Irrigation system external water supply shutoff

• US 7,690,393 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2005
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flowstar Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Flowstar Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Nagle, Allen J., Holmes, Paul Michael, Kallestad, Jonathan Salvatore
• Primary Examiner(s): FOX, JOHN C
• Application Number:
  US11/082,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20050205132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,846 Days
• Field of Search: 137/337, 137/338, 137/862, 137/870, 137/115.13, 137/115.16, 137/460, 137/456, 251/129.04
• US Class Current: 137/357
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/08 Arrangement of draining devices, e.g. manual shut-off valvesdraining devices in general F16K, F16L
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/046 with electric means, e.g. electric switches, to control the motor or to control a clutch between the valve and the motor F16K31/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/46 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6969 Buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87772 With electrical actuation

Abstract

The present subject matter relates to controlling water sources external to a structure and more particularly to an external water shutoff. One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus having an electrically operable valve placed on a water supply line internal to a structure between a location where the water supply line enters the structure and a location where the water supply line exits the structure, an auto-drain valve, and means for controlling the electrically operable valve, wherein the means for controlling is external to the structure, further wherein the means for controlling the electrically operable valve is communicatively connected to the electrically operable valve external to the structure.

Claims

1. An apparatus to control water flow to an irrigation system, the apparatus comprising:

a landscape irrigation system external to a structure;

an electrically operable valve placed on a water supply line internal to the structure between a location where the water supply line enters the structure and a location where the water supply line exits the structure to supply water to the landscape irrigation system; and

a conductive connection extending from the electrically operable valve internal to the structure to a location external to the structure, the conductive connection to carry a signal the electrically operable valve internal to the structure to cause the electrically operable valve to open or close in response to the signal; and

an auto-drain valve coupled to the water supply line internal to the structure, the auto-drain valve operable to drain water from the water supply line upon closing of the electrically operable valve.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the auto-drain valve is a pressure biased auto-drain valve.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a drain line, wherein the drain line is coupled to the auto-drain valve and extends to a drain.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductive connection is capable of receiving and carrying electricity from a controller to operate the electrically operable valve from the location external to the structure.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductive connection is capable of receiving and carrying control signals to the electrically operable valve.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrically operable valve is a valve having an electric motor attached thereto to open and close the valve.