U.S. patent application number 15/946975 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-11 for wireless automated shutoff valve.
The applicant listed for this patent is Honeywell International Inc.. Invention is credited to Jonathan Klinger, James Gerard McAward, Kevin G. Piel, David S. Zakrewski.
Application Number | 20180291593 15/946975 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49233266 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180291593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McAward; James Gerard ; et
al. |
October 11, 2018 |
WIRELESS AUTOMATED SHUTOFF VALVE
Abstract
A modular water leakage detector includes a housing that carries
a plurality of water leakage sensors, an electrical water shutoff
valve, and circuitry coupled thereto. In response to sensing water
leakage, the circuitry actuates the valve to shut off a water
supply. Detectors can communicate alarm indicating signals directly
with one another. The detectors can include a wireless transmitter
and communicate with a displaced alarm monitoring system.
Inventors: |
McAward; James Gerard; (Blue
Point, NY) ; Zakrewski; David S.; (Babylon, NY)
; Piel; Kevin G.; (Ronkonkoma, NY) ; Klinger;
Jonathan; (Great Neck, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Honeywell International Inc. |
Morristown |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49233266 |
Appl. No.: |
15/946975 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13435655 |
Mar 30, 2012 |
9976288 |
|
|
15946975 |
|
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|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 39/081 20130101;
A47L 15/4217 20130101; Y10T 137/7722 20150401; A47L 2501/01
20130101; E03B 7/071 20130101; G01M 3/16 20130101; Y10T 137/5762
20150401; A47L 15/421 20130101; A47L 2501/26 20130101; Y02A 20/15
20180101 |
International
Class: |
E03B 7/07 20060101
E03B007/07 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A method comprising: providing a housing of a water detector;
an inflow end of the housing carrying a first flow connector; an
outflow end of the housing carrying a second flow connector; the
housing carrying a water presence sensor, a water shutoff element
having a first state and a second state, a communications port, and
control circuits coupled to the water presence sensor, the water
shutoff element, and the communications port; and the control
circuits receiving a leakage indicating signal from the water
presence sensor or receiving an alarm indicating signal from
another water detector via the communications port and, responsive
to either the leakage indicating signal or the alarm indicating
signal, transmitting a state signal to the water shutoff element to
change the water shutoff element from the first state to the second
state.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising coupling the first
and second flow connectors to flexible water hoses.
23. The method of claim 21 further comprising the housing carrying
the water presence sensor within the housing.
24. The method of claim 21 further comprising: the housing carrying
the water presence sensor outside of the housing; and a flexible
connection member positioning the water presence sensor relative to
an ambient environment.
25. The method of claim 21 further comprising the control circuits
transmitting the leakage indicating signal to the another water
detector via the communications port to actuate a local water
shutoff valve of the another water detector.
25. The method of claim 21 further comprising the control circuits
transmitting the leakage indicating signal to a displaced
monitoring system via the communications port.
26. A water detector comprising: a housing; an inflow end of the
housing carrying a first flow connector; an outflow end of the
housing carrying a second flow connector; a water presence sensor
carried by the housing; a water shutoff element carried by the
housing and having a first state and a second state; a
self-contained power supply carried by the housing; and control
circuits coupled to the water presence sensor, the water shutoff
element, and the self-contained power supply, wherein, responsive
to a low battery signal from the self-contained power supply, the
control circuits transmit a state signal to the water shutoff
element to change the water shutoff element from the first state to
the second state.
27. The water detector of claim 25 wherein, responsive to a leakage
indicating signal from the water presence sensor, the control
circuits transmit the state signal to the water shutoff element to
change the water shutoff element from the first state to the second
state.
28. The water detector of claim 27 further comprising: a
communications port carried by the housing and coupled to the
control circuits, wherein, responsive to the low battery signal,
the control circuits transmit the low battery signal to another
water detector via the communications port to actuate a local water
shutoff valve of the another water detector, and wherein,
responsive to the leakage indicating signal, the control circuits
transmit the leakage indicating signal to the another water
detector via the communications port to actuate the local water
shutoff of the another water detector.
29. The water detector of claim 27 further comprising: a
communications port carried by the housing and coupled to the
control circuits, wherein, responsive to the low battery signal,
the control circuits transmit the low battery signal to a displaced
monitoring system via the communications port, and wherein,
responsive to the leakage indicating signal, the control circuits
transmit the leakage indicating signal to the displaced monitoring
system via the communications port.
30. The water detector of claim 25 wherein the first and second
flow connectors are coupled to flexible water hoses.
31. The water detector of claim 25 wherein the housing carries the
water presence sensor within the housing.
32. The water presence sensor of claim 25 further comprising: a
flexible connection member, wherein the housing carries the water
presence sensor outside of the housing, and wherein the flexible
connection member positions the water presence sensor relative to
an ambient environment.
33. A method comprising: providing a housing of a water detector;
an inflow end of the housing carrying a first flow connector; an
outflow end of the housing carrying a second flow connector; the
housing carrying a water presence sensor, a water shutoff element
having a first state and a second state, a self-contained water
supply, and control circuits coupled to the water presence sensor,
the water shutoff element, and the self-contained water supply; and
the control circuits receiving a low battery signal from the
self-contained water supply and, responsive thereto, transmitting a
state signal to the water shutoff element to change the water
shutoff element from the first state to the second state.
34. The method of claim 33 further comprising the control circuits
receiving a leakage indicating signal from the water presence
sensor and, responsive thereto, transmitting the state signal to
the water shutoff element to change the water shutoff element from
the first state to the second state.
35. The method of claim 34 further comprising: the housing carrying
a communications port coupled to the control circuits; responsive
to the low battery signal, the control circuits transmitting the
low battery signal to another water detector via the communications
port to actuate a local water shutoff valve of the another water
detector; and responsive to the leakage indicating signal, the
control circuits transmitting the leakage indicating signal to the
another water detector via the communications port to actuate the
local water shutoff of the another water detector.
36. The method of claim 34 further comprising: the housing carrying
a communications port coupled to the control circuits; responsive
to the low battery signal, the control circuits transmitting the
low battery signal to a displaced monitoring system via the
communications port; and responsive to the leakage indicating
signal, the control circuits transmit the leakage indicating signal
to the displaced monitoring system via the communications port.
37. The method of claim 33 further comprising coupling the first
and second flow connectors to flexible water hoses.
38. The method of claim 33 further comprising the housing carrying
the water presence sensor within the housing.
39. The method of claim 33 further comprising: the housing carrying
the water presence sensor outside of the housing; and a flexible
connection member positioning the water presence sensor relative to
an ambient environment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit
of the filing date of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/435,655 filed
Mar. 30, 2012.
FIELD
[0002] The application pertains to water leakage detectors. More
particularly, the application pertains to such detectors that are
easily connectable to flexible water hoses and can be coupled
together to monitor leakage from hot and cold supplies.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Household property losses and damage arising from water
leak/flood events caused by domestic water supplies can cause great
economic harm. Common sources of leak/flood events include flexible
hoses supplying water-using appliances, including, but not limited
to washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, etc. Insured
losses due to burst flexible water supply hoses of the type
commonly used with washing machines, dishwashers, automatic
icemakers, etc. are documented to exceed $100 M per year.
[0004] Automatic electromechanical methods for detecting flooding
events and effecting shutoff of a domestic water supply are well
known to the trade. However, installation of said methods is
typically complex, expensive, and invariably requires the services
of at least one and potentially more professionals, including, but
not limited to licensed plumbers, licensed electricians, licensed
low-voltage installation contractors, etc.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an effective automatic water
shutoff valve that can be reliably installed by an untrained
installer or a homeowner and that does not require installation by
a tradesman, such as a licensed plumber, steamfitter, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating two interconnected
detectors in accordance herewith; and
[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system that
incorporates the detectors as in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] While disclosed embodiments can take many different forms,
specific embodiments hereof are shown in the drawings and will be
described herein in detail with the understanding that the present
disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the
principles hereof as well as the best mode of practicing the same
and is not intended to limit the claims hereof to the specific
embodiment illustrated.
[0009] Embodiments described herein include several configurations
that provide effective water leak/flood detection, effective
communication of a detected problem, and effective control of the
detected problem without human intervention. In addition, and
advantageously, embodiments described herein are configured so as
to not require the services of a licensed professional plumber or a
licensed electrician to perform installation, thereby permitting
more widespread and more cost effective adoption.
[0010] In one aspect, embodiments hereof detect flood conditions,
shut off a malfunctioning water branch, and communicate to a
premises alarm communication device or a home automation system via
a wireless link. In another aspect, devices can be powered by
batteries, can include circuitry to detect and communicate
low-battery conditions prior to malfunction, and can include a
"fail-safe" process to shut off a water branch supply prior to a
battery failure.
[0011] In another aspect, water detection and shutoff units can be
included in a single unit that, for example, has, at an inflow end,
a spin-on female pipe connection, such as a three-quarter inch hose
bib collared connector as commonly known in the North American
region, or a spin-on connector specific to a product market region
and/or application. At an outflow end, the units can have a spin-on
male connector, such as a three-quarter inch male hose bib
connector as commonly known in the North American region, or a
spin-on connector specific to the product market region and/or
application.
[0012] In yet another aspect, such units can also include a
battery-powered shutoff valve. Representative valves include
motorized ball valves or solenoid valves.
[0013] A battery-powered water presence detector can be included in
the units, including, for example, commercially available detection
circuitry, such as in Honeywell Model 5821. A battery powered
transmitter can also be included in the units and incorporate any
commonly known wireless transmission protocol, including, but not
limited to any FCC Part 15 service, such as the Honeywell 5800
format or the 802.11 protocol.
[0014] In accordance herewith, a method to connect to external
water-sensing devices using either wired or wireless communications
can include a method to link multiple devices together, including,
but not limited to applications in which valves can be used in
pairs, such as with "hot" and "cold" water supply lines.
Low-battery conditions and/or any of a variety of maintenance
conditions can be detected and automatically reported. Further, a
wireless receiver and/or associated circuitry for remote wired or
wireless control of the valves can be incorporated.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a pair of detectors or units D1, D2 in
accordance herewith. The two units are substantially similar. The
front surface of the detector D2 has been partially broken away to
disclose its component parts, as discussed below.
[0016] Each of the detectors D1, D2 has an external housing 12-1,
12-2. The housing carries a pair of connectors 14a, 14b and 16a,
16b. The connectors 14a, 16a correspond to fluid inflow connectors
that are coupled to a source of fluid, such as water W1. The water
can be carried to a respective detector, such as D1, in an inflow
conduit C1, for example, a flexible hose. The water can be carried
from the detector D1 via an outflow conduit C2, such as another
hose, and delivered to a load, such as an appliance or other piece
of equipment which that utilizes water.
[0017] Those of skill will understand that the connectors 14a, 14b
and 16a, 16b are illustrated as standard hose connectors used with
flexible hose. The hoses can be easily and manually attached to the
respective detector, such as D1, D2.
[0018] Each of the detectors, as best seen relative to D2, includes
a motorized ball valve or a solenoid valve, without limitation,
such as a valve 20. The valve is coupled between the connectors
16a, 16b and can block or permit a fluid flow through the
respective detector Di.
[0019] The detectors include circuitry, generally indicated at 22,
to implement the above described functionality. The circuitry 22
can include water detection circuitry 22a for flood detection, a
wireless transmitter or transceiver 22b, and control logic or
control circuits 22c. The circuits 22c can be implemented, at least
in part, with a programmable processor 22d and executable control
software 22e.
[0020] The water detection circuitry can also be connected to
moisture or water detection sensors or points, generally indicated
at 26. Such sensors extend from a respective housing, such as 12-2,
via flexible conductors 26a. When the respective detector, such as
D2, has been installed, the sensors 26 can be manually located at
locations where water or moisture might be present due to a leak.
Signals from the sensors 26-1, 26-2, for example, coupled to the
circuitry, such as 22a, in the respective housing can indicate a
presence of unwanted water or moisture in a region R1 or R2.
[0021] Indicators of the signals from the sensors 26 can be coupled
from the circuitry 22a to the control circuits 22c and processed,
as would be understood by those of skill in the art, to determine
if the unwanted water or moisture has been sensed in the region R1.
If so, then the control circuits can cause the valve 20 to change
state and transition from an open condition to a closed condition,
thereby halting a flow of fluid through the valve 20, 20 and, if
there is a ruptured pipe or hose, halting a flow of the water into
the region R1.
[0022] The detector D2 can communicate an alarm indicating signal
to the detector D1 via conductors 30. In response to the signal
from the detector D2, the detector D1 can close its respective
valve to further halt any inflow into the region R1.
[0023] The detector D2 can also transmit the alarm indicating
signal or a message to a displaced monitoring system S via the
transmitter 22b, as best seen in FIG. 2. The units D1, D2 can be
powered by batteries, indicated at 28, to provide for portable and
self-contained operation. In accordance herewith, the batteries 28
could be rechargeable, if desired.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a system 50 in accordance herewith. The
system 50 includes a plurality of detectors, such as D1, D2 . . .
Dn, all of which are substantially similar to the detectors D1, D2
previously discussed. The plurality of detectors can be installed
through a region R being monitored by a regional monitoring system
S.
[0025] The detectors Di can communicate directly with one another
via, for example, the conductors 30 or can communicate wirelessly
with the system S by sending messages Mi. As those of skill will
understand, other types of detectors, such as security related
(position, motion, PIR) detectors or ambient condition (gas, fire)
detectors can be incorporated into the system S without
limitation.
[0026] In summary, units, such as Di, as discussed above, are
modular and flexible and can be used as standalone devices or may
be linked to additional structures, such as hot/cold supply lines.
They can be fitted with commonly-used threaded water connectors, or
they can be fitted with any type of connectors commonly known to
the trade.
[0027] Such units can communicate with wireless-enabled alarm
detection and communication systems of a type as would be known to
those of skill in the art of monitoring regions, residences, or
commercial facilities. Such systems, such as the system S, can be
capable of detecting and communicating detected water leaks and
floods and detecting and communicating non-emergency status
information (low battery, etc.) to household residents or
individuals working in a monitored region.
[0028] Additionally, such systems can be programmed to actuate
other wireless automated shutoff devices under specific conditions.
For example, all wireless valves can be shut off throughout a
protected premises based on any detected leak. Such systems can
also be programmed to actuate one, some, or all of the wireless
automated shutoff devices based on a remote command using any
commonly available remote interactive services protocol.
[0029] Methods of installation include disconnecting a water supply
hose for an appliance at a supply valve of the appliance. An inflow
end of a modular unit in accordance herewith is threaded onto the
supply valve. The water supply hose is threaded onto an outflow end
of the modular unit. External water sensor probes are connected to
the modular unit. The external water sensing probes are placed so
as to most efficiently detect potential leaks, given a local
environment. If desired, pairs of such units are installed as above
and optionally interconnected. In instances where a wireless
monitoring system is available, the units can be enrolled or
otherwise made known to the system, as would be understood by those
of skill in the art.
[0030] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
variations and modifications may be effected without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that
no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated
herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course,
intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as
fall within the scope of the claims.
[0031] Further, logic flows depicted in the figures do not require
the particular order shown or sequential order to achieve desirable
results. Other steps may be provided, steps may be eliminated from
the described flows, and other components may be added to or
removed from the described embodiments.
* * * * *