Automatic fluid flow shut-off device

A fluid delivery system, comprising:

• a plurality of independent zones each in fluid flow communication with a fluid supply path;
• a controller between said plurality of independent zones and said fluid supply path for selectively controlling fluid flow from said fluid supply path to one or more of said plurality of independent zones according to a predetermined timed sequence;
• a fluid flow sensor structured and disposed for monitoring said fluid flow through said fluid supply path and for measuring a volume of said fluid flow to each of said plurality of independent zones, said fluid flow sensor being further structured for outputting data correlating to said measured fluid flow volume for each of said plurality of independent zones;
• means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path;
• a central processing unit communicating said fluid flow sensor and said shut-off valve, said central processing unit comprising:
• means for receiving input data corresponding to each of said plurality of independent zones including data establishing at least one maximum fluid flow volume for each of said plurality of independent zones;
• memory means for storing said input data;
• means for receiving said output data from said fluid flow sensor;
• means for detecting initiation and subsequent termination of said fluid flow through each of said plurality of independent zones to thereby define a plurality of cycles, wherein each of said plurality of flow cycles corresponds with one of said plurality of independent zones;
• data processing means for evaluating and comparing said data correlating to said measured fluid flow volume during said flow cycle with said input data stored in said memory means in order to identify an alarm condition when said measured fluid flow volume during said flow cycle exceeds said at least one maximum fluid flow volume in any of said plurality of independent zones;
• means for detecting initiation of a change in said fluid flow volume prior to said termination of said fluid flow in each of said plurality of independent zones;
• means for resetting said means for evaluating and comparing by said data processing means to thereby define said flow cycles for a selected time period;
• means for triggering actuation of said fluid shut-off valve upon identifying said alarm condition to thereby operate said shut-off valve to said closed position;
• means for selectively bypassing said evaluating and comparing by said data processing means to thereby enable selective control of said means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path or to actuate said means for terminating said fluid flow upon said fluid flow sensor measuring said fluid flow volume being greater than zero;
• means for entering and programming said input data into said central processing unit;
• indicator means for providing an alert upon said system identifying said alarm condition;
• means for tabulating said fluid flow volume for a selected time period;
• means for resetting said means for tabulating said fluid flow volume;
• means for outputting data to display results of said tabulating;
• and
• means for outputting data to display said output data from said fluid flow sensor.

A device for interrupting fluid flow through a fluid supply path in a fluid delivery system having a controller for selectively directing the fluid flow to a plurality of independent zones, said device comprising:

• a fluid flow sensor structured and disposed for monitoring said fluid flow through said fluid supply path and for measuring fluid flow values associated with said fluid flow through each of said plurality of independent zones, said fluid flow sensor being further structured for outputting data correlating to said measured fluid flow rates in each of said plurality of independent zones;
• means for terminating said fluid flow through said fluid supply path;
• a central processing unit communicating with said fluid flow sensor and said means for terminating said fluid flow, said central processing unit including:
• means for receiving input data corresponding to each of said plurality of independent zones including data establishing at least one maximum fluid flow rate for each of said plurality of independent zones;
• memory means for storing said input data;
• means for receiving said output data from said fluid flow sensor correlating to said measured fluid flow rates;
• means for detecting initiating and subsequent termination of said fluid flow through each of said plurality of independent zones to thereby define a plurality of flow cycles, wherein each of said plurality of flow cycles corresponds with one of said plurality of independent zones;
• data processing means for evaluating and comparing said data correlating to said measured fluid flow rates with said input data stored in said memory means in order to identify an alarm condition when one or more of said measured fluid flow rates exceed said at least one maximum fluid flow rate in any of said plurality of independent zones;
• means for triggering actuation of said means for terminating said fluid flow upon identifying said alarm condition;
• means for delaying said evaluating and comparing by said data processing means for a predetermined amount of time after initiation of each of said flow cycles;
• means for selectively bypassing said evaluating and comparing by said data processing means to thereby prevent actuation of said means for triggering actuation of said means for terminating said fluid flow;
• means for entering and programming said input data into said central processing unit;
• indicator means for providing an alert upon said system identifying said alarm condition;
• a time clock, said time clock communicating with said central processing unit and being structured and disposed for determining when each of said plurality of flow cycles begins, and said time clock further being structured and disposed for determining the duration of each of said plurality of flow cycles;
• and
• said means for triggering actuation of said means for terminating said fluid flow being structured and disposed to reset after completion of each of said plurality of fluid flow cycles wherein said alarm condition is identified, thereby enabling said fluid flow through said fluid supply path and to another one of said plurality of independent zones upon the next of said plurality of fluid flow cycles being initiated.