Automated drip flow valve for freeze protection
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorJames C. Fletcher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for regulating water flow in a pipe. A water flow regulator includes a valve configured to regulate water flow, a power source, a communication module and a processor. The communication module is configured to receive instructions pertaining to water flow regulation over a wireless network and to send instructions to the processor. The instructions are based at least in part on weather data and on the physical location of the water flow regulator. The processor is coupled to the communication module, and is configured to send a control signal to the valve to regulate the water flow in accordance with a received instruction from the communication module.
Claims14
A water flow regulator, comprising:
- a valve configured to regulate water flow in a faucet connected to a water input system for a building and emptying into a drain system of the building;
- a power source;
- a communication module configured to receive instructions pertaining to water flow regulation in the faucet over a wireless network and to send instructions to a processor, wherein the instructions are based at least in part on weather data and on a geographical location of the water flow regulator;
- and
- a processor coupled to the communication module, the processor being configured to send a control signal to the valve to regulate the water flow in the faucet in accordance with a received instruction from the communication module, wherein regulating the water flow includes initiating a water flow through the faucet in response to detecting a possible freezing condition for at least part of the water input system, and terminating the water flow through the faucet in response to detecting that the possible freezing condition is no longer present.
A method for regulating water flow in a faucet, comprising:
- receiving, by a water flow regulator, instructions pertaining to water flow regulation in the faucet over a wireless network, wherein the faucet is connected to a water input system for a building and emptying into a drain system of the building, and wherein the instructions are based at least in part on weather data and on a geographical location of a water flow regulator;
- and
- sending a control signal to a valve to regulate the water flow in the pipe in accordance with the received instructions, wherein regulating the water flow includes initiating a water flow through the faucet in response to detecting a possible freezing condition for at least part of the water input system, and terminating the water flow through the faucet in response to detecting that the possible freezing condition is no longer present.
A computer program product for regulating water flow in a faucet, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions being executable by a processor in a water flow regulator to cause a water flow regulator to:
- receive instructions pertaining to water flow regulation in the faucet over a wireless network, wherein the faucet is connected to a water input system for a building and emptying into a drain system of the building, and wherein the instructions are based at least in part on weather data and on a geographical location of a water flow regulator;
- and
- send a control signal to a valve to regulate the water flow in the pipe in accordance with the received instructions, wherein regulating the water flow includes initiating a water flow through the faucet in response to detecting a possible freezing condition for at least part of the water input system, and terminating the water flow through the faucet in response to detecting that the possible freezing condition is no longer present.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.