means so that an operator can selectively control the first and second flow rates, said controlling means being connected to said shut-off means and being disposed within said housing, wherein said controlling means comprises

a hand-operable wand for generating and sending a signal to said shut-off means for toggling said system being open and closed modes, and

an antenna including a transceiver connecting thereto for transmitting and receiving a signal from said wand; and

a power supply source passing through said housing and being connected to said controlling and shut-off means respectively;

wherein said controlling means further comprises;

an actuator interface electrically coupled to said antenna for processing the signal from said wand and communicating with said shut-off means during operating conditions;

wherein said shut-off means comprises

a motor operably connected to said actuator interface and including a drive shaft extending outwardly therefrom, said drive shaft being rotatable in a select direction based upon the signal transmitted by said wand,

an arm pivotally connected to said drive shaft and being movable along a select arcuate path, and

a valve member secured to said arm and being caused to contemporaneously move with said arm during operating conditions so that the first and second water flow rates can be adjusted as desired by an operator, said valve member being rotatable approximately one quadrant per 3 seconds to prevent a water hammer and air lock from occurring in the water main when said system is turned on and off respectively.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said housing comprises:

a lid removably connected thereto and for allowing an operator to readily access said controlling and shut-off means disposed within said housing.

5. A system connectable to an existing water line and for selectively controlling the flow of water therethrough, said system comprising:

a housing positionable into a ground surface and spaced upstream a select distance from an existing water meter, said housing having a plurality of openings for receiving a first water supply line having a first flow rate and directing a second water supply line having a second flow rate towards the existing water line, said second supply line being in fluid communication with the existing water meter;

means for shutting off water flow through said housing, said shut-off means being disposed within said housing and contiguously connected to the first and second water supply lines;

means for operably controlling said shut-off means so that an operator can selectively control the first and second flow rates, said controlling means being connected to said shut-off means and being disposed within said housing, wherein said controlling means comprises

a hand-operable wand for generating and sending a signal to said shut-off means for toggling said system being open and closed modes,

an antenna including a transceiver connecting thereto for transmitting and receiving a signal from said wand, and

an actuator interface electrically coupled to said antenna for processing the signal from said wand and communicating with said shut-off means during operating conditions; and

a power supply source passing through said housing and being connected to said controlling and shut-off means respectively;

wherein said shut-off means comprises

a motor operably connected to said actuator interface and including a drive shaft extending outwardly therefrom, said drive shaft being rotatable in a select direction based upon the signal transmitted by said wand,

an arm pivotally connected to said drive shaft and being movable along a select arcuate path, and

a valve member secured to said arm and being caused to contemporaneously move with said arm during operating conditions so that the first and second water flow rates can be adjusted as desired by an operator, said valve member being rotatable approximately one quadrant per 3 seconds to prevent a water hammer and air lock from occurring in the water main when said system is turned on and off respectively.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said housing comprises:

a lid removably connected thereto and for allowing an operator to readily access said controlling and shut-off means disposed within said housing.