Patent Application
20200190779
The Inventor, Elmer R. Wagner, declares the there has been no federally funded research or development.
The inventor, Elmer R, Wagner. declares that there are no joint research agreements.
This patent application does not contain any computer programs.
This invention has the associated Provisional patents:
For many years the a double check valve back-flow assembly was regarded as the “best” method available to prevent the cross-contamination of the potable supply water system. The possibility of both check valves of the double check valve back-flow assembly being compromised led to the requirement that the double check valve back-flow assemblies be inspected annually. The annual annual inspection still allowed for possibility that there was an open window of 12 months where cross-contamination might occur. Note: The Washington Department of Health has mandated certain rules regarding the annual inspection of back-flow assemblies. While the systems developed by this patent may have various applications, it was developed by the inventor who could not find a simple commercial method of detecting a back-flow condition and reducing the 12 month time span of possible contamination using existing double check valve back-flow devices.
The nature and substance of this invention is to develop and implement a safer back-flow detection and shut-down system to protect the fluids (potable water) from contamination.
The Remote Back-Flow Detection & Shut-Off System contains four major areas of development:
Diagrams 1 and 3 are to show the major components of of the two possible solutions and that all are interrelated. One is for the reverse polarity solution the other is for the pressure/flow solution.
Diagrams 2 and 4 use some elements/components which would be part of sub-assemblies of the present invention are illustrated as an examples and are not limited by the configuration or components that are in the diagrams.
Several prototype assemblies were developed using off-the-shelf items which were provided by wholesale, commercial, and industrial suppliers except for the Signal Generator to Detect Direction of Fluid Flow (SGD). There are possible other commercial and industrial devices which can perform the same functions and are incorporated herein by reference. As an example, there may be more than one latching type electrically operated valve that will perform the same function as the ones shown on the diagrams used in this application. The Signal Generator to Detect Direction of Fluid Flow (SGD) was developed and built by the inventor and it has a provisional patent at this time.
Some elements of the present invention on diagrams 2 and 4 are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures on the accompanying diagrams.
Prototype units of the systems were developed using off-the-shelf items which were provided by wholesale, commercial, and industrial suppliers except for the Signal Generator to Detect Direction of Fluid Flow (SGD). The Signal Generator to Detect Direction of Fluid Flow (SGD was developed and built by the inventor and it has a patent pending.
There are possible other commercial and industrial devices which can perform the same functions and are incorporated herein by reference. i.e. There may be more than one latching type electrically operated valve that will perform the same function as the one used in this application.
The REMOTE BACK-FLOW DETECTION & SHUT-OFF SYSTEM refers to the technical field of the potable water supply back-flow protection. The invention is to be installed at the water connection of a potable water user after the meter, and provides the necessary means for detecting and stopping a back-flow condition.
While reviewing the double check back-flow device used in back-flow protection and the need for annual inspection of the device with a water company representative, the inventor mentally noted that the current system had an open window of time where back-flow could occur. The current patent was derived from this discovery.
Back-flow can occur as the water pressure on the user side of the double check valve back-flow device and water pressure on the service side of the double check valve oscillate with demand. The double check valve assembly mechanically closes if the user side pressure is greater than the service side. However it was discovered that older double check valve back-flow valve assembles and similar mechanical devices could be compromised because of debris build-up or aging. This possible compromise of the check valves caused the mandated need for annual inspections of double check valve back-flow devices. Unfortunately the annual inspection of double check valve back-flow devices and similar mechanical devices produces a time span of up to 12 months where the possibility of back-flow contamination can occur.
As a result of this discovery, the inventor who has extensive engineering background in mechanical and electro-mechanical design systems, designed the following REMOTE BACK-FLOW DETECTION & SHUT-OFF SYSTEM
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Diagrams 1 and 3, thereof, a REMOTE BACK-FLOW DETECTION & SHUT-OFF SYSTEM embodies the principles and consists of 5 major subsystems as follows:
NOTE: The mechanical double check back-flow valve under normal operating conditions serves to isolate the user side from the supplier side by mechanically closing down as the demand by the user decreases. If this valve is compromised by corrosion, debris, etc. a back-flow condition can happen.
The detection of a back-flow conditions has two viable solutions.
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Diagrams 2 and 4, thereof, some elements of the present invention are illustrated as an examples and are not limited by the figures in the diagrams. Models units which replicated the actions of the sub-systems were developed using off-the-shelf items which were provided by wholesale, commercial, and industrial suppliers except for the Signal Generator to Detect Direction of Fluid Flow. There are possible other configurations and commercial and industrial devices which can perform the same functions and are incorporated herein by reference. i.e. There may be more than one latching type electrically operated valve that will perform the same function as the ones shown on the diagrams used in these applications. The Signal Generator which is used to Detect Direction of Fluid Flow was developed and built by the inventor and it has a provisional patent.
Diagrams 2 which is designated as Signal Generator Method, there are eleven suggested components in this particular configuration which are as follows:
Diagram 4 which is designated as Differential Pressure/Flow Method has thirteen suggested components which are as follows:
The Integrated Control Processor Assembly uses standard off-the-shelf components such as an Arduino micro-controller and standard computer languages such as “C”. Related standard commands will compare the pressures and other necessary electronic data to assemble a program which will integrate the control system, i.e., pressure at outlet is greater than pressure at inlet and flow is greater than zero.
