Patent Application
20220298761
The present subject matter generally relates to electronic valves installed on waterlines for preventing the waterlines from freezing. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to a system and method of winterizing and de-winterizing a structure such as a home of office, the system comprises electronic valves installed on waterlines that supply or drain water from the structure, the electronic ball valves are controlled remotely using an electronic device such as a mobile phone, the electronic valves are controlled to open and close the main waterline and drain line causing the water to drain out and supply back into the structure to protect the waterlines from freezing and getting damaged.
It is known that extreme cold temperature causes water in waterlines or water supply systems or pipes to freeze. Freezing of water in pipes can occur when ambient temperatures drop to 32° Fahrenheit (F) or 0° Celsius (C) and below. Freezing of water in the pipes leads to rupturing of the pipes and subsequent damage to a structure such as a home by the melted water. Typically, users or occupants at the home manually open an exposed valve of the pipes to allow steady dripping of the water at the onset of potentially freezing weather to prevent such damage. However, it is not easy for the occupants to be aware and operate the valve in such freezing conditions. Moreover, if the occupants are away from home when the freezing occurs, or if the home is a vacation home in an area where freezing is normally unexpected, such manual opening of the valve not may be possible.
In order to overcome the above problems, several solutions have been proposed in the past. One such solution includes providing a temperature-actuated valve. An example of temperature-actuated valve is disclosed in a United States granted U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,855 entitled “Temperature-activated valve” (the “'855 Patent”). The '855 Patent discloses a temperature-actuated valve that includes an elongated housing having anterior and posterior segments, the anterior segment being connected to an outdoor water supply. A valve within the anterior segment opens in response to freezing temperatures, defining a fluid path that allows water from the outdoor water supply to flow through one or more discharge ports; and which closes when the temperature rises above freezing. The valve generally includes a piston movable within the housing and having a valve head, and a valve seat formed in the anterior housing segment; seating of the valve head against the valve seat closes the discharge port(s). The device also includes means for conducting water from the anterior housing segment to the posterior housing segment, the latter comprising an expansion reservoir for freezing water. When water freezes, its expansion moves the piston so as to unseat the valve head and thereby allow water to be discharged through the discharge port(s). Thawing of the water in the expansion reservoir allows the valve head, under pressure from the outdoor water supply, to reseat.
Another example is disclosed in a United States granted patent No. 6530391 entitled “Temperature-activated valve” (the “'391 Patent”). The '391 Patent discloses a temperature and pressure sensitive valve having a valve piston for regulating flow through the valve, a valve piston guide for directing movement of the piston, the piston guide having one or more passages there through, a thermal element for enabling movement of said piston, and an elongated housing having an anterior and posterior end and an interior wall able to house said piston, guide and thermal element. The housing further has two or more passages able to aid the piston in regulating flow, with at least one of the passages placed towards said anterior end of the housing, and at least one of the passages placed towards said posterior end of the housing.
Another example is disclosed in a United States granted patent No. 9482357 entitled “Temperature controlled purge valve for use in water systems” (the “'357 Patent”). The '357 Patent discloses a thermally actuated valve having a housing, a resilient seat, a thermally conductive piston, a spring fluid seal, and a working material. The housing defines an inlet and an outlet and has two chambers. The seat is adjacent the inlet and the piston is adapted to move towards the seat when a working fluid in the housing warms and expands and away from the seat when a working fluid in the housing cools. By moving away from the seat, fluid flow through the valve is generated. In one application, Applicant's valve acts as a freeze prevention device. In another application, Applicant's valve is used to cool a source of water.
The above discussed valves are useful in regulating flow of water through them and thereby preventing the freezing of the pipes. However, they have several problems. For instance, each of the design discussed above consists of a singular hardware component (manual valve controlled by temperature and pressure of water to open and close valves), that functions only when the water temperature reaches a certain degree either up or down to interrupt the water pressure. The pressure caused by temperature is what opens and closes the valves. However, they do not drain the water effectively from the structure and prevent the pipes from getting damaged when needed.
Therefore, there is a need for improved system comprising electronic valves installed on waterlines, the electronic valves controlled remotely using an electronic device for opening and closing the electronic ball valves to cause the water to drain out and supply water back into the structure for protecting the waterlines from freezing and damage.
It is an object of the present subject matter to provide a system having electronic valves that help to prevent freezing of the pipes and avoids the drawback of known valves.
It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a system comprising electronic valves installed on waterlines, the electronic ball valves controlled remotely using an electronic device for opening and closing the electronic ball valves to cause the water to drain out and supply water back into the structure for protecting the waterlines from freezing and damage.
It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a system comprising electronic valves that help to drain the water effectively from the structure and prevent the waterlines from getting damaged when needed
In order to overcome the limitations here stated, the present subject matter provides a system having electronic valves connected to waterlines i.e., main waterline and drain line. The electronic valves communicatively connect to an electronic device. In one example, each electronic valve includes an electronic ball valve. A user operates the electronic device to winterize and de-winterize the structure. Winterizing includes closing the electronic valve on the main waterline that supplies water into the structure and opening and closing the electronic valve on the drain line causing the water to drain out. De-wintering includes closing the electronic valve on the drain line and opening the electronic valve on the main waterline to supply water back into the structure. Winterizing prevents the waterlines from freezing and getting damaged in cold weather conditions.
The electronic valve encompasses a rotary ball with a bore or hole. The rotary ball rotates approximately 90 degrees around its axis within the electronic valve and controls the flow of water through the bore. The user controls the operation of the electronic valves remotely to winterize and de-winterize and prevents the waterline from freezing and getting damaged.
In one advantageous feature of the present subject matter, the system gives the user the ability to winterize the structure without having to be physically present at the structure and de-winterize when it is occupied. This allows the user to save time and eliminates the need to physically operate the valves on existing waterlines in bad weather conditions.
Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying FIGURES. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature.
The present subject matter will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples of the subject matter as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter. It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. Notably, the FIGURES and examples are not meant to limit the scope of the present subject matter to a single embodiment, but other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements and, further, wherein:
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments in which the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed system. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in functional or conceptual diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the presently disclosed system.
In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting. Rather, the subject matter preferably encompasses other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, the applicant does not intend for any term in the specification to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present subject matter encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.
Although the present subject matter describes a system, it is to be further understood that numerous changes may arise in the details of the embodiments of the system. It is contemplated that all such changes and additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of this subject matter.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the subject matter and are not intended to limit the scope of the subject matter.
It should be understood that the present subject matter describes a system and method of winterizing and de-winterizing a structure in order to prevent waterlines from freezing and getting damaged. The system includes electronic valves connected to waterlines i.e., main waterline and drain line. The electronic valves include electronic ball valves. The electronic valves communicatively connect to an electronic device. A user operates the electronic device to winterize and de-winterize the structure. Winterizing includes closing the electronic ball valve on the main waterline that supplies water into the structure and opening and closing the electronic ball valve on the drain line causing the water to drain out. De-wintering includes closing the electronic ball valve on the drain line and opening the electronic ball valve on the main waterline to supply water back into the structure. Winterizing prevents the waterlines from freezing and getting damaged in cold weather conditions.
Various features and embodiments of a system for winterizing and de-winterizing a structure to prevent waterlines from freezing and getting damaged are explained in conjunction with the description of
In one embodiment, the present subject matter discloses a system for winterizing and de-winterizing a structure.
Stem 114 connects to motor 122 provided in housing 118.
As shown in
In accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter, first electronic valve 12.1 connects at main waterline 204 and second electronic valve 12.2 connects at drain line 212 (
In accordance with the present subject matter, each of first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2 communicatively connects to router 16 via first network 18. In one example, router 16 indicates a device that communicates with first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2 using a short-range communication protocol. Router 16 utilizes short-range communication protocols such as Bluetooth, NFC, intranet, local area network (LAN), or any other communication protocol to communicate with first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2. In one example, router 16 includes a Wi-Fi router utilizing Wi-Fi protocol to communicate with first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2. Router 16 installs at the structure and allows first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2 to communicate with electronic device 20 over internet/intranet via second network 22. In one example, first electronic valve 12.1, second electronic valve 12.2 and router 16 connect to backup battery 218. Backup battery 218 supplies power to first electronic valve 12.1, second electronic valve 12.2 and router 16 in the event of power failure. This way system 10 operates in all-weather conditions.
Electronic device 20 includes, but not limited to, a desktop computer, a tablet, a mobile phone, a smart watch, etc. Here, second network 22 indicates a long-range communication protocol such as cellular, satellite, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet and the like.
In the present embodiment, user 24 operates electronic device 20 to control the operation of first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2 via router 16. Specifically, user 24 uses electronic device 20 to control the operation of first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2 in order to drain out water or supply water to waterline 14 for preventing the water to freeze and damage waterline 14. In order to operate first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2, electronic device 20 presents application or user interface 250.
User 24 presses one of winterize 252 and de-winterize 254 on application 250 to control first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2. Pressing winterize 252 and de-winterize 254 transmits a signal or instruction to transceiver 132 in first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2, respectively. Transceiver 132 then sends the instructions to processor 130 to engage motor 122 to control the operation of rotary ball 104 in first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2.
For instance, when user 24 wishes to winterize the structure to prevent waterline 14 from freezing, user 24 presses winterize 252 on electronic device 20. Pressing winterize 252 transmits a signal to first electronic valve 12.1 causing it to close rotary ball 104 to cut off water flowing through it. This stops the water flowing into the structure through main waterline 204. Concurrently or consecutively, pressing winterize 252 transmits a signal to second electronic valve 12.2 causing it to open rotary ball 104 to allow water to flow out via drain line 212. This causes the water to drain out in waterline 14. By draining out the water in waterline 14, system 10 ensures that waterline 14 does not burst due to water freezing in it in cold weather conditions i.e., when ambient temperatures drop to 32° Fahrenheit (F) or 0° Celsius (C) and below.
Further, when user 24 wishes to de-winterize, user 24 presses de-winterize 252 on electronic device 20. Pressing de-winterize 252 transmits a signal to second electronic valve 12.2 causing it to close rotary ball 104 on drain line 212. Concurrently or consecutively, pressing de-winterize 252 transmits a signal to first electronic valve 12.1 causing it to open rotary ball 104 to supply water to main waterline 204 and then into first water pipe 206 and second water pipe 208.
The above description explains manually controlling the operation of first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2 to protect waterline from freezing and water damage. In one alternate embodiment, sensors 124 in each of first electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2 detect temperature of water, water level and/or water pressure and automatically control the operation of electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2 to drain out water in waterline 14 and/or supply water to waterline 14 as explained above. In one implementation, sensors 124 detect the ambient temperature is dropping to 0° C. and/or below and transmit a signal to electronic device 20 via transceiver 132. User 24 receives a notification on his electronic device 20 and presses winterize 252 to drain out water from waterline 14 and prevents it from freezing. When sensors 124 detect the ambient temperature has reached safe temperature say 5° C., then transceiver 132 transmits a signal to electronic device 20. At that time, user 24 presses de-winterize 254 to supply back the water into waterline 14 as explained above.
In the present subject matter, user 24 controls operation of electronic valve 12.1 and second electronic valve 12.2 remotely using electronic device 20 to winterize and de-winterize the structure. This eliminates the need for user 24 to be present at the structure in cold weather conditions and allows him to save time. As such, system 10 provides utility in structures that are occupied full time such as homes or offices. Further, system 10 provides utility in structures that are not occupied full time such as vacation homes, rentals, shops, and the like.
Although the above description is explained considering that electronic valve 12 includes two ports i.e., inlet port 108 and outlet port 110, a person skilled in the art understands electronic valve 12 may come with two, three or even four ports allowing them to be used with a variety of waterlines 14 to winterize and de-winterize the structure without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
At step 302, user 20 detects the temperature of water in waterline 14 i.e., main waterline 204 and drain line 212 either manually or using sensors 124. User 24 detects the temperature either manually or with the help of sensors 124. Upon detecting the temperature, user 24 presses winterize 252 on electronic device 20 (step 304). Pressing winterize 252 on electronic device 20 closes first electronic valve 12.1 on main waterline 204 supplying water to the home/business and opens second electronic valve 12.2 (step 306). This drains out the water through drain line 212 and prevents waterline 14 from freezing due to water collected in it.
At step 308, user 24 presses de-winterize 254 on electronic device 20. Pressing de-winterize 254 on electronic device 20 closes second electronic valve 12.2 on drain line 212 and opens first electronic valve 12.1 on main waterline 204 to supply water back into the home/business.
Based on the above, it is evident that the above disclosed system allows the user to winterize and de-winterize the structure such as home or business using the electronic device. By winterizing the structure, the user need have to worry about cold nights and winter days that are subject to freeze pipelines or waterlines throughout the structure, resulting in catastrophic damage that are expensive to replace.
A person skilled in the art appreciates that the device may come in a variety of sizes depending on the need and comfort of the first responders. Further, different materials in addition to or instead of materials described herein may also be used and such implementations may be construed to be within the scope of the present subject matter. Further, many changes in the design and placement of components may take place without deviating from the scope of the presently disclosed system.
In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some embodiments, specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present subject matter. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject matter.
In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. Hence as various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the subject matter, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and subject matter disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed subject matter.
