HOME OCCUPANCY WATER SHUT OFF SYSTEM

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel systems and methods for reducing the incidence of water leaks and the resulting structural damage in residential settings.

An automatic water shut off valve is a device that keeps water off when there is no motion in a structure having a water source and shuts off the water supply to the structure, for example in a home, when there is an absence of motion in a kitchen, bath or laundry room, or any other areas that have a water supply. It helps protect against water damage by stopping water flow when it shouldn't be flowing, thus preventing costly repairs and potential flooding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Massive water leaks happen in homes and other structures. Roughly 37% of homeowners have experienced water leaks. Toilet lines burst, pipes freeze, refrigerator tubing cracks—the possibilities are endless. Unexpected water leaks on average cause $8,000 worth of damage to the average home. If a water leak occurs when the home is unoccupied for a weekend or longer, the resulting flooding has the potential to destroy a home. The damage to a home often results in residents having to vacate the home for water remediation contractors to remove mold, replace sheetrock and remodel the area.

Current systems on the market merely recognize leaks after they happen by monitoring the presence of a water leak. In the alternative, current systems measure water usage and trigger an alarm when the water flow in a structure exceeds what is considered normal water flow. Although these systems provide an alert that a leak has occurred, the alert is sent after potential catastrophic water damage has already begun. Therefore, such systems are not capable of actually reducing or even preventing water damage resulting from a water leak.

Thus, there is still a clear need for a system capable of truly reducing the incidence of water leaks and the resulting structural damage by preventing water flow to the structure at times when water is not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides systems and methods for protecting against water leaks using a novel valve system that monitors occupancy in the home or any structure having a water supply.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a kit comprising at least one motion sensor, a central hub, a timer and a motorized ball valve. In a preferred embodiment, at least one motion sensor, central hub, timer and motorized ball value are capable of being powered by a 12 vdc power supply from a standard wall outlet.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a means for reducing the incidence of water leaks by shutting off the water supply to a home or structure during periods of non-occupancy and/or non-consumption of water. For instance, shutting of the water supply to the home when occupants are sleeping, on vacation or at work.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a system that may be integrated into home monitoring systems. In a preferred embodiment, the system may be integrated into home monitoring systems, including but not limited to Ring®, Nest®, ADT® and SimpliSafe®.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a system wherein the central hub comprises connectivity with one or more motion sensors via wireless radio band, wireless personal area network and/or ethernet.

In a still further a aspect, the invention provides a system wherein the central hub may receive communications to open and/or close the motorized ball valve through mobile or computer access via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® and or cellular networks.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides kit for reducing the incidence of a water leak within structure, the kit comprising at least one motion sensor, a central hub, a motorized ball valve, and a 12 vdc power adapter. Optionally, the kit may include up to 15 sensors, a pressure gauge and leak alarm or any combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of the system and device for providing a home occupancy water shut off system.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of communication between sensors and the central hub.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of an installed system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to the invention in more detail, FIG. 1 depicts the basic configuration of the home occupancy water shut off system 100. System 100 is comprised of a central hub 110, a motorized ball valve 120 and at least one motion sensor 130. The motion sensor 130 further includes a battery (not shown) having a lifespan of at least one year or longer. Central hub 110 is further comprised of a timer 105 and 433 MHZ transmitter/receiver 115 which may be powered by a power adapter 125 which is compatible with a standard 120v power outlet. The transmitter/receiver 115 can be upgraded to a transmitter/receiver having wired and/or wireless capability. The timer may have a digital LED time display. The motorized ball valve 120 is installed between the main water line 140 and the water line to the structure 135. The motorized ball valve 120 is in communication with a timer 105 that may be programmed to shut off the main water source after a given length of time. The timer may be programmed for any desired length of time, for example from five minutes to 99 minutes or anything in between. The timer 105 is contained within the central hub 110 which in turn is connected to the 433 MHz transmitter/receiver 115 or internet receiver, also contained within the central hub 110. The central hub 110 is in communication with at least one wireless motion sensor 130. Alternatively, the motion sensor 130 may be wired for communication with the central hub 110. It is to be expected that the description of the preferred embodiment is not a limitation on variations or extensions of the invention.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. Referring to the invention in more detail, FIG. 2 depicts the means of communication between motion sensors 131, 132, 133, 134 positioned within the structure and the central hub 110. When motion is detected at a sensor, including but not limited to kitchen 131, main bath 132, half bath 133, and laundry 134, the motion sensor 130 sends a 433 MHZ signal 150 to the central hub 110. The transmitter/receiver 115 within the central hub 110 receives the signal, and in response instructs the motorized ball value 120 to move into the open position, thereby allowing water to flow through the water lines within the structure. The central hub 110 further includes a timer 105 which may be set according to the operator's desired period of time. Once the period of time has elapsed, the central hub 110 instructs the motorized ball value 120 to move into the closed position. The system 100 is returned to the default closed state.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. Referring to the invention in more detail, FIG. 3 depicts the system as installed within a structure. The motorized ball valve 120 is installed between the water line 135 to the structure and the water supply main line 140 that is external to the structure. In this particular example, the motorized ball value 120 is hardwired to the central hub 110 by a cable with a 3.5 mm jack to the motorized ball value 120 and the central hub 110. Optionally, the motorized sensor (not shown) may wirelessly communicate with the central hub 110 to change the position of the ball valve 120. The system is powered by a standard power adapter 125 that plugs into any standard 12v AC power outlet. The central hub 110 further includes a battery backup (not shown) that maintains the functionality of the system 100 in the event of loss of power to the structure.

While our preferred embodiments focus on broad views of the home occupancy water shut off system, the following provides detailed examples for potential variations to the system.

In one embodiment, the ball valve may be controlled by the timer or communication from activation of the at least one motion sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the default position of the valve is closed.

In another embodiment, the central hub is comprised of a 433 mhz transmitter/receiver. Optionally the central hub is compatible with a Personal Area Network that communicates with an internet source. The central hub may be hard wired to the internet source or alternatively communicate wirelessly to the internet source. The central hub does not require internet to work as the 433 mhz transmitter/receiver is its own communication network effective to up to 1000 ft.

In yet another embodiment, at least one battery powered motion sensor communicates wirelessly with the central hub. The motion sensor may be programmed to send a signal to the central hub when there is a lack of motion for a preset period of time. For example, the motion sensor may indicate to the hub that there has been no motion in the area for 30 min. Once this communication is received by the central hub, the central hub directs the ball valve to turn off the water supply. In a preferred embodiment, a motion sensor is installed at each source of water within the home, i.e., the kitchen, each bath, and laundry room. Further once a motion sensor detects motion in an area, a signal is sent to the central hub to turn on the main water supply. Motion sensors may be installed in the kitchen, one or more baths and laundry rooms or any location with a water source such as a utility room sink. It is contemplated that the system may be installed in any structure having a water source, including but not limited to, workshops, hospitals, dentists office, beauty shows and spas, car washes and the like.

In still another embodiment, the system may be upgraded to include up to 15 motion sensors for additional coverage through the structure.

In another embodiment, the system may be upgraded to include a pressure monitoring system. In a preferred embodiment a pressure gauge is integrated in order to detect slow leaks by monitoring pressure changes when the ball valve is in the closed position.

In a further embodiment, the system may be upgraded to include leak alarms. In a preferred embodiment, under-sink alarms may provide audible alerts in addition to optional mobile phone notifications by wi-fi and/or cellular communications.

This invention described herein is useful for reducing the incidence of water leaks and the resulting structural damage in residential settings. The functionality of the invention is described in the following example:

Example

Once a home occupancy water supply system is installed in a residential setting, the system maintains the motorized ball valve in a closed position. This prevents catastrophic water leaks and structural damage from occurring while the residence is unoccupied. Motion sensors are positioned at sources of water, for example, the kitchen, bath and/or laundry room, and the motion sensors detect the presence of motion at the water source. The detection of motion causes the motion sensor to send a signal to the central hub indicating that motion has been detected and the motorized ball value should be activated and moved into the open position allowing water to move through main water line and into the residential structure. Once the motorized ball valve is open, the timer comprised in the central hub is activated to measure the period of time as preset prior to use. Once the preset time lapses, the timer automatically signals the motorized ball valve to return to the closed position, thereby cutting off water to the main line and subsequently to the water source. The system remains in the default closed position until motion is detached by one of the motion sensors. This ensures that the water is turned off at times of inactivity when the residential structure is empty, for example, when occupants are at work, on vacation or simply overnight. In the event that the timer triggers the motorized ball valve to close while water is still needed, the central hub may receive communications to open and/or close the motorized ball valve through mobile or computer access via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® and or cellular networks.

It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing embodiments, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention. Although several embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention, which is defined in the following claims and all equivalents thereto. Further, it is recognized that many embodiments may be conceived that do not achieve all the advantages of some embodiments, particularly of the preferred embodiments, yet the absence of a particular advantage shall not be construed to necessarily mean that such an embodiment is outside the scope of the present invention.