Patent classifications
E03B7/09
System for tracking water usage by category
A system is provided for tracking, in a distributed water infrastructure, water usage by category. The system may comprise at least one processor configured to receive from at least one sensor associated with the distributed water infrastructure signals indicative of water usage in the distributed water infrastructure. The system may, based on the signals indicative of water usage, construct a plurality of profiles. The system may assign each profile to one of a plurality of water usage categories. The system may collect, from the at least one sensor, signals indicative of water usage for substantially all water delivered through the distributed water infrastructure in a time period. The system may construct a plurality of water usage profiles in the aggregate, encompassing substantially all water delivered through the distributed water infrastructure in the time period. The system may assign each constructed water usage profile to one of the plurality of water usage categories. The system may output, for display, water usage for the time period for each of the plurality of water usage categories.
User/appliance water signature
A system is provided for tracking usage of a plurality of water appliances in a distributed water infrastructure. The system may comprise at least one processor configured to receive, from a location in the distributed water infrastructure upstream of the plurality of water appliances, historical water usage measurements; determine from the historical water usage measurements at least one unique water usage signature associated with each of the plurality of water appliances; receive, from the location in the distributed water infrastructure upstream of the plurality of water appliances, current water usage measurements; determine from the current water usage measurements at least one current water usage signature; compare the current water usage signature with at least one of the unique water usage signatures stored in memory to determine a match; and, based on the signature match, ascertain an identifier of a water appliance in current use.
User/appliance water signature
A system is provided for tracking usage of a plurality of water appliances in a distributed water infrastructure. The system may comprise at least one processor configured to receive, from a location in the distributed water infrastructure upstream of the plurality of water appliances, historical water usage measurements; determine from the historical water usage measurements at least one unique water usage signature associated with each of the plurality of water appliances; receive, from the location in the distributed water infrastructure upstream of the plurality of water appliances, current water usage measurements; determine from the current water usage measurements at least one current water usage signature; compare the current water usage signature with at least one of the unique water usage signatures stored in memory to determine a match; and, based on the signature match, ascertain an identifier of a water appliance in current use.
Apparatus, Methods and Articles of Manufacture for Dry Pipe Sprinkler System
An apparatus and method for maintaining integrity of a dry pipe sprinkler system. The apparatus includes an auxiliary drain, the auxiliary drain including an input pipe, a condensate collection area, and a drain pipe; an insulated housing with a door configured to provide a heat controlled environment for the auxiliary drain, and wherein the auxiliary drain is at least partially located within the housing, and the condensation collection area is located within the housing; a heater configured to heat the housing; and an auxiliary drain alarm configured to provide a warning when the auxiliary drain retains a predetermined amount of condensate.
TELESCOPING METER FLANGE
A telescoping fluid coupling (10,110) is provided for use with a fluid flow device (12) and includes a coupling body (14,114) having a fluid port (16,116) extending along a longitudinal axis (18,118). A retainer (20,120) is fixed to the body (14,114) and includes a retaining shoulder (26,126). A flange (22,122) is mounted to the fluid port (16,116) and includes a radially inwardly facing guide surface (36,136) that surrounds a mount surface (24,124) and extends longitudinally along the axis (18,118) to provide guided, sliding translation of the guide surface (36,136) relative to the mount surface (24,124) along the axis (18,118). The flange (22,122) further includes a stop shoulder (38,138) to engage the retaining shoulder (26,126) to limit the translation of the flange (22,122) along the axis (18,128).
Height adjustable meter/device pit
A height adjustable device pit (10) is provided for use in installing water meters (12) or other equipment below ground level. The device pit (10) includes a lower housing section (14), an upper housing section (16), and a lid (18). The lower housing section (14) and the upper housing section (16) are engaged with each other by mating screw threads (20) and (22) that are centered on a vertical, longitudinal axis (24). The housing sections (14,16) are movable relative to each other along the longitudinal axis (24) to adjust the vertical height of the device pit (10) in response to relative rotation of the housing sections (14) and (16) about the longitudinal axis (24).
Water profile used to detect malfunctioning water appliances
A system is provided for determining whether a specific water appliance is malfunctioning. The system may comprise at least one processor configured to detect, from at least one sensor in a distributed water infrastructure upstream of the plurality of water appliances, a plurality of normal water usage profiles; associate at least one of the plurality of profiles with each of the plurality of appliances; detect at least one current water usage profile; and compare the at least one current profile with at least one of the stored profiles to determine a corresponding identity of an associated appliance and to determine if a deviation exists between the stored profile for the identified appliance and the at least one current profile. The deviation may be reflective of a potential malfunction in the associated appliance. The system may initiate remedial action if the deviation, reflective of a potential malfunction, is determined.
Water profile used to detect malfunctioning water appliances
A system is provided for determining whether a specific water appliance is malfunctioning. The system may comprise at least one processor configured to detect, from at least one sensor in a distributed water infrastructure upstream of the plurality of water appliances, a plurality of normal water usage profiles; associate at least one of the plurality of profiles with each of the plurality of appliances; detect at least one current water usage profile; and compare the at least one current profile with at least one of the stored profiles to determine a corresponding identity of an associated appliance and to determine if a deviation exists between the stored profile for the identified appliance and the at least one current profile. The deviation may be reflective of a potential malfunction in the associated appliance. The system may initiate remedial action if the deviation, reflective of a potential malfunction, is determined.
Water system with a continuous flow heater and a flushing station
The present invention relates to a water system with a warm water line (3) for supplying at least one first consumer (4, 4a, 4b) connected thereto with warm water and a continuous flow heater (1), in which cold water introduced into the latter is heatable, connected to said warm water line (3). In case warm water remains in the continuous flow heater, because it is only partially consumed, limescale deposit can reduce the performance and the service life of the continuous flow heater. Limescale deposit is particularly likely to happen in stagnant warm water. The present invention aims to solve aforesaid problem in that a flushing station (2) connected to said warm water line (3) is provided, by way of which stagnant water in said warm water line can be drained in a chronological sequence until the water contained in said continuous flow heater (1) is below a predetermined setpoint temperature.
Water system with a continuous flow heater and a flushing station
The present invention relates to a water system with a warm water line (3) for supplying at least one first consumer (4, 4a, 4b) connected thereto with warm water and a continuous flow heater (1), in which cold water introduced into the latter is heatable, connected to said warm water line (3). In case warm water remains in the continuous flow heater, because it is only partially consumed, limescale deposit can reduce the performance and the service life of the continuous flow heater. Limescale deposit is particularly likely to happen in stagnant warm water. The present invention aims to solve aforesaid problem in that a flushing station (2) connected to said warm water line (3) is provided, by way of which stagnant water in said warm water line can be drained in a chronological sequence until the water contained in said continuous flow heater (1) is below a predetermined setpoint temperature.