An integrated fluid flow apparatus for managing the flow of a fluid through a conduit, includes a flow sensor configured to determine a velocity of a fluid flowing through the conduit. The apparatus includes a valve assembly positioned inline with the conduit that is movable between open and closed
An integrated fluid flow apparatus for managing the flow of a fluid through a conduit, includes a flow sensor configured to determine a velocity of a fluid flowing through the conduit. The apparatus includes a valve assembly positioned inline with the conduit that is movable between open and closed configurations. An electromagnet is selectively energized by a power source and situated proximate the valve assembly. A closure assembly is operatively coupled to the valve assembly and is magnetically connected to the electromagnet. The closure assembly holds the valve assembly to the open configuration when also magnetically connected to the electromagnet and moves the valve assembly to the closed configuration when the magnetic coupling is released. The apparatus includes a communications module that communicate with a homeowner or resident concerning water velocity, temperature, seismic activity, that the valve has been closed, and to solicit instructions on selected actions.
대표청구항▼
1. An integrated fluid flow apparatus for managing the flow of a fluid through a conduit, comprising: a housing operatively coupled to the conduit;a fluid flow sensor situated in said housing and connected to a power source, said fluid flow sensor configured to determine a velocity of a fluid flowin
1. An integrated fluid flow apparatus for managing the flow of a fluid through a conduit, comprising: a housing operatively coupled to the conduit;a fluid flow sensor situated in said housing and connected to a power source, said fluid flow sensor configured to determine a velocity of a fluid flowing through the conduit;a valve assembly positioned inline with the conduit, said valve assembly defining an inlet, an outlet, and an interior area therebetween, said valve assembly being movable between an open configuration that allows the fluid to flow through said outlet of said valve assembly and a closed configuration that prevents the fluid from flowing through said outlet;an electromagnet electrically connected to and selectively energized by the power source and situated proximate said valve assembly;a closure assembly having a first lever portion operatively coupled to said valve assembly and a second lever portion extending away from said valve assembly and selectively magnetically connected to said electromagnet;wherein said closure assembly holds said valve assembly at said open configuration when said second lever portion is magnetically connected to said electromagnet and moves said valve assembly to said closed configuration when said second lever portion is magnetically released from said electromagnet;wherein said closure assembly includes a spring having a first end coupled to said housing and an opposed second end coupled to said second lever portion, said spring being positioned and normally biased to pull said second lever portion away from said electromagnet;wherein said spring is configured such that said first lever portion automatically pulls said second lever portion away from said electromagnet and, as a result, to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration when said electromagnet is not energized. 2. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: said second lever portion is magnetically coupled to said electromagnet so long as said electromagnet is energized by said power source;wherein said valve assembly is at said open configuration when said second lever portion is electromagnetically coupled to said power source. 3. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said spring is a tension spring. 4. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 3, wherein: said valve assembly includes a ball valve housing situated inline with the conduit;said valve is a ball valve that is positioned inside the interior area of the valve assembly and selectively moved by said closure assembly between respective open and closed configurations. 5. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a magnetic rail situated in the housing and, when energized, is configured to magnetically urge said second lever portion of said closure assembly from a released configuration displaced from said electromagnet to a connected configuration in magnetic contact with said electromagnet. 6. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising: a memory having data structures configured to store data and programming instructions;a processor in data communication with said fluid flow sensor and with said memory;programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to selectively actuate said closure assembly to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration. 7. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to: actuate said fluid flow sensor to track velocity and time for one of a predetermined period of time or continuously;store said tracked data in said memory as a “flow history record”;actuate said fluid flow sensor to measure a current velocity and time associated with a current fluid flow in the conduit;compare said measured current velocity and time with said flow history record;actuate said closure assembly to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration if said comparison exceeds a predetermined variance. 8. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 7, further comprising: a communications module in data communication with said processor that is configured to selectively transmit data to and receive data from a wireless device;programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said communications module to transmit said measured current velocity and time data to a user-determined wireless device if said predetermined variance is exceeded. 9. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 8, further comprising programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to: actuate said communications module to receive input data from a user via a wireless device;actuate said closure assembly to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration if said received input data is indicative of an instruction to move said closure assembly to said closed configuration. 10. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising: a temperature sensor situated in said housing and configured to generate temperature data;programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said closure assembly to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration if said temperature data is below a predetermined temperature. 11. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising: a seismic activity sensor situated in said housing and configured to generate seismic data;programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said closure assembly to move to said valve assembly to said closed configuration if said seismic data has exceeded a predetermined quantity. 12. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising: a communications module in data communication with said processor that is configured to selectively transmit data to and receive data from a wireless device;programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said communications module to transmit a notice to a user indicative that said closure assembly has moved to a closed configuration due to a low temperature. 13. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising: a communications module in data communication with said processor that is configured to selectively transmit data to and receive data from a wireless device;programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said communications module to transmit a notice to a user indicative that said closure assembly has moved to a closed configuration due to excessive seismic activity. 14. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 6, further comprising: an input device coupled to said housing and in data communication with said processor that is configured to receive input data from a user and communicate said input data to said processor;a display coupled to said housing and in data communication with said processor that is configured to publish data to a user and solicit input data from the user. 15. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said communication module includes: a transceiver in data communication with said processor that is configured to selectively transmit and receiver data signals relative to a wireless device;an antenna electrically coupled to said transceiver and configured to strengthen respective transmitted and received signals. 16. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said power source includes a backup battery situated in said housing and electrically connected to said processor. 17. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 3, further comprising: a memory having data structures configured to store data and programming instructions;a processor in data communication with said fluid flow sensor and with said memory;programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to selectively actuate said closure assembly to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration. 18. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 17, further comprising programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to: actuate said fluid flow sensor to track velocity and time for one of a predetermined period of time or continuously;store said tracked data in said memory as a “flow history record”;actuate said fluid flow sensor to measure a current velocity and time associated with a current fluid flow in the conduit;compare said measured current velocity and time with said flow history record;actuate said closure assembly to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration if said comparison exceeds a predetermined variance. 19. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising: a communications module in data communication with said processor that is configured to selectively transmit data to and receive data from a wireless device;programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said communications module to transmit said measured current velocity and time data to a user-determined wireless device if said predetermined variance is exceeded. 20. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 19, further comprising programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to: actuate said communications module to receive input data from a user via a wireless device;actuate said closure assembly to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration if said received input data is indicative of an instruction to move said closure assembly to said closed configuration. 21. An integrated fluid flow apparatus for managing the flow of a fluid through a conduit, comprising: a housing operatively coupled to the conduit;a fluid flow sensor situated in said housing and connected to a power source, said fluid flow sensor configured to determine a velocity of a fluid flowing through the conduit;a memory having data structures configured to store data and programming instructions;a processor in data communication with said fluid flow sensor and with said memory;a valve assembly positioned inline with the conduit, said valve assembly defining an inlet, an outlet, and an interior area therebetween, said valve assembly being movable between an open configuration that allows the fluid to flow through said outlet of said valve assembly and a closed configuration that prevents the fluid from flowing through said outlet;an electromagnet electrically connected to and selectively energized by the power source and situated proximate said valve assembly;wherein said closure assembly includes a first lever portion operatively coupled to said valve assembly and a second lever portion extending away from said valve assembly and selectively magnetically connected to said electromagnet and operated by instructions from the processor;wherein said closure assembly is configured to hold said valve assembly at said open configuration when said second lever portion is magnetically connected to said electromagnet and moves said valve assembly to said closed configuration when said second lever portion is magnetically released from said electromagnet;wherein said closure assembly includes a spring having a first end coupled to said housing and an opposed second end coupled to said second lever portion, said spring being positioned and normally biased to pull said second lever portion away from said electromagnet;wherein said spring is configured such that said first lever portion automatically pulls said second lever portion away from said electromagnet and, as a result, to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration when said electromagnet is not energized. 22. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 21, wherein: said second lever portion is magnetically coupled to said electromagnet so long as said electromagnet is energized by said power source;wherein said valve assembly is at said open configuration when said second lever portion is electromagnetically coupled to said power source. 23. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 21, further comprising programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to: actuate said fluid flow sensor to track velocity and time for one of a predetermined period of time or continuously;store said tracked data in said memory as a “flow history record”;actuate said fluid flow sensor to measure a current velocity and time associated with a current fluid flow in the conduit;compare said measured current velocity and time with said flow history record;actuate said closure assembly to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration if said comparison exceeds a predetermined variance. 24. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 23, further comprising: a communications module in data communication with said processor that is configured to selectively transmit data to and receive data from a wireless device;programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said communications module to transmit said measured current velocity and time data to a user-determined wireless device if said predetermined variance is exceeded. 25. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 24, further comprising programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to: actuate said communications module to receive input data from a user via a wireless device;actuate said closure assembly to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration if said received input data is indicative of an instruction to move said closure assembly to said closed configuration. 26. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 21, further comprising: a temperature sensor situated in said housing and configured to generate temperature data;programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said closure assembly to move said valve assembly to said closed configuration if said temperature data is below a predetermined temperature. 27. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 21, further comprising: a seismic activity sensor situated in said housing and configured to generate seismic data;programming in memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to actuate said closure assembly to move to said valve assembly to said closed configuration if said seismic data has exceeded a predetermined quantity. 28. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 21 further comprising a magnetic rail situated in the housing and, when energized, is configured to magnetically urge said second lever portion of said closure assembly from a released configuration displaced from said electromagnet to a connected configuration in magnetic contact with said electromagnet. 29. The fluid flow apparatus as in claim 28, wherein said rail includes a lower end positioned adjacent a stop displaced from said electromagnet and an upper end positioned adjacent the electromagnet, said rail configured to urge movement of said second lever portion to move from said lower end to said upper end when said rail is energized.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (15)
Ziegenbein, Keith J.; Ziegenbein, Zachary J.; Ziegenbein, Zebadiah W., Flood preventing system, and method of use.
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