University of Washington Through Its Center For Commercialization
대리인 / 주소
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
17
초록▼
Examples of automatic valve shutoff systems are described which may include an actuation device including an actuator and a valve attachment portion. The valve attachment portion may be configured for attachment with an existing valve in a fluid or compressible gas supply line. The system may furthe
Examples of automatic valve shutoff systems are described which may include an actuation device including an actuator and a valve attachment portion. The valve attachment portion may be configured for attachment with an existing valve in a fluid or compressible gas supply line. The system may further include a controller coupled to the actuation device, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a valve shutoff process in response to a wireless signal. Wake-up circuitry may be coupled to the controller and configured to monitor the supply line for vibrations and activate the controller in response to the vibrations.
대표청구항▼
1. A valve actuation device comprising: an actuator configured to be activated using an activation signal; anda valve attachment portion configured for attaching the actuator to an existing valve, wherein the actuator, once activated, is operable to turn the existing valve via the valve attachment p
1. A valve actuation device comprising: an actuator configured to be activated using an activation signal; anda valve attachment portion configured for attaching the actuator to an existing valve, wherein the actuator, once activated, is operable to turn the existing valve via the valve attachment portion, and wherein the actuator is configured to be powered using pneumatic pressure from a pneumatic pressure source and wherein a barrier is positioned between the pneumatic pressure source and the actuator, the barrier configured to be removed by puncturing the barrier using a puncture device or melting the barrier using a chemical process. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve attachment portion is configured to engage with the existing valve without necessitating removal of the existing valve. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve attachment portion comprises a removable adapter configured for attachment with a select one of a plurality of valve types. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve attachment portion is configured to allow subsequent manual operation of the existing valve. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises one or more rotary actuators, the device further comprising a gearing mechanism coupling the one or more rotary actuators to the attachment portion. 6. The device of claim 5, further comprising the source of pneumatic pressure, and wherein the source of pneumatic pressure comprises a container of pressurized gas coupled to the rotary actuator using the barrier. 7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a controller configured to remove the barrier in response to the activation signal. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is operable to turn the existing valve in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the activation signal is a wireless signal. 10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a button configured to generate the activation signal when the button is depressed by a user. 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising the source of pneumatic pressure. 12. An automatic valve shutoff system for use with an existing valve in a fluid supply line, the system comprising: an actuation device including a pneumatically-powered actuator configured to be retrofitted to an existing valve and a barrier positioned between the pneumatically-powered actuator and a pneumatic pressure source, wherein the barrier configured to be removed by puncturing the barrier using a puncture device or melting the barrier using a chemical process; anda controller coupled to the actuation device and configured to generate an activation signal for removing the barrier to initiate a valve shutoff process in response to the activation signal. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the activation signal is a wireless signal, and wherein the controller is operable to receive wireless transmissions when fluid is flowing through the supply line. 14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a wake-up device coupled to the controller and configured to detect a flow through the supply line and activate the controller in response to said flow. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the wake-up device includes one or more of an accelerometer, a flow sensor, a vibration sensor, a ball switch, a reed switch, a hall effect sensor, or a combination thereof. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to remain in standby mode until activated by the wakeup device. 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to remain in active mode while fluid is flowing through the supply line and for a predetermined period of time after the flow stops. 18. The system of claim 12, wherein the actuator comprises a gas-powered rotary actuator and a compressed gas cartridge, wherein the barrier is disposed between the actuator and the cartridge, and wherein the cartridge is configured to drive the rotary actuator upon the removal of the barrier. 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising one or more of a pressure regulator or a flow control valve for controlling a flow or pressure of the gas contained in the cartridge prior to providing said gas to the actuator.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (17)
Wheeler Jaye F. (1413 Crockett La. Silver Spring MD 20904) Sicard Glenn (6469 Bellview Dr. Columbia MD 21046), Automatic device for the detection and shutoff of excess water flow in pipes.
Wendel A. Christopher (7169 154th Rd. North Palm Beach Gardens FL 33418) Freitag Steven E. (1598 Glendale Ave. NW. Palm Bay FL 32907), Wireless system for detecting and stopping water leaks.
Alcorn, Bradley Wilson; Garsombke, Franz David; Miles, Eric Lester; Klein, Christopher Michael, System for detecting flow characteristics and activating automatic flow shutoff.
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