Water flow sensing device

A water flow measuring device having a shutoff valve incorporated into a housing and including:

• a) a movable sleeve contained within the housing such that water flow through the valve is constrained to flow through the sleeve;
• b) a cooperating insert that projects into one end of the sleeve such that in a water flow condition a metering opening is defined between the sleeve and the sleeve insert such that water flows about the insert and through the sleeve opening;
• c) wherein in a no flow condition, the metering opening between the sleeve insert and the sleeve is substantially closed while the metering opening progressively increases in size as the flow of water increases through the flow measuring device;
• and
• d) a transducer for converting the movement of the sleeve to a measurement of water flow through the shutoff valve.

A method of communicating to a central security station information as to the existence of a leak in a water pipe of a building, comprising:

• a) detecting a leak in the water pipe;
• b) sending an alert signal to a security controller within the building;
• c) directing a second alert signal containing information relative to the existence of a leak from the security controller to a central security station removed from the building;
• d) sending the alert signal from an automatic shutoff valve in the water pipe to an intermediate controller prior to sending the alert signal to the security controller in the building.

A system for detecting a leakage in a water pipe network, comprising:

• a) an automatic shutoff valve, connected in at least one line of the water pipe network, for detecting a water leakage somewhere in the water pipe network;
• b) a security controller operatively connected to the automatic shutoff valve for receiving a signal from the valve that indicates a leakage in the water pipe network;
• c) wherein the security controller is operatively connected to a remote station and is operative to direct signals to the remote station indicating the presence of a water leakage in the water pipe network;
• d) an intermediate controller operatively positioned between the automatic shutoff valve and the security controller for controlling the automatic shutoff valve.

A fluid flow sensor comprising:

• a) a fluid communication path;
• b) an assembly within said fluid communication path comprising a moveable sleeve portion moveable in responsive to fluid pressure and a stationary insert portion;
• c) a spring for biasing said moveable sleeve portion to a no-flow position with respect to said stationary insert portion;
• d) wherein in response to fluid pressure, said moveable sleeve portion moves from said no-flow position to a flow position;
• e) wherein when the sleeve assumes the flow position, water flows about the stationary insert and through the moveable sleeve;
• f) a transducer for sensing the movement of the sleeve;
• and
• g) a processor for determining the flow rate of water through the fluid communication path based on the sensed movement of the sleeve by the transducer.

A method of measuring the flow of water through an automatic shut off valve comprising:

• a) directing water into and through the automatic shut off valve;
• b) in response to the water pressure within the valve moving a moveable flow measuring element relative to a stationary element and directing the flow of water around the stationary element and through an opening formed completely through the moveable flow measuring element;
• c) determining the flow rate of water through the automatic shut off valve based on the magnitude of the movement of the moveable flow measuring element;
• and
• d) if the measured flow rate of water passing through the automatic shut off valve equals or exceeds a predetermined flow condition, then actuating a valve that shuts off the flow of water through the automatic shut off valve.

A fluid flow sensor comprising:

• a fluid communication path;
• an assembly within said fluid communication path comprising a relatively movable portion responsive to fluid pressure and a relatively stationary portion, wherein said relatively stationary portion includes a cylindrical portion and a tapered portion, said relatively moveable portion includes a toroidal portion with a passageway therethrough, a diameter of said cylindrical portion being substantially equal to a diameter of said passageway, wherein in a rest position said cylindrical portion blocks fluid flow through said passageway, and wherein in response to fluid pressure, said relatively moveable portion moves so that said tapered portion is in said passageway thereby allowing fluid flow therethrough;
• means for biasing said relatively movable portion to a rest position with respect to said relatively stationary position wherein said assembly has substantially no flow area;
• wherein, in response to fluid pressure, said relatively movable portion moves from said rest position to a position wherein said assembly has flow area;
• means for determining a position of said relatively movable portion;
• and
• means for determining a flowrate through said fluid communication path responsive to said means for determining a position of said relatively movable portion.

A method for sensing fluid flow comprising the steps of:

• providing a fluid communication path;
• providing an assembly within said fluid communication path comprising a relatively movable portion including a toroidal portion with a passageway therethrough responsive to fluid pressure, a relatively stationary portion including a cylindrical portion and a tapered portion, a diameter of said cylindrical portion being substantially equal to a diameter of said passageway, and a means for determining a position of said relatively movable portion;
• biasing said relatively movable portion to a rest position with respect to said relatively stationary portion wherein said assembly has substantially no flow area, wherein in said rest position said cylindrical portion blocks fluid flow through said passageway;
• moving, in response to fluid pressure, said relatively movable portion from said rest position to a position wherein said assembly has flow area, wherein in response to fluid pressure, said relatively moveable portion moves so that said tapered portion is in said passageway thereby allowing fluid flow therethrough;
• determining a position of said relatively movable portion;
• determining a flowrate through said fluid communication path responsive to said means for determining a position of said relatively movable portion;
• and
• terminating flow through the fluid communication path responsive to said step of determining a flowrate through said fluid communication path.