Abstract:
A fluid measuring device that displays fluid volume usage against fluid volume limits and a fluid control device that stops fluid delivery when the fluid volume limit is reached.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]    This invention claims priority to provisional U.S. patent application serial No. 60/379,429 filed May 9, 2002, herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to devices that control and measure fluid volume.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Most water conservation devices use timers attached to water control systems. Unfortunately, typical users of time-controlled water conservation devices are unable to equate water flow over a period of time with the true water volume or mass. Even if users of time-based water conservation devices generally recognize that time is proportional to the volume of water consumption, they often have difficulty in their conservation effort because they do not know the water volume to time ratio or cannot apply the ratio to the time used. Accordingly, consumers using timer-based water conservation devices do not alter their consumption practices. Such timer-based devices have not helped in the general water conservation efforts and programs offered by municipalities and state governments.  
           [0004]    Time-based water conservation devices used today also lack the ability to convey water usage information in real time. Further, they lack the ability to control water volume or mass usage, rather than merely controlling time. Consequently, water users are unable to truly monitor and conserve water usage.  
           [0005]    Thus, there is an unmet need to provide volume-based water conservation devices in a variety of settings such as water distribution systems having showers, outdoor spigots, and faucets. The volume-based water conservation devices would encourage the voluntary attainment of individual or governmental water conservation goals.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention is a fluid metering device that measures water flow rates in terms of water volume, rather than time. The various alternate embodiments incorporate additional features, including the ability to control water flow rates, present water usage information to the user, inform the user when water conservation goals have been met, and alert the user when water conservations goals have not been met. The fluid metering and control device can be attached to showers, spigots, and water faucets. Preferred embodiments of the fluid metering and control device include an electromechanical embodiment and a mechanical embodiment.  
           [0007]    The preferred electromechanical embodiment presents the status of water conservation goals as determined by the manufacturer or otherwise established to encourage water conservation, but does not automatically shut off the flow of water whether the conservation goals are met or not met. Water usage information is presented to encourage the user to voluntarily decrease or shut off the flow of water. The preferred mechanical embodiment allows the user to select volume-based water conservation goals and automatically shuts of the flow of water once a volume selected for delivery is delivered.  
           [0008]    The preferred electromechanical embodiment includes a plurality of digital displays and a water flow controller. The plurality of digital displays includes a water usage rate display, a water volume target display, a proportion-of-water target display, and an alert alarm. The proportion-of-water target display includes graphical presentations such as an indicator bar, an indicator column, a radial filled-in pie chart, or a numerical percentage or fractional indication of the water volume target. The alert alarms are visible, audible, or vibrational indicators.  
           [0009]    The preferred electromechanical embodiment measures water usage rates, measures water volume, displays the water volume target, graphically or numerically informs when the proportion-of-water target is delivered, and alerts the user when the water volume target is reached or exceeded. The water volume target is preset during manufacture by programming into the device a value representing the water volume target to be used at the point-of-use for each cycle-of-use in a water distribution system.  
           [0010]    The preferred electromechanical embodiment of the instant invention is attachable to any water point-of-use location such as showers, sinks, or outdoor spigots. The water flow controller is an adjustable handle or knob. The water flow controller allows the user to alter or adjust water flow rates with a concomitant display of the changes in flow rates and the changes in the proportion-of-water target display. Water conservation goals are promoted by displaying to the user the preset water volume target, the current flow rates, the proportion-of-water target display, and a signal alert presented when the maximum water volume target is reached or exceeded. Thus, the user is encouraged to voluntarily decrease the rate of water usage or turn off the water. The user&#39;s knowledge of the status of water consumption encourages the user to conserve the rate and volume of water used for each cycle-of-use at each point-of-use. The plurality of digital displays presents information regarding water use, and, via the adjustable handle or knob, allows the user to timely and voluntarily act on that information to develop and establish water conservation practices. The electromechanical embodiment may be installed at entry points to structures to measure and present water usage rates, volumes, and proportion-of-target volumes to a structure or building as a whole.  
           [0011]    The preferred mechanical embodiment includes a dial that may be turned to a numerical setting to establish the water target volume to be delivered to the water distribution systems, and water delivery commences with the engagement of a start flow button. Once the numerical setting is reached, the mechanical embodiment shuts off and stops the flow of water. Resetting the numerical setting or adjusting the dial to a new water target volume allows the start flow button to be reengaged for delivery of another flow of water until the new water target is reached. The mechanical embodiment is suitably attached to any water source, including outdoor-based water distribution systems such as hoses and water sprinkling arrays. The mechanical embodiment can also be used indoors.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the preferred electromechanical embodiment of invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2A is a partial cut away front view of the preferred electromechanical embodiment revealing internal mechanisms for measuring consumption rates and converting consumption rates into volume consumed;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2B is a side view of the preferred electromechanical embodiment;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the preferred electromechanical embodiment;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a pictorial diagram of the preferred mechanical embodiment of the invention attached to a spigot;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is pictorial depiction of the preferred mechanical embodiment attached to a water sprinkler; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a pictorial depiction of alternate embodiment of a propeller used in the preferred electromechanical and mechanical embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    The present invention comprises a device for measuring and controlling fluid consumption. By way of example, the details of the preferred electromechanical embodiment are shown in FIG. 1. A digital fluid metering and control device  10  is shown having a housing  12  attached to a tee  15  from a water pipe  14  attached to a plumbing fixture  16  via a first coupler  13 .  
         [0021]    The digital device  10  is battery operated to power a plurality of digital displays. The displays may be LED, LCD, or any other form. A volume rate display  20  presents a first digital number that expresses the water flow rate in gallons per minutes (GPM). A volume display  24  presents a second digital number that indicates the desired target volume to be delivered in gallons (GAL). In the preferred embodiment, the targeted water volume is preprogrammed into the digital device  10  by the manufacturer and unalterable by the user. Alternatively, targeted water volumes may be set by the user. Different water flow rate and water volume units can be displayed by the volume rate display  20  and the volume display  24 .  
         [0022]    A temperature display  28  presents a third digital number that expresses the water temperature in Fahrenheit, centigrade or Kelvin units.  
         [0023]    A graphical bar display  22  presents the proportion of the targeted water volume that has been delivered. The length of the bar display as presented by the graphical display  22  is proportionate to the targeted water volume programmed into the device  10  and presented on volume display  24 . Adjacent to the graphical bar display  22  is a target-indicator  30  that illuminates when the targeted water volume has been delivered.  
         [0024]    A clock display  26  presents a fourth digital number that indicates the current time of day. Other graphical forms can be presented by the graphical display  22 . For example, other graphical forms include columns, filled-in pie charts, or numerical percentage or decimal fraction values.  
         [0025]    An adjustment handle  17  controls water flow rates via a water flow valve inside the pipe  14 . The user manipulates the adjustment handle  17  to adjust water flow rates. The up (increase) or down (decrease) changes in the water flow rates are displayed in the volume rate display  20  as the user manipulates the adjustment handle  17 . Water delivered downstream of the digital device  10  travels through the pipe  14  and then to a shower head  19  attached to the pipe  14  via a second coupler  18 .  
         [0026]    Because adjustment of the handle  17  affects the values presented by the volume rate display  24  and the bar presented by the graphical display  22 , the user can readily appreciate the effect of changes in water flow rates. Once the targeted water volume has been reached, the target indicator  30  is illuminated, signaling to the user to turn off the water being delivered to the water fixture  16 . Should the user shut off the water to the water fixture  16  in response to the illumination of the target indicator  30 , or before the illumination of target indicator  30 , water conservation goals are met for the cycle of water use. The preferred digital device  10  does not automatically shut off the flow of water to the water fixture  16 , although in alternate embodiments the water controller may be programmed to do so. If the user does not turn off the water delivered to the water fixture  16  after the target indicator  30  is illuminated, the continued water delivery to the water fixture  16  signals to the user that water conservation goals are not met. The continued illumination of the target indicator  30  serves to alert and encourage users to shut off the water delivered to the water fixture  16 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2A shows the internal workings of the electromechanical embodiment  10 . A temperature probe  66  projects from the housing  12  into a space  50  defined by the interior of the water pipe  14 . The temperature probe  66  is in communication with the temperature display  28  to indicate the temperature of the water traveling through the pipe  14 .  
         [0028]    Inside the housing  12  is an axle  54  that projects from the housing  12  through the tee  15  and into the space  50 . As the water enters the space  50 , the water engages a fan-shaped fin  52  attached to the axle  54 , causing the fin  52  to rotate and spin the axle  54 . Although a fin is used in the preferred embodiment, in alternate embodiments fins of different shapes, or other water-flow sensing devices, may be used.  
         [0029]    Attached to the axle  54  inside the housing  12  is an electromagnetic sensor  56  that generates electrical pulses with the movement of the axle  54 . An analog to digital converter (ADC)  60  is coupled to the sensor  56 . The ADC  60  changes the analog signals generated by the electromagnetic sensor  56  to digital signals. The digital signals from the ADC  60  are sent to a central processing unit (CPU)  64 . A memory  65  is coupled to the CPU  64 , and stores volume target levels, programming instructions for determining information to be presented on the display, and data such as the current volume and flow rate. The CPU  64  processes the digital signals to determine the volume flow rate and volume that are respectively sent to the volume rate display  20  and the volume display  24 . A charging device—a battery, solar cell, or generator/alternator—provides power for the processing and display.  
         [0030]    Attached to the water pipe  14  is the adjustable handle  17 . The adjustable handle  17  is connected to a flow valve  40  that rotates with the adjustable handle  17 . The rotation of the flow valve  40  restricts the flow of water inside the water pipe  14 . FIG. 2B depicts a side view of the housing  12 . FIG. 2C depicts a bottom view and shows the housing  12  attached to the water pipe  14  via the tee  15 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 depicts the preferred mechanical embodiment  100  of the invention. In the mechanical embodiment a housing  110  includes an exterior-mounted target volume dial  112  and a start flow button  114 . A first end of the housing  110  is attached to a spigot  106  via a first coupler  108 . The spigot  106  is attached to a building  120  as shown, but can alternatively take other forms, such as at the end of a hose or protruding from the ground. A second end of the housing  110  is attached to a hose  116  via a second coupler  118 .  
         [0032]    Inside the mechanical embodiment  100  is a similarly arranged helical fin as in the electromechanical embodiment  10  except there is neither an ADC nor a CPU in the mechanical embodiment  100  because it lacks the displays. The volume or mass flow is measured by rotation of the helical fin  52  and the axle  54  connected directly to the target volume dial  112  through a gear system. The gear system correlates the spinning of the axle  54  to the movement of the target volume dial  112  to be proportional to the volume of water delivered passed the helical fin  52 . Accordingly, the gears step-down the fast-spinning axle  54  to produce a more slowly-turning volume dial  112 . Once the desired water volume has passed through the mechanical embodiment  100 , a spring-loaded butterfly valve inside the mechanical embodiment  100  snaps shut. The butterfly valve is reopened by resetting the target volume dial  112  and pressing the start flow button  114  to start another water delivery cycle.  
         [0033]    Another application of the mechanical embodiment  100  is shown in FIG. 4. The target volume dial  112  and the start flow button  114  are shown on the housing  110  of the mechanical embodiment  100 . The hose  116  is connected to the housing  110  via the first coupler  108 . A water sprinkler  124  is attached to the housing  110  via the second coupler  118 .  
         [0034]    The operation of the electromechanical embodiment  10  occurs when the shower is turned on and water flows through the water pipe  14 . The transit of the water within the space  50  engages the helical fins  52 . The helical fins  52  then rotate within the space  50 , causing the axle  54  to rotate as well. The electromagnetic sensor  56  generates analog electric signals in response to the rotation of the axle  54  caused by the flow of water acting on the helical fins  52 . The analog electric signals are sent from electromagnetic sensor  56  to the ADC  60 , which converts them to digital signals. The digital signals are then sent to the CPU  64  for processing. The CPU  64  then presents the digital signals as volume flow rate data on the volume rate display  20 , as volume consumed on the volume display  24  and as a percent or proportion of target value on the graphical display  22 . Once the maximum target value is delivered, the digital fluid metering and control device  10  illuminates the target indicator  30 .  
         [0035]    The mechanical embodiment  100  operates when the user turns the target volume dial  112  to a numerical location that identifies the volume to be delivered. The turning of the volume dial  112  causes the spring-loaded butterfly valve to reset and allows the passage of water through the mechanical embodiment  100  upon pressing the start flow button  114 . The volume or mass flow is measured by having the helical fin  52  and the axle  54  connected directly to the target volume dial  112  through the gear system. The gear system calibrates the spinning of the axle  54  to the movement of the target volume dial  112  to be proportional to the volume of water delivered passed the helical fin  52 . Once the desired water volume has passed through the mechanical embodiment  100 , the spring-loaded butterfly valve inside the mechanical embodiment  100  snaps shut. The butterfly valve is reopened by resetting the target volume dial  112  and pressing the start flow button  114  to start another water delivery cycle.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 5 is a pictorial depiction of alternate embodiment of a propeller used in the preferred electromechanical and mechanical embodiments of the invention. A turbine fan propeller  212  is depicted with six blades radially disposed around a centrally located cylinder  214 . The six blades are slightly twisted with respect to the central axis of the cylinder  214 . In the preferred alternate embodiments, the turbine fan propeller  212  occupies the space  50  in the water pipe  14 . The cylinder  214  is in mechanical communication with the axle  54  of the electromechanical embodiment  10  and the mechanical embodiment  100 .  
         [0037]    In addition to the above preferred embodiments, many variations are possible. For example, the electromechanical embodiment may include the automatic shutoff feature incorporated in the mechanical embodiment. As another variation, the electromechanical embodiment could be constructed without an accompanying water control handle as shown, instead relying on the water control valve already present in showers or other spigots.