Systems, methods, and apparatus for leak detection and prevention
First Claim
1. A leak detection and prevention system for coupling to a valve that is manually operable by an attached handle, the system comprising:
- a gear motor linkage assembly including a motor and gear box;
a push lever initially in a home position and coupled to a shaft of the motor;
a motor controller/driver module configured toreceive a signal indicating that a leak has been detected,upon receiving such signal to control the motor to drive the push lever so that the push lever non-captively engages the handle of the valve and pushes the handle to a closed position, andthereafter to control the motor to return the push lever, disengaging it from the valve handle, to the home position; and
at least one leak detection sensor configured to activate a transmitter that transmits the signal indicating the presence of a leak upon encountering appropriate fluid.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A leak detection and prevention system includes a gear motor linkage assembly. The gear motor linkage assembly includes a gear motor and a gear motor controller/driver module that controls operation of the gear motor. The gear motor linkage assembly also includes a push lever attached to a shaft of the gear motor, the push lever in a home position, wherein when a signal indicating that a leak has been detected is received the gear motor controller/driver module controls the gear motor to rotate the push lever so that the push level non-captively engages a handle of a valve and pushes the handle to a closed position, then the gear motor controller/driver module controls the gear motor to rotate the push lever to the home position.
41 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A leak detection and prevention system for coupling to a valve that is manually operable by an attached handle, the system comprising:
-
a gear motor linkage assembly including a motor and gear box; a push lever initially in a home position and coupled to a shaft of the motor; a motor controller/driver module configured to receive a signal indicating that a leak has been detected, upon receiving such signal to control the motor to drive the push lever so that the push lever non-captively engages the handle of the valve and pushes the handle to a closed position, and thereafter to control the motor to return the push lever, disengaging it from the valve handle, to the home position; and at least one leak detection sensor configured to activate a transmitter that transmits the signal indicating the presence of a leak upon encountering appropriate fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A motor controller/driver module for interfacing with a valve that is manually operable by an attached handle, the module comprising:
-
a motor drive logic module configured to respond to a signal indicating presence of a leak by generating commands to actuate a gear motor to drive a push lever coupled to a shaft of the gear motor from an initial home position to non-captively engage and push the attached handle of the valve in a closing direction, to respond to a first current analysis signal by generating commands to reverse the gear motor direction to drive the push lever toward the home position, and to respond to a second current analysis signal by generating commands to stop the gear motor; a motor driver module configured to receive the commands and responsively control power to the gear motor to cause the shaft of the gear motor to rotate in suitable directions; and a current analysis module configured to monitor a level of current supplied to the motor, to provide the first current analysis signal for the motor drive logic module upon detecting a first current spike indicating that the push lever coupled to the gear motor shaft has reached a first stop, and to provide the second current analysis signal for the motor drive logic module upon detecting a second current spike indicating that the push lever coupled to the gear motor shaft has reached a second stop in home position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A valve comprising:
-
a ball valve with a manually operable handle; a gear motor; a motor controller/driver module that controls operation of the motor, a push lever coupled to a shaft of the motor such that when the motor is suitably driven the push lever non-captively engages and drives the handle of the valve; a feedback device capable of communicating with the motor controller/driver module to provide an indication of a position of the valve handle enabling the motor controller/driver module to move the valve handle to a desired position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
Specification