MAINTENANCE FREE LEAK STOP VALVE SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for automatically shutting off fluid flow through a fluid inlet line of a water heater upon detection of a leak of the water heater. The system may include an electrically powered shutoff assembly operatively coupled to the fluid inlet line, and a capacitor operatively coupled to the electrically powered shutoff assembly. The electrically powered shutoff assembly may be configured to shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line upon detection of a leak of the water heater, and the capacitor may be configured to store power received from an external power source. Accordingly, when the electrically powered shutoff assembly does not have access to electric power, the capacitor may power the electrically powered shutoff assembly to shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/402,791, filed Aug. 31, 2022, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally in the field of automated water heater shutoff systems and more particularly shutoff systems with a backup capacitor.

BACKGROUND

One of the primary issues with any device that handles fluids is the risk for potential leaks. Plumbing supply system failures are the number one source of water loss according to the National Insurance Institute. An average water damage claim may cost roughly $7,000 or more. For example, water leaking through a ⅛ diameter crack can cause a loss of up to 250 gallons of water per day. Accordingly, prevention of such leakage could save homeowners and businesses costly damages and time.

The foregoing background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present disclosure. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an automated valve shutoff system for a water heater having a capacitor and hydroturbine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative automated valve shutoff system for a water heater having an electrically powered capacitor constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative automated valve shutoff system for a water heater having a manually powered capacitor constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative automated valve shutoff system for a water heater having a solar powered capacitor constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative automated valve shutoff system for a water heater having a wirelessly powered capacitor constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative automated valve shutoff system for a water heater having a TEG powered capacitor constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative automated valve shutoff system for a water heater having a capacitor and conductive circuit constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for automatically shutting off a valve in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to valve shutoff systems having a backup power source, e.g., a capacitor, that may be used in commercially available water heaters, e.g., both gas and electric. Current leak stop solutions include using conventional power sources such as batteries or power from an electric outlet to function. Although these leak stop valves are reliable, they either require power from the electric outlet or the battery to operate. Accordingly, leak stop valves powered by an electric outlet will not function without power, e.g., during a power outage, and battery powered leak stop valves require the battery to be replaced at regular intervals. Other current leak stop solutions include non-powered leak stop valves, which may function by utilizing a mechanical trigger which responds to the presence of water. For example, current mechanical trigger valves available in the market use expanding material, e.g., foam, as a trigger. The drawback with these mechanical trigger valves is that the expanding material may not have enough strength to shut larger valves within a short window.

The objective is to have a mechanism that can supply power to an electrically powered valve shutoff system to effectively shut off the water supply to a water heater even in absence of an external power source, e.g., due to a power outage, a dead battery, or by virtue of a gas water heater being disposed in a location where an electrical connection is not readily available.

Some representative embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with example reference to the accompanying drawings that illustrate embodiments of the invention. Embodiments may take many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those appropriately skilled in the art.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an automated valve shutoff system for use with a water heater having a fluid inlet line is provided. The system may include an electrically powered shutoff assembly operatively coupled to the fluid inlet line, and a capacitor operatively coupled to the electrically powered shutoff assembly. The electrically powered shutoff assembly may be configured to shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line upon detection of a leak of the water heater, and the capacitor may be configured to store power received from an external power source. Accordingly, when the electrically powered shutoff assembly does not have access to electric power, the capacitor may power the electrically powered shutoff assembly to shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line.

The electrically powered shutoff assembly may be configured to be electrically powered via an electrical outlet, such that the capacitor may power the electrically powered shutoff assembly when the electrical outlet cannot provide electric power to the electrically powered shutoff assembly. The electrically powered shutoff assembly may include an internal battery configured to electrically power the electrically powered shutoff assembly, such that the capacitor powers the electrically powered shutoff assembly when the internal battery is dead. Moreover, the electrically powered shutoff assembly may include a sensor configured to detect the leak of the water heater. In addition, the electrically powered shutoff assembly may include a motor operatively coupled to a valve fluidicly coupled to the fluid inlet line, such that the motor is configured to cause the valve to shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line upon detection of the leak of the water heater. The valve may be, for example, a ball valve or a gate valve. In some embodiments, the capacitor may be a supercapacitor.

The external power source may include a hydroturbine fluidicly coupled to the fluid inlet line and operatively coupled to the capacitor. The hydroturbine may include a generator configured to generate electrical energy via fluid flow through the fluid inlet line to provide power to the capacitor. Moreover, the fluid line may include a main branch and a secondary branch in parallel to the main branch, such that the hydroturbine may be fluidicly coupled to the secondary branch of the fluid inlet line.

Additionally or alternatively, the external power source may include a mechanical crank operatively coupled to the capacitor. The mechanical crank may include a generator configured to generate electrical energy via actuation of the mechanical crank to provide power to the capacitor. Additionally or alternatively, the external power source may include a solar panel operatively coupled to the capacitor. The solar panel may include a generator configured to generate electrical energy via light interaction with the solar panel to provide power to the capacitor. Additionally or alternatively, the external power source may include wireless charger operatively coupled to the capacitor. The wireless charger may be configured to receive electrical energy from an external wireless energy emitting hub.

Additionally or alternatively, the external power source may include a thermoelectric generator (TEG) assembly including a hot tank having a first fluid therein and operatively coupled to the water heater, and a cold tank having a second fluid therein. The first fluid may have a first temperature, and the second fluid may have a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The TEG assembly further may include a TEG array operatively coupled to the capacitor, the hot tank, and the cold tank. The TEG array may be configured to generate electrical energy based on a temperature differential between the first and second temperatures to provide power to the capacitor, e.g., via the Peltier effect. In addition, the TEG assembly further may include a circulation pump in fluid communication with the hot tank. The circulation pump may have circuitry programmed to cause the circulation pump to pump fluid from the hot tank across a valve to the cold tank to achieve a predetermined temperature differential between the first and second temperatures. Moreover, the circulation pump may be operatively coupled to the capacitor, such that the capacitor provides power to the circulation pump.

The capacitor may be operatively coupled to the electrically powered shutoff assembly via an electric circuit configured to transition from an open state to a closed state upon detection of the leak of the water heater, such that the capacitor powers the electrically powered shutoff assembly when the electric circuit is in the closed state. For example, the electric circuit may be disposed within a container in fluid communication with fluid leaking from the water heater. The container may include a salt material, such that as fluid enters the container, the salt material dissolves thereby forming a conductive fluid mixture configured to transition the electric circuit to the closed state. Moreover, the electric circuit may include an anode and a cathode disposed within the container.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, another automated valve shutoff system for use with a water heater having a fluid inlet line is provided. The system may include an electrically powered shutoff assembly operatively coupled to the fluid inlet line, and a capacitor operatively coupled to the electrically powered shutoff assembly via an electric circuit. The electrically powered shutoff assembly may be configured to shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line upon detection of a leak of the water heater, and the capacitor may be configured to store power received from an external power source. Accordingly, upon detection of a leak of the water heater, the electric circuit may be configured to transition from an open state where power is not transmissible from the capacitor to the electrically powered shutoff assembly to a closed state where the capacitor powers the electrically powered shutoff assembly to thereby shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for automatically shutting off fluid flow through a fluid inlet line of a water heater is provided. The method may include charging a capacitor electrically coupled to an electrically powered shutoff assembly via an electric circuit, the electrically powered shutoff assembly operatively coupled to the fluid inlet line; detecting a leak of the water heater; transitioning the electric circuit from an open state to a closed state upon detection of the leak of the water heater; and transmitting power from the capacitor to the electrically powered shutoff assembly via the electric circuit in the closed state to thereby shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line of the water heater when the electrically powered shutoff assembly does not have access to electric power.

Charging the capacitor may include charging the capacitor via at least one of a hydroturbine fluidicly coupled to the fluid inlet line and operatively coupled to the capacitor, a mechanical crank operatively coupled to the capacitor, a solar panel operatively coupled to the capacitor, a wireless charger operatively coupled to the capacitor and an external wireless energy emitting hub, or a TEG assembly operatively coupled to the water heater and the capacitor. Moreover, transitioning the electric circuit from the open state to the closed state may include dissolving a salt material disposed in a container with the electric circuit via fluid leaking from the water heater to form a conductive fluid mixture configured to transition the electric circuit to the closed state.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an automated valve shutoff system is provided. System 100 includes a water heater or other appliance, e.g., water heater 101, shutoff assembly 106 operatively coupled to fluid inlet line 102 of water heater 101, capacitor 108 electrically coupled to shutoff assembly 106, and an external power source for charging capacitor 108, e.g., hydroturbine 110. Fluid inlet line 102 may supply fluid to water heater 101. As shown in FIG. 1, fluid inlet line 102 may be coupled to water heater 101 at an upper portion of water heater 101. Alternatively, the fluid inlet line of a water heater or other appliance may be coupled to another portion of the water heater or appliance, and further may extend along additional portions of the water heater or appliance, such as along the side and/or around the lower portions of the water heater or appliance. In addition, water heater 101 may include line 104 for coupling water heater 101 to a hot water circuit. Water heater 101 may include a drain tray disposed at a lower portion of water heater 101 for collecting fluid leaking from water heater 101. Alternatively, fluid leaking from water heater 101 may be collected via a container separate from water heater 101, as described in further detail below.

Shutoff assembly 106 is electrically powered and may be operatively coupled to fluid inlet line 102, such that shutoff assembly 106 may be actuated, e.g., upon detection of a leak of water heater 101, to shut off fluid flow through fluid inlet line 102 and into water heater 101. For example, shutoff assembly 106 may be powered via an electric outlet and/or may have an internal battery. Moreover, shutoff assembly 106 may be operatively coupled to a leak detection system. For example, shutoff assembly 106 may include a leak sensor integrated with shutoff assembly 106 configured to detect a leak of water heater 101. In addition, shutoff assembly 106 may include a motor for actuating a valve fluidicly coupled to fluid inlet line 102, to thereby shut off fluid flow through fluid inlet line 102. For example, the valve may be a ball valve, a gate valve, or any other electrically powered valve. Shutoff assembly 106 may be coupled to the fluid inlet line of commercially available water heaters at the time of installation and/or may be retrofitted to be coupled to the fluid inlet line of any commercially available water heater subsequently post-installation.

As shutoff assembly 106 requires power to operate, there may be situations when shutoff assembly 106 does not have access to power, e.g., due to a power outage, a dead battery, or by virtue of the water heater 101 being disposed in a location where an electrical connection is not readily available. Accordingly, capacitor 108 may be electrically coupled to shutoff assembly 106, e.g., via an electric circuit, such that capacitor 108 may provide power to shutoff assembly 106 when shutoff assembly 106 does not have access to another external power source. The electric circuit may be transitional between an open state where power may not be transmitted from capacitor 108 to shutoff assembly 106, and a closed state where power may be transmitted from capacitor 108 to shutoff assembly 106. For example, the electrical circuit may transition from the open state to the closed state upon detection of a leak of water heater 101, as described in further detail below with regard to FIG. 7.

Capacitor 108 is configured to be charged via an external power source, e.g., hydroturbine 110, and to store power therein for providing power to shutoff assembly 106 when necessary. For example, capacitor 108 may be a supercapacitor. As shown in FIG. 1, the external power source may be hydroturbine 110. Hydroturbine 110 is configured to be electrically coupled to capacitor 108, and fluidly coupled to fluid inlet line 102. Hydroturbine 110 may include a generator configured to generate electrical energy from fluid flow across hydroturbine 110. For example, the generator is configured to convert kinetic energy of the fluid flow into electrical energy, which may be transmitted to and stored by capacitor 108.

As shown in FIG. 1, fluid inlet line 102 may include a main branch for directing fluid flow directly into water heater 101, and a second branch fluidicly coupled to hydroturbine 110 for directing fluid flow across hydroturbine 110 and into water heater 101. Accordingly, fluid flow through fluid inlet line 102 may flow in parallel across the main and secondary branches. Alternatively, hydroturbine 110 may be directly fluidly coupled to the main branch of fluid inlet line 102. Additional or alternative external power sources for charging capacitor 108 are described in further detail below with regard to FIGS. 2-6. As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, any combination of the external power sources described herein may be used to charge capacitor 108.

Referring now to FIG. 2, automated valve shutoff system 200 may include electrical power cord 201 operatively coupled to capacitor 108 for providing power to capacitor 108 via an electric outlet. For example, power cord 201 may be plugged into an electric outlet to charge capacitor 108. Accordingly, during an event such as a power outage when shutoff assembly 108 does not have access to power, capacitor 108 may transmit the stored power to shutoff assembly 106 to thereby shut off fluid flow through fluid inlet line 102. In some embodiments, capacitor 108 may be removably coupled to shutoff assembly 106, such that capacitor 108 may be electrically charged via power cord 201, e.g., in another location remote from shutoff assembly 106, and then subsequently electrically coupled to shutoff assembly 106. This may be useful, for example, when shutoff assembly 106 is battery powered and/or water heater 101 is disposed in a location without access to an electric outlet.

Referring now to FIG. 3, automated valve shutoff system 300 may include mechanical crank 301, e.g., a hand crank, operatively coupled to capacitor 108 for providing power to capacitor 108. Mechanical crank 301 may include a generator configured to generate electrical energy via actuation of mechanical crank 301. For example, the generator is configured to convert mechanical energy from rotation of the hand crank into electrical energy, which may be transmitted to and stored by capacitor 108. Accordingly, capacitor 108 may store power generated by mechanical crank 301, and transmit the stored power to shutoff assembly 106 to thereby shut off fluid flow through fluid inlet line 102 when shutoff assembly 108 does not have access to power.

Referring now to FIG. 4, automated valve shutoff system 400 may include solar panel 401 operatively coupled to capacitor 108 for providing power to capacitor 108. Solar panel 401 may include a generator configured to generate electrical energy via interaction of light with solar panel 401. For example, the generator is configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy, which may be transmitted to and stored by capacitor 108. As shown in FIG. 4, solar panel 401 may be directly disposed on capacitor 108. Alternatively, solar panel 108 may be disposed in another location of system 400, e.g., where solar panel 108 may have optimum exposure to light. For example, solar panel 401 may be disposed on shutoff assembly 106, on water heater 104, or outside in direct sunlight. Accordingly, solar panel 108 may be electrically coupled to capacitor 108 via an electric circuit.

Referring now to FIG. 5, automated valve shutoff system 500 may include wireless charger 502 operatively coupled to capacitor 108 for providing power to capacitor 108. Wireless charger 502 may be configured to receive electrical energy wirelessly from wireless energy emitting hub 501. For example, hub 501 may be plugged into an electric outlet and may emit wireless electrical energy within a predetermined proximity around hub 501, such that wireless charger 502 may receive the electrical energy when wireless charger 502 is within the predetermine proximity. Accordingly, wireless charger 502 may transmit the received electrical energy to capacitor 108 for storage therein. This may be useful, for example, when water heater 101 is disposed in a location without access to an electric outlet.

Referring now to FIG. 6, automated valve shutoff system 600 may include TEG assembly 601 operatively coupled to water heater 101 and capacitor 108 for providing power to capacitor 108. TEG assembly 601 is configured to generate electrical energy based on a temperature differential across TEG assembly 601. TEG assembly 601 may include hot tank 604 configured to hold fluid therein, and may be operatively coupled to a heat source, e.g., water heater 101. For example, hot tank 604 may be operatively coupled to water heater 101 via a heat conductive rod or wire, e.g., rod 602, such that heat generated from water heater 101 heats rod 602, thereby heating the fluid within hot tank 604. In some embodiments, an end of heat rod 602 may be disposed within water heater 101. Moreover, TEG assembly 601 may include cold tank 606 configured to hold fluid therein, and which may be in fluid communication with hot tank 604 via valve 612. Accordingly, in some instances, energy extracted from heated water may be used to charge capacitor 108.

TEG assembly 601 further may include circulation pump 610 in fluidic communication with hot tank 604, and having circuitry programmed to actuate circulation pump 610 to pump fluid from hot tank 604 across valve 612 into cold tank 606 to heat the fluid within cold tank 606 to achieve a predetermined pressure differential between hot tank 604 and cold tank 606. Accordingly, TEG assembly 601 may include one or more sensors operatively coupled to the circuitry of circulation pump 610 and to hot tank 604 and cold tank 606 to measure the fluid temperature in each tank, and generate signals for transmission to and processing by the circuitry of circulation pump 610. In some embodiments, the circuitry further may actuate valve 612 to permit fluid to flow from hot tank 604 to cold tank 606.

TEG array 608 of TEG assembly 601 may be operatively coupled between hot tank 604 and cold tank 606, and configured to generate electrical energy based on the predetermined temperature differential between hot tank 604 and cold tank 606, e.g., through the Peltier effect. Accordingly, TEG array 608 may be operatively coupled to capacitor 108 via an electric circuit, e.g., a conductive wire, to thereby transfer the generated electrical energy to capacitor 108 for storage. Capacitor 108 further may be operatively coupled to circulation pump 610 to thereby provide power to circulation pump 610. As shown in FIG. 6, one or more of the components of TEG assembly 601 may be disposed within housing 614. Alternatively, capacitor 108 may be external to housing 614. Housing 614 may be insulated to maintain the predetermined temperature differential between hot tank 604 and cold tank 606, e.g., with polystyrene insulation. In addition, housing 614 may include a plurality of cooling fins 616 configured to facilitate cooling of internal components of TEG assembly 601.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an automated valve shutoff system 700 having an electric circuit that remains open until a leak is detected is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the electric circuit electrically coupling capacitor 108 and shutoff assembly 106 may be disposed within container 701. Container 701 may be integrated with water heater 101, e.g., a drain tray configured to collect fluid leaking from water heater 101, or may be separate from water heater 101. Container 701 is in fluid communication with water heater 101, such that container 701 may collect fluid leaking from water heater 101. Moreover, container 701 may have a salt material disposed therein, which may dissolve upon interaction with fluid within container 701. For example, the salt material may dissolve as fluid leaking from water heater 101 enters container 701. As the salt material dissolves, a conductive fluid mixture is formed within container 701.

The electric circuit coupling capacitor 108 and shutoff assembly 106 may be disposed within container 701 in an open state. For example, the electric circuit may include an anode and a cathode that are not electrically coupled. Upon formation of the conductive fluid mixture responsive to a leak of water heater 101, the conductive fluid mixture electrically couples the anode and cathode of the electric circuit, thereby forming a closed circuit between capacitor 108 and shutoff assembly 106. Accordingly, when there is a leak sufficient to form the conductive fluid mixture, the electric circuit transitions from an open state to a closed state such that capacitor 108 may transmit power to shutoff assembly 106.

Although FIG. 7 illustrates system 700 having hydroturbine 110 as the external power source for charging capacitor 108, system 700 may be used with any combination of external power sources described herein, e.g., a power cord, a mechanical crank, a solar panel, a wireless charger, a TEG assembly, etc. For example, the container having a salt material disposed therein may be used with the electric circuit coupling the capacitor and the shutoff assembly in any of systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 600, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the conductive salt fluid mixture may be used to generate electrical energy sufficient to power the valve shutoff assembly, e.g., without a backup capacitor.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a method 800 for automatically shutting off a valve fluidicly coupled to the fluid inlet line of a water heater using any of the valve shutoff systems described herein is provided. At step 802, the system detects a leak of the water heater, e.g., via a leak sensor operatively coupled to the valve shutoff assembly. At step 804, the system determines whether the shutoff assembly has access to a power supply, e.g., via an electric outlet coupled to the shutoff assembly or an internal battery of the shutoff assembly. For example, there may be no power supply to the shutoff assembly during a power outage, when the internal battery is dead, or when the water heater is disposed in a location without access to an electric outlet.

If there is power supply available to the shutoff assembly, the power, e.g., from the electric outlet or the internal battery, is used to power the shutoff assembly to thereby shut off flow fluid through the fluid inlet line of the water heater upon detection of a leak of the water heater. If there is no power supply available to the shutoff assembly, the power stored in the capacitor electrically coupled to the shutoff assembly is used to power the shutoff assembly to thereby shut off flow fluid through the fluid inlet line of the water heater upon detection of a leak of the water heater.

Modifications and variations of the methods and devices described herein will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the foregoing detailed description. Such modifications and variations are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An automated valve shutoff system for use with a water heater having a fluid inlet line, the system comprising:

an electrically powered shutoff assembly operatively coupled to the fluid inlet line, the electrically powered shutoff assembly configured to shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line upon detection of a leak of the water heater; and

a capacitor operatively coupled to the electrically powered shutoff assembly, the capacitor configured to store power received from an external power source,

wherein, when the electrically powered shutoff assembly does not have access to electric power, the capacitor powers the electrically powered shutoff assembly to shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line.

2. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 1, wherein the electrically powered shutoff assembly is configured to be electrically powered via an electrical outlet, and wherein the capacitor powers the electrically powered shutoff assembly when the electrical outlet cannot provide electric power to the electrically powered shutoff assembly.

3. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 1, wherein the electrically powered shutoff assembly comprises an internal battery configured to electrically power the electrically powered shutoff assembly, and wherein the capacitor powers the electrically powered shutoff assembly when the internal battery is dead.

4. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 1, wherein the electrically powered shutoff assembly comprises a sensor configured to detect the leak of the water heater.

5. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 1, wherein the electrically powered shutoff assembly comprises a motor operatively coupled to a valve fluidicly coupled to the fluid inlet line, the motor configured to cause the valve to shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line upon detection of the leak of the water heater.

6. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 5, wherein the valve comprises a ball valve or a gate valve.

7. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 1, wherein the capacitor comprises a supercapacitor.

8. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 1, wherein the external power source comprises a hydroturbine fluidicly coupled to the fluid inlet line and operatively coupled to the capacitor, the hydroturbine comprising a generator configured to generate electrical energy via fluid flow through the fluid inlet let to provide power to the capacitor.

9. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 8, wherein the fluid line comprises a main branch and a secondary branch in parallel to the main branch, and wherein the hydroturbine is fluidicly coupled to the secondary branch of the fluid inlet line.

10. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 1, wherein the external power source comprises a mechanical crank operatively coupled to the capacitor, the mechanical crank comprising a generator configured to generate electrical energy via actuation of the mechanical crank to provide power to the capacitor.

11. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 1, wherein the external power source comprises a solar panel operatively coupled to the capacitor, the solar panel comprising a generator configured to generate electrical energy via light interaction with the solar panel to provide power to the capacitor.

12. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 1, wherein the external power source comprises wireless charger operatively coupled to the capacitor, the wireless charger configured to receive electrical energy from an external wireless energy emitting hub.

13. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 1, wherein the external power source comprises a thermoelectric generator (TEG) assembly, the TEG assembly comprising:

a hot tank having a first fluid therein and operatively coupled to the water heater, the first fluid comprising a first temperature;

a cold tank having a second fluid therein, the second fluid comprising a second temperature lower than the first temperature;

a TEG array operatively coupled to the capacitor, the hot tank, and the cold tank, the TEG array configured to generate electrical energy based on a temperature differential between the first and second temperatures to provide power to the capacitor.

14. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 13, wherein the TEG assembly further comprises:

a circulation pump in fluid communication with the hot tank, the circulation pump having circuitry programmed to cause the circulation pump to pump fluid from the hot tank across a valve to the cold tank to achieve a predetermined temperature differential between the first and second temperatures,

wherein the circulation pump is operatively coupled to the capacitor, such that the capacitor provides power to the circulation pump.

15. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 13, wherein the TEG array is configured to generate electrical energy based on a temperature differential between the first and second temperatures via the Peltier effect.

16. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 1, wherein the capacitor is operatively coupled to the electrically powered shutoff assembly via an electric circuit configured to transition from an open state to a closed state upon detection of the leak of the water heater, and wherein the capacitor powers the electrically powered shutoff assembly when the electric circuit is in the closed state.

17. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 16, wherein the electric circuit is disposed within a container in fluid communication with fluid leaking from the water heater, the container comprising a salt material, such that as fluid enters the container, the salt material dissolves thereby forming a conductive fluid mixture configured to transition the electric circuit to the closed state.

18. The automated valve shutoff system of claim 17, wherein the electric circuit comprises an anode and a cathode disposed within the container.

19. An automated valve shutoff system for use with a water heater having a fluid inlet line, the system comprising:

an electrically powered shutoff assembly operatively coupled to the fluid inlet line, the electrically powered shutoff assembly configured to shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line upon detection of a leak of the water heater; and

a capacitor operatively coupled to the electrically powered shutoff assembly via an electric circuit, the capacitor configured to store power received from an external power source,

wherein, upon detection of a leak of the water heater, the electric circuit is configured to transition from an open state where power is not transmissible from the capacitor to the electrically powered shutoff assembly to a closed state where the capacitor powers the electrically powered shutoff assembly to thereby shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line.

20. A method for automatically shutting off fluid flow through a fluid inlet line of a water heater, the method comprising:

charging a capacitor electrically coupled to an electrically powered shutoff assembly via an electric circuit, the electrically powered shutoff assembly operatively coupled to the fluid inlet line;

detecting a leak of the water heater;

transitioning the electric circuit from an open state to a closed state upon detection of the leak of the water heater; and

transmitting power from the capacitor to the electrically powered shutoff assembly via the electric circuit in the closed state to thereby shut off fluid flow through the fluid inlet line of the water heater when the electrically powered shutoff assembly does not have access to electric power.