Abstract:
The present subject matter relates to controlling water sources external to a structure and more particularly to an external water shutoff. One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus having an electrically operable valve placed on a water supply line internal to a structure between a location where the water supply line enters the structure and a location where the water supply line exits the structure, an auto-drain valve, and means for controlling the electrically operable valve, wherein the means for controlling is external to the structure, further wherein the means for controlling the electrically operable valve is communicatively connected to the electrically operable valve external to the structure.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/554,727 filed Mar. 19, 2004, titled “AUTO-DRAINING EXTERNAL WATER SHUTOFF” which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0002]    This Application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/082,682, filed May 17, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0003]    The present subject matter relates to controlling water sources external to a structure and more particularly to an external water shutoff. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    For various purposes, such as irrigation system maintenance, water sources that extend to the exterior of structures need to be turned off. Prior to irrigation system maintenance, such as winterizing and system startup, the water to the irrigation system needs to be turned off or on from the inside of the structure. If access to the internal controls of the water source is not available, the maintenance cannot be performed. This poses a problem not only for maintenance personnel, but also those controlling access to the structure. An example of this problem is when a busy homeowner is unable to be home to allow maintenance personnel access to control the external water source. The homeowner will be unable to have the maintenance performed without compromising security of the home by leaving a door unlocked. 
         [0005]    Further, in various areas, water use restrictions are becoming more and more common place to help conserve water. However, the various governmental bodies tasked with enforcing the watering restrictions are often under-staffed and under-funded. Further, even if proper staff levels and funding are present, sending an enforcement official out into various neighborhoods is generally an inefficient use of resources and in many cases is ineffective. Complete compliance with the water restrictions is virtually impossible. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The subject matter herein provides various embodiments that are useful to shut off and turn on a water supply external to a structure such as a single or multi-family residence, a building, or other structure. Some embodiments are useful to irrigation system servicers when performing system maintenance such as winterization, system startup, or other maintenance requiring that the water source for the irrigation system be turned on or off. This allows an irrigation system servicer to perform necessary maintenance on an irrigation system without needing to gain access to water control valves located inside the residence or other structure. These embodiments, and others, are described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7A  shows a diagram according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7B  shows a diagram according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7C  shows a diagram according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows a block diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows a block diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  shows a block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  shows a block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  shows a block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0022]    The leading digit(s) of reference numbers appearing in the Figures generally corresponds to the Figure number in which that component is first introduced, such that the same reference number is used throughout to refer to an identical component which appears in multiple Figures. Signals and connections may be referred to by the same reference number or label, and the actual meaning will be clear from its use in the context of the description. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. This embodiment includes a structure  100  having a water supply line  99  entering the structure  100  and shortly thereafter having a water meter  105  for measuring water usage. Water entering the structure is then split, with one portion of the water directed for use as an indoor water supply  106  and the other portion of the water directed for use as an outdoor water supply  102 . This embodiment further includes, on the outdoor water supply  102 , an electrically operable valve  103 , an auto-drain valve  108 , and means for controlling  110  the electrically operable valve  103 . The outdoor water supply then continues outside for use for various purposes such as an outdoor water faucet  107  or an irrigation system  101 . 
         [0024]    In various embodiments, the means for controlling  110  is external to the structure  100  and is capable of communicating control signals to the electrically operable valve  103 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the means for controlling  110  is a control box external to the structure  100  communicatively coupled to the electrically operable valve  103  using a wire  109 . In some embodiments, the wire  109  is a category 5, multi-wire cable. In some such embodiments, the means for controlling  110  is a power service receiver for receiving an electrical charge to operate the electrically controlled valve  103  from a portable control unit  111 . In some such embodiments, the portable control unit  111  includes a battery and a connector for coupling the portable control unit to the means for controlling  110 . 
         [0025]    The electrically operable valve  103  can be any valve that is electrically controlled for the valve  103  to open and close. In some embodiments, the electrically operable valve is a ball valve having an electric motor attached thereto for rotating the ball to open and close the valve. 
         [0026]    The auto-drain valve can be virtually any type of valve that allows water to drain from the outdoor water supply  102  between the electrically operable valve  103  and the external water sources such as the outdoor water faucet  107  or the irrigation system  101 . In some embodiments, the auto-drain valve is a pressure biased auto-drain valve. In other embodiments, the auto-drain valve is also an electrically operable valve that opens and closes in relation to the electrically operable valve  103 . In some embodiments, the auto-drain valve  108 - 2  is integrated as part of the electrically operable valve  103 . In other embodiments, the auto-drain valve  108 - 1  connects to the outdoor water supply  102  separately from the electrically operable valve  103 . In some embodiments, the auto-drain valve is placed on the water supply line at a location best suited for draining the outdoor water supply  102 . Some embodiments also include a drain line for directing water from the auto-drain valve to a drain  104  such as floor drain  104 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment according to the present subject matter. The means for controlling  110  in this embodiment is a switch  204 . Such a switch  204  in various embodiments, is a switch having at least a same number of positions as the electrically controlled valve  103  has. For example, if the electrically controlled valve has two positions, the switch  204  has at least two positions. 
         [0028]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , this embodiment includes a power source  202  for powering the electrically controlled valve  103 . As illustrated, this power source  202  is a conventional 120V AC outlet. However, other embodiments include the power source  202  being a DC power source such as a battery. The type of power source of a certain embodiment alters various properties the electrically operable valve  103  must have for handling power, such as a need for a transformer (not shown) for transforming AC to DC. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present subject matter. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  includes a valve controller unit  301  capable of receiving and responding to commands received from a remote location. In some such embodiments, the valve controller unit  301  includes a modem coupled to a phone jack  302  in the structure  100 . In other embodiments, the modem includes a wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device is enabled with mobile phone technology. In further, embodiments, the controller unit  301  receives commands over an antenna (not shown) embodied in a carrier wave broadcast as a radio signal. In yet further embodiments, the controller unit  301  connects to the Internet. 
         [0030]    The commands the valve controller unit  301  receives can originate from various sources. Such sources include irrigation system  101  maintenance personnel, but also government entities or others charged with enforcing watering restrictions. Such embodiments as illustrated in  FIG. 3  are well suited for remote enforcement of watering and water user restrictions. The governing entity can send a signal to the valve controller unit  301  disabling and enabling water use external to the structure. In some embodiments that utilize telephone technology for communication, the valve controller unit  301  calls into a central server operated by the governing entity to receive any available commands regarding external water use. Such commands include commands for enabling and disabling external water use, allowing water use only on certain days such as odd or even numbered days, or allowing only a certain amount of water usage external to the structure  100  as determined by the valve controller unit  301 . Some embodiments of the valve controller unit  301  monitor amount of water usage through communication with the water meter  105 , while other embodiments monitor water usage amounts on a calculation made by the valve controller unit  301  based on reading from one or more sensors coupled to the valve controller unit  301 . Some further embodiments include the controller unit  301  receiving commands from the Internet. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of the present subject matter. This embodiment includes a key pad  402  on the means for controlling  110  the electrically operable valve  103 . The key pad  402  includes an input controller unit  404  for receiving an input code from the key pad  402  for comparison against a stored code. If the input code matches the stored code, the input controller unit  404  sends a signal over the wire  109  to the electrically operable valve to open or close depending on the current position of the valve  103 . In other embodiments, the key pad  402  includes a selector button for specifying the valve  103  position desired upon entry of a matching code. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is another embodiment of the present subject matter. This embodiment includes a wireless communication receiver  502  and a wireless communication device  504 . In various embodiments, the wireless communication device  504  is a mobile telephone, a handheld wireless computing device, a radio frequency controller similar to a garage door opener controller, or any other similar device capable of generating a signal to the wireless communication receiver  502 . 
         [0033]    Another embodiment is shown in  FIG. 6 . This embodiment includes the means for controlling  110  having a lock switch, the activation of which activates and deactivate the electrically controlled valve  103  to open and close the electrically controlled valve  103 . The lock switch, in various embodiments, can be activated using only a key  602 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 7A  shows a ball valve  702 . The ball valve  702  has a handle  704  for opening and closing the ball valve  702 . The handle  704  connects to the ball valve  702  at a bolting point  706 . When the bolting point  706  is rotated laterally, the ball inside the valve  702  moves from the open to closed position or from the closed to open position. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7B  shows the ball valve  702  with the handle  704  removed from the bolting point  706 . By removing the handle  704  from the bolting point  706 , the bolting point  706  is capable of receiving an electric motor  708  (as shown in  FIG. 7C ). By attaching the motor to the ball valve  704 , the ball valve becomes an electrically operable valve  103  as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . This allows for retrofitting an external water supply of a structure with the subject matter described herein without requiring the replacement of the ball valve  103  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In many cases, no further plumbing is necessary for installation, thus making installation on existing structures more feasible. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  shows a method  800  according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The method  800  is operable to remotely control a valve, such a controlling a valve inside a building from the exterior of the building. The method  800  includes receiving a request for a valve ID  802  and determining if the valve is new  804 . If the valve is new, or newly installed, the valve ID is set to a default ID such as “00000000” when the valve ID is an 8-bit ID. 
         [0037]    If the result of the determination  804  is that the valve is new, the method sends the valve ID indicative of a new valve  806  to the requestor and receives an ID from the requester, such as a remote control, and stores the received ID as the valve ID  808 . If the result of the determination  804  is that the valve is not new, or newly installed, or if the valve is new, or newly installed, and the valve ID has been stored  808 , the method  800  then sends the valve ID  810  to the requester. 
         [0038]    The method  800  then continues by receiving an open or close command  812  to open or close the valve and then executing the command  814 . The method  800  then determines  816  if the command has been properly executed. If the command has not been properly executed, a valve failure indication is sent  818  to the requestor. If the command was properly executed, a valve position indication is sent to the requestor  820 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  shows a method  900  according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The method  900  is operable on a controller, such as a handheld, portable remote control of a valve that is internal to a building. The method  900  operates to interface with a valve controller on such a valve internal to building that operates according to another method, such as method  800  illustrated and discussed above with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0040]    The method  900  includes requesting  902  and receiving  904  a valve ID from a remote valve. The method  900  then determines  906  if the valve ID matches a controller ID. If there is not a match, the method  900  determines  908  if the valve ID indicates that the valve is new or newly installed. If there is not a match and the valve ID indicates the valve is neither new nor newly installed, the method  900  provides an indication of system failure  920 . If there is not a match, but the valve ID indicates the valve is new or newly installed, the method  900  sends the controller ID to the valve to store as the valve ID. In this case and when the valve ID and controller ID match, the method  900  continues by sending an open or close command to the valve  912 . 
         [0041]    After the open or close command is sent to the controller, the method  900  determines  914  if a response from the valve is received within a timeout period. If a response is not received from the valve, the method indicates a system failure  920 . However, if a response is received from the valve within the timeout period, the method  900  determines  916  if successful valve operation is indicated in the response from the valve. If success is indicated, the method indicates that the valve is in the open or close position  918  according to the command sent to the valve. If the method determines  916  that success is not indicated in the response from the valve, the method indicates a system failure  920 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  shows an apparatus  1000  according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The apparatus  1000  includes a valve manipulation apparatus  1002  coupled to a valve  1018 . The valve manipulation apparatus  1002  operates to manipulate the valve  1018  according to commands received from a remotely operable valve controller, such as is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0043]    Returning to  FIG. 10 , the valve manipulation apparatus  1002  includes a communication interface  104 , a power source  1006 , a processor  1008 , a memory  1010 , and a motor  1016 . 
         [0044]    The communication interface  1004  is operable to send and receive data. In some embodiments, the communication interface  1004  is a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (“UART”). In various embodiments, the communication interface  1004  is a wired or wireless device. 
         [0045]    The power source  1006 , in some embodiments, is an electric power receiving port that receives electric power and distributes that power for the operation of the various components of the valve manipulation apparatus. In other embodiments, the power source  1006  is a battery. In yet other embodiments, the power source  1006  is an AC to DC transformer to convert received alternating current to direct current. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, the processor  1008  represents a digital signal processor or processing unit of any type of architecture, such as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing), RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing), VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word), an erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”) microprocessor, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”) microprocessor or hybrid architecture, although any appropriate processor may be used. In some embodiments, the processor  1008  represents a CMOS flash microcontroller with built in readable/writeable EEPROM data storage. In some such embodiments, the processor is a 14-pin flash-based 8-bit CMOS microcontroller, such as model PIC16F630/676 available from Microchip Technology, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz. The processor  1008  executes instructions, such as instruction encoded in software  1014  that are stored in the memory  1010 . 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, the memory  1010  represents a memory of any type of architecture, such as a programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a random access memory, and a hard disk. Various embodiments include volatile and non-volatile memories and storage devices. In some embodiments, the processor  1008  and memory  1010  are both within an integrated device such as an EEPROM microprocessor. In some embodiments, the memory  1010  is included with the processor  1008  in a CMOS flash microcontroller with built in readable/writeable EEPROM data storage such as a 14-pin flash-based 8-bit CMOS microcontroller. An example of such as device is model PIC16F630/676 available from Microchip Technology, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the memory  1010  of the valve manipulation apparatus  1002  includes a valve ID and software  1014 . The valve ID  1012  is an identifier of the valve manipulation apparatus  1002 . It is used to validate the right of a remotely operable valve controller to operate a valve coupled to the valve manipulation apparatus  1002 . 
         [0049]    The software  1014  is operable on the processor  1008  to cause the valve manipulation apparatus  1002  to receive and respond to a request for a the valve ID  1012  over the communication interface  1006 , receive a command to manipulate the valve by operating the electric motor  1016 , the command received over the communication interface  1004 , and operate the electric motor  1016  according to the received command. 
         [0050]    In some other embodiments, the software  1014  is operable on the processor  1008  to receive a controller ID from a remotely operable valve controller over the communication interface  1004  and verify that the remotely operable valve controller has rights to issue commands to the valve manipulation apparatus  1002 . The valve manipulation apparatus  1002 , in some embodiments, verifies the rights of the remotely operable valve controller by matching the controller ID with the valve ID. If there is a match, the remotely operable valve controller has sufficient rights and the valve manipulation apparatus  1002  will then respond to commands received from the remotely operable valve controller. 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  shows an apparatus  1102  according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The apparatus  1102  is an example embodiment of a remotely operable valve controller that communicates with valve manipulation devices such as valve manipulation apparatus  1002  illustrated and described above with reference to  FIG. 10 . The apparatus  1102  includes a communication interface  1104 , a power source  1106 , a processor  1108 , a memory  1110 , and an output display  1116 . As illustrated, the apparatus also includes an optional battery  1118 . 
         [0052]    In some embodiments, the apparatus  1102  is powered by the battery  1118  and also supplies power to a valve manipulation device when coupled via the power source  1106 . In some embodiments that include a battery  1118 , the apparatus includes a battery space to hold the battery  1118 . In other embodiments, the apparatus does not have the optional battery  1118  and instead receives power to power the apparatus  1102  from the power source  1106 . 
         [0053]    The communication interface  1104  is operable to send and receive data. In some embodiments, the communication interface  1104  is a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (“UART”). In various embodiments, the communication interface  1004  is a wired or wireless device to facilitate communication with other devices such as a valve manipulation apparatus. 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, the processor  1108  represents a digital signal processor or processing unit of any type of architecture, such as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing), RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing), VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word), an erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”) microprocessor, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”) microprocessor, or hybrid architecture, although any appropriate processor may be used. In some such embodiments, the processor  1108  is a 14-pin flash-based 8-bit CMOS microcontroller, such as model PIC16F630/676 available from Microchip Technology, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz. The processor  1108  executes instructions, such as instruction encoded in software  1014  that are stored in the memory  1110 . The processor  1108  executes instructions, such as instruction encoded in software  1114  that are stored in the memory  1110 . 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the memory  1110  represents a memory of any type of architecture, such as a programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a random access memory, and a hard disk. Various embodiments include volatile and non-volatile memories and storage devices. In some embodiments, the processor  1108  and memory  1110  are both within an integrated device such as an EEPROM microprocessor. In some embodiments, the memory  1110  is included with the processor  1108  in a CMOS flash microcontroller with built in readable/writeable EEPROM data storage such as a 14-pin flash-based 8-bit CMOS microcontroller. An example of such as device is model PIC16F630/676 available from Microchip Technology, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, the memory  1110  of the apparatus  1102  includes a controller ID and software  1114 . The controller ID  1112  is an identifier of the apparatus  1102 . The controller ID  1012  is used to validate the rights of apparatus  1102  to operate a valve coupled to a valve manipulation apparatus. In other embodiments, the apparatus includes a bank of DIP switches to set the controller ID. 
         [0057]    The software  1114  is operable on the processor  1108  to cause the apparatus  1002  request and receive a valve ID over the communication interface  1104 , compare the received valve ID to the controller ID  1112 , and if the valve ID and the controller ID  1112  match, send a signal with an encoded command over the communication interface to manipulate a valve motor. The command can include a command to open or close a valve coupled to the valve motor. In some embodiments, the software  1114  is further operable on the processor  1108  to process a status signal received from a valve manipulation apparatus over the communication interface  1104  and cause the output display  1116  to display a representation of the remote valve status. This valve status, in various embodiments, includes a valve open status, a valve closed status, and a malfunction status. 
         [0058]    The output display  1116 , in some embodiments, includes a set of one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). Each of the one or more LEDs include a label. When an LED is illuminated, the LED is indicative of what the label represents. Other embodiments include color and monochromatic liquid crystal displays, cathode ray tube displays, and virtually any other display type capable of communicating information and data visually to a user. An example of an output display  1116  is illustrated and described with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 12  shows a user interface  1202  according to an embodiment of the present subject matter. The user interface  1202  is a user interface of a remotely operable valve controller as illustrated and described with reference to the apparatus  1102  of  FIG. 11 . 
         [0060]    In some embodiments, the user interface  1202  includes input mechanisms such an open button  1204  and a close button  1206 . When pressed, the open button  1204  and the close button  1206  cause a remotely operable valve controller to operate to cause a signal to be sent to a remote valve to open or close, respectively. The user interface further includes status indicators such as a valve open indicator LED  1208 , a valve closed indicator LED  1210 , and a valve malfunction indicator LED  1212 . Some embodiments of the user interface  1202  further include a battery check indicator set of LEDs  1214  that indicate a charge level remaining in a battery. 
         [0061]    It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0062]    The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.