In-line water shut-off system and method of use thereof

A system that provides for the remote control shutoff of the main water supply to a structure in an unattended manner is herein disclosed. The system comprises a solenoid activated shutoff valve typically mounted immediately downstream of a main water shutoff valve and a locking enclosure containing a remote control switch and audible alarm unit. A manual bypass valve is provided as an override should it be required. Because the system requires electricity to operate, a general power failure will automatically shut off of the water supply. Further, activation of the system is accomplished using a remote control to control the system from a distance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an automatic and remote shutoff control for the main water supply to a structure and, more particularly, to said apparatus being capable being operated in an unattended manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water damage from a broken pipe, a worn out water heater or other water supplied appliance can cause major property damage and serious financial consequences. The only certain method to guarantee that this does not occur is to shut off the main water line. Unfortunately, many people are incapable of locating the shut-off valve for their water line and may be physically unable to shut it off. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which main water flow into a home, building or business can be easily, quickly and remotely shut off without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the invention herein described fulfills this need.

Several attempts have been made in the past to provide a means and a method for a quick and effective shut-off system for in-house utilities, especially main line water valves, particularly during extended periods of non-use. U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,536 issued to Dalton discloses a remote shut-off valve. This patent does not appear to disclose an apparatus that operates on demand using a wireless remote control.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,580 issued to Foster discloses a multifunction valve assembly. This patent does not appear to disclose an apparatus that operates on demand using a wireless remote control.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,607 issued to Caise discloses a microprocessor controlled water shut-off device. This patent does not appear to disclose an apparatus that operates on demand using a wireless remote control.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,536 issued to Polverari discloses an automatic shut-off valve that operates when it senses a leak in the system. This patent does not appear to disclose an apparatus that operates on demand using a wireless remote control.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,171 issued to Dwyer discloses a shut-off system for preventing water damage that operates when it detects a leakage of water in the system. This patent does not appear to disclose a solenoid to activate the control valve nor does the apparatus appear to operate on demand using a wireless remote control.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,653 issued to DeSmet discloses a water shut-off valve and control system that operates on a timer. This patent does not appear to disclose a control valve operated by a wireless remote control.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,269 issued to Moseley discloses an inline pneumatic/mechanical flow control valve system. This patent does not appear to disclose a control valve that operates on demand using a wireless remote control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, it has been observed that there is need for an on demand remote wireless control for the main water supply valve to a structure.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system provides a convenient, easy to use method for controlling the flow of water into a residence or commercial structure.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system is comprised of a solenoid, spring return valve, transformer and a wireless RF remote controller.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system is an electrically operated and RF wirelessly controlled apparatus to control the flow of water into a structure.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system is wall mounted downstream of the water meter.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system automatically responds to an interruption in electrical service by closing the main water valve thereby keeping main water pressures elevated for use by emergency services.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system possesses a manual by-pass valve permitting override of the system.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system has a 110 volt electrical supply line which runs to a GFCI outlet and a step down transformer converting the electrical charge to 24 volts for operation of the spring return valve.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system may be used by individuals with physical disabilities which may make it difficult for them to access and manipulate a conventional main water shut-off valve.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system can avoid costly damage to residences and businesses by providing a means to immediately terminate water service in the event of a broken pipe, or inefficient or broken appliance.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system is housed in a lockable cabinet.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system, in an alternative embodiment, possesses an audible or visual alarm to indicate the activation of the spring control valve to alert occupants that the water supply delivery has been altered.

The in-line remote control water shut-off system, in an alternate embodiment, possesses X-10 communication capabilities that enable control of the system via the interne and a remote computer.

The prior art discloses devices which provide control main water supply line water flow through various means. The prior art does not appear to teach a main water line control valve that operates on demand through the use of a wireless remote control with a manual override function.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention describes a system and method that provides for the remote control shutoff of the main water valve to a structure and/or household appliance in an unattended manner. The in-line water shut-off system (herein described as the “system”)10provides water flow to cease in the event of a power failure or remotely upon activation of a remote control switch70by a remote controller80. The system10comprises a solenoid30activated shutoff valve40typically mounted immediately downstream of a main water shutoff valve and a locking enclosure20containing a remote control switch70and audible alarm unit58. The system10further provides a manual bypass valve130as an override, should it be required.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a front view of the system10depicting an open cover portion25and remote controller80, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed.

The system10comprises electrical supply and conditioning components comprising a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle60at a remote location, a step down transformer50, and a power supply cord75. The GFCI receptacle60provides electrical power thereto the system being in electrical communication with an existing residential 110-volt electrical power system. The GFCI receptacle60comprises a conventional design with a rectangular face, two (2) female adapters embedded therein, and a reset button. The GFCI receptacle60provides continuous power to the step down transformer50. The step down transformer50in turn provides 24-volt electrical power to the remote control switch70via the power supply cord75. The step-down transformer50comprises a commercially available unit providing a standard 110-volt to 24-volt DC conversion means in an expected manner. It is envisioned that the GFCI receptacle60may be provided with X-10 communication capabilities, thereby enabling activation/deactivation of the system10via a remote computer and/or internet means, thereby halting or reestablishing a water flow100therethrough the system10. It is further envisioned that the GFCI receptacle60may be provided as a common duplex outlet without ground fault protection based upon electrical codes and a user's preference.

The power supply cord75provides continuous 24-volt power thereto a lockable enclosure20providing a housing and mounting means thereto system components comprising a key lock26, a hasp27, a plurality of hinges21, a cover25, a remote control switch70, a power supply cord75, a switched power cord55, an audio alarm58, a terminal strip35, and a solenoid wire36. The enclosure20comprises a common lockable cabinet with a plurality of hinges21along an outer side edge providing an attachment means thereto a cover25in an expected manner. The door mounted key lock26and hasp27provide a security means to the system10to prevent tampering. The enclosure20is to provide sufficient interior volume to contain the aforementioned components. The enclosure20, key lock26, and hinges21are envisioned to be made using durable water-proof materials such as stainless steel, fiberglass, plastic, or the like.

The remote control switch70, when activated by a remote controller80, conducts power to the terminal strip35providing a 24-volt power distribution means and a timely component replacement aid if required. Said 24-volt current is supplied thereto the solenoid30activated shutoff valve40via a solenoid wire36. The spring return valve40would typically be mounted thereupon a wall surface using common fasteners and located immediately downstream of an existing main water shutoff valve in a residence or business. The system10is envisioned to utilize a water inlet source90thereto a spring return valve40exiting thereto a water outlet95. The spring return valve40is envisioned to be in fluid communication between the water inlet90and water outlet95for the assisting in the regulation of a flow of water100by closing, thereby obstructing the flow of water100therethrough the water line. The spring return valve40is in the open state as by which meaning water flow100is distributed establishing open communication between the water inlet90and the water outlet95. The spring return valve40is envisioned to be a normally-closed spring return valve40being opened by conducting an electric current therethrough an electrical solenoid30mounted thereon said spring return valve40, thus changing to an open state. The solenoid30is controlled directly by a remote control switch70located within the enclosure20, and thus providing a very low reaction time. The spring return valve40comprises two (2) ports, in which the water flow100is switched on or off. The spring return valve40is envisioned to be a commercially available valve such as a gate valve, a ball valve, or equivalent type designed to minimize restriction to the water flow100when in an open state. The spring return valve40is envisioned to comprise metal or rubber seals designed to effectively seal the water flow100when in the closed state.

A user may engage a halting or opening action acting upon a continuous water flow100of a main water line by successive actuation of the remote controller80. More specifically, to engage a halting of said water flow100, said remote controller80transmits a controlled RF signal85thereto a remote control switch70, thereby halting an electrical current thereto the solenoid portion30of the spring return valve40, thereby closing said valve40. This action closes the spring return valve40in communication between water inlet90and water outlet95halting the water flow100therethrough the system10. To reestablish water flow100therethrough the water line, actuation of the remote controller80provides an opening action thereto the spring return valve40, thereby providing a reestablishment of fluid continuity therebetween the inlet90and the outlet95. The remote controller80provides transmission of a radio frequency (RF) signal85thereto the remote control switch70. The remote control switch70is envisioned to provide a sealed housing to prevent water and/or corrosion from coming in contact with said remote control switch70.

In addition to the remote activation of the spring return valve40as described above, the system10provides a halting function thereto the water flow100upon the loss of electrical power therefrom the power supply cord75in the event of a local power failure, an open electrical breaker, or the like.

The terminal strip35also provides 24-volt power to an audio alarm unit35within the enclosure20. The audio alarm unit58provides an audio alarm means, thereby providing an indication to occupants within a residence or commercial building of a stoppage of water supply resulting therefrom a general power failure within said residence or due to remote activation of the remote control switch70. The audio alarm58is envisioned to be a commercially available battery-backup alarm module comprising an internal battery, switching hardware, wiring, and a speaker57. The speaker57is envisioned to be a common miniature piezo-electrical type device.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a front view of the system10depicting a closed cover portion25and associated plumbing, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The system10comprises an enclosure20, a pair of union fittings110, a bypass valve130, a pair of tee-fittings135, and various bypass piping125.

The union fittings110provide a plumbing connection means thereto existing water supply plumbing120in a residence or business as depicted here. Additionally, the system10comprises a bypass valve130, a pair of tee-fittings135, and various bypass piping125required to establish direct fluid communication therebetween the water inlet90and the water outlet95portions. The bypass valve130provides an override means to the system10should it be required. The spring return valve40, union fittings110, and bypass piping125are envisioned to comprise preferably a similar diametrical size as an existing plumbing system120within a residence so as to maintain a consistent flow and pressure through the system10.

FIG. 3is an electrical block diagram of the system10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system10as depicted here receives 110-volt AC power from a local GFCI receptacle60. A step-down transformer50is plugged thereinto said GFCI receptacle60in an expected manner, thereby conducting a 24-volt current to the remote control switch70via a power supply cord75. Said remote control switch70provides a switching function similar to common garage door opening devices being activated by a RF signal85transmitted therefrom a hand-held remote controller80. The remote controller80allows a user to remotely control the water flow100when desired during events such as, but not limited to, periods in which a residence is unoccupied, controlling water usage during particular periods of a day or week, and the like. The RF signal85is envisioned to be a one-way signal and does not provide for duplex communication or confirmation of a received RF signal85. It is envisioned that the RF signal85would be of a frequency modulated (FM) signal on a frequency authorized for such use; however, other methods of modulation such as amplitude modulation, single side band, digital, continuous wave and the like would work equally well, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the system10. When activated to establish a water flow100therethrough, said remote control switch70conducts a 24-volt current thereto an audible alarm58and the solenoid portion30of the spring return valve40, thereby opening said valve40maintaining a water flow100therethrough. Conversely, if said remote control switch70is activated to initiate a stoppage of a water flow100therethrough the system10, said output current is interrupted causing the spring return valve40to close and halt said water flow100. Said output voltage thereto the audible alarm unit58provides a power interruption audible alarm via a piezo speaker57during water flow100stoppages being initiated by an interruption of said output current therefrom said remote control switch70. Stoppage of said water flow100due to a loss of electrical power thereto said solenoid30, may result from events such as activation of the remote control switch70; or a general power supply failure. Additionally, activation/deactivation of the system10may be provided via a GFCI receptacle60comprising X-10 communication capabilities, thereby enabling remote activation via a computer and/or internet means.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. A skilled plumber or other professional may be required for the installation of the system10. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system10, it would be configured as indicated inFIG. 1.

The method of installing and utilizing the system10may be achieved by performing the following steps: mounting the enclosure20at a location either adjacent to or remote of the main shutoff valve of the main water line, installing the solenoid valve40immediately downstream of the main water shutoff valve using the union fittings110; installing the bypass valve130using the provided tee-fittings135and bypass piping125; activating the system10by connecting the transformer50thereto a GFCI receptacle60using the power supply cord75; transmitting an OPEN signal85therefrom a remote controller80thereto the remote control switch70; enabling a water flow100therethrough the spring return valve40reestablishing fluid continuity therebetween the inlet90and the outlet95; transmitting a CLOSE signal85therefrom a remote controller80; stopping a water flow100therethrough the spring return valve40; automatically broadcasting an audible alarm58to occupants of a building indicating stoppage of said water flow100; alternately, experiencing a general loss of power therefrom a central power source; interrupting an electrical current to the solenoid30; stopping a water flow100therethrough the spring return valve40; automatically broadcasting said audible alarm58; and, benefiting from automatic and/or remote control shut-off of a main water supply, thereby protecting a residence or commercial building from water damage which may result from being temporarily unattended.

Additionally, the bypass valve130may be utilized as a water flow100override should it be required by disconnecting the transformer50therefrom the GFCI receptacle60and manually opening the bypass valve130by rotating a valve lever or knob thereupon in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby establishing an optional fluid path therebetween water inlet90and outlet95portions.