Water use monitoring apparatus and water damage prevention system

• US 9,297,150 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2013
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rein Tech, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Michael Edward Klicpera
• Inventors: Klicpera, Michael Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): JELLETT, MATTHEW WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US13/776,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20140238511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 137/624.12, 251/129.03, 251/129.04
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/12 by preventing freezing
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/02 electric F16K31/004 takes precedence; magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/05 specially adapted for operating hand-operated valves or for combined motor and hand operation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

The present invention is a water damage prevention system that has a residential or industrial/commercial facility water supply interruption system. The system is comprised of a remotely controllable base station with shut-off/on mechanism that is in wireless or wired communication with a convenient controller. The base station with shut-off/on mechanism is interposed within a water line from a water main to the living or operating quarters portion of a residential or a industrial/commercial facility or building, such that activation of the base station with shut-off/on valve operates to prevent flow of water from the water main to the living quarters when the residential home or industrial/commercial facility or building is vacated or unsupervised. In this manner, damage to the living quarters or the industrial/commercial facility or building from failure of water pipes running through the living or working quarters is prevented during times that the shut-off mechanism is activated.

Claims

1. A building or structure water damage prevention system, said system comprising:

a remotely controllable base station with a water shut-off/on or water control mechanism interposed between a water line from a water main and a water supply for said building or structure;

said remotely controllable base station with said water shut-off/on mechanism being adapted to control the flow of water through said water supply to a residential home or industrial/commercial facility or building;

a wireless chain or key fob apparatus;

said remotely controllable base station including a recording compliance data means;

said key chain or key fob apparatus includes electronic circuitry to send a wireless signal to said remotely controllable base station to turn said water supply on and off, and

said key chain or key fob apparatus having the capability to receive a wireless electronic communication whereby said key chain or key fob apparatus includes an indicating means for determining an operational state or position of the shut-off/on mechanism.

2. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 1, wherein said base station with remotely controllable base station with shut-off/on mechanism is interposed between the water supply line for a sprinkler system and the water line for said building or structure, such that such that operation of said sprinkler system is not interrupted by the activation of the base station with shut-off/on mechanism.

3. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 1, wherein said water base station with shut-off/on mechanism further comprises a programmable time circuitry, said time circuitry being adapted to actuate the shut-off/on mechanism for a programmable determined time.

4. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a mechanical adaptor that enables an override to allow water flow when the base station with shut-off/on mechanism is activated.

5. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 1, wherein said remotely controllable base station includes one of more flow sensors and can be programmed to turn off the water supply upon the detection of a leak by one or more flow sensors.

6. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 5, further comprising a water turbine generator, solar cell and/or wind generation system to provide supplemental electrical energy to a battery source.

7. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 1, wherein said shut-off/on mechanism includes a temperature sensor and/or freeze plug that is designed to initiate operations to prevent water pipe damage during freezing conditions.

25. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 1, said wireless key chain or key fob apparatus and said remotely controllable base station requires an initial pairing operation to provide a specific wireless communication means between with said wireless key chain or key fob apparatus and said remotely controllable base station.

8. A building or structure water damage prevention system, said system comprising:

a remotely controllable base station with a water shut-off/on mechanism interposed between a water line from a water main and a water supply for said building or structure;

said remotely controllable base station with a said water shut-off/on mechanism being adapted to control the flow of water through said water supply to a residential home or industrial/commercial facility or building;

a wireless cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus in wireless communication with said remotely controllable base station with shut-off/on mechanism;

said remotely controllable base station including a recording compliance data means;

said cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus having an application (“

APP”

), that functions to cooperate with said cell phone, smart phone, or similar apparatus to send a wireless signal to said base station, said signal functions turning said water supply on or off;

said cell phone, smart phone, or similar apparatus having an application that communicates wirelessly with said base station to receive a wireless communication that provides an indicating means for determining an operational state or position of the shut-off/on mechanism, and

said cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus having the capability to receive a wireless electronic communication whereby said cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus includes an indicating means for determining the operational state or position of the shut-off/on mechanism.

9. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, wherein said base station with remotely controllable base station with shut-off/on mechanism is interposed between the water supply line for a sprinkler system and the water line for a household or industrial/commercial building, such that such that operation of said sprinkler system is not interrupted by the activation of the base station with shut-off/on mechanism.

10. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, wherein said water base station with shut-off/on mechanism further comprises a programmable time circuitry, said time circuitry being adapted to actuate the shut-off/on mechanism for a programmable determined time.

11. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, further comprising a mechanical adaptor that enables an override to allow water flow when the base station with shut-off/on mechanism is activated.

12. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, wherein said remotely controllable base station includes one of more flow sensors and can be programmed to turn off the water supply upon the detection of a leak by one or more flow sensors.

13. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a water turbine generator, solar cell and/or wind generation system to provide supplemental electrical energy to a battery source.

14. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, wherein said shut-off/on mechanism includes a temperature sensor or freeze plug that is designed to initiate operations to prevents water pipe damage during freezing conditions.

15. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, wherein said base station with water shut-off/on mechanism includes flow sensor to measure water volume that can be transfer water flow data or information to said cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus, said base station with water shut-off/on mechanism and flow sensor interposed between a main water meter and the water supply for said building or structure, or functions as the main water meter.

16. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, wherein said base station with shut-off/on mechanism can be programmed to follow a specific schedule for interrupting the water flow or allowing the water flow into the building or structure.

17. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, wherein said remotely controllable base station and said wireless cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus includes pairing technology to provide a specific wireless communication means between said remotely controllable base station and said wireless cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus.

18. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, wherein said wireless communication between said remotely controllable base station and said cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus utilizes a remote operation service center to provide further integrity of communication signals.

19. building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, wherein said remotely controllable base station calls or sends a text message to the phone, smart phone or similar apparatus when the phone, smart phone or similar apparatus is a defined distance from the remotely controllable base station when the water has not been turned off.

20. building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, wherein said remotely controllable base station calls or sends a text message to the cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus or communicates with a residential or industrial/commercial owner or municipality agency or insurance company when a leak is detected by one or more leak sensors.

28. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 8, wherein said cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus utilizes remote servers and software networks to increase the integrity of cell tower and WI-FI wireless communication.

21. A building or structure water damage prevention system, said system comprising:

a remotely controllable base station with a water shut-off/on mechanism interposed between a water line from a water main and a water supply for said building or structure;

said remotely controllable base station with a said water shut-off/on or mechanism being adapted to control the flow of water through said water supply to a residential home or industrial/commercial facility or building;

an alarm or computer system;

said remotely controllable base station including a recording compliance data means;

said alarm or computer system includes electronic circuitry to send a wireless signal to said remotely controllable base station to turn said water supply on and off, said wireless signal utilizing encryption, authentic, integrity and/or non-repudiate technology, and

said alarm or computer system having the capability to receive a wireless electronic communication whereby said alarm or computer includes an indicating means for determining an operational state or position of the shut-off/on mechanism.

23. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 21 wherein said remotely controllable base station includes one of more flow sensors and can be programmed to turn off the water supply upon the detection of a leak by one or more flow sensors.

26. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 21, said alarm or computer system and said remotely controllable base station requires an initial pairing technology to provide a specific wireless communication means between with said alarm or computer system and said remotely controllable base station.

22. A building or structure water damage prevention system, said system comprising:

a remotely controllable base station with a water shut-off/on mechanism interposed between a water line from a water main and a water supply for said building or structure;

said remotely controllable base station with a said water shut-off/on mechanism being adapted to control the flow of water through said water supply to a residential home or industrial/commercial facility or building;

a wireless garage door opener apparatus;

said remotely controllable base station including a recording compliance data means;

said wireless garage door opener apparatus includes electronic circuitry to send a wireless signal to said remotely controllable base station to turn said water supply on and off, and

said wireless garage door opener apparatus having the capability to receive a wireless electronic communication whereby said wireless garage opener includes having an indicating means for determining an operational state or position of the shut-off/on mechanism.

24. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 22 wherein said remotely controllable base station includes one or more flow sensors and can be programmed to turn off the water supply upon the detection of a leak by one or more flow sensors.

27. A building or structure water damage prevention system as recited in claim 22, said wireless garage door opener and said remotely controllable base station requires an initial pairing technology to provide a specific wireless communication means between with said wireless garage door opener and said remotely controllable base station.