| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090165866 | Valve With Built-In Sensor - A valve is disclosed that has a control ball. The control ball has a passageway within which a sensor is disposed. The sensor measures a characteristic of the fluid passing through the control ball. The control ball can be controlled either manually or with an electronic actuator. A method is disclosed of retrofitting an existing fluid distribution system by replacing a valve that lacks sensing capabilities with a new valve having a sensor. The sensor measures the flow, temperature, or pressure of the fluid, and provides a signal that can be remotely monitored and corresponds to the measured characteristic. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20100114386 | Monitoring and Controlling Water Consumption and Devices in a Structure - Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption in a water-based system are disclosed using one or more sensors for generating signals indicative of the operation thereof. One or more interface modules are provided as breaker circuits for receiving the generated signals, and a fluid control device is operable for limiting the water consumption. A motherboard receives the interface modules and provides communication therebetween for information processing. Signals from the various sensors are supplied to a controller, which provides signals to status indicators, and also operates to provide alarm signals via network interfaces to remote locations. In an alternate embodiment, a water monitoring system is designed to shut off the water supply to the water device and to shut off either the electrical supply or the gas supply to the heating unit of the water device in response to sensing a malfunction through one or more sensed parameters. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100155635 | Systems & Methods For Monitoring And Controlling Water Consumption - Systems that utilize a power grid to monitor and control fluid flow within a water system are presented. The system can have first and second docking stations configured to process signals produced by respective first and second sensors. The docking stations are preferably user-pluggable into a power grid such that the docking stations can communicate with other docking stations, sensors, or a remote monitor. Methods of refitting an existing water system to monitor and control water consumption are also presented. Sections of the existing system can be replaced with new sections that include at least one valve and sensor to monitor and control fluid flow through that section. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100192295 | Drain Cartridge Having Removable Valved System - Various embodiments of a cartridge for regulating a fluid flow are described that include an upper housing, and an insert that is user-removable from the upper housing. The cartridge can include one or more valves that are biased in a closed position to prevent odors from escaping the cartridge. The cartridge can also include a fluid trap that is at least partially disposed within the cartridge or fluidly coupled thereto. An ultraviolet light can be inserted within the cartridge to disinfect a fluid passageway of the cartridge. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100199415 | Drain Cartridge Having Removable Valved System - Various embodiments of a cartridge for regulating a fluid flow are described that include an upper housing, and an insert that is user-removable from the upper housing. The cartridge can include one or more valves that are biased in a closed position to prevent odors from escaping the cartridge. The cartridge can also include a fluid trap that is at least partially disposed within the cartridge or fluidly coupled thereto. An ultraviolet light can be inserted within the cartridge to disinfect a fluid passageway of the cartridge. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100212752 | Shut Off Protection For Hot Water Heater - A system that shuts down water flow to a water heater of a residence or commercial building upon detecting a leak that includes first and second valves, and first and second valve actuators that operate to control the first and second valves, respectively. Preferred systems also include first and second sensors that measure the flow of water into and out from water heaters, respectively. Preferred systems further include controllers that receive signals from each of the first and second sensors. Such controllers controllably communicate with each of the first and second valve actuators to close the first and second valves, respectively, when a flow difference is detected that is greater than a predetermined threshold. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20110010833 | Drain Cartridge Having Removable Valved System - Various embodiments of a cartridge for regulating a fluid flow are described that include an upper housing, and an insert that is user-removable from the upper housing. The cartridge can include one or more valves that are biased in a closed position to prevent odors from escaping the cartridge. The cartridge can also include a fluid trap that is at least partially disposed within the cartridge or fluidly coupled thereto. An ultraviolet light can be inserted within the cartridge to disinfect a fluid passageway of the cartridge. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110203048 | Drain Cartridge Having Removable Valved System - Various embodiments of a cartridge for regulating a fluid flow are described that include an upper housing, and an insert that is user-removable from the upper housing. The cartridge can include one or more valves that are biased in a closed position to prevent odors from escaping the cartridge. The cartridge can also include a fluid trap that is at least partially disposed within the cartridge or fluidly coupled thereto. An ultraviolet light can be inserted within the cartridge to disinfect a fluid passageway of the cartridge. | 08-25-2011 |
