A water meter system and method may provide inline flow monitoring and leak detection that may track real-time water usage. The water meter system and method may utilize one or more dual pressure sensors and/or ultrasonic sensors to detect leaks quickly and automatically turn off a valve. A spool may be utilized that may provide the dual pressure sensors on opposite sides of a ball valve to separate upstream and downstream pressure zones when the valve is closed.

A method for detecting a leak, having at least the following steps: a) capturing a flow volume of a liquid through a liquid line during a multiplicity of liquid removal processes; b) comparing the flow volumes of the liquid in the respective liquid removal processes with an alarm value; c) outputting an alarm signal if the flow volume of the liquid in a liquid removal process exceeds the alarm value; d) adapting the alarm value on the basis of a frequency of the occurrence of the flow volumes of the liquid in the liquid removal processes above an adaptation value.

The disclosed technology includes a non-powered valve assembly having a valve, an actuating system, and a trigger. The trigger can be in mechanical communication with the actuating system and the actuating system can be in mechanical communication with the valve. The trigger can be positioned such that the trigger can interact with liquid resulting from a leak in a plumbing assembly. Upon interaction with liquid, the trigger can dissolve or expand, causing the actuating system to be activated and the valve to transition from the open position to a closed position. In the closed position, the valve can restrict the passage of liquid through the plumbing assembly such that the leak can be mitigated.

An automatic angle stop assembly, comprising a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port; a controller; a solenoid valve; a flow sensor; and a power source; wherein the flow sensor and solenoid valve are in flow communication with the fluid inlet port and fluid outlet port; and the flow sensor, the controller, the solenoid valve, and the power source are in electrical communication. The automatic angle stop assembly is useful upstream of a toilet tank, an ice machine, a refrigerator ice maker, a washing machine or a dishwasher.

A data collection device and method for determining a backflow condition in a water distribution system. The data collection device receives a first data communication from a first node, the first data communication indicating a first possible backflow condition at the first node. The data collection device receives additional data communications from one or more second nodes, the additional data communications indicating backflow conditions at the second nodes. The data collection device aggregates and analyzes the first data value and the additional data values and determines that an actual backflow condition exists based on the aggregated data values and a known relationship between the first node and the second nodes. The data collection device may then perform action(s) in response to determining the backflow condition, such as reporting the backflow condition, requesting updated reporting from the nodes, closing appropriate valves, initiating pumps to increase water pressure, flushing the system, etc.

A data collection device and method for determining an alternative event condition is presented. The method includes receiving a first data communication including a first data value from a first sensor and determining a first event condition based on the first data value being beyond a predetermined threshold. The method further includes receiving additional data communications including additional data values from one or more second sensors, aggregating the first data value and the additional data values, and determining that the determination of the first event condition is incorrect based on the aggregated data values and a known relationship between the first sensor and the one or more second sensors. The method additionally includes determining a second event condition based on the first data value and the additional data values being beyond the predetermined threshold. An action may then be performed in response to the determination of the second event condition.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for performing leak detection. In one aspect, the method includes actions of obtaining water consumption data that is based on first sensor data generated by a connected water meter that is installed at a property, determining, based on the obtained water consumption data, (i) that a water leak is occurring at the property and (ii) a type of water leak that is occurring at the property, in response to determining (i) that a water leak is occurring at the property and (ii) a type of water leak that is occurring at the property, determining, based on a type of water leak that is determined to be occurring at the property, an operation to mitigate potential damages caused by the water leak, and initiating performance of the operation in order to mitigate potential damages caused by the water leak.

Fluid detection systems and methods using the same are disclosed. In embodiments the fluid detection systems include a sensor module and an electronics module. The sensor module includes a sensor housing that includes a liquid flow path and a sensor element disposed around at least part of the liquid flow path. The sensor element can detect a capacitance of the liquid flow path and provide a sensor signal to a controller in the electronics module. The electronics module can determine a detected capacitance in the liquid flow path based at least in part on the sensor signal, and can determine whether a wet event has occurred based on a comparison of the detected capacitance to a threshold capacitance. Methods using the fluid detection systems and fluid supply systems including the fluid detection systems are also disclosed.

A method for detecting a structural anomaly in a pipeline supply network is disclosed where the pipeline supply network is configured to supply fluid to multiple receiving locations. The method comprises receiving acoustic signal data from a selected location in the pipeline supply network and generating a first time window of acoustic signal data based on the acoustic signal data. The method then includes benchmarking the first time window of acoustic signal data with respect to historical background acoustic signal data characterising the pipeline supply network to generate a corresponding background benchmarked first time window of acoustic signal data and then determining an anomaly measure for the background benchmarked first time window of acoustic signal data where the anomaly measure indicates a presence of the structural anomaly.

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.