Abstract:
A water or gas system for a home or commercial building receives water and gas at higher pressures than they can handle in the building or home. The automated regulation device monitors the regulator 24 hours a day, seven days a week so the second there is a failure with pressure, flow, temperature, seismic it recognizes it, notifies you via email, text, etc . . . shuts the system down at same time. There are gas and water sensors for leaks also there is a seismic sensor in the unit for earthquakes, and a pressure sensing switch with digital readout. The unit is capable of running by itself, on solar panel and a battery or being wired in to the system dependent upon application. The unit is also controlled by user via telephone or other remote devices.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/255,020 filed Nov. 13, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure pertains to valve control systems and particularly relates to a universal automated regulator valve constructed to maintain a set pressure and stop flow through the valve when the flow pressure is higher or lower than the set pressure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In residential homes pressure for water and gas is set to a certain setting. Water at 80 psi or less and Gas is set at roughly 7 psi. At this time regulation devices for both water and gas or anything in regards to pressure are rubber manifolds, seals and springs that hold until the rubber fails. Universal Automated Regulator Valve with Remote Monitoring and Control is automated regulation device that controls the regulator and controls the flow of what it is regulating: water, gas etc. You are able to shut on and off via cell phone, tablet, computer it is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capable. It is fully programmable to any parameter you set it to in regards to pressure flow. This unit also has wired and non-wired battery operated sensors for water gas etc. to be installed around the home or building it is regulating that way if there is a problem illegal of water or gas leak sensor detects it and tells the automated regulation device to shut down. It has an application via cell phone iPad and computer etc. to view pressures and monitor usage such as how much water usage you&#39;ve used or how much gas you&#39;ve used for monthly cycle or annually daily hourly and live feed to what&#39;s being used. The hardware that&#39;s being used to do all this automation is a Pinocchio system it&#39;s capable of solar battery operation and wired in low-voltage or high-voltage operation. You can literally use the automated regulation device without power a mile away from your farm to turn water on and off as well via Wi-Fi connecting to a water system or install it on an existing home that does not have electrical outside of the home to use a wired in unit. A wired in unit is recommended for homes in future and an existing home but battery and solar operation is capable existing regulation devices water and gas etc. are a rubber manifold only regulating pressure. We do not know when they go bad how long they last and this will give us all that information for insurance companies and other companies in the future needing information like how often there is a spike of water the Pinocchio chip is capable of telling you. The second when your regulator fails it shuts down so there is no emergency flood for emergency fire in your home because your gas regulator failed this also applies the same way with commercial buildings they have no remote control or operation in any regulation device at this time both problems and other problems are addressed in the summary below. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present disclosure relates to a universal automated regulator valve, which can be used for controlling water, gas, air, or any fluids regulated by pressure, flow, temperature, seismic electronically controlled with Pinoccio or any of the three combined or not depending upon application. The universal automated regulator valve includes an electronic actuated ball valve that is connected to an electrical motor, a relay, and the electrical pressure sensor switch. When the electrical pressure sensor is actuated, the relay goes into a closed state, and consequently the electrical motor closes the ball valve. The electrical pressure sensor switch is versatile is programmable and can control gas and liquid fluids such as water, natural gas, and air. In certain embodiments, the automated regulator valve control includes a communications device that transmits pressure reading of the electrical pressure sensor switch to a remote device (Pinoccio) which can then be controlled by cell, iPad, computer, etc . . . to control the electrical motor to close or open the ball valve. In other embodiments, the pressure regulator is to maintain a set pressure. Most cases below 80 psi for water and gas at roughly 7 psi as examples of pressure settings for regulators. When a predetermined level of deviation from the set pressure occurs, the ball valve is triggered to shut off flow to the valve or is user wants email and text or just email and text and not shut the valve off it is programmable to do any of them at once or any in any configuration. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a universal automated regulator valve without a pressure regulator attached. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary electrical wiring diagram of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of a universal automated regulator valve. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates universal automated regulator valve of  FIG. 4  connected to a solar panel. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a universal automated regulator valve with network connectivity. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the device of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a universal automated regulator valve with a pressure regulator. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the universal automated regulator valve of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the universal automated regulator valve of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the universal automated regulator valve of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is an embodiment of a pressure regulator that is used with the universal automated regulator valve of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is another pressure regulator that is used with the universal automated regulator valve of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is another pressure regulator that is used with the universal automated regulator valve of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is an electronic ball valve that is used with the universal automated regulator valve of  FIGS. 1, 4, and 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a gas sensor that can be used with the universal automated regulator valve of  FIGS. 1, 4, and 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show an embodiment of a universal automated regulator valve  20 . The universal automated regulator valve  20  comprises an electronic actuated ball valve  30 , an electrical pressure sensor  70 , and a power supply switch  80 . The electronic actuated ball valve  30  includes a ball valve  40 , an electrical motor  50 , and a relay  60 . The electronic actuated ball valve  30  and the electrical pressure sensor  70  are wired together to a source of electrical power inside the power supply switch  80 . An exemplary wiring diagram is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0024]    The ball valve  40  includes an inlet opening  42  on one of its sides and an outlet opening  44  on its other side. A fluid enters the ball valve  40  through the inlet opening  42  and exits the ball valve  40  through the outlet opening  44 . The ball vale  40  further includes a threaded sensor mounting hole  46 , a motor mounting interface  48  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), and a floating ball (not shown). The electrical motor  50  can be attached to the ball valve  40  at the motor mounting interface using screws, threads, or bolts. The electrical motor  50  includes a shaft (not shown) which is connected to the float ball of the ball valve  40 . The relay  60  is fixed over the electrical motor  50 , on opposite side where the electrical motor  50  is mounted on the ball valve  40 , and the power supply switch  80  is attached to a side of electrical motor  50 . As a non-limiting example, the electronic actuated ball valve  30  can be an electric valve sold by BANJO Company, located in Crawfordsville, Ind. Another ball valve that can be used is shown in  FIG. 15 . The ball valve described in Attachment A can also be used. 
         [0025]    The electrical pressure sensor  70  includes a mounting thread  72 , which may be used to install the electrical pressure sensor  70  on the ball valve  40  at the threaded sensor mounting hole  46 . Furthermore, the electrical pressure sensor  70  may be set to a predetermined maximum pressure level. The fluid pressure is continuously measured by the electrical pressure sensor  70 , and in the case of the fluid pressure excess from the predetermined maximum pressure level, the electrical pressure sensor  70  is incited, then the relay  60  is energized causing the electrical motor  50  to be actuated, and consequently the shaft of the electrical motor  50  turns the floating ball and the ball valve  40  is closed. As a non-exclusive example, the electrical pressure sensor  70  can be a digital pressure switch for positive pressure sold by SMC Company, located in Noblesville, Ind. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary wiring diagram of the universal automated regulator valve  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . When the fluid pressure exceeds the predetermined maximum pressure level, the electrical pressure sensor  70  closes the circuit and sends an electrical current to the relay  60 . As it is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , initially the relay is in normally open state, however received electrical current from the electrical pressure sensor changes the state of the relay  60 , and consequently electrical motor  50  is actuated. As it is illustrated in  FIG. 3  a battery  82  is utilized as a source of electrical power. Alternatively, other sources of electricity such as solar batteries or electricity outlet may be used. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment as it is shown in  FIG. 4 , there may be inlet  90  and outlet  92  pipe nipples. The inlet pipe nipple  90  is attached to the ball valve  40  at the inlet opening  42 , and accordingly the outlet pipe nipple  92  is attached to the ball valve  40  at the outlet opening  44 . The inlet pipe nipple  90  may have a threaded hole (not shown), where the mounting thread (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the electrical pressure sensor  70  can be installed. Therefore in this particular embodiment the pressure of the fluid in the inlet pipe nipple  90  is monitored. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows the universal automated regulator valve  20  connected to a solar panel  84 . This embodiment may be beneficial in remote areas, where changing batteries are difficult or there is no electricity network.  FIGS. 6 and 7  show a universal automated regulator valve  20  according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As it is shown there can be an inlet pipe nipple  90  (shown in  FIG. 7 ), which is attached to the ball valve  40  at the inlet opening  42 . The inlet pipe nipple  90  may have two threaded holes  94  (in  FIG. 7  one of them is shown). The electrical pressure sensor  70  is attached to the inlet pipe nipple  90  at one of the threaded holes  94  and a flow sensor  74  is attached to the other threaded hole (not shown). In this embodiment the universal automated regulator valve  20  is controlled by both the electrical pressure sensor  70  and the flow sensor  74 . Accordingly, the flow sensor  74  may be set to a predetermined maximum flow rate. Furthermore, the flow rate of the fluid in the inlet pipe nipple  90  is continuously measured by the flow sensor  74 , and whenever the flow rate exceeds the predetermined maximum flow rate, the flow sensor  74  is incited, and consequently the ball valve  40  is closed. Alternatively, various types of sensors such as but not limited to pressure sensors, flow sensors, timers, vacuum sensors, temperature sensors, or any combination of them may be used to control the universal automated regulator valve  20 . 
         [0029]    Wireless control and monitoring may be performed using communications device that adopt any of a number of well known protocols, such as through a Bluetooth connection or Wi-Fi connection over a local or wide area network, such as the internet. As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the universal automated regulator valve further includes a Wi-Fi Bluetooth control unit Pinoccio as a reference others can be used, connection  98  enabling remote monitoring and control of the device. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8-11 , an embodiment of a universal automated regulator valve  100  with a pressure regulator  102  is shown. The pressure regulator  102  can be a pressure retaining valve, a pressure reducing valve, a single stage pressure regulator, a dual stage pressure regulator, or other pressure regulators known in the art. A pressure and flow sensor  104  is attached to the pressure regulator  102 . The universal automated regulator valve  100  further includes a power supply  108 , a solar panel  110 , a ball valve  109 , a ball valve controller  111 , a solar panel  110 , and a communications device  106 , such as a Wi-Fi connection. Other than the pressure regulator  102 , all of these components are the same as those described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . The power supply  108  and solar panel  110  powers the communications device and may also power the pressure and flow sensor  104 . The solar panel  110  becomes the main source of power in the absence of power connection to the electrical grid. The communications such as a “Pinoccio” device  106  is connected to the pressure and flow sensor  104  and the ball valve controller  111 , and allows for the remote monitoring and control of the pressure and flow parameters of the universal automated regulator valve  100 . Other communications device such as Bluetooth may also be used. The communications device  106  may also be connected to the pressure regulator  102  to adjust the set pressure or the predetermined pressure that the pressure regulator  102  needs to maintain. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 12-14 , some examples of pressure regulators  102  that may be used are shown. Another pressure regulator that may be used is Type 75A Water Pressure Regulator from Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc. of McKinney, Tex., as described in Attachment B. In general, the pressure regulator includes an adjusting screw  112  to adjust the set pressure, which is the desired pressure to be maintained. The set pressure can be low pressure or high pressure, as desired. The pressure regulator further includes input medium channels and output medium channels. If the input pressure in the input medium channel exceeds the set pressure, the medium is diverted over the valve channels that lead to the diaphragm  118 . The diaphragm compresses upwards together with the piston  120 , thereby causing the pressure regulator to open the output medium channel to vent the excess pressure. The pressure regulator then closes the output medium channel once the set pressure is attained. The pressure regulator opens and closes the output medium channels to achieve a constant system pressure. It is noted that the pressure regulator  102  is not limited to regulating any particular kind of medium. The pressure regulator  102  can regulate the pressure of water, gas, or any other medium. 
         [0032]    In use, the universal automated regulator valve  100  is self-monitoring and self-regulating. It monitors discrepancies in the pressure or flow rate and it can adjust the pressure or flow rate to maintain a set pressure or flow rate. It is connected to the electronic ball valve so that when the pressure or flow rate discrepancy exceeds a threshold, the electronic ball valve is configured to shut down automatically. Their communication devices, such as their Wi-Fi controllers, allow users to monitor and control them remotely using their computers or mobile devices. Their flow meters allow users to monitor consumption of gas or water, depending on the user&#39;s application. 
         [0033]    The universal automated regulator valve of the present disclosure may be used in water and gas lines in residential or commercial settings. Several wired or wireless gas or water leak sensors may be positioned along the gas or water lines and connected to the universal automated regulator valve, such as to ball valve controller. When the gas or water leak sensor senses a leak of a predefined pressure, flow, temperature the ball valve controller causes the ball valve to shut off flow to the system. The Pinoccio controller also has electronic seismic sensor so the automated regulation unit for gas, propane, etc . . . works as an earthquake emergency shut off valve also. An example of a gas sensor is BESTEK® Plug-In Combustible Gas Detector Alarm Sensor Natural Gas Leak Sensor Detector Alarm with Voice Warning and LED Indicator, which is shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0034]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.