Abstract:
A method and device is provided for tapping an existing primary pipeline (e.g., a water supply line) without cutting the existing primary pipeline. A secondary supply line may be installed by coupling the device to a valve of the existing pipeline. In various implementations, the device may have a single port serving as both an input (i.e., an inlet) and an output (i.e., an outlet). Among other advantages, the invention may be used to avoid costly procedures of cutting supply lines, to prevent water spillage, to integrate with existing alarm and home improvement systems, and to communicate wirelessly with utility companies for billing purposes.

Description:
RELATED PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/776,204, entitled “Method and Device for Tapping a Pipeline,” filed Feb. 24, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
         [0002]     This application is related to commonly owned Greek patents, GR 1004852, issued Apr. 12, 2005, and GR 1004981, issued Sep. 9, 2005, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates to tapping pipelines in plumbing systems, and more particularly, to creating a secondary supply without severing existing primary supply pipes.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In existing plumbing systems, adding a new supply line is a difficult and cumbersome process. In most instances, when a new supply line is added for any purpose, existing lines must inevitably be cut, and a “T” tap must be installed in series, and a control valve must be added for the new supply line. Cutting lines and installing taps or valves in an existing line, however, often requires skillful, time consuming, and costly labor.  
         [0005]     Existing systems suffer from these and other problems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     According to various aspects and implementations of the invention, a method and device for tapping a pipeline may address these and other drawbacks of existing systems. Among other things, the method and device may be coupled to a valve of an existing pipeline (e.g., a water supply line) to provide a secondary supply line. In various implementations, the device may include a single port serving as both an input (i.e., an inlet) and an output (i.e., an outlet). As such, a secondary supply line may be created without severing the existing primary pipeline. Among other advantages over existing systems, the method and device of the invention may avoid costly procedures of cutting supply lines, prevent water spillage, integrate with existing alarm and home improvement systems with low installation and operating costs, and communicate wirelessly with a utility company for billing purposes.  
         [0007]     Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an exemplary tapping device, according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the tapping device shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A, according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0010]      FIGS. 3 and 3   a - c  illustrate cross-sectional schematic diagrams of the tapping device shown in  FIG. 1 , operating in various modes to control water flow, according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an exemplary tapping device, according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4   a  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a stop valve, according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a portion of the tapping device shown in  FIG. 4 , according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5   a  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a stop mechanism of the tapping device shown in  FIG. 4 , according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5   b  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an input, which may be used with the tapping device shown in  FIG. 4 , according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5   c  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a fastening adaptor, which may be used with the tapping device shown in  FIG. 4 , according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5   d  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a main stop valve, which may be used with the tapping device shown in  FIG. 4 , according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a device installed in an existing water line, according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the device shown in  FIG. 6 , according to various aspects of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the device shown in  FIG. 6  coupled to external electronic devices, according to various aspects of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary tapping device  1  is illustrated. Tapping device  1 , which can be constructed using any suitable material (e.g., bronze, copper, plastic, etc.), may be configured to be screwed into existing threads  9  coupled to a valve base  2 . A process of installing tapping device  1  into an existing pipe may include stopping flow within the pipe, emptying the pipe of any fluid contained therein, and removing an on-off mechanism of valve  2  coupled to the pipe. It will be apparent, however, that many other approaches and designs may be used to achieve similar results without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0022]     To avoid severing an existing supply line, various aspects and implementations of the invention may include using, among other things, a stop valve of the existing supply line. It will be apparent, however, that other types of valve (e.g., gate valves, ball valves, etc.) can be suitably substituted. Further, in a new installation, a modified stop valve can be used. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 1 , removing an on-off mechanism of an existing valve may leave a valve base  2  having a distinct input  3  and output  4 .  
         [0023]     Tapping device  1  may include a pipe  5  of an appropriate size, constructed from any suitably thin material (e.g., brass). In the illustrated example, pipe  5  has an extension O-ring  6 , which seals an opening of valve base  2 . In this end of pipe  5 , a net  7  may be installed, where net  7  may be made of any material suitable for straining flow (e.g., of water) and removing debris, thereby protecting other device mechanisms. Further, in the illustrated example, the other end of pipe  5  may include a spring  8 , which may push pipe  5  into a secure position. Device  1  may also include a cylinder  11  having a T-shaped hole  14  that can be rotated 360° around an axle  12  with the assistance of a handle  13 . Cylinder  11  may include four holes (i.e., channels) across a periphery, in which plastic cylinders  17  may be disposed to keep device  1  watertight. Further, another O-ring  19  may be implanted in the base of cylinder  11  to keep device  1  even more watertight. Watertightness may be achieved by constructing O-ring  19  and rods  17  of plastic or any suitably similar material. It will also be apparent that cylinder  11  may be configured or designed using other suitable shapes (e.g., spherical), without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , flow (e.g., water) may enter valve base  2  through input  3 , pass through strainer  7 , pipe  5 , and T-shaped hole  14 , before exiting through an output  10 , as marked by reference character N (“New Exit”). Furthermore, from hole  14 , flow may also pass through a path  16 , which goes around pipe  5  and back through a passage  23 , and subsequently exit through output  4 , as marked by reference character E (“Existing Exit”).  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram of device  1  along line A-A shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown, device  1  has an enclosure of cylindrical shape, which can be sealed watertight by screwing a round cover  22  until it is pressed tight against a gasket  21 . Axle  12  of cylinder  11  may maintain its water tightness through O-rings  18 . Furthermore, rotating handle  13  in different positions may controls flow, as shown and described in greater below.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary flow (e.g., water) through a system and exiting through both New and Existing Exit. By using handle  13  to turn cylinder  11  90°, however, as shown in  FIG. 3   a,  flow may pass through New Exit only. Further, turning handle  13  another 90°, as shown in  FIG. 3   b,  may stop flow from passing through either Exit.  FIG. 3   c  depicts another 90° turn of handle  13 , which results in flow being allowed to pass through Existing Exit only.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cross-sectional view of an exemplary tapping device having a T-shaped exit is illustrated according to various aspects of the invention. In the illustrated example, creating a secondary supply line  34  may include removing an existing stop mechanism  42  from existing stop valve  2  subsequent to stopping supply and emptying existing pipes, as shown in  FIG. 4   a.    
         [0028]      FIGS. 5 and 5   a - d  illustrate exploded views of  FIG. 4 . For example,  FIG. 5   c  illustrates an adapter  30  fastened to an existing pipe opening. Adapter  30  may be fastened by installing an input pipe  25  through threads  26  and hex nut  37  until a gasket  29  (e.g., O-ring) is tightened securely within an input orifice of stop valve  2 . Although pipe  25  may be located in a geometrical center of the device, when fastening part  24  through threads  26  to adapter  30 , care should be taken so that O-ring  27  is inserted properly in a hole  32 . The device is therefore fully installed once stop mechanism  42  is fastened into the proper position. After installation, flow passes through input  3  and pipe  25  before exiting through exit  34  and/or exit  4 , depending on a configuration of mechanism  42 . As a result, existing and new outlets can both be controlled using a single stop mechanism (i.e., stop mechanism  42 ).  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates another exemplary implementation of the invention, in which a device  41  may be installed into an existing water line. Illustrated device  41  may be a (e.g., a Waterfuse). After stopping a system&#39;s water flow, draining the system, and unscrewing stop mechanism  42  of stop valve  2 , device  41  may be fastened onto valve  2 . Device  41  may have a handle, which can be turned in one of four positions. For instance, in a leftmost position, the system may perform similarly as before installation of device  41  (i.e., water flows through device  41  and exits without intervention). In a middle position, flow can be turned off, thus acting to reset device  41 . In an intermediate right position, water may flow through device  41 , and flow may be regulated to protect against water accidentally spilling ten or more gallons of water. In a rightmost position, device  41  can allow the supply of additional water without interruption. In various implementations, device  41  may be configured to limit water flow in various ways (e.g., as illustrated, a designated limit may be 20 gallons). Water flow may be regulated as it passes through input  3  and pipe  25 , where flow may rotate an impeller to transfer measurable kinetic motion. Water may then flow around an exterior of pipe  25  and out exit  4 .  
         [0030]     Illustrated device  41  may prevent accidental water spillage by allowing passage of water as long as a total volume remains below a preset volume or limit of device  41 . While the volume remains less than the limit, the system will be automatically reset, and a user may continue to consume as much water as desired in volumetric doses less than the preset limit. If the water reaches the limit, however, the system will close the exit and prevent water from accidentally spilling. Should this occur, the user can bypass the prevention mechanism by turning handle  40  into the middle position to reset the system, before subsequently returning handle  40  to one of the right positions (e.g., set to 10 and 20 gallon limits in the illustrated example), where prevention of accidental water spillage may continue.  
         [0031]     As water passes through system  41 , water flow may be measured and consumption may be displayed as instant consumption  38  or as total consumption  39 . In various implementations, blades within the impeller may be constructed of ferrous magnetic material, such that a coil can be placed in an appropriate position to measure variations in a magnetic field, thus inducting energy during the impeller rotation. This energy may be enough to charge a 3-volt battery with a long life (e.g., lithium, metal hydride, or any other appropriate battery). The battery can then be used to operate a wireless transmitter such as a Blue Tooth™ transmitter, a Zigbee™ transmitter, or any other suitable transmitter, as will be apparent. In this way, device  41  can be part of a more sophisticated monitoring and control system. Further, systems equipped with this type of power generating component may eliminate a need to change batteries. The system can also be used as a component in a meter reading application (e.g., measuring gas, water, or other consumption).  
         [0032]     By utilizing a base  2  of an existing stop valve, installing the system may be less demanding, in terms of both time and skill. In general, valves may easily accessible, such that they can be identified even by unskilled persons. Further, a valve having a multi-position switch may enable a user to maintain complete control over both main and auxiliary supplies. By contrast, were the valve to be replaced with a simple “T” tap, a user would not have any control over supplies.  
         [0033]     Further, in various implementations, consideration may be taken to ensure that a cross-sectional area of pipe  5  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) and pipe  25  (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) is almost equal to a cross-sectional area of spaces  23  and  35 , respectively, around pipes  5  and  25 , such that the user may not experience a reduction in water supply pressure. However, the invention has further applicability to new installations, in addition to being suitable for use with existing pipelines. For instance, new installations can use a base  2  with a more appropriate cross-section, so that water flow can be more evenly accommodated, without having to change dimensional standards, which many plumbers may be used to handling.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , device  41  may be installed by replacing a stop mechanism of valve base  2 . Water supply may pass through a strainer  7  and a pipe  5 , while a spring  8  holds pipe  5  in position and an O-ring  43  provides water tightness. After passing through pipe  5 , flow may activate a bracket  50  subsequent to passing through a plunger  69 . Bracket  50  may rotate through an axle  54 , which may be maintained in position by a spring  53 . Further, bracket  50  may have a pin  51 , which may moves another bracket  49  downward, so that gears  52  and  55  may be engaged. Water may then pass over an impeller  46  and exit through a pass  23 , forcing rotation of impeller  46 . A gear, located at a center of impeller  46 , may be engaged with a set of reduction gears  47 ,  48 , and  48   a.  It will be apparent, however, that a different number of gears could be used, depending on a reduction ratio desired and a volume of water allowed to pass before energizing device  41 .  
         [0035]     Clutch gear  52  may engage gear  55  as it moves downward, which may transfer kinetic motion to a gear  58 . Gear  58  may have a plate cam  60 , which may be connected to plunger  69  and followed by a roller  66 , while also maintaining pressure to cam  60  by way of spring  68 . Cam  60  may have two indentations  56  and  59 , and may connect to a spring  57  via peg  63 . As cam  60  rotates, roller  66  may fall into indentation  56 , such that plunger  69  may close water flow through device  41 . Contemporaneously, indentation  59  may engage a tooth  64  of a bracket  62 , which rotates through an axle  61  to maintain a position through a spring  65 . Tooth  64 , being pushed by spring  65 , may secure cam  60  in position, while bracket  50  may return to an original position, disengaging a clutch  52 .  
         [0036]     To reset the system, a square shaft of a handle  44  may be rotated so that a peg  77  pushes bracket  62 , disengaging tooth  64  from indentation  59 . By releasing cam  60 , spring  57  can return cam  60  to its original position and push plunger  69  to an open position. Subsequent to system reset, handle  40  may be returned to a desired operating position, and device  41  may resume normal function. If water passing through the system remains below a maximum allowable volume, bracket  50  will return to its stop position and disengage clutch  52  from gear  55 . Because indentation  59  will not reach a position of engaging tooth  64 , spring  57  will return cam  60  to its original position.  
         [0037]     In essence, as water flows, kinetic energy may be stored in spring  57  and released as water stops flowing, thus automatically resetting the system unless the volume of water reaches the maximum allowed, in which case cam  60  may lock into an “Off” position through tooth  64 , at which point the system will require a manual reset.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an exemplary variation of the system shown in  FIG. 7  is illustrated. In this illustrative example, the system may be arranged in such a way that impeller  46  may be disposed within an enclosure. In various implementations, the enclosure may be non-ferrous, as impeller  46  may be constructed using any suitably magnetic material that has been properly oriented. Accordingly, a Hall effect sensor  71  may be placed outside the non-ferrous enclosure to detect a rotation of impeller  46 , and to report the rotation speed to a processor  74 . Processor  74  can electronically communicate to an antenna  76  via a wireless circuit  75  (e.g., Blue Tooth™), which can therefore transmit data to a master dispatching system (e.g., to a utility company for billing). It will be apparent, however, that hard-wired circuitry may be used, or any other suitable communication mechanism may be suitably substituted, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0039]     Further, the implementation shown in  FIG. 8  may harness energy created by rotation of magnets of impeller  46 . This energy may be used by any appropriate circuitry (e.g., an inductor coil) to charge a battery  73 . Furthermore, because mechanical/hydraulic components may be completely separate from electrical components, the system can operate in either an entirely mechanical mode, or a mechanical/electrical mode. For instance, by attaching appropriate electronic components, the system can be connected to existing alarm systems and many other electronic home controlling and improvement systems. By contrast, these electrical components may be removed and the system may be used simply to provide additional supply lines, or in other ways. Among other things, a unique benefit of the illustrated system may be an ability to wirelessly connect to existing alarm control systems, thus eliminating a need to run wires through an establishment to operate sensors, charge batteries, or otherwise, thereby avoiding costly labor and installation time.  
         [0040]     Aspects and implementations may be described as including a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every aspect or implementation may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an aspect or implementation, it is understood that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other aspects or implementations whether or not explicitly described. Further, in describing representative aspects or implementations of the invention, various methods and/or processes may be described as a particular sequence of steps. However, the methods or processes may not necessarily rely on the particular order of steps set forth or described herein, such that the methods or processes should not be limited to the particular sequences of steps described. Moreover, claims directed to the methods and/or processes of the invention should not be limited to performing the steps in the order written, as it will be apparent that the sequences or steps may vary within the spirit and scope of the invention. Many variations and modifications of the aspects and implementations described herein will be apparent in light of the above disclosure. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded as exemplary only, and the scope of the invention to be determined solely by the appended claims.