Back to results
US 10,472,807 B2Granted
Prevention of freezing of outdoor water line
OwnerMerdick Earl McFarlaneinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes a first processor-controllable valve and a second processor-controllable valve both of which are connectable to an outdoor water line. A controller configured to control the operation of the first processor-controllable valve and the second processor-controllable valve. The controller, in use, urges the second processor-controllable valve to open and permit flow of the water along an interior of the outdoor water line for the case where the second electrical power source is available for use by the second processor-controllable valve when the first electrical power source is unavailable for use by the first processor-controllable valve.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first processor-controllable valve being configured to be operative in response to controlled application of a first electrical power source thereto;
- and
- the first processor-controllable valve also being configured to be fluidly connectable to an outdoor water line, in which the outdoor water line is configured to convey water therealong;
- and
- a second processor-controllable valve being configured to be operative in response to controlled application of a second electrical power source thereto;
- and
- the second processor-controllable valve also being configured to be fluidly connectable to the outdoor water line;
- and
- a controller being configured to be electrically connectable to a temperature sensor being positioned proximate to the outdoor water line in such a way that the controller, in use, receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor that is related to the temperature of the water positioned in the outdoor water line;
- and
- the controller also being configured to determine whether the water positioned in the outdoor water line is reaching the freezing temperature of water based on the temperature signal provided by the temperature sensor to the controller;
- and
- the controller also being configured to control operation of the first processor-controllable valve, for the case where the controller determines that the water positioned in the outdoor water line is reaching the freezing temperature of water, in such a way that the controller, in use, urges the first processor-controllable valve to open and permit flow of the water along an interior of the outdoor water line for the case where the first electrical power source is available for use by the first processor-controllable valve;
- and
- the controller also being configured to control operation of the second processor-controllable valve, for the case where the controller determines that the water positioned in the outdoor water line is reaching the freezing temperature of water, in such a way that the controller, in use, urges the second processor-controllable valve to open and permit flow of the water along an interior of the outdoor water line for the case where the second electrical power source is available for use by the second processor-controllable valve when the first electrical power source is unavailable for use by the first processor-controllable valve;
- and
- an outlet of the first processor-controllable valve is fluidly connected to an inlet of a water meter;
- and
- an outlet of the second processor-controllable valve is fluidly connected to the inlet of the water meter;
- and
- an outlet of the water meter is fluidly connected to a water drain;
- and
- the water meter is configured to measure an amount of water flowing through any one of the first processor-controllable valve and the second processor-controllable valve.
20 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first processor-controllable valve being configured to be operative in response to controlled application of a first electrical power source thereto;
- and
- the first processor-controllable valve also being configured to be fluidly connectable to an outdoor water line, in which the outdoor water line is configured to convey water therealong;
- and
- a second processor-controllable valve being configured to be operative in response to controlled application of a second electrical power source thereto;
- and
- the second processor-controllable valve also being configured to be fluidly connectable to the outdoor water line;
- and
- a controller being configured to be electrically connectable to a temperature sensor being positioned proximate to the outdoor water line in such a way that the controller, in use, receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor that is related to the temperature of the water positioned in the outdoor water line;
- and
- the controller also being configured to determine whether the water positioned in the outdoor water line is reaching the freezing temperature of water based on the temperature signal provided by the temperature sensor to the controller;
- and
- the controller also being configured to control operation of the first processor-controllable valve, for the case where the controller determines that the water positioned in the outdoor water line is reaching the freezing temperature of water, in such a way that the controller, in use, urges the first processor-controllable valve to open and permit flow of the water along an interior of the outdoor water line for the case where the first electrical power source is available for use by the first processor-controllable valve;
- and
- the controller also being configured to control operation of the second processor-controllable valve, for the case where the controller determines that the water positioned in the outdoor water line is reaching the freezing temperature of water, in such a way that the controller, in use, urges the second processor-controllable valve to open and permit flow of the water along an interior of the outdoor water line for the case where the second electrical power source is available for use by the second processor-controllable valve when the first electrical power source is unavailable for use by the first processor-controllable valve;
- and
- a water pump is fluidly coupled to the outdoor water line;
- and
- the water pump is controllable by the controller in such a way that once the controller, in use, turns ON any one of the first processor-controllable valve and the second processor-controllable valve, the water pump is turned ON to provide flow assistance for urging the water in the outdoor water line to flow.
16 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first processor-controllable valve being configured to be operative in response to controlled application of a first electrical power source thereto;
- and
- the first processor-controllable valve also being configured to be fluidly connectable to an outdoor water line, in which the outdoor water line is configured to convey water therealong;
- and
- a second processor-controllable valve being configured to be operative in response to controlled application of a second electrical power source thereto;
- and
- the second processor-controllable valve also being configured to be fluidly connectable to the outdoor water line;
- and
- a controller being configured to be electrically connectable to a temperature sensor being positioned proximate to the outdoor water line in such a way that the controller, in use, receives a temperature signal from the temperature sensor that is related to the temperature of the water positioned in the outdoor water line;
- and
- the controller also being configured to determine whether the water positioned in the outdoor water line is reaching the freezing temperature of water based on the temperature signal provided by the temperature sensor to the controller;
- and
- the controller also being configured to control operation of the first processor-controllable valve, for the case where the controller determines that the water positioned in the outdoor water line is reaching the freezing temperature of water, in such a way that the controller, in use, urges the first processor-controllable valve to open and permit flow of the water along an interior of the outdoor water line for the case where the first electrical power source is available for use by the first processor-controllable valve;
- and
- the controller also being configured to control operation of the second processor-controllable valve, for the case where the controller determines that the water positioned in the outdoor water line is reaching the freezing temperature of water, in such a way that the controller, in use, urges the second processor-controllable valve to open and permit flow of the water along an interior of the outdoor water line for the case where the second electrical power source is available for use by the second processor-controllable valve when the first electrical power source is unavailable for use by the first processor-controllable valve;
- and
- a control line extends between the temperature sensor and the controller via the interior of the outdoor water line;
- and
- the control line enters a portal of the outdoor water line, and exits from a water inlet.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.