Back to results
US 2017/0350098 A1Published application
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 determine whether the water positioned in the outdoor water line is reaching the freezing temperature of water;
- and
- the controller also being configured to control operation of the first processor-controllable valve and the second processor-controllable valve depending on whether the first electrical power source is available and whether the water positioned in the outdoor water line has reached the freezing temperature of water.
8 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 water 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.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.