Methods and apparatus for remotely monitoring and/or controlling a plumbing system

• US 9,513,019 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2013
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Conservation Technology Distribution, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Conservation Technologies Development
• Inventors: Acker, Larry K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ramesh
• Application Number:
  US14/092,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20150148971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/00 Pumping installations or systems controlling F04D15/00
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 15/00 Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or systems
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 17/0031 with accumulation of the heated water
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1081 counting of energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/136 Defrosting or de-icing; Preventing freezing
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/20 characterised by control inputs
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/219 after heating
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/238 Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/242 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/254 Room temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/269 Time, e.g. hour or date
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/281 Input from user
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/31 of valves having only one inlet port and one outlet port, e.g. flow rate regulating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/335 Control of pumps, e.g. on-off control control of compressors of heat pumps F24H15/38
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/45 remotely accessible
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/486 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23051 Remote control, enter program remote, detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23406 Programmer device, portable, handheld detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25168 : Domotique, access through internet protocols

Abstract

Methods and compositions for controlling and monitoring residential and commercial pumping systems. Preferably, the controlling and monitoring functions include a remotely located controller component capable of displaying alerts and/or from which a user may input commands regulating the functioning of the plumbing system. In particularly preferred examples, the plumbing system is an “on command” hot water system in which hot water availability, use and energy efficiencies and conservation are monitored and maximized.

Claims

1. In a structural on demand hot water system (HWS) comprising a hot water source, a hot water delivery line, a hot water return line, one or more sensors, and a hot water circulation pump, the improvement comprising:

a controller component remotely located from said HWS for coordinating water and energy use comprising;

a microprocessor having a memory component, at least one input connector component for receiving sensor signals, and at least one output connector component for sending control signals,

said remotely located controller component being structured to receive temperature data from a temperature sensor;

detect a change in hot water line temperature (Δ

T) at said sensor over a temperature gradient time period;

produce a control signal if Δ

T exceeds a predetermined amount; and

export said control signal through one or more said output connector components to one or more HWS components;

wherein the remotely located controller component receives signals from, and/or sends signals to, said one or more HWS components by at least one method selected from the group consisting of;

wirelessly, via a digital wire or cable, and via a power line network.

2. The remotely located controller component of claim 1 wherein said controller component is comprised within a multipurpose computing device.

3. The remotely located controller component of claim 2 wherein said controller component is comprised in a wireless computing device.

4. The remotely located controller component of claim 1 wherein the input connector component and the output connector component comprise a single connector component.

5. The remotely located controller component of claim 1 structured to receive a sensor signal comprising hot water line temperature sensor data received from a temperature sensor component located downstream from a hot water source in said HWS.

6. The remotely located controller component of claim 5 wherein, if said change in hot water temperature comprises an increase in hot water temperature exceeding a Δ

T threshold, said controller component sends a control signal to the hot water circulating pump to turn said pump off.

7. The remotely located controller component of claim 6 wherein one or both said temperature gradient time period and said Δ

T threshold are programmable by a user sending control signals to said HWS system using a multipurpose computing device.

8. The remotely located controller component of claim 6 wherein said temperature gradient time period comprises about 5 seconds or more.

9. The remotely located controller component of claim 6 wherein said Δ

T threshold is about 1°

F. or more.

10. The remotely located controller component of claim 1 structured to receive a sensor signal comprising timer data received from a timer component, process the timer data, and send a control signal instructing the hot water circulating pump to turn on or off after a predetermined timed circulation time period as a result of processing said sensor signal.

11. The remotely located controller component of claim 1 structured to receive a sensor signal comprising timer data received from a timer component, process the timer data, and send a control signal instructing the hot water source to change the water temperature after a predetermined timed temperature time period as a result of processing said sensor signal.

12. The remotely located controller component of claim 11 structured to receive a sensor signal comprising timer data received from a timer component, process the timer data, and send a control signal instructing the hot water circulating pump to turn on or off after a predetermined timed circulation time period as a result of processing said sensor signal.

13. The remotely located controller component of claim 12 wherein said predetermined timed circulation time period and predetermined timed temperature time period are the same time period.

14. A wireless computing device comprising the remotely located controller component of claim 1.

15. The wireless computing device of claim 14 comprising a mobile telephone.

16. The wireless computing device of claim 14 comprising a tablet computing device.

17. In a structural on demand hot water system (HWS) comprising a hot water source, a hot water delivery line, a hot water return line, one or more sensors, and a hot water circulation pump, the improvement comprising a controller component comprising:

a microprocessor having a memory component, at least one input connector component for receiving sensor signals, and at least one output connector component for sending control signals, wherein said controller component is structured to receive temperature data from a temperature sensor and detect a change in hot water line temperature (Δ

T) at said sensor over a temperature gradient time period, to control and monitor at least a pump component in an on demand hot water system if Δ

T exceeds a predetermined amount, and comprises a wireless data transmitter and receiver for receiving remotely transmitted time of day data in the event of a loss of power to the HWS.

18. The controller component of claim 17 wherein the controller component sends said time of date data to a timer HWS component.

19. The controller component of claim 18 which comprises a local controller component.

20. The controller component of claim 18 which comprises a remotely located controller component.