Method and apparatus for main water shut off

Abstract

An Apparatus and method using an electronically controlled solenoid valve connected to the main water supply valve is disclosed and described.

Description

INDEX TO CROSS REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application Serial No. 60/308,767 filed on Jul. 31, 2001.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a novel apparatus and method which allows for an easy and convenient system for shutting off and turning on the main water supply for an area and the prevention of floods of any magnitude

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The area of flood control is one that has received considerable attention from engineers and inventors. As anyone who has experienced a flood can readily attest, the damage caused by an interior flood can be quite severe. There are numerous patents that are directed to interior flood control. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,147,613; 6,123,093; 5,979,493; 5,971,011 all incorporated herein by reference describe various valves designed to prevent indoor flooding. They each require some type of microprocessor or electronic based system by which either water is detected, or water flow is detected. The worst interior flooding occurs when there is no one at home. The major problem with these systems is that once sufficient water has been detected, either on the floor, or through a flowmeter, the damage may have already begun. The current invention provides for a simple apparatus and method, conveniently located to encourage its use, for preventing any unwelcome water intrusion into a given area due to leaking or broken pipes, leaking of or pressure deteriorated water controlled fixtures, bursting of or damaged hoses, particularly when the area is unattended.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the prevention of indoor flooding with a simple design.

[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the prevention of indoor flooding wherein said simple design does not require any detection of water to effectuate shutting off the water at the main water supply.

[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the prevention of indoor flooding that is simple to use.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that requires no specialized training to use.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the prevention of indoor flooding that does not require detection of standing water to effectuate shutting off the water at the main water supply.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the prevention of indoor flooding that does not require detection of water flow to effectuate shutting off the water at the main water supply.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple, user friendly method for using a simple apparatus to prevent indoor flooding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the apparatus wherein the apparatus is connected to the main water supply inlet to the interior of a structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main water supply pipe coming from the main water supply shut-off valve, is fitted with a solenoid valve. The valve is electronically controlled. The valve may receive the electrical supply in any acceptable manner for supplying electrical energy to a source. This may be any of, but not limited to, a standard wall socket, hardwired, or a battery. Any suitable solenoid valve may be used in the present invention. In one embodiment, the valve is an electronically controlled solenoid valve that is in the closed position. When electric current is applied, the valve is opened. The apparatus is such that when a water supply is desired, an electrical current is opened to the valve and the valve is opened. In order to prevent flooding, the apparatus enables user to turn off the electric current, and the valve is closed. The completion of the electric circuit that allows for the current to flow to the solenoid valve may be accomplished in any acceptable manner. In one embodiment, a standard wall switch, comparable to the commonly used switch for controlling electric currents to lighting fixtures, is used. In another embodiment a wireless switch may be used. The wireless switch may be any acceptable unit that is capable of initiating and interrupting an electric current. The embodiment using a wireless device would be particularly well suited for offices apartments and condominiums, or any facility where units are individually secured. In such a setting, a facility manager or maintenance person may have a master switch that may be used to shut off one or more units in the event a flood is detected or suspected in a secured area eg. A locked office or apartment. The apparatus is particularly suited for anyone who leaves a secure location for any period of time. The apparatus is simple for the user to activate, and requires no specialized knowledge or training.

[0013] A method for using the apparatus to prevent floods would involve the steps of:

[0014] (a) entering a location,

[0015] (b) activating the electricity, said activation opens a solenoid valve connected to the main water supply valve,

[0016] (c) using the water supplied by the main water supply valve,

[0017] (d) deactivating the electricity at the desired time eg. When leaving the area where water is supplied,

[0018] One may now leave the locale where the water was used for any period of time, secure in the knowledge that there is no external supply of water and no flooding can possibly occur from any pressurized water conveying system or fixtures attached to the main water supply valve.

[0019] In another embodiment the apparatus is suitable for the external water supply of a boat which is docked. When boats are in dock, they typically are connected to a land-based water supply. If there is a flood caused by a burst water pipe, hose or fixture while the boaters are on land, the entire interior of the boat may be destroyed. In one embodiment the boat will have electrical controls, either wired or wireless to control the opening of the solenoid valve as previously described. In another embodiment, the electricity is controlled by a motion sensor. A motion sensor placed in the interior of the boat would send a signal and turn on the electric current. Said motion sensor may be placed in various strategic areas as desired. Placement of the motion sensors could include, but would not be limited to the galley, (kitchen), and the head, (lavatory). When there is no motion detected, the electric current is interrupted and the solenoid valve at the main water supply would be closed. In this embodiment, there would be no water entering an unoccupied vessel, and thus, no possibility of a flood caused by pressurized water when the vessel is unoccupied.

[0020] FIG. 1 Shows a preferred embodiment. Main water supply pipe 10 is connected to the main shut-off control valve 15 at the point of entry. Main water shut-off control valve 15 has a valve handle 20 which controls a conventional internal valve for the restriction of the flow of water through the main water shut-off control valve 15. The main water shut-off control valve is connected by a standard coupled fitting 25 to a continued section of the main water supply pipe 26. The main water supply pipe 26 is then connected to a solenoid valve 30 which is fitted with an electronic solenoid piston operation assembly 35, which is normally in the closed position. When electric current is applied, the solenoid valve is opened and allows water to flow to the various fixtures. The preferred embodiment is also fitted with a manual override lever 40 which may be used to open the solenoid valve in the event of power failure or electrical malfunction. The electronic solenoid piston operation assembly 35 is connected by a polarized power cord 45 to a polarized male plug. In this embodiment the plug is connected to a wireless electronic transceiver 55 which is inserted into a standard polarized electrical receptacle 60. An electronic wireless transmitter 75 may be placed near the interior side of the main entrance door 70, such that a user may activate the system by initiating a wireless transmission signal (depicted by 80) to the wireless electronic transceiver 55. The figure further depicts the various fixtures and appliances that are commonly connected to the water supply pipes 41, controlled by the solenoid valve 30 and 40

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, electronic solenoid piston operation assembly 35 is wired by a polarized power cord 45 directly to a conventional wall switch. This would make operation of the apparatus as easy as turning on and off a light.

[0022] While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the prevention of floods due to faulty plumbing comprising:

(a) an electronic solenoid valve

(b) means for supplying and interrupting electricity to said electronic solenoid valve.

2. The apparatus of claim I wherein said solenoid valve is connected to the main water supply valve.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said solenoid valve further comprises a manual override lever.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said solenoid valve is wired to a source of electricity.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said source of electricity is a standard receptacle plug, a hardwired inlet, or a battery.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying and interrupting electricity to said electronic solenoid valve is a wireless electronic transceiver which controls the flow of electricity.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying and interrupting electricity to said electronic solenoid valve is a standard electrical switch.

8. A method for prevention of floods due to faulty plumbing comprising the steps of:

(a) activating the electricity of an electronic solenoid valve connected to the main water supply valve, said activation opens said solenoid valve connected to the main water supply valve,

(b) using the water supplied to the main water supply valve,

(c) deactivating the electricity to the solenoid valve at the desired time, which closes the solenoid valve and prohibits water to flow through the solenoid valve which prevents the flow of water into the pipes and various fixtures.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising activating the electricity by a wireless electronic transmitter.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the ability of a facility manager or maintenance person to deactivate the electricity to the solenoid valve without entering the area where said solenoid valve is installed.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein said electronic solenoid valve connected to the main water supply valve is used in a home, apartment, condominium, office, or boat.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein said electronic solenoid valve connected to the main water supply valve is controlled by a wireless transmitter.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein said electronic solenoid valve connected to the main water supply valve is controlled by a motion detector that sends a wireless signal, or wired signal to turn on the electricity when motion is detected and allows water to flow through the pipes and supply water to the various water controlled fixtures.