Remotely operable vent stop

Abstract

A wireless signal is propagated via a communication channel and received by a vent stop. The vent stop, upon receiving and decoding the signal, conducts an electric current to release the vent stop from a plumbing vent. In one embodiment, an intralumen audio signal is communicated to the vent stop and an adhesive joint securing the vent stop to the vent pipe is released upon passing an electric current through the joint. In one embodiment, an electric motor or solenoid releases the stop from the vent pipe. A spring or other energy storage device ejects the stop from the vent pipe following release.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system comprising: 
 a plumbing vent stop; and    a bonded joint including an electrically releasable adhesive and wherein the vent stop is released upon release of the adhesive.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further including an electric current producing means coupled to the joint.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  further including a wireless transducer coupled to the current producing means and wherein a current is passed through the joint upon receipt of a signal received by the transducer.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further including a coupler adapted for affixation to a plumbing vent and wherein the coupler and the vent stop are held in alignment by the joint.  
     
     
         5 . The system of claim I further including an energy storage device coupled to the vent stop and adapted for urging displacement of the vent stop upon release of the adhesive.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the vent stop includes a plumbing plug.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the vent stop includes a plumbing cap.  
     
     
         8 . A system comprising: 
 a plumbing vent stop;    a vent stop releasing means coupled to the vent stop and adapted to selectively open a plumbing vent; and    signal receiver means adapted to actuate the vent stop releasing means upon receipt of a predetermined signal.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the vent stop releasing means includes an electrically releasable adhesive.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the vent stop releasing means includes a motor.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the signal receiver means includes a wireless receiver.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the signal receiver means includes an audio transducer.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the audio transducer is responsive to audio propagated within the plumbing vent.  
     
     
         14 . A method comprising: 
 coupling an audio transducer to a pipe;    driving the transducer with a modulated audio frequency signal; and    operating an actuator coupled to the pipe in response to receiving the modulated audio frequency signal at the actuator.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein coupling the audio transducer to the pipe includes affixing a transducer to a fitting.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein driving the transducer with the modulated audio frequency signal includes propagating a signal with a carrier frequency of approximately 3 kilo Hertz (kHz).  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein driving the transducer with the modulated audio frequency signal includes propagating a signal with a modulation frequency of approximately 3 Hertz (Hz).  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein driving the transducer with the modulated audio frequency signal includes driving the transducer with a fully modulated signal.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein operating the actuator includes opening a vent.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  further including generating an electrical control signal after receiving the modulated audio frequency signal.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus comprising: 
 an annular sealing surface;    an actuator coupled to the annular sealing surface and adapted to selectively disengage the annular sealing surface from a mating surface;    a wireless receiver coupled to the actuator; and    a spring coupled to the annular sealing surface and adapted to urge disengagement of the annular sealing surface from the mating surface; and    wherein the wireless receiver is adapted to provide a signal for controlling the actuator.    
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the mating surface further includes a plumbing coupler adapted for affixation to a plumbing vent.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the actuator includes an adhesive.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the adhesive includes an electrically disbanding adhesive.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the wireless receiver includes an audio frequency signal receiver.  
     
     
         26 . A device comprising: 
 a plumbing stop;    a coupling adapted to mate with the plumbing stop;    an adhesive joint having adhesive disposed therein and    wherein an airtight seal is formed between the plumbing stop and the coupling when the adhesive is cured.    
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26  wherein the plumbing stop and coupling are freely separable when the adhesive is weakened.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26  further including a first electrode and a second electrode coupled to the adhesive joint and wherein the adhesive is weakened when an electric current is conducted through the adhesive joint.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 26  further including a linkage coupled to the plumbing stop and the coupling and wherein the adhesive joint secures the linkage in a first position when the adhesive is cured and in a second position when the adhesive is weakened.