Patent Application
20180188093
The present invention relates to a commercial or residential water flow meter.
Individuals especially homeowners must typically incur water bills and therefore monitor water usage. Although some devices have been developed for this purpose many are not effective enough to provide a complete record in a timely manner to the consumer. It can be imperative for consumers to maintain a real-time measure of water usage in order to control costs. Further in some areas of the country water usage is at a premium and therefore it is imperative for water conservation that users to maintain accurate data related to water usage. As a result, an effective water flow meter providing real time data may be an asset to the existing art.
The present invention relates to a water flow meter that includes: a flow tube, wherein the flow tube is adapted to connect in line with a water pipe; a water flow sensor wherein the water flow sensor measures water flow through the flow tube; and a threaded connector at each end of the flow tube in order to connect the flow tube into the water line of a user. The water flow meter further includes a battery and a battery indicator with a generator. Other aspects of the water flow meter include memory in the form of a SD card slot and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The present invention relates to a water flow meter that connects in line with a water pipe. The water flow meter includes a sensor that detects water flow and provides a measurement in a desired unit. As the water flows through the water meter this data is collected and stored on memory within the water meter. Further aspects of the water flow meter include a battery that supplies power for the components of the water meter. Further Wi-Fi connectivity is provided on the water meter to transmit data to a computer or hand held device wirelessly connected to the water meter. Other features of the water flow meter include a battery and a generator that charges the battery as needed. A battery indicator is also shown indicating the status of the battery during use. The water flow meter may also include a screen that provides an image of data related to water flow. The present invention further includes a barcode on each water meter so that multiple water meters may be used at one location. A user will be able to track total water usage at multiple water usage locations, i.e., kitchen, first bathroom, second bathroom. Each water meter includes a unique barcode that is scanned using a smartphone.
In reference to
Other components of the flow meter 100 include water sensor 32 and battery 38 with battery indicator 36. The battery 38 supplies power to the sensor and other components of the flow meter 100. A small generator 31 is also shown. The generator 31 provides a means to power the battery 38 and is operated via the flow of water through flow tube 10. Further the flow meter 100 includes memory in the form of a SD card slot 33. This memory allows the meter to store data related to water flow through the flow tube 10. Further a converter 34 is also shown in
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
