Abstract:
An assembly for use with a water meter includes: a housing including a meter portion integrally formed with a valve portion; and a valve positioned in the valve portion and in sealable communication with an inner surface of the housing, the valve defining a valve inlet portion and a valve outlet portion, the valve inlet portion defining a vertical portion and separated from the valve outlet portion by a top edge portion defined in the vertical portion, the valve inlet portion sealable from the valve outlet portion by a diaphragm assembly of the valve, the diaphragm assembly defining a water leak passthrough configured to allow passage of water from a first side of the diaphragm assembly to a second side of the diaphragm assembly opposite from the first side.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/451,896, filed Aug. 5, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/149,720, filed May 31, 2011, which issued into U.S. Pat. No. 8,833,390, on Sep. 16, 2014, each of which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to water control and metering, specifically water flow monitoring and control. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Water is typically supplied by a water provider which is usually a municipality. Water providers deliver water to businesses and individuals via piping systems. A piping system could be an upstream piping system, including a system to carry water from a water provider to a meter, or a downstream piping system, including a system to carry water from a meter to a user terminal. Because water providers typically sell water by unit volume, there exists a need to measure water flow to a user terminal to generate a water bill. As used herein, user terminal may include an individual residence, a place of business or any other point of termination of the water flow. Typically, a water meter will be placed in the water supply line between the water source and the user terminal to measure all water flowing to that user terminal. Meters are read and checked against prior readings to determine the total flow of water to the user terminal. 
         [0004]    When a water user has not provided payment for water already used, it is typical in the industry for a water provider to discontinue supplying water to the user terminal associated with the water user. Typically, a water provider will install a manual water supply valve in the supply line in anticipation of the need to discontinue water supply. Although the valve may be operated rarely, a manual valve is standard equipment for water providers. 
         [0005]    Typically, water meters are read manually by water meter readers who are employees or contractors of the water providers. Additionally, it is also typical that water supply valves are manually operated by employees or contractors of the water providers. These manual operations associated with providing water represent a significant cost of a typical water provider. With the advent of wireless technology, water providers have sought methods and systems for remote reading of water meters and/or remote control of water supply valves. 
         [0006]    Mesh networks for remote reading of water meters exist currently. Systems for remotely controlling the water supply valve exist currently. However, these systems are often cumbersome to implement, requiring excavation and replacement of water supply lines to implement a remotely controlled water supply valve. Electronic remote control of valves and reading of meters has been implemented through wired connections. While wireless systems for controlling valves or for reading meters do exist, the cast ferrous materials used to make most water meter housings can interfere with wireless signals, so the wireless equipment often cannot be placed in close proximity to typical meter housings. Moreover, a remotely controlled valve typically involves a separate system and apparatus from a remotely readable water meter. Systems that integrate a shutoff valve and water meter together are often too large to be installed without excavation of the water supply lines and are typically difficult to service if parts fail. Some systems designed to fit into the standard water meter lay-length of a water meter provide inordinate head loss through the system and provide only remote control of the valve and no ability to read the meter remotely. Moreover, wireless water supply valves typically have relatively short operative lives because their operation requires large amounts of energy. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]    The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a valve meter device in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the valve meter device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the device housing of the valve meter device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the device housing of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the device housing of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the device housing of  FIG. 5  taken in a plane indicated by line  6  in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the valve portion of the device housing of  FIG. 5  taken in a plane indicated by line  7  in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the valve cover of the valve meter device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is sectional view of the valve cover of  FIG. 8  taken in a plane indicated by line  9  in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the valve cover of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the solenoid of the valve meter device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the diaphragm assembly of the valve meter device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the diaphragm of the diaphragm assembly of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the diaphragm of  FIG. 13  taken in a plane indicated by line  14  in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a top view of the valve cone of the diaphragm assembly of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the valve cone of  FIG. 15  taken in a plane indicated by line  16  in  FIG. 15 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a bottom view of the backing plate of the diaphragm assembly of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a top view of the backing plate of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is a sectional view of the backing plate of  FIG. 17  taken in a plane indicated by line  19  in  FIG. 18 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  is a sectional view of the diaphragm assembly of the valve meter device of  FIG. 1  taken in a plane proceeding over the diameter of the assembly. 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  is a sectional view of the water meter of the valve meter device of  FIG. 1  taken in a plane proceeding through the center axis of the flow path of water through the valve meter device  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  is a side view of a register assembly included in accord with one embodiment of the valve meter device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a valve meter assembly including the valve meter device of  FIG. 1 , the register assembly of  FIG. 22 , and a wireless communication unit included in accord with one embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 24  is an exploded view of the wireless communication unit of the valve meter device of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 25  is a sectional view of the valve meter device of  FIG. 1  taken in a plane proceeding through the center axis of the flow path of water through the valve meter device. 
           [0033]      FIG. 26  is a sectional view of the valve meter device of  FIG. 1  taken in a plane indicated by line  26  in  FIG. 25  wherein the valve meter device is in the “open” state with the water supply valve and solenoid “open.” 
           [0034]      FIG. 27  is the sectional view  FIG. 26  wherein the valve meter device is in a dynamic state with the solenoid in the “closed” position and the water supply valve in the “open” state. 
           [0035]      FIG. 28  is the sectional view  FIG. 26  wherein the valve meter device is in the “closed” state with the water supply valve and solenoid “closed.” 
           [0036]      FIG. 29  is a circuit diagram of the valve meter assembly of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 30  is a flow diagram illustrating functioning of a register circuit of the valve meter assembly of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 31  is a flow diagram illustrating functioning of a wireless communication unit circuit, including a valve monitoring circuit, of the valve meter assembly of  FIG. 23 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    Disclosed is a valve meter device, a valve meter assembly, and a method for remotely reading a water meter and controlling a water supply valve. The valve meter device includes a water supply valve and a water meter dimensioned together to fit within a standard water meter lay-length with reduced head loss. The valve meter device includes a water meter and at least part of a water supply valve together in one housing. 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, the valve meter device is capable of communicating with a remotely located communicator. The remotely located communicator may receive signals from the valve meter device, send signals to the valve meter device, or both send signals to and receive signals from the valve meter device. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a valve meter device  100 . The valve meter device  100  includes a device housing  110 . The device housing  110  forms the main body through which water will flow. A valve cover  120  is attached to the device housing  110  using valve cover screws  130   a,b  ( 130   c,d  not shown). A solenoid tamper cover  140  is attached to the top of the valve cover  120 . A bottom plate  150  is attached to the device housing  110  with bottom plate screws  160   a,b  ( 160   c,d  not shown). In this disclosure, references to “top”, “bottom”, “down”, “up”, “downward”, or “upward” refer to the valve meter device  100  as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Various features of the valve meter device  100  may be altered, reoriented, reconfigured, replaced, rotated, or moved in alternative embodiments. No one configuration is intended to be limiting on this disclosure. 
         [0042]    The valve meter device  100  includes a water supply valve  170  and a water meter  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The water supply valve  170  is partially integrated with the device housing  110  and includes the valve cover  120  screwed onto the device housing  110  to enclose some components of the water supply valve  170  inside a cavity defined between the valve cover  120  and the device housing  110 . Although the current embodiment includes a partially integrated construction with a separately attached cover, alternative embodiments are included in this disclosure and may include a plastic welded assembly, separate valve and device housing subassemblies connected together via plastic welding, or separate valve and device housing subassemblies connected together mechanically, among others. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the valve meter device  100 . The device housing  110  includes a meter portion  264  and a valve portion  265 . The device housing  110  and bottom plate  150  are configured to enclose a water meter  210  and a strainer retainer  220  in the meter portion  264 . The bottom plate  150  is attached to the device housing  110  with bottom plate screws  160   a - d . A meter gasket  230  is inserted between the bottom plate  150  and the device housing  110 . A bottom plastic liner  240  is inserted between the bottom plate  150  and the device housing  110 . The meter  210  in the current embodiment is a nutating disc displacement flow meter. Other meter types may be used with the valve meter device  100 . The meter  210  has a metering inlet  212  and a metering outlet  213  located proximate to each other. The metering outlet  213  is surrounded by a metering outlet rubber gasket  215 . 
         [0044]    The valve cover  120  and the valve portion  265  of the device housing  110  enclose a spring  250  and a diaphragm assembly  260 . The solenoid tamper cover  140  encloses a solenoid  270  and a valve orifice cylinder  280  onto the valve cover  120 . The valve orifice cylinder  280  is a steel cylinder with a cylindrical bore extending its entire top to bottom length. The solenoid  270  is attached to the valve cover  120 . The valve orifice cylinder  280  sits in a media channel  520  (seen in  FIG. 5 ) and interacts with the solenoid  270  to change water flow through the media channel  520  when the solenoid  270  is placed in an “open” or a “closed” position. The valve orifice cylinder  280  has a cylindrical shape in the current embodiment, but the valve orifice cylinder  280  may be various shapes. A solenoid tamper cover screw  290  provides the attachment of the solenoid tamper cover  140  to the valve cover  120 . 
         [0045]    In alternative embodiments, the spring  250  may not be required for valve operation. Other parts of the water supply valve  170 , including the solenoid tamper cover  140 , may not be necessary in alternative embodiments of the valve meter device  100 . The valve cover  120  and the valve portion  265  of the device housing  110  are screwed together to enclose the optional spring  250  and the diaphragm assembly  260  using valve cover screws  130   a,b,c,d.    
         [0046]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the device housing  110  has an inlet  310  and an outlet  320 . Water flows through the device housing  110  by flowing into the inlet  310  and the out of the outlet  320 . The inlet  310  includes an inlet end  616  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), an inlet threaded portion  315 , an inlet neck  622  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), and an inlet opening  612  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The outlet  320  includes an outlet end  618  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), an outlet threaded portion  325 , an outlet neck  624  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), and an outlet opening  614  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The inlet threaded portion  315  and the outlet threaded portion  325  allow for attachment to a piping system, including an upstream piping system or a downstream piping system or both. The inlet opening  612  and outlet opening  614  are connected by a flow channel  691  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) that extends from the inlet end  616  to the outlet end  618  and passes through the inside of the device housing  110 . Water flows into the inlet  310  from a provider or water source and out of the outlet  320  to a home, office building, or other user terminal. Both the inlet  310  and the outlet  320  are attachable to the piping system via the inlet threaded portion  315  and outlet threaded portion  325 , respectively, with a coupling nut (not shown). 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  illustrates the valve portion  265  and meter portion  264  of the device housing  110 . To reduce head loss, the water supply valve  170  (including the valve portion  265 ) and the meter  210  (placed in the meter portion  264 ) are oriented such that at least a portion of each of the water supply valve  170  and the meter  210  touch an imaginary line drawn between the inlet  310  and the outlet  320  thereby forming an “in line” configuration. The “in line” configuration is not achieved by staggering water supply valve  170  and the meter  210 , as such staggering may result in unacceptable head loss. In the current embodiment, the maximum acceptable head loss is 6 psi at 20 gallons per minute, although other embodiments may include other limits. To avoid staggering of the water supply valve  170  and the meter  210 , the “in line” configuration is achieved by using suitably sized components (such as valves adequately sized for rated pressure in the system and piping diameter not larger than necessary for required flow), reducing wall thicknesses of the housing, shortening features including the inlet  310  and outlet  320 , and using water supply valve  170  with a coaxial valve inlet portion  330  and valve outlet portion  340 . However, the “in line” configuration does not indicate that components of the valve meter device  100 , including the meter  210  and water supply valve  170 , are located along the same horizontal plane. Should components or features, including the water supply valve  170  and the meter  210 , of the valve meter device  100  be staggered such that the components are not along the same horizontal plane, such a configuration typically is arranged to accommodate other requirements, such as an uneven piping system or multiple inlet or outlet configurations, and not to address the requirement of fitting the valve meter device  100  into a standard water meter lay-length. 
         [0048]    Although the current embodiment has the valve portion  265  proximate the inlet  310  and the meter portion  264  proximate the outlet  320 , the placement of these or other portions of the device housing  110  or the valve meter device  100  may be rearranged. As illustrated in  FIG. 3  (as well as  FIG. 6 ), the valve portion  265  includes a valve inlet portion  330  and a valve outlet portion  340  which overlap each other. Part of the valve inlet portion  330  is coaxial with part of the valve outlet portion  340  in the current embodiment. The valve outlet portion  340  has a slanted bottom portion  345  that is slanted from the inlet side of the water supply valve  170  to the outlet side of the water supply valve  170  to encourage water flow to the valve outlet portion  340 . The slant helps reduce head loss by promoting consistent flow. A meter inlet portion  350  is attached to the valve outlet portion  340 . The meter inlet portion  350  is also attached to the meter portion  264 . A meter outlet portion  360  exists between the meter portion  264  and the outlet  320 . 
         [0049]    The inlet  310  and outlet  320  are portions of the device housing  110  in the current embodiment. In alternative embodiments, the inlet  310  and outlet  320  may be separate pieces connected to the device housing  110 . The device housing  110  is dimensioned so that it can fit within a standard water meter lay-length. The standard water meter lay-length of a standard water meter is designated in various industry standards documents, including the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The AWWA C700 standard requires 7.5 inches standard water meter lay-length for meters with ⅝-inch piping diameter. Other AWWA standards, such as C708 and C710, also specify the same laying lengths for meters of like sizes. 
         [0050]    A top portion  380  of the meter portion  264  includes a register connection interface  385 . The register connection interface  385  includes several teeth  390   a,b,c,d  ( 390   e,f  shown in  FIG. 5 ) designed to attach a separate register assembly  2210  (shown in  FIG. 22 ) to the top portion  380 . A bottom portion  395  of the meter portion  264  is configured to accept the bottom plate  150  attaching to the device housing  110 . The bottom portion  395  and the bottom plate  150  may be connected via a threaded interaction, a screw and bore attachment, or a welded attachment, among others. For maximum wireless communication capabilities, the device housing  110  may be composed of brass, bronze, plastic, aluminum, or other non-ferrous material. The device housing  110  may also be made of ferrous materials based on the specific application. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the device housing  110 , including the inlet  310 , the valve inlet portion  330 , the valve portion  265 , the valve outlet portion  340 , the meter inlet portion  350 , the meter portion  264 , the meter outlet portion  360 , and the outlet  320 . 
         [0052]    The valve inlet portion  330  extends from the inlet neck  622  (not shown) to the valve outlet portion  340 . The valve inlet portion  330  terminates inside the valve outlet portion  340  on a concentric profile, as illustrated in later figures. 
         [0053]    The meter portion  264  of the device housing  110  is sized to define a meter cavity  450 . Although the current embodiment of the meter portion  264  is cylindrical, the meter portion  264  need not be a specific shape, but need only accommodate the meter  210 . Wall  460  of the meter portion  264  is sized to accommodate the water pressure of the piping system. The meter portion  264  also includes four threaded bottom plate attachment bores  470   a,b,c,d  for attachment of the bottom plate  150  with the bottom plate screws  160   a,b,c,d  (as seen in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0054]    Inside the meter cavity  450  of the device housing  110 , a meter outlet standoff  480  is shaped to accommodate the metering outlet rubber gasket  215  of the meter  210  to seal the connection (as seen in  FIG. 2 ). Meter cavity standoffs  490   a,b  are also provided in the meter cavity to prevent the meter from jostling under the flow of water and to retain the strainer retainer  220  in position between the meter inlet portion  350  and the meter  210 . 
         [0055]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , the valve portion  265  includes four threaded valve cover bores  510   a,b,c,d  for attachment of the valve cover  120  to the valve portion  265  of the device housing  110 . In the current embodiment, the valve cover  120  is attached using four valve cover screws  130   a,b,c,d  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) that attach through the valve cover  120  to each valve cover bore  510   a,b,c,d . As noted above, the attachment could also be achieved using welding, which would obviate any need for valve cover bores  510   a,b,c,d  or valve cover screws  130   a,b,c,d . The valve portion  265  of the device housing  110  also includes a media channel  520  which is a bore that extends from the valve outlet portion  340  to a media channel relief  530  in the device housing  110 . A diaphragm ring recess  560  lines the top of the valve portion  265  and the media channel relief  530 . The beveled edge  550  seals the water supply valve  170  in operation. 
         [0056]    As illustrated in the embodiment in  FIG. 6 , the valve inlet portion  330  communicates with the inlet neck  622  of the device housing  110 . In one embodiment, the valve inlet portion  330  has an inner diameter sized larger than the inner diameter of the inlet neck  622  to reduce head loss through the water supply valve  170 . The valve outlet portion  340  communicates with the meter inlet portion  350  of the device housing  110 . The valve portion  265  includes the valve inlet portion  330  and the valve outlet portion  340  and all related transitional portions. In the current embodiment, the valve portion  265  is integrated with the device housing  110 . However, alternative embodiments are contemplated herein, including separate housing units for the valve portion  265  and the meter portion  264  which are mechanically joined. 
         [0057]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a linear distance  665  exists between inlet end  616  and outlet end  618  of the device housing  110 . In the current embodiment, linear distance  665  is 7.5 inches to comply with American Water Works Association standard AWWA C700. The flow channel  691  in the device housing  110  extends from the inlet end  616  to the outlet end  618 . 
         [0058]    The valve inlet portion  330  includes a horizontal portion  610  and a vertical portion  620 . In the current embodiment, the horizontal portion  610  and vertical portion  620  form a right angle, although other angular configurations are acceptable and are contemplated by this disclosure. The horizontal portion  610  extends from the inlet  310  to a location proximate to the center of the water supply valve  170 . At this location, the horizontal portion  610  merges into the vertical portion  620 . The vertical portion  620  extends vertically inside the valve outlet portion  340 . The valve outlet portion  340  of the device housing  110  includes the slanted bottom portion  345 . The slanted bottom portion  345  of the valve outlet portion  340  directs water to the meter inlet portion  350  of the device housing  110 . It should be noted that the configuration of inlets and outlets may be reversed in other embodiments. For example, the valve inlet portion  330  may be positioned on the outside of the valve outlet portion  340  in an alternative embodiment, whereas the valve outlet portion  340  is positioned on the outside of the valve inlet portion  330  in the current embodiment. A top edge portion  640  of the valve inlet portion  330  includes the beveled edge  550 . The valve portion  265  of the device housing  110  also includes the diaphragm ring recess  560 . A valve transition portion  670  allows the merger of the valve inlet portion  330  to the valve outlet portion  340 . 
         [0059]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the device housing  110  has an outer surface  680  and an inner surface  690 . At the water supply valve  170 , the valve inlet portion  330  transitions to the valve outlet portion  340  having the valve cover  120  (see  FIG. 25 ) placed over the valve transition portion  670 . The meter cavity  450  and the bottom plate  150  enclose the meter  210  (see  FIG. 25 ). The inner surface  690  defines the flow channel  691  in the device housing  110 . The water supply valve  170  is also in sealable communication with the flow channel  691 . 
         [0060]    In one embodiment of the valve meter device  100 , the meter inlet portion  350  is substantially rectangular to reduce head loss as water flows out of the valve outlet portion  340 , through the meter inlet portion  350 , and into the meter cavity  450 . Reduced head loss is achieved because the rectangular cross-section provides a larger cross-section through which water may flow than a rounded cross-section. 
         [0061]    The sectional view of device housing  110  shown in  FIG. 7  illustrates the placement of the media channel  520  that exists between the media channel relief  530  and the valve outlet portion  340 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the valve cover  120 . Four screw bores  810   a,b,c,d  are located at the corners of the valve cover  120 . A solenoid attachment portion  820  is a cylindrical boss including a threaded solenoid attachment sink  825  on the inside of the boss. A valve cover media channel  830  is aligned with the center of the solenoid attachment sink  825 . The valve cover media channel  830  passes through the valve cover  120  and aligns with the media channel  520  when the valve meter device  100  is assembled. A valve cavity media channel  840  is also shown in the solenoid attachment portion  820 . The valve cover  120  in the current view of the current embodiment also includes casting recesses  850  and a serial plate  860 . A threaded solenoid cover screw bore  870  is located in a protrusion  875 . Although the valve cover  120  is rectangular in shape, one side of the valve cover  120  includes a curve  880 . The curve  880  is included to provide clearance for the register assembly  2210  to be placed on the valve meter device  100 . A countercurve protrusion  890  is proximate the bottom of the curve  880  to accommodate the diaphragm ring recess  560 . 
         [0063]    As illustrated in the section view of the valve cover  120  in  FIG. 9 , the valve cover  120  includes a valve cavity  905 . The valve cavity  905  and the valve portion  265  enclose components of the diaphragm assembly  260 . The valve cavity  905  and the valve portion  265  may also enclose the spring  250 . The valve cavity  905  also includes a valve recess  910  and a valve bonnet  920 , which together are shaped to accept the diaphragm assembly  260  and the spring  250 . The valve cover  120  also includes a diaphragm ring recess  930  shaped to align with the diaphragm ring recess  560 . 
         [0064]    The solenoid attachment portion  820  is dimensioned to define a solenoid chamber  940  between the solenoid  270  and the valve cover  120  when the solenoid  270  is attached to the valve cover  120 . The valve cavity media channel  840  connects the valve cavity  905  with the solenoid chamber  940 . Although the valve cavity media channel  840  is shown to connect with the valve bonnet  920  in the current embodiment, the valve cavity media channel  840  may connect to any portion of the valve cavity  905 , including the valve recess  910 . Because the valve cover media channel  830  is aligned with the center of the solenoid attachment portion  820 , the valve cover media channel  830  connects to the solenoid chamber  940 . A valve orifice recess  950  is also seen in the valve cover media channel  830  to accommodate the valve orifice cylinder  280 . When the valve meter device  100  is assembled, the valve orifice cylinder  280  is placed into the valve orifice recess  950 .  FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the valve cover  120 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 11  shows the solenoid  270  of the valve meter device  100 . The solenoid  270  includes a solenoid body  1110 , a threaded attachment portion  1120 , and a plunger  1130 . The plunger  1130  includes a shaft portion  1135  and an interface portion  1140 . Although the solenoid in the current embodiment is designed to be attached via threaded interaction, other attachment means are contemplated, including glue, welding, and screw bore attachments among others. The solenoid tamper cover  140  covers the solenoid  270  when the valve meter device  100  is assembled. When the valve meter device  100  is assembled, the interface portion  1140  of the plunger  1130  may contact and seal the valve orifice cylinder  280 , as will be described later. 
         [0066]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the diaphragm assembly  260 . The diaphragm assembly  260  includes a valve cone  1210 , a backing plate  1220 , a diaphragm  1230 , and a strainer  1240 . The strainer  1240  is a disc-shaped piece of straining material that traps impurities as water flows through the component. The strainer may be removed in alternative embodiments. 
         [0067]    The valve cone  1210  is a conical-shaped plastic piece placed on the bottom side of the diaphragm  1230 . The valve cone  1210  is plastic because it is plastic welded in the assembly of the current embodiment. However, other joining interfaces which would invoke other possible material choices for the valve cone  1210  are contemplated by this disclosure. The valve cone  1210  is cone-shaped on an outer, downward-facing surface  1250 . The downward facing surface  1250  in the current embodiment is curved. However, the downward facing surface  1250  may be straight in alternative embodiments. The downward facing surface  1250  includes multiple water leak passthroughs  1260 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the diaphragm  1230 . The diaphragm  1230  may be made of a flexible material. In the current embodiment the diaphragm  1230  is made of rubber. The flexibility of the diaphragm  1230  allows travel of the central portions ( 1410 , 1420 , 1430 , 1440 , 1450 , described later) without movement of the edge portions ( 1310 , 1320 , described later) as achieved by multiple wrinkled or corrugated portions ( 1410 , 1420 , 1430 , described later) that may be stretched to achieve a desired throw. The diaphragm  1230  includes a gasketing diaphragm ring  1310 . A media channel seal ring  1320  is a looping portion of the diaphragm  1230  extending radially outward. The media channel seal ring  1320  is configured to seal the interface between the valve cover media channel  830  and the media channel  520 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view of the diaphragm  1230 . The gasketing diaphragm ring  1310  is on the outer edge of the diaphragm  1230 . Radially inward adjacent to the gasketing diaphragm ring  1310  is an attached outer flat portion  1410 . Radially inward adjacent to the outer flat portion  1410  is a forward throw corrugation  1420 . As shown, the forward throw corrugation  1420  is a rounded, semi-circular portion. Radially inward adjacent to the forward throw corrugation  1420  is a rearward throw corrugation  1430 . The rearward throw corrugation  1430  is a rounded, quarter-circular portion. Radially inset to the rearward throw corrugation  1430  is an inner flat portion  1440 . The inner flat portion  1440  defines a valve cone bore  1450 . The inner flat portion  1440  defines a valve cone groove  1460 . The valve cone groove  1460  interfaces with the valve cone  1210 . Further inset radially from the valve cone groove  1460  is a valve cone retainer  1470 . The valve cone retainer  1470  interfaces with the inside of the valve cone  1210 . As stated above, the media channel seal ring  1320  is not concentric because it extends radially outward. Although all components of the diaphragm are connected and integrated in the current embodiment, alternative embodiments may include separate pieces that may or may not be joined together. For example, the gasketing diaphragm ring  1310  may be a separate component in alternative embodiments. 
         [0070]      FIG. 15  illustrates a top view of the valve cone  1210 . The valve cone  1210  has three main circular channel portion cutouts. A diaphragm retention channel  1520  is bounded by a shoulder  1530  that interfaces with the valve cone groove  1460 . Inset radially from the diaphragm retention channel  1520 , a weld channel  1540  provides a welding interface with the backing plate  1220 . Inset radially from the weld channel  1540 , a water leak channel  1550  includes features (described below) that communicate water from the valve inlet portion  330  to the valve cavity  905 . On the inner surface  1555  of the water leak channel  1550 , eighteen water subchannels  1560  are spaced twenty degrees apart circumferentially about the center axis of the valve cone  1210 . The number of subchannels and the configuration of pathways may change in alternative embodiments. In the center of the valve cone  1210  is a cylindrical standoff  1570 . The cylindrical standoff  1570  has multiple fins  1580  located at its top. 
         [0071]      FIG. 16  shows a sectional view of the valve cone  1210 . The surface profile of the inner surface  1555  is complementary to the surface profile of the downward facing surface  1250 , providing a consistent wall thickness of the valve cone  1210  in that region. The depth of the water subchannels  1560  varies across each channel. A “stair step” depth pattern defines four water leak passthroughs  1260  per water subchannel  1560 . In total, seventy-two water leak passthroughs  1260  are assembled in groups of four spaced twenty degrees apart around the downward facing surface  1250 . The specific configuration of water leak passthroughs  1260  may be varied in alternative embodiments. 
         [0072]      FIG. 17  shows a bottom view of the backing plate  1220 . The backing plate  1220  includes a downward facing surface  1710  and an upward facing surface  1810  (shown in  FIG. 18 ). The downward facing surface  1710  has a cylindrical weld portion  1720  where the backing plate  1220  will weld to the valve cone  1210 . Ten flow path portions  1730  are wedge-shaped cutouts in the downward facing surface. The specific number or shape of flow path portions may vary in alternative embodiments. The wedge-shaped cutouts  1730  prevent the strainer  1240  from becoming pushed flush against the backing plate  1220 . This allows water to flow through the diaphragm assembly  260 . A water leak hole  1740  is in the center of the backing plate  1220  to allow the flow of water through the backing plate  1220 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 18  is a top view of the backing plate  1220 . The upward-facing surface  1810  includes a cylindrical spring portion  1820  sized to accommodate the optional spring  250  placed around it. The top of the cylindrical spring portion  1820  includes a fence  1830 . The fence  1830  operates to preserve water flow above the cylindrical spring portion  1820  and below the valve cover  120 . This space allows water to flow through the cylindrical spring portion  1820  into the valve bonnet  920 . The upward-facing surface  1810  includes several wedge-shaped standoffs  1840 . The wedge-shaped standoffs  1840  prevent the backing plate  1220  from becoming affixed by vacuum to the valve cover  120  in the valve recess  910 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 19  is a sectional view of the backing plate  1220 . The cylindrical weld portion  1720  includes a weld edge  1910  that is sharpened to provide a welding interface between the backing plate  1220  and the valve cone  1210 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 20  displays a sectional view of the diaphragm assembly  260 . The diaphragm assembly  260  includes the valve cone  1210  having its downward facing surface  1250  facing down and its upward facing surface  1510  facing up. The diaphragm  1230  is placed onto the valve cone  1210  with the diaphragm retention channel  1520  interfacing with the valve cone retainer  1470 . The shoulder  1530  is interfacing with the valve cone groove  1460 . The strainer  1240  is circular with perforations to allow water to flow through while trapping impurities. The strainer  1240  is centered on the valve cone  1210 . The backing plate  1220  is placed over the strainer  1240  and onto the valve cone  1210  and diaphragm  1230 . The cylindrical weld portion  1720  extends into the weld channel  1540  where it is welded with the valve cone  1210 . When the backing plate  1220  is welded to the valve cone  1210 , the diaphragm assembly  260  is complete with the strainer  1240  trapped inside the valve cone  1210  and the backing plate  1220  weld and the diaphragm  1230  trapped between the valve cone  1210  and the backing plate  1220 . Welding provides a water-tight seal between the valve cone  1210  and the backing plate  1220 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 21  displays the meter  210 . The meter  210  is a standard nutating disc displacement flow meter. Other meters may also be used in lieu of the nutating disc displacement flow meter. Internal to the meter is a nutating disc  2110  that interfaces with an output register interaction shaft  2120 . The nutating disc  2110  includes a disc pin  2115  which engages the output register interaction shaft  2120 . In operation, the nutating disc  2110  and disc pin  2115  wobble about a fixed point in the meter to drive the output register interaction shaft  2120 . The output register interaction shaft  2120  is attached to a meter magnet  2130 . The meter magnet  2130  has a four-pole arrangement that coordinates with a register  2220  (shown in  FIG. 22 ) such that when the meter magnet  2130  turns the register  2220  logs the motion and provides a readout of water usage. It should be noted that any descriptions related to the functioning of the meter  210  and its interaction with any register  2220  are related to one embodiment of the invention, and other types of meters and registers may be used with the current and alternative embodiments of the disclosed device. 
         [0077]    As seen in  FIG. 22 , the register assembly  2210  includes the register  2220 , a register cover  2230 , a register bracket  2240 , and a housing attachment ring  2250 . The register  2220  is a magnetic interface register that interfaces with the meter  210  via a magnetic pole arrangement. The register  2220  has internal components and is externally made of glass or clear plastic having an external shape that is cylindrical. The housing attachment ring  2250  is a ring sized to encircle the register  2220 . The housing attachment ring  2250  has clamping teeth (not shown) that interface with the teeth  390   a,b,c,d,e,f  of the device housing  110  to clamp the register assembly  2210  onto the device housing  110 . The housing attachment ring  2250  is placed onto the register  2220  by inserting it over the top of the register  2220  and sliding it to the bottom of the register  2220 . Other means of attaching the register  2220  and register assembly  2210  to the device housing  110  are intended to be included within this and alternative embodiments. 
         [0078]    In a valve meter assembly  1000 , the register assembly  2210  is connected to the top  380  of the device housing  110 , as shown in  FIG. 23 . In an embodiment of the valve meter assembly  1000 , a communication device is included with the valve meter assembly  1000 . The communication device in some embodiments may be a wireless communication unit  2310 . In the current embodiment, the wireless communication unit  2310  is part of a mesh network where the mesh network includes the remotely located communicator. The remotely located communicator may be operated by a municipality, a technician, a service provider, or another entity. The remotely located communicator may be any communication device or system including a computer, a server, a gateway, another valve meter assembly, a handheld device, a mesh network, or any other device or system capable of communicating with the wireless communication unit  2310 . A bracket  2365  is provided for attachment of the wireless communication unit  2310 . In the valve meter assembly  1000 , the bracket  2365  is integrated with register bracket  2240  as an arm of the register bracket  2240 , although the bracket  2365  may be connected to, integrated with, or attached to other features of the valve meter assembly  1000 . 
         [0079]    The wireless communication unit  2310  is shown in exploded view in  FIG. 24 . The wireless communication unit  2310  has a two-part plastic cover  2320  having a top  2320   a  and a bottom  2320   b . The plastic cover  2320   a,b  includes a bracket attachment portion  2410  for attachment to the bracket  2365  (shown in  FIG. 23 ) that may be included with the valve meter assembly  1000  to attach the wireless communication unit  2310 . Enclosed within the plastic cover  2320   a,b  is a sealing gasket  2420 , a battery  2430 , a transceiver  2440 , and a printed circuit board (PCB)  2450 . Where a “printed circuit board” or PCB is included in the current description, any circuitry which functions as the PCB is intended to be included in alternative embodiments as a variant of a printed circuit board. 
         [0080]    In an embodiment of the valve meter assembly  1000 , the wireless communication unit  2310  may receive signals from the remotely located communicator, or send signals to the remotely located communicator, or both. The wireless communication unit  2310  may include a wireless communication unit circuit  2925  (shown in  FIG. 29 ) as part of the PCB  2450 . The wireless communication unit circuit  2925  receives signals from the remotely located communicator. The signals may include valve control signals. The valve control signals may direct action of the solenoid  270  to open or to close and, thereby, to change the state of the water supply valve  170 . The wireless communication unit circuit  2925  controls the solenoid  270  in the current embodiment; however, alternative embodiments may include other control circuits for the solenoid  270 . 
         [0081]    In one embodiment, the register assembly  2210  may include a PCB (not shown). With reference to the circuit diagram of  FIG. 29  and the block diagrams of  FIGS. 30 and 31 , the valve meter assembly  1000  includes the register assembly  2210  and the wireless communication unit  2310  in addition to the water supply valve  170 , which itself includes the solenoid  270 . The register assembly PCB may include a register circuit  2910  that reads the register  2220  electronically. The wireless communication unit  2310  includes the wireless communication unit circuit  2925  and is electrically connected to the register circuit  2910 . The wireless communication unit  2310  is also electrically connected to the solenoid  270 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , wires  2360  provide the electrical connections. The wires  2360  may be enclosed with tamper-proof jacketing. The battery  2430  of the wireless communication unit  2310  may be included in the electrical circuitry. In one embodiment, the battery is a lithium thionyl battery. The wireless communication unit circuit  2925  performs functions which may include interaction with the register circuit  2910 , interaction with the water supply valve  170 , or communication with one or more remotely located communicators (shown as  2985 ) via a network  2975 . In some embodiments, the wireless communication unit circuit  2925  may replace the register circuit  2910  through electrical connection of the register  2220  with the wireless communication unit  2310 .  FIG. 29  also displays how the wireless communication unit  2310  is but one unit (wireless communication unit ( 1 )) in a mesh network of wireless communication units ( 2 - n ) (shown as  2310 ″ and  2310   n ), which may communicate with one or more remotely located communicators ( 1 - n ) (shown as  2985 ′ and  2985   n ). 
         [0082]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the assembled valve meter device  100  with the water supply valve  170  in an “open” state. The valve cover  120 , along with the valve portion  265  of the device housing  110 , encloses the diaphragm assembly  260  and spring  250 . The gasketing diaphragm ring  1310  is enclosed within the diaphragm ring recess  560  and the diaphragm ring recess  930 . The strainer retainer  220  is a porous fence that allows water to flow through the meter  210  while retaining particles behind strainer retainer  220 . The strainer retainer  220  is positioned between the meter  210  and the meter inlet portion  350  inside the meter cavity  450 . The bottom plate  150  is attached to the bottom of the device housing  110  with plate screws  160   a,b,c,d  and has the plastic liner  240  and the meter gasket  230  between the device housing  110  and the bottom plate  150 . In this embodiment, the water supply valve  170  and the meter  210  are substantially in line between the inlet  310  and the outlet  320 , as previously defined. The meter gasket  215  seals the interface between the metering outlet  213  and the meter outlet standoff  480 . 
         [0083]    As illustrated in  FIG. 26 , the media channel pathway  2610  extends from the valve cavity  905  to the valve outlet portion  340 . The media channel pathway  2610  includes the media channel  520 , media channel relief  530 , valve cover media channel  830 , solenoid chamber  940 , and the valve cavity media channel  840 . The valve orifice cylinder  280  is placed inside the valve cover media channel  830 . The action of the solenoid  270  either prevents or allows water flow through the media channel pathway  2610 . The valve orifice cylinder  280  provides the interface with the interface portion  1140  of the plunger  1130 . The valve orifice cylinder  280  is chosen of an appropriate size to prevent excessive fluid flow, as excessive fluid flow will cause the diaphragm assembly  260  to lift away from the beveled edge  550  quickly. 
         [0084]    In the current embodiment, the water supply valve  170  is a pilot operated valve. A pilot operated valve is a valve that experiences large-scale operation occurring naturally as a result of a small change in the pilot. As such, small amounts of energy can be used to control large-scale changes as the pilot changes. In the current embodiment, the pilot-operated valve is a diaphragm valve. 
         [0085]    In use, the valve meter device  100  may assume one of two states: an “on” or “open” state and an “off” or “closed” state. A “trickle” or “reduced flow” state may be substituted for the “off” or “closed” state in various embodiments. The valve meter device  100  may be configured to assume either of the two possible states. The states correspond to the positioning of the water supply valve  170 . 
         [0086]    The valve meter device  100  will typically be in the open state allowing a maximum, or near maximum, flow rate of water that is allowed to flow through the valve meter device  100 . In the current embodiment, maximum flow rate is about 25 gallons per minute, although other maximum flow rates are possible in accord with this disclosure. When the valve meter device  100  is in the open state, the water supply valve  170  is open. When the water supply valve  170  is open, which occurs when the diaphragm  1230  is substantially lifted away from the beveled edge  550  (as seen in  FIG. 25 ), the solenoid  270  is in the open position and the interface portion  1140  of the plunger  1130  is actuated away from the valve orifice cylinder  280 , as seen in  FIG. 26 . 
         [0087]    With reference to  FIG. 25 , water travels through the valve meter device  100  originating from a water source and entering in inlet  310 . Water is permitted to travel through the inlet opening  612 , into the inlet neck  622 , and to the horizontal portion  610 . When water reaches the intersection of the horizontal portion  610  and vertical portion  620 , water is directed vertically into the vertical portion  620  by water pressure. Water exits the vertical portion  620  by flowing over the beveled edge  550 . Water fills the valve transition portion  670  and—as will be described in more detail later—the valve cavity  905  and media channel pathway  2610 . Water exits the valve portion  265  via the valve outlet portion  340  and enters the meter inlet portion  350 . Water then enters and fills the meter cavity  450 . Pressure forces water into the metering inlet  212 , through the meter  210 , and out of the metering outlet  213  to the meter outlet portion  360  and outlet  320 . Once the water exits the outlet  320 , the water flows through the downstream piping system and, ultimately, to the user terminal. 
         [0088]    The water passing through the meter  210  moves the nutating disc  2110  causing the meter magnet  2130  to rotate. The rotation of the meter magnet  2130  causes the register  2220  to log the motion, leading to a measurement of water usage and a readout of water usage from the register  2220 . 
         [0089]    The register circuit  2910  configured to log the readout of water usage at preset timing intervals may be included with one embodiment of the valve meter device  100 . In the current embodiment, the register circuit  2910  remains in a low power mode for the majority of its operating life. Low power, as used in this disclosure, means that the register circuit  2910  is using a very small amount of power when compared to the normal operating mode. This is commonly referred to as being in a “sleep mode.” The register circuit  2910  “wakes up” at preset timing intervals to read the register  2220  and log the readout. In the current embodiment, the wireless communication unit circuit  2925  is connected with the register circuit  2910  via wires  2360 . The wireless communication unit circuit  2925  obtains the log of the register circuit  2910  and transmits the log to a remotely located communicator at preset timing intervals. The preset timing interval of the wireless communication unit  2310  may or may not be the same preset timing interval as that of the register circuit  2910 . In alternative embodiments, a separate register circuit  2910  may not be necessary if the wireless communication unit  2310  is capable of directly determining the measurement of water usage of the register  2220 . 
         [0090]    The water supply valve  170  is configured in the open state when the interface portion  1140  is lifted away from the valve orifice cylinder  280  because the solenoid  270  is in the open position, as seen in  FIG. 26 . The valve cavity media channel  840  provides a water pressure link between the solenoid chamber  940  and the valve cavity  905  such that the water pressure in the valve cavity  905  will be the same as the water pressure in the solenoid chamber  940 . When the solenoid  270  is in the open position, the plunger  1130  is lifted so that the valve orifice cylinder  280  is open to the valve cover media channel  830 . When the valve orifice cylinder  280  is uncovered, water is allowed to flow from the solenoid chamber  940  through the valve cover media channel  830  into the media channel  520  and further into the valve outlet portion  340 . Therefore, the water pressure in the valve cavity  905  is substantially the same as the water pressure in the media channel  520 , the solenoid chamber  940 , the media channel  520 , and the valve outlet portion  340 . Thus, the diaphragm  1230  has no pressure behind it to close the water supply valve  170 . The water supply valve  170  remains open. Although the current embodiment has the valve orifice cylinder  280  located on the valve cover media channel  830  such that there is a pressure link between the valve cavity  905  and the solenoid chamber  940 , the valve orifice cylinder  280  may be located within the valve cavity media channel  840  in alternative embodiments. Other locations for the valve orifice are also contemplated by the current disclosure. 
         [0091]    Changing the valve meter device  100  to a closed state requires the water supply valve  170  to be changed to closed. Where a trickle state is included, the water supply valve must be changed to a trickle state, which may be the same as the closed state in various embodiments. This is accomplished by operation of the plunger  1130  moving into a closed position having the interface portion  1140  contacting the valve orifice cylinder  280 , which provides a water-tight seal over the valve cover media channel  830 . In the closed state, the valve meter device  100  allows no water flow through. In the trickle state, the valve meter device  100  allows minimal water flow through. In the current embodiment, minimal water flow is greater than zero gallons per minute and less than about 2 gallons per minute, although other minimal flow rates are possible in accord with this disclosure.  FIG. 27  displays the water supply valve  170  in the dynamic state between the open and closed states. In this dynamic state, the solenoid  270  is in the closed position but the diaphragm assembly  260  is has not traveled to the beveled edge  550 . In the current embodiment, the water supply valve  170  is a diaphragm valve with a pressure-controlled pilot operation. To move the valve meter device  100  into the closed state, the solenoid  270  is engaged, or “thrown,” and closed onto the valve orifice cylinder  280 . This closes or “severs” the media channel pathway  2610 . Water flow is blocked from the solenoid chamber  940  to the valve cover media channel  830  as well as to the media channel  520  and media channel relief  530  thereby isolating the solenoid chamber  940 , the valve cavity media channel  840 , and the valve cavity  905  as one water pressure pool. Thus, the closing of the solenoid  270  is the pilot operation that triggers the dynamic state of the water supply valve  170 .  FIG. 28  displays the water supply valve  170  in the closed state, wherein the interface portion  1140  of the plunger  1130  is in contact with the valve orifice cylinder  280  and the diaphragm assembly  260  has traveled and contacted the beveled edge  550 , sealing the water supply valve  170 . 
         [0092]    After the solenoid  270  is closed or thrown, water may no longer exit the valve cavity  905 , so the valve cavity  905  no longer has media pressure behind it. Spring force provided from the diaphragm  1230  or from the optional spring  250  forces the diaphragm assembly  260  down toward the valve inlet portion  330  of the device housing  110 . The spring  250  is optional because, depending on the configuration of the diaphragm  1230 , the diaphragm  1230  may already be biased toward closing the water supply valve  170  without the spring  250 . As the diaphragm assembly  260  moves toward the valve inlet portion  330 , some of the water flowing through the valve portion  265  will leak through the water leak passthroughs  1260 , through the strainer  1240 , through the water leak hole  1740 , and into the valve cavity  905 . The increased volume of water in the valve cavity  905  creates increased pressure in the valve cavity  905 . The increased pressure in the valve cavity  905  is applied to the entire surface of the diaphragm  1230  because the valve cavity  905  extends across the entire diaphragm  1230 . This increased pressure applied over the entire diaphragm  1230  further biases the diaphragm assembly  260  in the direction of the valve inlet portion  330 . 
         [0093]    The increased bias causes the diaphragm assembly  260  to travel toward the valve inlet portion  330 , eventually seating the bottom of the inner flat portion  1440  of the diaphragm  1230  onto the beveled edge  550  of the top edge portion  640  of the valve inlet portion  330 . When the diaphragm  1230  seats onto the beveled edge  550 , the water supply valve  170  is in the closed state. 
         [0094]    Once the diaphragm  1230  has seated, water pressure from the valve inlet portion  330  equalizes with water pressure in the valve cavity  905  because water can pass into the valve cavity  905  through the valve cone  1210  of the diaphragm assembly  260  but cannot exit the valve cavity  905  down the media channel pathway  2610 . With equalized pressure, the water supply valve  170  remains in the closed state because the cross-section of the valve inlet portion  330  provides a smaller surface area over which to apply pressure to the diaphragm  1230  than the surface area of the diaphragm  1230  that interfaces with the valve cavity  905 . With the same pressure, a smaller surface area over which the pressure is applied produces a smaller force than the same pressure applied to a larger surface area. The result is a net downward force on the diaphragm  1230 , maintaining the water supply valve  170  in the closed state. The trickle state is accomplished by placing the diaphragm  1230  in the same position as the diaphragm  1230  is placed in the closed state. However, in the trickle state, a small amount of water is allowed to bypass the water supply valve  170  via a leak passageway (not shown) in the diaphragm  1230  or a bypass channel (not shown) from the valve inlet portion  330  to the valve outlet portion  340 . The bypass channel or leak passageway may be a small bore leading from the valve inlet portion  330  to the valve outlet portion  340  and may be placed in the vertical portion  620 , for example. The bore would be small enough that a significant amount of water would not flow through the bore. A sealing valve may allow selective flow through the bore. 
         [0095]    To reopen the water supply valve  170 , the solenoid  270  is actuated so that the interface portion  1140  lifts away from the valve orifice cylinder  280 , opening the media channel pathway  2610 . Opening the media channel pathway  2610  establishes a pressure link between all of the components of the media channel pathway  2610 , including the valve cavity  905 , the valve cavity media channel  840 , the solenoid chamber  940 , the valve cover media channel  830 , the media channel relief  530 , and the media channel  520 . When the pressure in the valve cavity  905  is reduced, the downward force on the diaphragm  1230  and the diaphragm assembly  260  is also reduced. The pressure in the valve inlet portion  330  provides greater upward force on the bottom of the diaphragm  1230  than the downward force on the top of the diaphragm  1230 , which may be provided by the spring  250  or by the inherent bias of the diaphragm  1230 . The result is a lifting of the diaphragm assembly  260 , thereby opening the water supply valve  170 . 
         [0096]    The solenoid  270  may be engaged or lifted by manual operation, by electronic actuation, or by remote control. In one embodiment, the wireless communication unit  2310  is capable of receiving electrical signals for the solenoid  270  to control its operation. Actuation of the plunger  1130  in the current embodiment is performed by a solenoid  270 , which is a latching solenoid in the current embodiment. A latching solenoid is a solenoid  270  that latches in place. A latching solenoid does not utilize energy once it has achieved its desired position but does use energy to change positions. However, this actuation can be performed via a number of mechanical or electromechanical interfaces, including stepper motors, DC motors, non-latching solenoids, electromagnets and other electromagnetic devices, and spring assemblies, among others. This embodiment would allow a remotely located communicator to control operation of the water supply valve  170 , allowing the water supply valve  170  to be changed to an open or closed state from a remote location. 
         [0097]    The wireless communication unit  2310  may include a wireless communication unit circuit  2925 . The wireless communication unit circuit  2925  may be configured to log the status of the solenoid  270 . For example, the communication unit circuit  2925  may log whether the solenoid  270  is in the open or closed position. Because operation of the solenoid  270  controls the water supply valve  170 , the status of the solenoid  270  will be substantially the same as the status of the water supply valve  170  unless the water supply valve  170  is non-functioning or the water supply valve  170  is in a dynamic state between open and closed. 
         [0098]    In a further embodiment, a valve monitoring circuit  2945  may be implemented. The valve monitoring circuit  2945  monitors the status of the water supply valve  170  by monitoring whether the solenoid  270  should be in the open position or in the closed position. If the solenoid  270  is logged to be in the closed position and the readings from the register circuit  2910  continue to change, the wireless communication unit  2310  may send a distress signal to alert the remotely located communicator that the water supply valve  170  of the valve meter device  100  is not operational. Alternatively, wireless communication unit  2310  may keep track of the expected state of the water supply valve  170  and determine if water flow is detected by the register assembly  2210 . 
         [0099]    The wireless communication unit  2310  and register circuit  2910  may be powered by a battery  2430 . Each may have its own battery or each may be powered by the same battery. In the current embodiment, the solenoid  270 , the wireless communication unit  2310 , and the register circuit  2910  are all powered by the battery  2430 . In the current embodiment, the battery  2430  is a lithium thionyl battery. In the current embodiment, the battery  2430  is capable of providing a nominal voltage of 3.6 VDC and a minimum voltage of 2.9 VDC with minimum available current of 300 mA. Other embodiments may include other electrical specifications. 
         [0100]    In some embodiments, indicator lights (not shown) may be included. A valve indicator may be included to indicate the nominal state of the water supply valve  170 . A mechanical remote valve indicator may also be included to ensure that actuation of the water supply valve  170  has commenced. Other remote and local indication mechanisms may also be used as well. 
         [0101]      FIGS. 30 and 31  display diagrams of control logic for the circuits of the valve meter device  100 . The operation of the register circuit  2910  is described by  FIG. 30 . In operation, the register circuit  2910  awakens on timed intervals as shown in step  3020 . The value of the register  2220  is read in step  3030  and compared to previous register values in step  3040 . The register circuit  2910  is returned to a sleep state in step  3050 . The register circuit  2910  sleeps for a preset timing interval before repeating. 
         [0102]      FIG. 31  displays a diagram of the control logic of wireless communication unit circuit  2925 , including interaction with the optional valve monitoring circuit  2945 . The wireless communication unit awakens at present timing intervals as shown in step  3120 . In the current embodiment, the register circuit  2910  awakens, reads the register value, and compares the current value with the previous value as shown by step  3010 . Following the step  3010 , the wireless communication unit circuit  2925  stores the compared value from the register circuit  2910 , as shown in step  3130 , and sends that compared value to a remotely located communicator as shown with step  3140 . Although the compared value from the register circuit  2910  is stored in memory in the current embodiment, the storing step need not be implemented in all embodiments, and in alternative embodiments, the storing step may be included with the remotely located communicator instead of with the wireless communication unit circuit  2925 . 
         [0103]    Included in this embodiment is the valve monitoring circuit  2945 . However, the valve monitoring circuit  2945  may not be present in all embodiments, as depicted by step  3142  in  FIG. 31 . If a valve monitoring circuit  2945  is present, the status of the water supply valve  170  is logged by determining whether the solenoid  270  is in the open or closed position, represented by step  3155 . The valve monitoring circuit  2945  also logs the most recent compared value from the register circuit  2910  as shown in step  3165 . If the status of the water supply valve  170  is open or on, the circuit bypasses further logic, as represented by step  3172 , and proceeds to allow the wireless communication unit circuit  2925  to sleep as in step  3150 . If the status of the water supply valve  170  is closed or off, the valve monitoring circuit  2945  includes further steps. As represented by step  3175 , the most recent compared value of the register circuit  2910  is compared to prior values of the register circuit  2910  that are logged in memory of the valve monitoring circuit  2945 . If the most recent compared value of the register circuit  2910  is substantially different from prior compared values of the register circuit  2910 , shown by step  3182 , the valve monitoring circuit  2945  is configured to send a distress signal from the wireless communication unit  2310  to the remotely located communicator, represented by step  3185 . The valve monitoring circuit  2945  then continues to sleep the wireless communication unit circuit  2925 , as shown by step  3150 , which sleeps for a preset timing interval before repeating. 
         [0104]    One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Unless stated otherwise, it should not be assumed that multiple features, embodiments, solutions, or elements address the same or related problems or needs. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
         [0105]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any physical properties described above should be understood as representing one of many possible embodiments, and alternate implementations are included depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.