Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-02
2001-11-13
Lefkowitz, Edward (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S605000, C340S606000, C340S609000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317051
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to preventing unchecked amounts of water from leaking into a home, office, warehouse, building and the like which would otherwise cause damage to the contents of such structure, such as damaging the furniture, clothing, woodwork, artwork and other articles in the structure as well as causing damage to the structure itself. Plumbing systems provide the flow of water under pressure in, for example, a home or other structure. If a leak were to develop in the plumbing system while the building is vacant it is possible that such large amounts of water would be released in an uncontrolled manner that severe damage would be caused. Even if a structure is occupied, where a leak occurs which remains undetected for a period of time, the results could also be disastrous.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide a water flow monitoring system for determining when a leak occurs and upon the determining of such a leak to take some action to stop further flow through the leaking plumbing.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a system which upon determination of a prolonged water use, operates to warn the user of water, prior to permanently halting the flow of water through the pipe.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a system which upon determination of a leak operates to halt the flow of water through the leaking pipe.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a system which may be temporarily and conveniently disabled or enabled remotely from the location of water use.
A further object of this invention is to provide such a system which distinguishes the difference between prolonged water use and leaking plumbing, and then functions to permit sustained water use or functions to halt water flow respectively.
A still further object of this invention is to provide such a system which distinguishes said difference between prolonged water use and leaking plumbing based on the water usage routine of the water system being controlled.
In accordance with this invention a water flow monitoring system is provided which includes a flow monitoring means mounted to a pipe through which the water flows under high pressure to sense the flow of water through the pipe. Control means having a timer, and/or an accumulated volume meter, is associated with the flow monitor means to determine when the flow has continued for a preselected period of time, and/or continued for a preselected accumulated volume threshold, indicative of unintentional flow or a leak. Said control means contains the capability to recognize and logically respond to information contained in the water flow. Action taking means is also included to respond to the detection of the flow for the preselected period of time, and/or the accumulated volume threshold. In the preferred practice of this invention, the action taking means is a valve mounted in the plumbing system to shut off further flow through the system so that leakage is prevented and the prospective damage to the structure and its contents would be held to a much lower level in comparison to an unmonitored leaking water system.
In a variation of the system a second monitor may be provided near the sewer to sense whether the flow of water has continued through the plumbing system to the sewer. If the flow is sensed at both locations then a leak is assumed not present. If, however, the flow continues in the upstream location, but not near the sewer, this would be indicative of a leak in the system. A provision is included in the control means such that sustained water flow detected in both the source and the downstream sewer lines exceeding a period of time or exceeding an accumulated volume level will cause the control means to determine a leak has occurred and therefore stops the water flow.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4562865 (1986-01-01), Lemkin et al.
patent: 5000224 (1991-03-01), Olson, Jr. et al.
patent: 5004014 (1991-04-01), Bender
patent: 5287884 (1994-02-01), Cohen
patent: 5503175 (1996-04-01), Ravilious et al.
patent: 5920265 (1999-07-01), Johnson, Jr. et al.
Cohen Jeffrey D.
Lefkowitz Edward
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