Patent Application
20240151011
The present invention relates generally to water management systems, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a water monitoring system that includes a plurality of elements configured to be deployed as a holistic system that is operable to measure and detect water flows and leaks within an entire building and provide reporting on water consumption patterns.
The need for sustainable solutions across a property portfolio has become more pressing than ever. One area where this is especially true is smart water management. Water leaks and wastage pose significant risks to properties such as but not limited to large muti-unit commercial and residential properties. Inefficient water management can result in soaring utility bills, property damage, and environmental degradation. Property managers who fail to address these risks face financial burdens and contribute to water scarcity and the depletion of natural resources. There are critical risks of water leaks and water waste employing a smart water management system to gain better control over water resources and take proactive steps toward sustainable water practices is being sought after by the marketplace. In North America water costs are escalating by double digit percentage points on an annual basis. Inefficient water usage and undetected leaks can lead to excessive water bills, affecting a property's profitability. Traditional water management methods, such as manual meter readings and periodic visual inspections, are inefficient and fail to detect hidden leaks or excessive water consumption leading to substantial water wastage and inflated utility bills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a single leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily. Likewise, a single leaky faucet can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water annually. Water leaks damage property, requiring expensive repairs and disrupting normal operations. Unattended leaks can seep into walls, floors, and ceilings, resulting in mold growth, structural deterioration, and compromised electrical systems. The consequences not only incur financial expenses and property devaluation but also compromise the safety and habitability of the property.
Water waste has severe environmental implications. Water scarcity is a global concern, and every drop of water wasted exacerbates this issue. By failing to detect leaks or inefficient water usage, property managers contribute to the depletion of this precious resource and increase the strain on local water supplies. Water leaks and wastage can tarnish an organization's reputation and lead to tenant dissatisfaction. Tenants expect well-maintained properties that provide a safe and comfortable living or working environment. Frequent water leaks not only inconvenience tenants but also create an impression of poor management. This can have a direct effect on tenant retention and occupancy rates. Many local and federal governing bodies have laws and regulations requiring property owners and managers to maintain water systems in good working order and promptly address leaks. Non-compliance can result in fines, penalties, and potential legal disputes. Furthermore, sustainable water management practices are increasingly being incentivized and even mandated by local authorities. Property managers risk falling behind in meeting regulatory standards by ignoring the risks of water leaks and water waste, potentially facing legal consequences and limitations on future property development. Owners of a building such as a high-rise multi-unit residential building that don't have a water leak detection and flow meter monitoring system in place can lose tens of thousands of dollars a year as a result. According to data from the United States EPA, leaks account for an estimated 13% of water bills. In total, minor leaks account for one trillion gallons of wasted water every year. That's equal to the annual household water use for 11 million homes. At any given moment, one in five toilets are leaking. And while sometimes the leak is noticeable, the most common type of toilet leak is difficult to detect. This type of leak has to do with an ineffective flush valve. At the bottom of the tank on the back of most toilets, you'll find the flapper. The flapper plugs the pipe in the bottom of the tank, and raises up when you push the toilet lever, allowing the tank's water to flush into the bowl. After, the flapper returns into place, forming a watertight seal so your toilet tank can fill up for next time. Over time, the flapper wears out and water begins to leak into the bowl. This is not only the most common type of leaking toilet, but it's also the most difficult to detect since the leak is silent. The average toilet leak can waste up to six thousand gallons of water per month which in some areas can add eighty dollars a month to a water bill. Leaking faucets can have a similar negative impact.
Accordingly, there is a need for a water monitoring system that includes a plurality of elements configured to be deployed as a holistic system that is operable to measure and detect water flows and leaks within an entire building and further provide reporting on water consumption patterns.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a water management system that is configured to be deployed in a large multi-unit building and monitor the water consumption pattern thereof wherein the present invention a plurality of sensors incorporating a first sensor assembly and a second sensor assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a water monitoring system for a large building wherein the first sensor assembly is mounted on water supply pipes located within the building.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a water management system that is configured to be deployed in a large multi-unit building and monitor the water consumption pattern thereof wherein the first sensor assembly employs vibration and temperature monitoring to determine water flow through a pipe.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a water monitoring system for a large building wherein the second sensor assembly is mounted at various locations in the building such as but not limited to utility rooms and wherein the second sensor assembly is configured to operate in one of three modes.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a water management system that is configured to be deployed in a large multi-unit building and monitor the water consumption pattern thereof wherein in a first mode the second sensor assembly is operable to detect a flood situation.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a water monitoring system for a large building wherein the second sensor assembly in its second mode is configured to detect a leak situation.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a water management system that is configured to be deployed in a large multi-unit building and monitor the water consumption pattern thereof wherein in a third mode the second sensor assembly is operable water consumption via connection to a water meter utilizing an operable cable connection detecting pulses thereon.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a water monitoring system 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.
Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the elements of the water monitoring system 100 (discussed further herein) are communicably coupled utilizing suitable communication network protocols. It should be understood with the scope of the present invention that the communication protocols could be wired or wireless communication protocols. In a preferred embodiment the first sensor assembly 10 communicates with gateway 5 utilizing wireless communication protocol frequencies such as but not limited to 868/915 Mhz. The gateway 5 is operably coupled to a server 8 via conventional Internet protocols. The server 8 is accessible through a conventional graphical interface software wherein the software provides the necessary controls to receive, store, transmit and manipulate data. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the server 8 is accessible with the software on various types of computing devices such as but not limited to desktop computers and mobile computing devices. The server 8 and software function to provide access to all of the data collected by the water monitoring system 100 so as to provide an ability for a user to manage and monitor the water consumption in an exemplary high-rise building 99. While a residential high-rise building 99 is illustrated and discussed herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the water monitoring system 100 could be installed in a variety of commercial and residential buildings wherein water consumption monitoring and management is advantageous.
The water monitoring system 100 includes a first sensor assembly 10. The first sensor assembly 10 is mounted on riser pipes 98 and at plumbing fixtures in various locations in the building 99. In a preferred embodiment the first sensor assembly 10 is mounted on supply pipes ranging from one-half to two inches in diameter and is configured to measure water flow through the riser pipes 98 using non-invasive techniques. The first sensor assembly 10 includes a pipe thermistor sensor 12 and a piezo-electric vibration sensor 16 operable to detect temperature and vibration respectively at the mounting locations of the first sensor assembly 10. Utilizing the pipe thermistor sensor 12 and the piezo-electric vibration sensor 16 simultaneously the first sensor assembly 10 detects fluctuation in vibrations and surface temperature of the pipe as compared to the immediate surroundings as water flows through the riser pipes 98. Accuracy of the first sensor assembly 10 is improved through utilization of the ambient thermistor sensor 14 that is configured to monitor the ambient temperature of the environmental surroundings of the mounting location of the first sensor assembly 10. It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention to improve accuracy thereof that a collection of local and global environmental parameters is continuously conducted employing machine learning algorithm to learn the baseline signature of the plumbing system of the building 99.
The first sensor assembly 10 further includes conventional elements to support the operation thereof. By way of example but not limitation the first sensor assembly 10 includes a power supply 18, wireless communication antennae 20, memory module 22, digital to analog signal convertor 24 and a processing module 26 that are operably coupled wherein the processing module 26 has the necessary electronics to receive, store, transmit and manipulate data so as to facilitate operation of the first sensor assembly 10. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the water monitoring system 100 could employ as few as one first sensor assembly 10 or a multitude of first sensor assemblies 10. The first sensor assembly 10 is operable in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode of the first sensor assembly 10 the first sensor assembly 10 has been installed in the building once water has passed through the main water meter supplied, wherein the main water meter includes a meter monitor 80 secured thereto, the water is transferred throughout the building 99 employing riser pipes 98. Riser pipes transfer water from bottom or from the top vertically to all plumbing fixtures on each floor of the building. The first sensor assembly in its first mode tracks the thermal and vibrational response of water running through the riser pipes 98, which transfer water vertically either in an upwards or downwards direction, and initiates the reporting on the duration of water events. The duration of water events is then accumulated and converted into a total activity per day in the form of minutes on server 8. All of the first sensor assemblies 10 mounted on all of the riser pipes 98 of the building implement the first mode. The collected data from all of the first sensor assemblies 10 is compared to the total consumption data from the meter monitor 80. The server 8 specifically the software therein employ's Bernoulli's principle that the volume of water is defined by the pipe diameter and pressure and volume are assigned to the duration of flow detected by first sensor assemblies 10 on the riser pipes 98. As a result, the water monitoring system 100 detects and tracks the consumption of each riser pipe and helps identify which riser pipes 98 have a higher rate of flow which could indicate a possible leak or flood.
In the second mode of the first sensor assembly 10, the first sensor assembly 10 is employed as a point of use monitor. Point of use is defined herein as the end point where water has the designed opportunity to exit the plumbing system in a controlled manner, e.g. faucets, showers and toilets. The first sensor assembly 10 is non-invasively installed adjacent the point of use plumbing fixtures as they exit the wall. Once installed the first sensor assembly 10 is activated and begins an initial twenty-four hour auto calibration cycle that allows the first sensor assembly 10 to measure and track the thermal and vibrational peak to peak pattern when water is flowing in conventional use cases from the plumbing fixtures to which the first sensor assembly 10 is adjacent. This data is recorded on the server 8 and subsequently the volumetric calculations are computed utilizing Bernoulli's principle with additional information such as pipe diameter, type of plumbing fixture, type of pipe material captured at the time of installation and programmed into the device. The barometric information gathered from the second sensor assembly 30 is used as a correction factor in determining the pressure change in the plumbing system based on altitude in gravity fed systems. The cumulative information from all of the plumbing fixtures in a single residential unit is computed and summarized providing a total monthly consumption estimation for each individual unit or apartment.
The water monitoring system 100 further includes a plurality of second sensor assemblies 30. The second sensor assembly 30 is a wireless battery powered device that is deployed in the building 99 in a multitude of locations and is configured to be operated in three alternate modes wherein the mode is selected at installation based on the installation location. The second sensor assembly 30 includes a leak sensor 32, a flood sensor 34 and a pulse sensor 36 that are operable to provide the alternate modes of operation of the second sensor assembly 30. The second sensor assembly 30 further includes an environmental sensor 38 configured to detect, measure and record the humidity, temperature and barometric pressure proximate the second sensor assembly 30. The second sensor assembly 30 further includes as the first sensor assembly 10 a power supply 18, wireless communication antennae 20, memory module 22, and a processing module 26 that are operably coupled wherein the processing module 26 has the necessary electronics to receive, store, transmit and manipulate data so as to facilitate operation of the second sensor assembly 30.
In the first mode of the second sensor assembly 30 the flood sensor 34 is utilized to resistively detect water accumulating around the second sensor assembly 30 and subsequent a predefined threshold is breached, the flood sensor 34 transmits a signal to the processing module which completes facilitation of wireless communication via the water monitoring system 100 to notify of the possibility of flooding. In the second mode of the second sensor assembly 30, the leak sensor 32 is used to resistively detect water accumulating proximate the second sensor assembly 30 and ensuing a predefined threshold is breached transmits a signal that a leak may exist. The leak sensor 32 is activated if water is detected anywhere along a length of the pipe to which the second sensor assembly 30 is mounted within one and a half meters thereof opposed to being surroundably mounted with water like the flood sensor 34. In the third mode of the second sensor assembly 30 the pulse sensor 36 allows the connection to water meters that have a fitted pulse output cable. In the third mode the second sensor assembly 30 counts and reports on the amount of water that was used by recording and storing the pulses generated on the pulse output cable. It should be known to those skilled in the art that not all water meters are equipped with pulse output cables and further access thereto may be restricted.
The second sensor assembly 30 has the capability to detect what sensor selection was used and installed utilizing a resistive identification profile. This identification profile is performed on startup and will send its sensor type to the server 8 for device type identification purposes. This feature allows the user of the present invention to keep stock of a single unit of the second sensor assembly 30 and select the desired sensor type at the time of installation without the need for manual configuration. The second sensor assembly 30 works on an event driven schema meaning that the second sensor assembly 30 is in a sleep/standby state continuously and only starts measuring the resistance level of a sensor once a hardware defined circuit triggers and signals the processing module 26 to start measuring the state of the sensor. The second sensor assembly 30 is equipped with an environmental sensor 38, which is used to determine if the humidity is to be factored into the alarm if/when a sensor is triggered. If the humidity is average, alarm events would be sent immediately along with humidity information so the user can ascertain that the alarm is likely a real event and should be investigated in a timely manner. If the humidity is above the desired setpoint, the second sensor assembly 30 reviews the humidity information and transmits the alarm to the user as a warning event and not a critical event meaning the event still needs to be investigated but might not be response time sensitive.
The second sensor assembly 30 has been equipped with tamper/tilt switch 44 operable to detect when the second sensor assembly 30 has been tampered with or moved. The tamper/tilt switch 44 transmits an alarm and is stored for future reference when an investigation into a water event or device missing event has occurred and the behavior and or event is not explained in conventional scenarios.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/052,346 filed, Nov. 3, 2022, entitled, Water Management System, in the name of Johann Van Niekerk, which is hereby incorporated for reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18052346 | Nov 2022 | US |
| Child | 18354725 | US |
