Abstract: The present invention provides a leveling differential-pressure diversion peak-shaving water tank with a function of preventing stagnant water and stale water, which comprises a water storage and distribution tank, a water inlet pipeline, a water outlet pipeline and a front tank. The water inlet pipeline is arranged at the upper portion of the water storage and distribution tank and used for feeding water into the water storage and distribution tank. The water outlet pipeline is arranged at the lower portion of the water storage and distribution tank and comprises a main water outlet pipe and a plurality of water outlet branch pipes. One end of each water outlet branch pipe is connected with the main water outlet pipe. The front tank comprises a front tank water box, a front tank water inlet pipeline and a front tank water outlet pipeline. The present invention further provides a water supply pumping station.

Abstract: A precipitation reclamation system includes a downspout adapter configured to receive runoff precipitation from a precipitation channel for a structure. The downspout adapter is configured to attach to the structure at a vent that places an interior of the structure in communication with an area external to the structure. A reclamation chamber is disposed within an appliance housing. The reclamation chamber has a pump. A reclamation conduit extends from the downspout adapter to the reclamation chamber and is configured to direct the precipitation to the reclamation chamber to define reclaimed water. The pump is adapted to deliver the reclaimed water from the reclamation chamber to a portion of the structure for use.

Abstract: A grey water treatment system includes a first tank configured to receive grey water via a grey water supply conduit and that comprises an overflow, a second tank configured to store grey water, and at least one transfer conduit configured to at least transfer grey water between the first tank and the second tank. A control is configured to maintain a water level in said first tank sufficiently close to the overflow to allow floating contaminants to pass over the overflow. A method of treating grey water includes: receiving grey water in a first tank of a grey water treatment system; transferring grey water via at least one transfer conduit between the first tank and a second tank of said treatment system; and controlling a water level in said first tank sufficiently close to an overflow of said first tank to allow floating contaminants to pass over the overflow.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for the installation and wall mounting of a washbasin (23) or the like, wherein a flush-mounted box (1) for connections of the washbasin (23) and a fastening device for the fastening of the washbasin (23) on the wall are provided, wherein the flush-mounted box (1) comprises a load-bearing rear wall (2) provided with a mounting rail (4), which can be fixedly anchored to the wall (24), wherein the rear wall bears the fastening device (5) for the washbasin (23), wherein the flush-mounted box (1) comprises the connections for the water inlet (6, 7) and the drain (30) and wherein the front side of the flush-mounted box (1) is entirely covered by the rear wall (31) of the washbasin (23) once it has been mounted on the wall.

Abstract: A drinking water supply system with a drinking water line system includes multiple drinking water removal points connected to the drinking water line system, at least one sensor, which is designed to determine measurement values, and a central controller, which is designed to receive and evaluate the measurement values determined by the at least one sensor. The central controller is designed to control the control elements depending on the received measurement values. The drinking water line system has a drinking water line section for supplying drinking water to multiple drinking water removal points. A volumetric flow rate sensor is provided in order to measure the volumetric flow rate of the water in the drinking water line section and/or a pressure sensor is provided in order to measure the water pressure in the drinking water line section. The controller is designed to carry out a measure.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system for recycling and reusing water from sprinkler systems to water or irrigate a yard or an area of land. The system includes a water reclamation tank that stores water captured from beneath the area of land. When it is time to water the area of land, the sprinkler system draws water from the water reclamation tank. A portion of this water is then recaptured and supplied back to the water reclamation tank for further storage until the next time the sprinkler system is activated. This cyclical process occurs repeatedly and enables a significant reduction in the amount of freshly supplied water used to maintain the area of land.

Abstract: A precipitation reclamation system includes a downspout adapter configured to receive runoff precipitation from a precipitation channel for a structure. The downspout adapter is configured to attach to the structure at a vent that places an interior of the structure in communication with an area external to the structure. A reclamation chamber is disposed within an appliance housing. The reclamation chamber has a pump. A reclamation conduit extends from the downspout adapter to the reclamation chamber and is configured to direct the precipitation to the reclamation chamber to define reclaimed water. The pump is adapted to deliver the reclaimed water from the reclamation chamber to a portion of the structure for use.

Abstract: A drying apparatus promotes drying of a wet item while protecting a surrounding environment from moisture escaping the wet item as it dries. The apparatus includes a waterproof casing comprising one or more waterproof materials and constructed (a) to receive a wet item and (b) prevent the moisture in the wet item from contacting items in the surrounding environment. The waterproof casing also includes a drain structure at one end having an opening through which moisture from the wet item escapes the drying apparatus and one or more rigid structures extending from within the waterproof casing through the opening to create a pathway for the escaping moisture. The drying apparatus also has an intake vent positioned to draw air into the drying apparatus and direct the air over the wet item within the apparatus and through the opening in the drain structure.

Abstract: A modular building system or storage system is disclosed with a number of stacks of containers as shown in FIG. 2, the stacks being positioned within a frame structure having uprights and a horizontal grid disposed above the stacks, the grid having substantially perpendicular rails on which load handling devices can run. Containers having functions associated with a number of residential or commercial uses are moved in to and out of the stacks by the robotic handling devices running on the grid. The containers disposed in the stacks are selected by function on demand by a user. In this way the building is reconfigurable to take in to account required uses.

Abstract: A tool for use on safety showers may include a funnel, a drain system, a base, and a height adjustment mechanism. The funnel has an interior with a width wider than a showerhead of the safety shower, so that a showerhead may fit within or seal against the interior of the funnel. The drain system connected to conduct a flow from the funnel. The base supports the drain system and the funnel and may be placed on a floor beneath the showerhead, and the height adjustment mechanism may be coupled to control a height of the funnel and control sealing pressure that the funnel applies to a showerhead.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for operating a restroom appliance. The system includes a valve configured to control flow of a fluid to the restroom appliance by a valve operation, an actuator configured to request the valve operation, an indicator arranged as a ring surrounding the actuator, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator, the valve, and the indicator, the at least one controller programmed or configured to: cause the valve operation based at least partially on input received through the actuator, and control the indicator to display at least one visual state based at least partially on the valve operation.

Abstract: A shower head water collection structure includes a curved pendant, a fixing member, a temperature sensor, a temperature display, a pipe, and a water collection tank. The curved pendant is a hollow housing having a semi-circular arc shape. The curved pendant has an opening at a top thereof and a plurality of through holes at a bottom thereof. One side of the curved pendant is recessed downward from the top to form a curved groove portion for placement of a shower head. The temperature display displays the temperature of the water flowing out of the shower head detected by the temperature sensor. The pipe has one end connected to the bottom of the curved pendant and another end connected to the water collection tank. The initial water flow of the shower head flows through the through holes and the pipe to the water collection tank for recycling.

Abstract: A digitally controlled current to pressure converter (CPC) and method of controlling same is provided. The method of controlling includes the step of periodically imparting symmetrically-opposed movement of a control valve of the CPC to loosen and flush accumulated silt therefrom. More particularly, the method may include the step of periodically introducing a small-amplitude symmetrically-opposed impulse to a controller that actuates a hydraulic control shaft of a three-way rotary valve. Also provided is a method of preventing malfunction due to faulty input or feedback signals received by the CPC, and a method of detecting the health status of multiple CPCs when used in a redundant configuration.

Abstract: A real estate unit in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology includes an interior space within a commercial building, and a reusable bathroom removably disposed within the commercial building. The commercial building can include a wall between the interior space and an outdoor area. The wall can include an opening having a width within a range from two meters to seven meters. The real estate unit can further include a reusable barrier stationarily and removably disposed between the interior space and the outdoor area. A primary egress path from the interior space to the outdoor area can extend through the opening and through the reusable barrier. In at least some cases, the interior space is a purpose-built loading, storage, parking, and/or vehicle-servicing space. The real estate unit can be a lodging unit, a rentable residential unit, a rentable office unit, and/or a rentable assembly unit.

Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) includes an image capture module configured for capturing images or video in a location of the IED. The IED may also include a heat sensor for sensing heat inside or outside a housing of the IED. In one application, these techniques are implemented in IEDs such as electrical power and energy meters and used to control access to reset, configuration, billing, communication, and data acquisition/processing functions of the meters. Additionally, image processing techniques are employed by the IED to detect events in an electrical distribution system and implement control functions thereof.

Abstract: A rainwater collection system has at least one storage tank, a conveyance line, and a drain emitter. The conveyance line transfers collected water to the at least one storage tank. The drain emitter is connected to the conveyance line such that a primary portion of the collected water flows into the at least one storage tank and a secondary portion of the collected water flows out of the conveyance line through the drain emitter. The secondary portion is removed at a preset emitter flow rate sufficient to drain standing water from the conveyance line to prevent freezing of standing water within the conveyance line.

Abstract: Provided is a system, method, and apparatus for preventing repeated use of a restroom appliance with visual feedback. The system includes a valve configured to control flow of a fluid by at least one valve operation, an actuator configured to request a use of the restroom appliance, at least one indicator configured to display at least three different visual states, and at least one controller in communication with the actuator, the valve, and the at least one indicator. The at least one controller is programmed or configured to control the at least one indicator to display a first visual state, receive a plurality of requests to operate the restroom appliance exceeding a maximum number of valve operations, perform a first valve operation in response to receiving a first request, and control the at least one indicator to display a second visual state in response to performing the first valve operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems to minimize energy cost in response to time-varying energy prices are presented for a variety of different pricing scenarios. A cascaded model predictive control system is disclosed comprising an inner controller and an outer controller. The inner controller controls power use using a derivative of a temperature setpoint and the outer controller controls temperature via a power setpoint or power deferral. An optimization procedure is used to minimize a cost function within a time horizon subject to temperature constraints, equality constraints, and demand charge constraints. Equality constraints are formulated using system model information and system state information whereas demand charge constraints are formulated using system state information and pricing information. A masking procedure is used to invalidate demand charge constraints for inactive pricing periods including peak, partial-peak, off-peak, critical-peak, and real-time.

Abstract: A flush toilet comprised of a tank having a first compartment for holding a first type of water, and a second compartment for holding a second type of water. The first compartment is separated from the second compartment by a divider that prevents the first type of water from mixing with the second type of water. The first type of water can be city water while the second type of water can be rainwater.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for determining a layout and wiring estimation for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building are described herein. One method includes receiving information from a building information model associated with a building, receiving information from a pre-engineering tool associated with the building, and determining a layout and wiring estimation for an HVAC system of the building based, at least in part, on the information from the building information model and the information from the pre-engineering tool.

Abstract: A device for discharging water from an inner space of a temporary water retention tank through a first discharge passage (2), characterized in that it comprises: a conduit (1) laid out for ensuring fluidic communication between the inner space and the first discharge passage (2), the conduit (1) having an inner section (12), the surface area of which increases in the direction of flow of the water in the conduit towards the first discharge passage (2) and an obturator (3) positioned inside the conduit (1), and controlled so as to be moved inside the conduit (1) according to the water level in the inner space, the displacement of the obturator (3) in the conduit (1) allowing regulation of the leak rate through the first discharge passage (2) regardless of the water level in the inner space between a first level and a second water level.

Abstract: A dispenser and procedure for disinfecting and cleaning air conditioner condensation drainage lines and other condensation drainage lines. The dispenser can be installed at any convenient location on any floor of a home or other building, regardless of whether the location is below, above, or at the same elevation as the inlet of the condensation drainage line. The dispenser includes a liquid pump for delivering an amount of treatment fluid into a treatment delivery line and an air pump for pushing the dose of treatment fluid through the treatment delivery line and into the condensation drainage line.

Abstract: A transportable insulated water collection and storage apparatus that includes a reservoir deimitable by arrangement of a plurality of insulated, impermeable, lightweight panels, each of said panels having a foam core and a ceramic exterior adhered to the foam core by engagment around a mesh overlay disposed surficially upon said foam core, wherein runoff collected over a particular catchment is drainable through an inflow into the reservoir for storage and subsequent usage, as desired, a pump member forcibly drains water through an outflow when activated, and a cover member supportively maintains vegetative cover thereon conjunct a maximum water level, whereby rainwater and runoff is collectable and conveniently storable in a reservoir readily erectable and transportable, and thereby customizeable to a particular landscape, as desired, for subsequent use.

Abstract: A leak diverter includes a liquid collection tray structured and arranged to be positioned below and supported by a suspended ceiling; a drain in flow communication with the liquid collection tray; and a plurality of magnetic suspension assemblies connected to the liquid collection tray, the magnetic suspension assemblies being structured and arranged to magnetically couple the leak diverter to a support frame in the suspended ceiling.

Abstract: An apparatus consisting of check valves (1, 2, 3) and one or more pressure tanks (4) plumbed into a water service line to provide a method of storing, reserving and delivering said stored water through the water service line to both the water user and the water supply. This method and apparatus can be used for emergency water supply by the water user or reduce water peak demand challenges caused by fluctuating water pressure if used extensively throughout a water supply system. This method and apparatus can create individual water storage collectives that can share water between users.

Abstract: Buildings which include rudimentary plumbing can be transported as a set of disassembled modular parts and then assembled on site. The assembled building includes a water reservoir in the roof and a sewage reservoir in the base, so as to enable gravity-based water supply and sewage disposal in the absence of traditional plumbing and sewage infrastructure. Building envelope elements having internal reservoirs, and methods for constructing such building envelope elements are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and premade and/or prepositioned kits for bypassing damaged or blocked standpipes during fire or other emergencies to quickly restore water supply near the location of the fire.

Abstract: Buildings which include rudimentary plumbing can be transported as a set of disassembled modular parts and then assembled on site. The assembled building includes a water reservoir in the roof and a sewage reservoir in the base, so as to enable gravity-based water supply and sewage disposal in the absence of traditional plumbing and sewage infrastructure. Building envelope elements having internal reservoirs, and methods for constructing such building envelope elements are also described.

Abstract: An automatic rain barrel is disclosed, providing the ability to easily use a mix of rainwater and water from another source for tasks such as watering landscaping.

Abstract: A system for rainwater harvesting utilizes a rain barrel adapted for collecting and storing rainwater runoff gravity-fed from a rooftop through a downspout. A downspout diverter comprises an inlet section, an outlet section, and an elongated connector section interconnecting the inlet section and the outlet section. The inlet section has a first open end adapted for communicating with an end of the downspout and a second open end communicating with an inlet opening formed with the rain barrel. The outlet section of the diverter has a first open end communicating with an outlet (or, overflow) opening formed with the rain barrel and a second open end for directing rainwater outwardly from the rain barrel.

Abstract: A system for rainwater harvesting includes a rain barrel adapted for collecting and storing rainwater runoff gravity-fed from a rooftop through a downspout. A substantially rigid downspout diverter comprises an inlet section, an overflow section, and an elongated connector section interconnecting the inlet section and the overflow section. The inlet section has a first end adapted for communicating with an end of the downspout and a second end communicating with an inlet opening formed with the rain barrel. The overflow section has a first end communicating with an overflow opening formed with the rain barrel and a second end extending away from the rain barrel.

Abstract: A system for collecting and accumulating excess water from one or more in-building sources and delivering it to one or more flushing toilet tanks and possibly also to one or more other in-building consumption devices, such as washing machines or utility faucets. The in-building sources may include any of condensate from an air conditioner, cool water in a hot water supply pipe emerging during initial flow, treated waste water and collected rain- or snow water. At the heart of the disclosed system is an accumulation tank of large capacity, having at least two inlets and at least one outlet. One of the inlets is connected to the main water supply system and includes a valve, configured to let fresh water flow into the main tank whenever the level of the water stored therein falls below a given height.

Abstract: A pre-rinse assembly including: a base and a vertically disposed riser pipe for conveying water therethrough which has a proximal end and a distal end secured at its proximal end to the base. A hose assembly for conveying water therethrough which has a proximal end and a distal end which may be secured at its proximal end to the distal end of the vertically disposed riser pipe and a spray head assembly for expelling water therethrough may be secured to the distal end of the hose assembly. A telescoping arm assembly having a proximal end which may be pivotally mounted on the vertically disposed riser pipe and a distal end which may be pivotally mounted on the distal end of the hose or the spray head assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a drainage channel in a floor member of a screened enclosure wall frame. The drainage channel facilitates drainage (typically of water from inside the screened enclosure to outside the screened enclosure), while also providing a barrier to insects and other pests. In a first embodiment, the drainage channel includes gate openings and corresponding gates disposed directly onto each side of a floor member of a screen frame. A variant of the first embodiment includes a weeping slot on at least one side of the drainage channel. In second and third embodiments, a section of the floor member is replaced with a drain insert. A drainage channel in the drain insert may include one or more gate openings and associated gates. The drainage channel in the drain insert may also include one or more weeping slots.

Abstract: An adaptor accommodates both of the most predominant sizes of downspouts and, when positioned between an upper and lower section, diverts rainwater through an opening in a sidewall to a collection system such as one or more rain barrels. Preferably, the collection system is attached to a soaker hose which provides on-demand irrigation of a treated plot of soil. A central passageway accommodates rainwater which exceeds the capacity of the collection system.

Abstract: Device (V) for catching rainwater from a downpipe (F) comprising an opening (11), a branch pipe (5) with a sickle-shaped water-catching blade (12) comprising two halves at the end, a support member (1) traversed by the branch pipe (5) and a retainer. The branch pipe (5) engaging into the opening (11) with the water-catching blade (12) placed in the downpipe, and wherein the downpipe (F) can be fixed in the area of the support member (1) covering the opening (11) by means of the retainer (H). The retainer (H) comprises at least one undercut engagement hook (17) that can be passed through the opening (11), and an engagement hook tensioning system (S) interconnected between the support member (1) and the engagement hook (17).

Abstract: A flow guider has a guiding body, a blade edge and two tips. The guiding body has two guiding surfaces configured symmetrically with each other. Each guiding surface is convex. The blade edge is curved, is formed between and connects the guiding surfaces and has two opposite ends. The tips are formed respectively at the ends of the blade edge and each tip merges the guiding surfaces and one end of the blade edge. The flow guider divides and guides oncoming airflow or waterflow to smoothly pass across the flow guider with reduced turbulence so that vehicles or bridge piers mounted with the flow guiders suffer less vibration, shaking and damage when encountering airflow or waterflow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Pneumatic System that can be employed within the residential environment. The system includes both a section mode and a pressure mode. Both of these modes, in turn, have both a low and a high pressure range. A variety of applications are disclosed for use in conjunction with the various modes of the system. These various applications are described in greater detail hereinafter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rainwater catchment apparatus that is easily installed without renovating a building. The rainwater catchment apparatus comprises a rainwater inlet for introducing rainwater, a flange portion engaged with a peripheral portion of a rainwater outlet serving as a leading end of a drainage canal formed in a building framework for introducing rainwater in the rainwater inlet, a drain portion for discharging excessive water exceeding a predetermined level to the drainage canal, a reservoir freely fitted into the drainage canal through the rainwater outlet, and a pumping mechanism for pumping water stored in the reservoir to the outside.

Abstract: A methods and system detecting water system leaks provides detecting of water leakage having very low flows. Very low flow leaks are detected by detecting drops in a building water system pressure when the water supply source is disabled. The water system is disabled by an electrically controllable valve, which may be turned off in response to a motion detector that detects that no human activity is present in the building. The rate of pressure drop is used to determine the magnitude of the leak, and multiple thresholds can be used to detect slow leaks versus more serious leaks. A humidity detector may also be incorporated in the system to detect abnormal humidity conditions and shut the electrically controllable valve in response. Appliance current consumption can be detected and used to override motion-sensor based shut-off of the valve, so that water-consuming appliances can continue to operate.

Abstract: A gas meter device is provided which is configured in a manner that even if a user takes an unauthorized action such as the removal of a gas meter device in order to use gas without authorization, since the generation of a particular flow-rate change profile different from a normal flow-rate change profile of a gas appliance is detected, the sign of the tamper of the gas can be detected, whereby the tamper of the gas can be prevented. The gas meter device includes an appliance determining unit 6 for determining a gas appliance being used and a tamper determining unit 7 which determines that the gas is used without authorization in the case where the particular flow-rate change profile different from an appliance determining value registered in a registration storage unit 5 is generated.

Abstract: A pipe of diameter significantly less than that of the downpipe is inserted up from the bottom of the downpipe and extends up the inside of the downpipe. The upper face of this inner tube is sealed so that water does not pour into its end. The wall of the inner tube is perforated so that water can flow into it from the sides as and when the downpipe fills with water to that level. The other end of this tube is in communication with the water butt allowing the water to flow from the downpipe to the water butt until the levels equalize or that in the downpipe falls below the level of said perforations.

Abstract: Rainwater diverter comprises a base member and a sleeve member. The base member includes a tubular conduit having an upper end and a lower end sized to closely fit within an upper end of a lower downspout section. Surrounding the tubular conduit is a fluid chamber having an open upper end and a closed bottom, and a discharge opening adjacent the bottom. The sleeve member has a lower end sized to have a close sliding fit inside the open upper end of the chamber, and an upper end sized to have a close sliding fit over a lower end of an upper downspout section. The sleeve member is shaped to provide a narrow gap between the sleeve member and the upper end of the tubular conduit leading into the chamber surrounding the tubular conduit.

Abstract: A rainwater regulating system is described. An object of this invention to provide an attachment for rain gutters that allows for easy collections of rainwater into a rain barrel. It is another object of the invention to provide a gutter attachment that does not need to be removed in cold weather. It is yet another object of this invention to provide a gutter attachment that screens out debris from water prior to allowing water to enter the water barrel; said debris can be easily cleaned without removing the attachment or disturbing the barrel. It is another objective of the invention to provide a gutter attachment that allows overflow to easily flow through the gutter without causing structural damage to either the barrel or the gutter.

Abstract: A temporary drainage system for draining rain water that flows into a floor under construction to an outside of a building during construction of a multiple-story building includes: a flexible drainage collection hose connected to a penetration hole formed in a floor slab of the floor under construction; a sand-settling vessel provided on a floor slab of a constructed floor of the building and connected to the drainage collection hose; a drainage pit provided on a lowest floor of the building to store drainage water discharged from the sand-settling vessel through a drainage hose; and a drainage pump provided in the drainage pit. The drainage water collected into the drainage pit is discharged to the outside of the building by an operation of the drainage pump.

Abstract: Buildings which include rudimentary plumbing can be transported as a set of disassembled modular parts and then assembled on site. The assembled building includes a water reservoir in the roof and a sewage reservoir in the base, so as to enable gravity-based water supply and sewage disposal in the absence of traditional plumbing and sewage infrastructure. Building envelope elements having internal reservoirs, and methods for constructing such building envelope elements are also described.

Abstract: A downspout water collection and overflow system employs a downspout water diversion and overflow device which includes a body displacing a downspout section, and a plate supported in the body. The body, being hollow, has upper, lower and side portions defining top, bottom and side openings. The plate is inclined to extend laterally across the body between the upper and lower portions and through the side opening of the side portion. The plate blocks flow of water directly from the top to bottom opening of the body, diverting water flow through the side opening to a storage tank. The plate divides the side opening into upper and lower passages which allows inflow of water from the upper body portion through the upper passage above the plate to the tank and overflow of water from the tank through the lower passage below the plate to the lower body portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attachment of a fire protection sprinkler fitting to the wall-ceiling junction of existing buildings. In a J-fitting assembly of a sprinkler system is coupled to a water supply and has an exposed sprinkler head connected to it, the attachment apparatus includes a guide channel coupled to the J-fitting to facilitate fastening the fitting to the internal structure of the wall.

Abstract: A fueling station comprising an above-ground tank, above-ground piping, and above-ground fuel pump modules adapted for easy construction, installation, and maintenance.

Abstract: A system for rainwater harvesting includes a rain barrel adapted for collecting and storing rainwater runoff gravity-fed from a rooftop through a downspout. A substantially rigid downspout diverter comprises an inlet section, an overflow section, and an elongated connector section interconnecting the inlet section and the overflow section. The inlet section has a first end adapted for communicating with an end of the downspout and a second end communicating with an inlet opening formed with the rain barrel. The overflow section has a first end communicating with an overflow opening formed with the rain barrel and a second end extending away from the rain barrel.