Methods and apparatus for using water use signatures and water pressure in improving water use efficiency

• US 7,330,796 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smart Irrigation Solutions Incorporated (Quarterhill Inc. (f/k/a Wi-LAN Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Aqua Conserve Incorporated
• Inventors: Addink, Sylvan, Givargis, Tony, Addink, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cherry; Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US11/217,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20060009928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 702/45, 702/44, 702/50, 702/55
• US Class Current: 702/45
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/06 Indicating or recording devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2807 for pipes G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2815 using pressure measurements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution

Abstract

A method to identify a water flow anomaly in a system having first and second water using devices to generate baseline data that preferably has water use signatures and corresponding water pressure information regarding the water using devices; comparing the baseline data with actual water usage signatures and corresponding actual water pressure information to identify a flow anomaly with the water using devices; and providing information on the flow anomaly to an individual. It is especially contemplated that baseline data are generated for multiple devices coupled to a common water supply system, with baseline data from two or more water using devices compared against future water use patterns of the same devices. Apparatus to accomplish these tasks is preferably housed in an irrigation controller, which may be advantageously coupled to a flow meter.

Claims

1. A method for identifying a flow anomaly in a system fluidly coupled to a metered water district water line, and having first and second water using devices, comprising:

generating fist baseline data comprising a first water use signature and corresponding first water pressure information regarding the first water using device;

comparing the first baseline data with a first actual water usage signature and first actual water pressure information to identify a first flow anomaly with the first device; and

providing information on the first flow anomaly to an individual.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first water using device comprises a home appliance.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first water using device comprises an irrigation system.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising using a single flow meter that compares the baseline data with the actual water usage signature and the actual water pressure information.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating second baseline data comprising a second water use signature and corresponding second water pressure information regarding the second water using device;

comparing the second baseline data with actual water usage signature and corresponding second water pressure information to identify a second flow anomaly with the second device; and

providing information on the second flow anomaly to an individual.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the second water using device comprises a home appliance.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the second water using device comprises an irrigation system.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the first water using device comprises a home appliance and the second water using device comprises an irrigation system.

9. The method of claim 5 further comprising using a single flow meter to perform both comparisons.

10. A system fluidly coupled to a metered water district water line and having a microprocessor that operates code that compares first and second water use patterns against previously established first and second water use signatures, respectively, and corresponding first and second water pressures against previously established first and second water pressures.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the microprocessor is housed in an irrigation controller.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising a communication line that transmits flow data from a flow meter directly to the system.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the first water use pattern corresponds to a leak in a water use device.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the leak comprises a broken irrigation sprinkler.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein the first water use pattern corresponds to a plugged irrigation sprinkler head.

16. The system of claim 10, further comprising a display that displays real time flow data to an individual.

17. The system of claim 10, further comprising a warning signal generator that alerts an individual upon determination of an existence of a flow anomaly.