System and valve for water use monitoring and control

Abstract

A valve assembly capable of converting a small leak of a device into a measurable, relatively larger or “burst” flow event is described. In certain embodiments, the valve assembly includes a compliant chamber and, following pressurization of the device, permits flow when the pressure in the compliant chamber drops to a configured fill pressure and restricts (or prevents) flow when the pressure in the compliant chamber increases to a shut-off pressure. The disclosed valve assemblies may be incorporated into a leak detection assembly capable of transmitting usage and/or alarm data to a central service.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A system for detecting a potential overflow condition or low flow leak of a water outlet device having a water supply, the apparatus comprising:
 an electronic subsystem, having a processing unit;   a turbine in fluid communication with the water supply, the turbine activated by water flow, including an overflow condition, and converting water flow into electrical energy, the turbine in electrical communication with the electronic subsystem; and   a low flow detection valve assembly downstream of the turbine and upstream from the water outlet device, the low flow detection valve assembly converting low flow into a relatively higher flow, the turbine activated by the relatively higher flow and configured to generate an electrical signal to the electronic subsystem in response thereto but not generate the electrical signal to the electronic subsystem in response to the low flow.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising an emergency cutoff valve in fluid communication with the supply. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of low flow detection valve assemblies, each having an electronic subsystem, wherein:
 the electronic subsystem of each valve assembly includes a transceiver and the processor generates one or more signals in response to one or more predetermined flow conditions; and 
 the system further includes an electronic communications network and a central computer, each electronic subsystem configured to communicate with the network and the central computer, the central computer configured to receive and process signals from the electronic subassemblies indicative of the state of the valve assemblies. 
 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the water supply has an inlet pressure and one or more of the valve assemblies include a valve assembly comprising:
 an inlet, wherein the inlet is in fluid communication with the water supply when the valve assembly is in use; 
 an outlet, wherein the outlet is downstream of the inlet and is in fluid communication with the water outlet device when the valve assembly is in use; 
 a main valve between the inlet and outlet, the main valve operating in either an open state or closed state; 
 a pressure compliant chamber in fluid communication with the outlet, downstream of the main valve, the compliant chamber having a pressure when the valve assembly is in use; 
 a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the compliant chamber, the pressure sensor gradually responsive to changes in pressure of the compliant chamber; 
 a pilot valve in fluid communication with the main valve and responsive to the pressure sensor, the pilot valve operating in either an open state or closed state, wherein when the pilot valve is open, the main valve is open, thereby permitting flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and when the pilot valve is closed, the main valve is closed, thereby preventing flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet; 
 the pilot valve being in the closed state when the compliant chamber is pressurized at or about the inlet pressure and remaining in the closed state until the pressure in the compliant chamber decreases to a fill pressure, less than the inlet pressure; and 
 the pilot valve toggling from the closed state to the open state, thus opening the main valve, when the pressure in the compliant chamber decreases to at or about the fill pressure and remaining in the open state and transitioning from the open state to the closed state when the pressure in the compliant chamber increases to at or about a shut-off pressure; 
 wherein the fill pressure is lower than the shut-off pressure. 
 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the pressure sensor includes a piston and wherein the one or more valve assemblies further include:
 wherein the pressure sensor includes a piston, the valve assembly further comprising: 
 a main flow channel between the inlet and outlet a pilot actuation pin, a pilot slide, a middle slide, and a diaphragm slide, each in axial alignment with the pilot valve and moveable in the axial direction; 
 a valve close latch; and 
 a valve open latch; 
 wherein: 
 the pilot actuation pin is coupled to the pilot slide; 
 the middle slide is moveable relative to the pilot slide; 
 the diaphragm slide is coupled to the piston and moveable relative to the middle slide; 
 the valve close latch is either (i) engaged with the pilot slide, in which the pilot slide and pilot actuation pin are in a first position and the main valve is open, or (ii) not engaged with the pilot slide, in which the pilot slide and pilot actuation pin are moveable to a second position and the main valve is closed; 
 the valve close latch toggling from being engaged to being disengaged when the compliant chamber increases to at or about the shut-off pressure; and 
 the valve open latch is either engaged with the middle slide, in which movement of the middle slide is restricted, or not engaged with the middle slide, in which movement of the middle slide is not restricted and the pilot slide and pilot actuation pin are free to toggle to the first position, thereby opening the main valve; 
 the valve open latch toggling from being engaged to disengaged when the pressure in the compliant chamber decreases to at or about the fill pressure. 
 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the pressure sensor includes a piston and wherein the one or more valve assemblies further include
 a main flow channel between the inlet and outlet; 
 a housing in fluid communication with the compliant chamber and the piston; 
 a frame within the housing, the frame being gradually moveable in relation to pressure in the compliant chamber between a valve open position and a valve closed position; 
 a pilot actuation pin coupled to the pilot valve; 
 a switch plate coupled to and responsive to movement of the frame, the switch plate toggling between a valve open position and a valve closed position, wherein in the valve open position, the switch plate is in contact with the pilot actuation pin and the pilot valve and main valve are open, and in the valve closed position, the switch plate is spaced away from the pilot actuation pin and the pilot valve and main valve are closed; and 
 wherein the switch plate toggles from the open position to the valve closed position when the pressure in the compliant chamber decreases to at or about the shut-off pressure, and the switch plate toggles from the valve closed position to the valve open position when the pressure in the compliant chamber increases to or about the fill pressure.