Systems & Methods For Monitoring And Controlling Water Consumption
AssigneeLiquidBreaker, LLC
InventorGiovanni Fima
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is disclosed that advantageously monitors a status of a relief valve coupled to a water heater or other pressure vessel. By monitoring the relief valve, the system can limit the energy and water wasted resulting from the relief valve's failure. The system can have first and second sensors that monitor a temperature and pressure within the relief valve, and a water flow from the relief valve, respectively. If the temperature or pressure within the relief valve exceeds predetermined thresholds, or a water flow from the relief valve continues for greater than a predetermined interval, the system can restrict a flow of gas, electric current, or water to the water heater.
Claims20
A system that monitors a flow of water in a drain pipe that is coupled to a water heater having a relief valve, comprising:
- a first sensor that monitors a temperature or pressure of the water heater to produce a first signal;
- a second sensor that monitors the flow of water to the drain pipe to produce a second signal;
- and
- a controller that restricts (a) a flow of gas or (b) an electric current to the water heater as a first function of at least one of the first and second signals.
A system that monitors a water heater having a relief valve, comprising:
- a first sensor that monitors a temperature or pressure of the water heater to produce a first signal, wherein the first sensor is coupled to the relief valve;
- and
- a controller that activates at least one of (a) a visual alarm and (b) an audible alarm as a function of the first signal.
A method of reducing an insurance premium for an insurance policy covering a residential or commercial structure, comprising:
- receiving information about a system that monitors a relief valve coupled to a water heater of the structure covered by the insurance policy, wherein the information indicates if the structure has the system to monitor the relief valve such that a flow of gas or electric current to the water heater is restricted if a temperature or pressure of the water heater exceeds predetermined thresholds;
- and
- determining the insurance premium based at least in part upon the information, and wherein the premium is less than a second premium that is based upon a second information that indicates the structure lacks the system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.