Water use monitoring apparatus

• US 9,494,480 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2014
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2009
• 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:
  US14/561,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20150204701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 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: G01F 15/066 involving magnetic transmission devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/00 Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/00 Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer

Abstract

The present invention is a water use and/or a water energy use monitoring apparatus that is affixed to the hot and cold water supply piping for continuously (or on demand) monitoring displaying the water and water energy (hot vs. ambient) use within a residential or commercial building. A first wire or wireless means is incorporated to communicate with a remote display for viewing by the owner of a commercial building or occupier/resident of a home. A second optional wire or wireless means can be incorporated that can be monitored by civil, commercial, governmental or municipal operators or agencies, using a remote display and/or recorder means or by a secure wire or wireless communication network (e.g. cell phone, smart phone or other similar technology communication means). A third wireless means communicates water parameter data utilizing typical cell tower technology and/or mesh network technology. The water use monitor apparatus includes a power generation, a microprocessor, temperature and water flow sensors, optional water quality sensors, timing circuits, wireless circuitry, and a display means. A wired or wireless means is designed to electronically communicate water use, water energy use and/or water quality information to a remotely located display apparatus or typical cell phone, smart phones, or similar apparatus for convenient observation by a commercial, operator or occupier, resident, municipal or government agency.

Claims

1. A water parameter use and monitoring apparatus comprising:

A base station apparatus connected to a main water supply means;

said base station having a plurality of joint means including an input cold or ambient joint means engaged to an output of a cold/ambient, or alternately a joint means including a cold and hot water near or at the water supply source;

said base station apparatus designed to be installed prior to any distribution lines within a residence or commercial building;

electrical circuitry including one or more microprocessors contained with said base station apparatus;

a power source connected to said electrical circuitry;

one or more flow rate sensors means in close proximity to said water supply means, said one or more flow sensor means in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

one or more pressure sensors in close proximity to said water supply means, said one or more pressure sensors in electric communication with said electrical circuitry;

a temperature sensing means, said temperature sensing means in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry;

said base station capable of monitoring and processing the water flow, water energy and/or water quality data or information obtained from the one or more flow rate sensors, one or more pressure sensor data or information, and the temperature sensing means data or information;

one or more wireless electrical communication means, said one or more wireless electrical communication means having the capability to transfer water parameter, water energy and/or water quality information and/or data, one or more pressure sensor data or information, and the temperature sensing means data or information said one or more wireless communication means utilizing a router/server or cellular technology to connect and transferring said water parameter, water energy and/or said water quality information and/or data to the internet; and

said one or more wireless electrical communication means utilizing encrypted, authentication, integrity and/or non-repudiation format technology to securely provide water use, water energy and/or water quality information and/or data in a confidential format.

2. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a water shut off means or a variable water flow means, whereby said water shut off means is an electronic actuator coupled ball valve design controlled by programming instructions from said microprocessor for turning on and off said shut off means or setting a variable water flow means, said water shut on and off means or variable water flow means is activated by said one or more wireless or wired remote apparatuses or said one or more wireless or wired remote apparatuses comprises a cell phone, smart phones, or by another remote apparatus or computer.

3. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more wireless remote apparatuses comprises a cell phone, smart phones, or other remote apparatus which includes all remote cellular phones using channel access methods (with cellular equipment, public switched telephone network lines, satellite, tower and mesh technology), mobile phones, PDAs, tablets, a smart or internet capable television, wireless timepiece or wireless watch and other remote apparatus with WIFI and wireless capability, and controllers having internet, wireless cell format technology connectivity.

4. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more water flow rate sensors detect a water leaking condition, upon which water leak detection said water parameter use and monitoring apparatus can communicate with said one or more wireless or wired remote apparatuses or a cell phone, smart phone or other remote apparatus.

5. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 2, wherein said one or more pressure sensor can detect leaking conditions upon the closing of said water shut off means.

6. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of said one or more wired or wireless electrical communication means comprises an offsite central monitoring computer or cell system, remote computer system or cloud system, that utilizes mobile or other telephone lines or internet communications via satellite, microwave technology, the internet, cell tower, and or telephone lines.

7. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 3, wherein said cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus includes a specific program or application (APP) for a consumer/resident, corporate entity, or municipality that show the daily, weekly and/or monthly water use and/or daily, weekly and/or monthly water costs.

8. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 3, wherein a said cell phone, smart phone or other remote apparatus includes a specific program or application (APP) for a homeowner/resident, corporate entity, or municipality that show water use, energy or water quality parameters.

9. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 3, wherein said cell phone, smart phone, or other remote apparatus includes a specific program or application (APP) for a consumer/resident, corporate entity, or municipality that transmits an alert for water leak conditions and can transmit a signal to turn off the mail water supply line.

10. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of said one or more wired wireless electrical communication utilizes remote servers and remote software networks with remote transfer protocols that allow centralized data storage and online access to computer services or resources.

11. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 3, wherein said cell phone, smart phone, or other remote apparatus with wireless communication can automatically convert back and forth from a WiFi radio frequency format to a cellular format technology to accommodate range requirements.

12. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein two or more base stations can communicate with each other in a channel or chain format.

13. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more base stations allows one or more other base stations and/or sensing devices to securely route data via nearby base stations and relay devices creating a “

mesh”

of network coverage.

14. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 1, whereby the water parameter use display and monitoring device is incorporated into or serve as the pressure reduction valve or primary water meter at a residential home or commercial facility.

15. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 1, further comprising additional sensor means, said additional sensor means selected from a group consisting of a sensor means for monitoring one or more halogen elements or compounds, sensor means for monitoring total dissolved solids, sensor means for monitoring one or more metallic elements or compounds, sensor means for monitoring water hardness, sensor means for monitoring biological or coliform contaminates, sensor means for monitoring pH, or any combinations thereof.

16. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 4, further comprising one or more sensitive water flow sensor including a wireless transceiver that detects water leaking, said water parameter use and monitoring apparatus communicates with said one or more wireless or wired remote apparatuses or a cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus, wherein said one or more sensitive water flow sensors sends an alarm signal to the said one or more wireless or wired remote apparatuses comprises a cell phone, smart phones, or other remote apparatus.

17. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a water shut off means or a variable water flow means, whereby said water shut off means is controlled by programming instructions from said microprocessor for turning on and off said shut off means or setting a variable water flow means, said water shut on and off means or variable water flow means can be activated by said one or more wireless or wired means controlled by a municipality or governmental agency.

18. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more wireless or wired remote apparatuses comprises a cell phone, smart phones, or other remote apparatus which includes all remote cellular phones using channel access methods (with cellular equipment, public switched telephone network lines, satellite, tower and mesh technology), mobile phones, PDAs, tablets (e.g. a smart or internet capable television, wireless timepiece or wireless watch and other remote apparatus with WIFI and wireless capability, and controllers having internet, wireless cell format technology connectivity.

19. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more water flow rate sensors detects a water leaking condition, upon which water leak detection said water parameter use and monitoring apparatus can communicate with said one or more wireless or wired remote apparatuses or a cell phone, smart phone or other remote apparatus.

20. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 18, wherein said cell phone, smart phone, or other remote apparatus includes an application for a consumer/resident, corporate entity, or municipality that show water quality parameters.

21. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 18, wherein said cell phone, smart phone, or other remote apparatus includes an application for a consumer/resident, corporate entity or municipality that transmits an alert for water leak conditions and can transmit a signal to turn off the main water supply line.

22. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 18, wherein said cell phone, smart phones, or similar apparatus with wireless communication can automatically convert back and forth from a WiFi radio frequency format, to a cellular format technology to accommodate range requirements.

23. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 19, further comprising one or more sensitive water flow sensor including a wireless transceiver that detects water leaking, said water parameter use and monitoring apparatus communicates with said one or more wireless or wired remote apparatuses or a cell phone, smart phone or similar apparatus, wherein said one or more sensitive water flow sensors send an alarm signal to the said one or more wireless or wired remote apparatuses comprises a cell phone, smart phones, or other remote apparatus.

24. A water parameter us and monitoring apparatus comprising:

A first base station apparatus connected to a main water supply means;

said first base station apparatus having a joint means for connecting to a cold/ambient water supply means, or two joint means for connecting to a cold and hot water supply means, said first base station including a first one or more microprocessors with a first electrical circuitry;

a first power supply connected to said first electrical circuitry;

said first base station apparatus installed prior to most distribution lines within a residence or commercial building;

one or more flow rate sensors means and one or more pressure sensors in close proximity to said water supply source, said one or more flow rate sensors and said one or more pressure sensor in electrical communication with said first electrical circuitry;

an optional temperature sensing means, said temperature sensing means in electrical communication with said first electrical circuitry;

said first base station monitors and processes the water flow, water energy and/or water quality data or information obtained from the one or more flow rate sensors, one or more pressure sensors, the optional temperature sensing means data, and/or the water quality sensors and any combinations thereof;

a second base station, said second base station having a second electrical circuitry including one or more microprocessors contained within said second base station, said second base station remotely located from said first base station;

a second power source connected to said second electrical circuitry;

said first electrical circuitry in wire or wireless communication with said second electrical circuitry,

said second base station and said second electrical circuitry including said second one or more microprocessors having the functional capability to establish WiFi electrical communication with a wireless router/server, cellular communication with cell tower technology, and/or mesh communication technology to other base stations, and any combinations thereof; and

said second electrical circuitry having the capability to transfer water parameter, water energy and/or water quality information and/or data to one or more remote apparatuses, said wired or wireless communication means utilizes encrypted, authentication, integrity and/or non-repudiation format technology to securely provide water use, water energy use and/or water quality information and/or data in a confidential format.

25. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a water shut off means or a variable water flow means associated with said first base station, whereby said water shut off means is an electronic actuator coupled ball valve controlled by programming instructions from said first microprocessor for turning on and off said shut off means or setting a variable water flow means, said water shut on and off means or variable water flow means is activated by said one or more wireless or wired remote apparatuses or said one or more wireless or wired remote apparatuses comprises a cell phone, smart phones, or similar apparatus, or by a remote apparatus or computer.

26. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 25, wherein said one or more pressure sensors detects a leaking conditions upon the closing of said water shut off means.

27. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 24, wherein one of said one or more wired or wireless electrical communication means comprises an offsite central monitoring computer or cell system, remote computer system or cloud system, that utilizes mobile or other telephone lines or internet communications via satellite, microwave technology, the internet, cell tower, and/or telephone lines.

28. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 24, wherein cell phone, smart phone, or similar apparatus includes a specific program or application (APP) for a consumer/resident, corporate entity or municipality that shows the daily, weekly and/or monthly water use, and/or daily, weekly and/or monthly water costs.

29. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 24, wherein said wireless communication utilizes remote servers and remote software networks with remote transfer protocols that allow centralized data storage and online access to computer service or resources.

30. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 24, wherein two or more base stations can communicate with each other in a channel or chain format.

31. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 24, wherein one or more base stations allows other base stations and/or sensing devices to securely route data via nearby base station and relay devices, creating a “

mesh”

of network coverage.

32. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 24, whereby the water parameter use display and monitoring device can be incorporated into or sever as the primary water meter as a residential home or commercial facility.

33. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a additional sensor means, said additional sensor means selected from a group consisting of a sensor means for monitoring one or more halogen elements or compounds, sensor means for monitoring total dissolved solids, sensor means for monitoring one or more metallic elements or compounds, sensor means for monitoring water hardness, sensor means for monitoring biological or coliform contaminates, sensor means for monitoring pH, or any combinations thereof.

34. The water parameter use and monitoring apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a water shut off means or a variable water flow means, whereby said water shut off means is controlled by programming instructions from said microprocessor for turning on and off said shut off means or setting a variable water flow means, said water shut on and off means or variable water flow means can be activated by said one or more wireless or wired means controlled by a municipality or governmental agency.