Seismically responsive utilities control system with occupancy activation mechanism

• US 9,601,947 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2013
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E-Seismic Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Everett Ogden
• Inventors: Ogden, Everett
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLOUGHBY, TERRENCE RONIQUE
• Application Number:
  US13/898,090
• Publication Number:
  US 20130307350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,401 Days
• 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: F16K 17/36 actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0025 Electrical or magnetic means F16K37/0075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/00 Protection or supervision of installations arrangements for protecting foundations E02D31/00; protecting pipes from damage or internal or external wear F16L57/00, against corrosion and scale F16L58/00; investigation of the fluid-tightness of structures G01M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/01 Measuring or predicting earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] H04L51/04; selective video distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1842 Ambient condition change responsive

Abstract

A utilities control system with a DC powered control system located within a building or room and having in combination an occupant activation device, a seismic sensor and a wireless transmitter; a wireless receiver in combination with a utilities shut-off device, and whereby upon either a change in status of the occupant activation device or the sensing of a seismic event by the seismic sensor, a signal is transmitted from the wireless transmitter to the wireless receiver such that the utilities shut-off device is activated to stop delivery of utilities.

Claims

1. A utilities control system comprising:

a DC powered control system located within a building or room and comprising in combination an occupant activation device, a seismic sensor and a wireless transmitter;

a wireless receiver in combination with a utilities shut-off device;

wherein said occupant activation device comprises the combination of a light transmitter, a light detector and a removable light blocking member positioned to prevent light from said light transmitter from reaching said light detector, whereby removal of said light blocking member changes the status of said occupant activation device;

whereby upon either a change in status of said occupant activation device or the sensing of a seismic event by said seismic sensor, a signal is transmitted from said wireless transmitter to said wireless receiver such that said utilities shut-off device is activated.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said occupant activation device further comprises a slotted card receiver and said light blocking device comprises a card that is insertable and removable from said slotted card receiver.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said utilities shut-off device is a water valve disposed in a water line.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said utilities shut-off device is an electrical circuit breaker incorporated in communication with an electrical circuit breaker box.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said utilities shut-off device is a gas valve disposed in a gas line.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said wireless receivers and a plurality of said utilities shut-off devices.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein one of said utilities shut-off devices is a water valve disposed in a water line and another of said utilities shut-off devices is an electrical circuit breaker incorporated in communication with an electrical circuit breaker box.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein still another of said utilities shut-off devices is a gas valve disposed in a gas line.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein one of said utilities shut-off devices is a water valve disposed in a water line and another of said utilities shut-off devices is a gas valve disposed in a gas line.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein one of said utilities shut-off devices is an electrical circuit breaker incorporated in communication with an electrical circuit breaker box and another of said utilities shut-off devices is a gas valve disposed in a gas line.

11. A utilities control system comprising:

a wall-mounted, DC powered control system located within a building or room and comprising in electronic communication an occupant activation device, a seismic sensor and a wireless transmitter;

one or more utilities shut-off devices each in electronic communication with a wireless receiver;

wherein said occupant activation device comprises the combination of a light transmitter, a light detector, a slotted card receiver and a removable light blocking member positionable within said slotted card receiver to prevent light from said light transmitter from reaching said light detector, whereby insertion of said light blocking member into said slotted card receiver sends a signal from said wireless transmitter to said one or more wireless receivers to allow utilities to be delivered and whereby removal of said light blocking member from said slotted card receiver sends a signal from said wireless transmitter to said one or more wireless receivers to activate said utilities shut-off device to stop delivery of said utilities;

and further whereby upon the sensing of a seismic event by said seismic sensor, a signal is transmitted from said wireless transmitter to said one or more wireless receivers to activate said utilities shut-off device to stop delivery of said utilities even if said light blocking member is positioned within said slotted card receiver.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein one of said one or more utilities shut-off devices is a water valve.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein one of said one or more utilities shut-off devices is a gas valve.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein one of said one or more utilities shut-off devices is an electrical circuit breaker.