Patent ID: 6837271

Claim:
A water flow control valve for use in a supply pipe for water to a domestic dwelling, comprising a valve body defining a flow path therethrough and including a valve seat, a valve member movable between an open position and a closed position engaged with the seat, an impeller mounted in the flow path and caused to rotate by water flow so as to carry a magnet mounted on the impeller past a switch device which responds to the magnetic force, respective pipe connectors at each end of the flow path to permit connection of the valve body into the water supply pipe, a temperature sensor, and control means for controlling movement of the valve member from its open position to its closed position which control means provides or modifies an electrical flow signal dependent upon the flow rate, the duration of flow through the valve and the output of the temperature sensor, the flow signal being connected to an electronic control circuit which operates the valve member dependent upon the sensed flow through the valve when the sensed water flow exceeds a pre-set maximum, when the flow continues for more than a pre-set period, or when the sensed temperature drops below a pre-set lower limit.