Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling water consumption in a water-based system are disclosed using one or more sensors for generating signals indicative of the operation thereof. One or more interface modules are provided as breaker circuits for receiving the generated signals, and a fluid control device is operable for limiting the water consumption. A motherboard receives the interface modules and provides communication therebetween for information processing. Signals from the various sensors are supplied to a controller, which provides signals to status indicators, and also operates to provide alarm signals via network interfaces to remote locations. In an alternate embodiment, a water monitoring system is designed to shut off the water supply to the water device and to shut off either the electrical supply or the gas supply to the heating unit of the water device in response to sensing a malfunction through one or more sensed parameters.

1 . A system for monitoring and controlling water consumption, the system comprising: 
 a controller configured to send control signals to control at least one device in a water-based system; and    an interface module configured to communicate with the controller,    the interface module being configured to receive, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of a sensed condition in the water-based system, and to send, to a fluid control device, control signals to regulate water consumption in the water-based system, and    the interface module being configured to send, to the controller, status information indicative of an operational status in the water-based system.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface module is configured to wirelessly communicate with the controller.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a motherboard configured to receive the interface module.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the motherboard includes an information port for establishing a computer network interface.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the interface module is configurable by a computer via the information port.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the interface module is operable to host an Internet website.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the motherboard and the received interface module are configured to be installed within a panel housing.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the motherboard has a connection for electronic communication with one or more processors on other motherboards.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to maintain a schedule, and the control signals sent by the controller cause at least one fluid control device in the water-based system to cycle in accordance with the schedule.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface module is configured to maintain a schedule, and the control signals sent by the interface module cause the fluid control device to cycle in accordance with the schedule.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to receive status information from a plurality of interface modules and to initiate at least one action if more than a predetermined number of interface modules send, within a predetermined period, status information indicative of a particular operational status.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the particular operational status comprises an indication of a closed valve.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one action includes shutting off a main supply line of the water-based system.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensed condition comprises water flow within a component of the water-based system.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensed condition comprises pressure inside a component of the water-based system.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid control device comprises a valve in a water supply line of a component of the water-based system.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control signals cause the fluid control device to disconnect a water or energy source from the water-based system.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the water-based system is in a residential or commercial structure and includes one or more of a sink, toilet, dishwasher, washing machine, water heater, swimming pool and sprinkler.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sending of control signals to the fluid control device is directed by the controller.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sending of control signals to the fluid control device is initiated by the interface module independent of the controller.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface module is configured to register an indication of a malfunction in a system component.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the system component is a valve coil.  
   
   
       23 . A method of monitoring and controlling water consumption, the method comprising: 
 sending, by a controller, control signals to control at least one device in a water-based system;    receiving, by an interface module, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of a sensed condition in the water-based system;    sending, by the interface module, to a fluid control device, control signals to regulate water consumption in the water-based system; and    sending, by the interface module, to the controller, status information indicative of an operational status in the water-based system.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the water-based system resides in a residential or commercial structure and includes one or more of a sink, toilet, dishwasher, washing machine, water heater, swimming pool and sprinkler sub-systems.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the status information is wirelessly sent to the controller by the interface module.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising maintaining a schedule, and wherein the control signals sent by the controller cause at least one fluid control device in the water-based system to cycle in accordance with the schedule.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising receiving, by the controller, status information from a plurality of interface modules and initiating at least one action if more than a predetermined number of interface modules send, within a predetermined period, status information indicative of a particular operational status.  
   
   
       28 . A system for monitoring and controlling water consumption, the system comprising: 
 a controller configured to send control signals to control at least one device in a water-based system, the control signals including a signal to shut off a main water supply line of the water-based system; and    an interface module configured to wirelessly communicate with the controller,    the interface module being configured to receive, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of a sensed condition in the water-based system,    the interface module being configured to wirelessly send, to the controller, status information indicative of an operational status in the water-based system, and    wherein the controller is configured to send the control signals based at least in part on the status information sent by the interface module.    
   
   
       29 . An interface module in a system for monitoring and controlling water consumption, the interface module comprising: 
 a communications portion configured to provide communication with a controller, wherein the interface module is configured to send, to the controller, status information indicative of an operational status in a water-based system;    a receiver configured to receive, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of a sensed condition in the water-based system; and    a sender configured to send, to a fluid control device, control signals to regulate water consumption in the water-based system.    
   
   
       30 . The interface module of  claim 29 , wherein the communication with the controller is wireless.  
   
   
       31 . The interface module of  claim 29 , wherein the communication with the controller can selectively occur in a wireless mode or a wired mode.  
   
   
       32 . The interface module of  claim 29 , further comprising a scheduler configured to maintain a schedule, and wherein the control signals cause the fluid control device to cycle in accordance with the schedule.  
   
   
       33 . The interface module of  claim 29 , wherein the interface module is adapted to be contained within a housing that is mountable at locations remote from the controller.  
   
   
       34 . The interface module of  claim 29 , wherein the status information includes an indication of a malfunction in a system component.  
   
   
       35 . The interface module of  claim 34 , wherein the system component is a valve coil.  
   
   
       36 . A method of monitoring and controlling water consumption, the method comprising: 
 maintaining a schedule to define at least one predetermined time when a fluid control device in a water-based system is to be automatically cycled; and    automatically cycling the fluid control device in accordance with the schedule.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein a controller that is in communication with an interface module maintains the schedule.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein an interface module maintains the schedule.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the fluid control device is automatically cycled on at least a monthly basis.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the fluid control device comprises a valve in a water supply line of a component of the water-based system.  
   
   
       41 . A method of monitoring and controlling water consumption, the method comprising: 
 detecting water flow in a component of a water-based system of a structure;    sending, to a controller, status information indicative of an operational status in the water-based system; and    controlling a climate control unit of the structure based at least in part on the detected water flow in the component.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the climate control unit comprises an HVAC unit.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the climate control unit comprises a hot water tank.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising determining that a predetermined water flow threshold has not been exceeded within a predetermined time period.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the controlling comprises turning off the climate control unit.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the climate control unit is one among a plurality of climate control units in the structure.  
   
   
       47 . A system for monitoring and controlling water consumption, the system comprising: 
 a controller configured to send control signals to control at least one device in a water-based system of a structure; and    an interface module configured to communicate with the controller,    the interface module being configured to receive, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of detected water flow in a component of the water-based system, and to interface with a climate control unit of the structure,    the interface module being configured to send, to the controller, status information indicative of an operational status in the water-based system, and    the interface module being configured to control the climate control unit based at least in part on the detected water flow in the component.    
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the interface module communicates wirelessly with the controller.  
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the interface module interfaces with the climate control unit indirectly via a component associated with the climate control unit.  
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the component associated with the climate control unit is a thermostat.  
   
   
       51 . A system for monitoring and controlling water consumption in a multi-unit structure having a water-based system, the system comprising: 
 a controller; and    a plurality of interface modules configured to communicate with the controller,    the controller being configured to selectively send control signals to each of the plurality of interface modules,    each interface module being configured to receive, from a respective sensor, sensor information indicative of detected water flow in a component of the water-based system of the structure, and to interface with a respective control valve that is operable to shut off a water supply to the component, the component being associated with a unit of the structure,    each interface module being configured to send, to the controller, status information including information indicative of the detected water flow in the component,    the detected water flow of each interface module being readable by a user of the system, and    each interface module being configured to control the respective control valve based at least in part on input from a user.    
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the structure is an apartment building, and the unit is an apartment therein.  
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein at least one of the plurality of interface modules wirelessly communicates with the controller.  
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the detected water flow of each interface module is readable by a user via a web interface.  
   
   
       55 . A method of monitoring and controlling water consumption in a building having a water-based system, the method comprising: 
 remotely accessing a controller in communication with an interface module of the building, the interface module configured to receive, from a sensor, sensor information indicative of detected water flow in a component of the water-based system of the building, the interface module being configured to send, to the controller, status information indicative of the detected water flow in the component;    reading the detected water flow of the interface module; and    billing a user based at least in part on the detected water flow.    
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the user is billed electronically.