Method and device for tapping a pipeline
AssigneeTippmann Sports, LLC
InventorTheodore G. Paraskevakos
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and device is provided for tapping an existing primary pipeline (e.g., a water supply line) without cutting the existing primary pipeline. A secondary supply line may be installed by coupling the device to a valve of the existing pipeline. In various implementations, the device may have a single port serving as both an input (i.e., an inlet) and an output (i.e., an outlet). Among other advantages, the invention may be used to avoid costly procedures of cutting supply lines, to prevent water spillage, to integrate with existing alarm and home improvement systems, and to communicate wirelessly with utility companies for billing purposes.
Claims28
A method for creating a secondary supply line without severing a primary supply line, the primary supply line having a stop valve controlled by a stop mechanism, the method comprising:
- accessing the primary supply line by removing the stop mechanism to create a stop valve opening, wherein a tapping device has an aperture for receiving the removed stop mechanism;
- and
- creating the secondary supply line by attaching the tapping device to the stop valve opening, the tapping device arranged to control the primary supply line and the secondary supply line using the received stop mechanism, wherein the tapping device has an inlet where the accessed primary supply line enters the tapping device and at least one outlet where the accessed primary supply line exits the tapping device.
A method for creating a secondary supply line without severing a primary supply line, the primary supply line having a stop valve controlled by a stop mechanism, the method comprising:
- accessing the primary supply line by removing the stop mechanism to create a stop valve opening;
- creating the secondary supply line by attaching a tapping device to the stop valve opening, the tapping device having an inlet where the accessed primary supply line enters the tapping device, and at least one outlet where the accessed primary supply line exits the tapping device;
- measuring flow through the tapping device;
- and
- automatically stopping the flow in at least one of the primary supply line or the secondary supply line in response to the measured flow through the tapping device exceeding a predetermined threshold.
A method for creating a secondary supply line without severing a primary supply line, the primary supply line having a stop valve controlled by a stop mechanism, the method comprising:
- accessing the primary supply line by removing the stop mechanism to create a stop valve opening;
- creating the secondary supply line by attaching a tapping device to the stop valve opening, the tapping device having an inlet where the accessed primary supply line enters the tapping device, and at least one outlet where the accessed primary supply line exits the tapping device;
- and
- generating electricity using kinetic motion within the tapping device.
A device for creating a secondary supply line without severing a primary supply line, comprising:
- an inlet where flow from the primary supply line enters the device, the inlet including an attachment mechanism suitable for attaching the device to a stop valve of the primary supply line;
- an outlet where the flow entering the device from the inlet exits the device;
- and
- a rotating impeller that generates kinetic energy as the flow passes through the device, wherein the flow passing through the device includes the flow entering the device from the inlet and exiting the device through the outlet.
A device for creating a secondary supply line without severing a primary supply line, comprising:
- an inlet where flow from the primary supply line enters the device, the inlet including an attachment mechanism suitable for attaching the device to a stop valve of the primary supply line;
- an outlet where the flow entering the device from the inlet exits the device;
- a measuring mechanism for measuring the flow through the device;
- and
- a stop mechanism for automatically stopping the flow in at least one of the primary supply line or the secondary supply line in response to the measured flow through the device exceeding a predetermined threshold.
A device for creating a secondary supply line without severing a primary supply line, the device comprising:
- an inlet where flow from the primary supply line enters the device, the inlet including an attachment mechanism suitable for attaching the device to a stop valve of the primary supply line;
- an outlet where the flow entering the device from the primary supply line exits the device;
- and
- a communication mechanism for exchanging data between the device and an external system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.