# US 10,309,809 B2 · Apparatus for detecting stagnant water

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- Number: US 10,309,809 B2
- Document ID: US10309809B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/798,847
- Filed: 2017-10-31
- Published: 2018-02-22
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2015-01-14
- Assignees: Neoperl GmbH
- Applicants: Neoperl GmbH
- Inventors: Christof Ruhnke
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309809B2

## CPC

- G01F 1/05: by using mechanical effects
- E03B 7/07: Arrangement of devices, e.g. filters, flow controls, measuring devices, siphons or valves, in the pipe systems
- E03C 1/10: Devices for preventing contamination of drinking-water pipes, e.g. means for aerating self-closing flushing valves (vacuum-breakers in general F16K, F16L)
- F03B 13/10: Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors
- F24D 17/0073: {Arrangements for preventing the occurrence or proliferation of microorganisms in the water}
- G01N 33/18: Water
- E03C 2201/40: Arrangement of water treatment devices in domestic plumbing installations
- Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy
- G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- E03B: INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER (drilling wells, obtaining fluids in general from wells E21B; pipe-line systems in general F17D)
- E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS
- F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00)
- F24D: DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR (using steam or condensate extracted or exhausted from steam engine plants for heating purposes F01K17/02)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

An apparatus for detecting stagnant drinking water includes a generator for producing electrical energy, an energy store for storing that energy, a control and analysis unit which detects the charge state of the energy store and a signal transmitter which emits a signal depending on the charge state of the energy store.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Apparatus for detecting stagnant drinking water, including
a generator for producing electrical energy,
an energy store for storing the electrical energy,
a control and analysis unit, which detects a charge state of the energy store, and including
a signal transmitter, which emits a signal depending on the charge state of the energy store, wherein the energy store is so selected that a discharge time of the energy store is shorter than a time period after which the drinking water is considered to be stagnant.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal is an optical signal.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is constructed as an end member or an intermediate member for a water outlet.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the water outlet comprises a water faucet.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy store is constructed in the form of a capacitor.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an input device, by means of which the control and analysis unit can be supplied with a time period.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including a temperature sensor.

### Claim 8

An apparatus for detecting stagnant drinking water, including
a water system unit;
a generator for producing electrical energy;
an energy store for storing the electrical energy;
a control and analysis unit, which detects a charge state of the energy store, and including
a signal transmitter, which emits a signal depending on the charge state of the energy store, wherein the energy store is so selected that its discharge time is shorter than a time period after which the drinking water is considered to be stagnant; and,
wherein the generator, the energy store and the control and analysis unit are mounted to the water system unit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the signal is an optical signal.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the water system unit comprises an end member or an intermediate member for a water outlet.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the water outlet comprises a water faucet.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the energy store comprises a capacitor.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an input device, by means of which the control and analysis unit can be supplied with a time period.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a temperature sensor.