Automatic shut-off for water treatment system
First Claim
1. A process for controlling water flow in a water treatment system including a control valve comprising:
- measuring an inflow of water entering the water treatment system;
measuring an outflow of water exiting the water treatment system;
comparing the inflow and outflow; and
adjusting the control valve based on said comparing step.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A water treatment system including an automatic shut-off control valve. The system preferably includes inflow and outflow sensors that monitor flow through the system and a pressure sensor that senses back pressure in a downstream plumbing system. If the sensors sense different flows, a leak in the system is assumed and the control valve is closed. In one embodiment, the flowing back pressure is monitored by the pressure sensor to detect leaks in the plumbing system. In another embodiment, the valve is closed after a specific volume of water flow is sensed and the pressure sensor measures static back pressure in the plumbing system to detect a leak. In yet another embodiment, incremental amounts of water are released by the valve and subsequent back pressures are tested to detect a leak. Optionally, the system includes a control to shut-off a water supply when a water treatment device enclosure is accessed.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A process for controlling water flow in a water treatment system including a control valve comprising:
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measuring an inflow of water entering the water treatment system;
measuring an outflow of water exiting the water treatment system;
comparing the inflow and outflow; and
adjusting the control valve based on said comparing step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for treating a liquid flowing therethrough comprising:
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a conduit adapted to provide fluid communication between a pressurized water supply and a plumbing system;
a valve associated with said conduit and adapted to control a flow of liquid from the pressurized water supply to the plumbing system;
a first flow sensor in fluid communication with said conduit and adapted to measure the flow to form a first flow measurement; and
a processor to compare the first flow measurement to a second flow measurement and adjust the valve when the first flow measurement differs from the second flow measurement. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A liquid treatment system comprising:
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an enclosure;
a water treatment device housed within said enclosure;
a valve in fluid communication with said enclosure;
an access panel joined with said enclosure and adapted to open relative to said enclosure to provide access to said water treatment device; and
a control adapted to detect when said access panel is opened, wherein the control operates the valve to prevent liquid from flowing into said enclosure when said access panel is opened. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A process for controlling the outflow of treated water from a water treatment system to a downstream plumbing system comprising:
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measuring the pressure of the water in the plumbing system as water flows through the water treatment system to establish a measured back pressure;
comparing the measured back pressure to a predefined back pressure; and
closing a control valve in fluid communication with the water treatment system when the measured back pressure is less than the predefined back pressure. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A process for controlling water flow through a water treatment system comprising:
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sensing the water flow into the treatment system;
sensing the water flow out of the water treatment system; and
interrupting the flow of water out of the treatment system if the water flow into the treatment system exceeds the water flow out of the treatment system.
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23. A process for controlling a flow of water through a water treatment system into a downstream plumbing system comprising:
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measuring a volume of water flowing through the water treatment system into the plumbing system;
interrupting the water flow into the plumbing system with a valve when the volume of water flowing through the water treatment system exceeds a pre-defined volume;
measuring a first back pressure of the interrupted water flow downstream of the valve; and
selectively adjusting the valve based on the first measured back pressure. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. The process of claim 34 comprising evaluating the plurality of back pressures to determine if a leak exists in the plumbing system.
Specification