A drinking water supply system includes a drinking water line system, a plurality of drinking water withdrawal points connected to the drinking water line system, at least one sensor which is designed to determine measuring values, and a central control device which is designed to receive and evaluate the measuring values determined by the at least one sensor. The system also includes a presence detector designed to determine information about the presence of a person, or an acoustic sensor designed to measure measuring values for the volume. The central control device is designed to control the drinking water supply system as a function of the information about the presence of a person or as a function of the measured values for the volume. A method for controlling such a drinking water supply system and a computer program that causes the method to be carried out are also provided.

A drinking water supply system includes a drinking water line system, a plurality of drinking water withdrawal points connected to the drinking water line system, at least one sensor which is designed to determine measuring values, and a central control device which is designed to receive and evaluate the measuring values determined by the at least one sensor. The system also includes a presence detector designed to determine information about the presence of a person, or an acoustic sensor designed to measure measuring values for the volume. The central control device is designed to control the drinking water supply system as a function of the information about the presence of a person or as a function of the measured values for the volume. A method for controlling such a drinking water supply system and a computer program that causes the method to be carried out are also provided.

Systems and methods for predicting, detecting, and/or mitigating a pipe freeze are provided. A system for analyzing water in a plumbing system includes a sensor that is configured to measure pressure within a pipe in the plumbing system as a function of time, and a processor that is configured to determine a state of water within the pipe by analyzing the pressure within the pipe as a function of time. The state of the water includes a prediction that the water within the pipe will freeze and/or a determination that the water within the pipe has frozen. The sensor is arranged at a first location within the plumbing system that is remote from a second location within the plumbing system that corresponds to the state of the water.

By monitoring pressure transients in a liquid within a liquid distribution system using only a single sensor, events such as the opening and closing of valves at specific fixtures are readily detected. The sensor, which can readily be coupled to a faucet bib, transmits an output signal to a computing device. Each such event can be identified by the device based by comparing characteristic features of the pressure transient waveform with previously observed characteristic features for events in the system. These characteristic features, which can include the varying pressure, derivative, and real Cepstrum of the pressure transient waveform, can be used to select a specific fixture where a valve open or close event has occurred. Flow to each fixture and leaks in the system can also be determined from the pressure transient signal. A second sensor disposed at a point disparate from the first sensor provides further event information.

A water control system including a showerhead and a tub faucet. The faucet has a valve configured to automatically restrict fluid flow through the faucet and direct fluid to the showerhead as a function of a parameter, such as a predetermined water temperature. The faucet has many modes of operation, including a Reset Mode, an Auto-Divert Mode, a Bypass Mode, and a Cold Mode. A flow control device generates minimal back-pressure when in the Reset Mode such that water does not undesirably back flow to a shower head.

Methods and systems for homeowner-directed risk mitigation for damage to a property associated with insurance-related events are provided. A smart home controller may analyze data received from a plurality of smart devices disposed on, or proximate to, a property as well as data received from an insurance provider. If it is determined that an actual or potential risk of property damage exists, the smart home controller may transmit an alert to a homeowner detailing the risk. The homeowner may respond to the alert by transmitting an instruction to mitigate or prevent damage associated with the risk back to the smart home controller. Subsequently, the smart home controller may transmit information about the actual or potential risks and any homeowner-directed mitigative actions to an insurance provider. The insurance provider may interpret the transmitted data and perform insurance activities, such as providing discounts and adjusting an insurance policy associated with the property.

A fluid leakage control apparatus has at least one primary sensor (3), and at least one secondary sensor (5) connected together to communicate with a computer processor unit (13), to open at least one fluid flow valve (such as a solenoid valve), through which fluid such as water or gas can flow. It can be made using flow sensors connected to one or more of motion and sound sensors, and powered by AC mains power or batteries, to form a communication network with a computer or microcomputer. The apparatus may be installed along domestic or industrial piping systems, to monitor and prevent water wastage in the event of a burst pipe by closing off a mains valve (2). Also disclosed is a method of fluid leakage control to monitor sensors to ascertain a burst state, and close off a mains valve (2), preventing fluid wastage.

A water heater system includes a gas burner configured to selectively produce flue gases, and a heat exchanger for heating water in the water heater system. The water heater system is operable in a heating mode, and a standby mode. An exhaust assembly is in communication with the heat exchanger, and includes a condensate collector configured to receive the flue gases and condensate. A first temperature sensor is positioned to sense a temperature of the condensate within the condensate collector. The first temperature sensor is configured to detect a rate of temperature change of the condensate. A controller is configured to determine a leakage when the rate of temperature change adjusts from a first state to a second state when the water heater system is in the standby mode after the water heater system was in the heating mode.

A valve controller device for controlling a set of one or more solenoid valves is provided. The valve controller comprises an accelerometer for making acceleration measurements in three directions comprising acceleration measurements in a vertical direction. The valve controller comprises a processing unit that determines the arrival of seismic P-waves when the ratio of vibrations' power in the vertical direction with respect to a sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a first threshold. The processing unit then determines the arrival of seismic S-waves when the vector sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a second threshold. The processing unit then determines the arrival of seismic surface waves when the vector sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a third threshold. The processing unit then sends one or more signals to close the set of solenoid valves.

A valve controller device for controlling a set of one or more solenoid valves is provided. The valve controller comprises an accelerometer for making acceleration measurements in three directions comprising acceleration measurements in a vertical direction. The valve controller comprises a processing unit that determines the arrival of seismic P-waves when the ratio of vibrations' power in the vertical direction with respect to a sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a first threshold. The processing unit then determines the arrival of seismic S-waves when the vector sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a second threshold. The processing unit then determines the arrival of seismic surface waves when the vector sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a third threshold. The processing unit then sends one or more signals to close the set of solenoid valves.