Flow control apparatus and method
OwnerBruce Harveyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a flow control apparatus and method. In accordance with the present invention, the flow control apparatus comprises a thermostat that automatically actuates valve to enable water to flow through the valve when the temperature of the air or water is at or near the freezing temperature of water (32° F.). When the temperature of the air or water rises above freezing, the thermostat causes the valve to close, thereby preventing water from flowing through the valve. Therefore, when the apparatus is coupled to an end of a water conduit, such as a water spigot or hose, water is allowed to flow through the conduit when the air or water temperature is at or near freezing to prevent the conduit from bursting due to water freezing and expanding within the conduit.
Claims17
A flow control apparatus for controlling a flow of water, the apparatus comprising:
- a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to be attached to a water conduit;
- a flow control valve, the flow control valve comprising a thermostat device and an opening formed in the flow control apparatus, the thermostat device preventing water from flowing through said opening and out of the flow control apparatus when a first condition occurs and allowing water to flow through said opening and out of the flow control apparatus when a second condition occurs;
- wherein the thermostat device comprises a thermostat and an electro/mechanical device;
- wherein the electro/mechanical device closes said opening when said first condition occurs, thereby preventing water from flowing through said opening and out of said flow control apparatus and wherein said electro/mechanical device opens said opening when said second condition occurs, thereby allowing water to flow through said opening and out of said apparatus.
A flow control system for controlling a flow of water from a conduit, the conduit having a spigot control valve attached thereto, the system comprising:
- a flow control apparatus comprising:
- a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to be attached to a water conduit;
- a flow control valve, the flow control valve comprising a thermostat and an opening formed in the flow control apparatus, the thermostat preventing water from flowing through said opening and out of the flow control apparatus when a first condition occurs and allowing water to flow through said opening and out of the flow control apparatus when a second condition occurs;
- a shut-off valve that can be placed in an open or closed position, wherein when the shut-off valve is in the open position, water flowing into the first end of the flow control apparatus is allowed to flow through the flow control apparatus and out of the second end of the flow control apparatus, wherein when the shut-off valve is in the closed position, water flowing into the first end of the flow control apparatus is prevented from flowing out of the second end of the flow control apparatus;
- and
- a cable-tie attached to the apparatus, the cable-tie being sized to engage a spigot control valve such that the spigot control valve cannot be turned to shut off a supply of water.
A method for controlling a flow of water through a conduit attached to a spigot, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing a temperature;
- preventing water from flowing through an opening formed in the conduit when a first condition occurs and allowing water to flow through the opening when a second condition occurs;
- and
- preventing the supply of water from being turned off at the spigot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.