Energy/Water Usage Monitor

Abstract

A water/energy usage monitor for insertion into a hot water line. The monitor continuously records the flow of water and the temperature of the water in the hot water line by means of a flow sensor and a temperature sensor and calculates the energy used. When the energy used reaches a programmed level, the monitor will issue a signal.

1 . An energy/water usage monitor adapted to be connected into a water line, said monitor including
 a temperature sensor to sense the temperature of the water in the water line,   a water flow sensor to continuously calculate the volume of water flowing through the water line,   a microprocessor to receive information from the temperature sensor and the water flow sensor and to compare the average temperature of the water against the total flow of water and to calculate a continuous estimate of the energy/water usage consisting of a combination of the average temperature of the water and the total volume of water in the water line and to provide a signal when the estimated energy/usage is approaching or has approached a programmed level.   
   
   
       2 . The energy/water usage monitor as in  claim 1 , including means to display the estimated energy/water usage. 
   
   
       3 . The energy/water usage monitor as in  claim 2 , wherein the means to display the estimated energy/water usage is a bar graph. 
   
   
       4 . The energy/water usage monitor as in  claim 1 , wherein the signal is a visual display and/or an audible signal. 
   
   
       5 . The energy/water usage monitor as in  claim 1 , wherein the programmed level of energy/water usage can be re-programmed. 
   
   
       6 . The energy/water usage monitor as in  claim 5 , including security means to prevent unauthorized re-programming of the level of energy usage. 
   
   
       8 . The energy/water usage monitor as in  claim 1 , wherein the monitor includes means to detect fluctuations in pressure generated by turbulence in the water within the water line. 
   
   
       9 . The energy/water usage monitor as in  claim 1 , including means to display the amount of time remaining before the programmed level of energy usage is reached. 
   
   
       10 . The energy/water usage monitor as in  claim 1 , including a digital clock to display real time. 
   
   
       11 . The energy/water usage monitor as in  claim 1 , including means to display the temperature of the water passing through the water line. 
   
   
       12 . An energy/water usage monitor adapted to be inserted into a line formed to receive a flow of water, said monitor including,
 means to continuously estimate the energy/water usage comprising the total volume of water and the average temperature of the water passing through the water line,   means to compare the energy/water usage against a pre-programmed level of energy/water usage and to provide an indication of the estimated energy/usage of the water that has passed through the water line.   
   
   
       13 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 12 , wherein the indication of the estimated energy/water usage comprises an audible signal and/or a visual display. 
   
   
       14 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 12 , including means to progressively display the estimated energy/usage of the water in the water line. 
   
   
       15 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 13  wherein the display of the estimated energy/water usage comprises a bar graph. 
   
   
       16 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 12 , including means to continuously record and log the estimated energy/water usage. 
   
   
       17 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 12  including means to detect fluctuations in the pressure of water in the water line and to compensate for the pressure fluctuations to enable an accurate estimation of energy usage even under low water flow rates. 
   
   
       18 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 12  when adapted to be inserted into a water line that extends between mechanism for mixing hot and cold water and the shower head of a shower. 
   
   
       19 . An energy/water usage monitor adapted to continuously estimate the energy/water usage in water flowing through a pipe during the duration of a sampling period, said monitor including:
 means to preset the duration of the sampling period,   means to continuously estimate the flow of water through the pipe throughout the sampling period   means to preset the desired temperature values of the water flowing through the pipe throughout the sampling period, and   means to estimate the energy/water usage based on the combination of an estimate of the total flow of water through the pipe during the sampling period and the average temperature of the water flowing through the pipe during the sampling period, and   means to display the estimated energy water usage.   
   
   
       20 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 19 , including a computer program by which the duration of the sampling period and the temperature value of the water can be preset. 
   
   
       21 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 20  wherein the computer program can be accessed by means of a password. 
   
   
       22 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 19  including display means wherein the duration of the sampling period and the preset temperature value of the water is displayed. 
   
   
       23 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 19  including means to continuously display the incremental total of the estimate of the energy/water usage. 
   
   
       24 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 20  including means to signal when the estimated water usage has reached the programmed level. 
   
   
       25 . The energy/water usage monitor of  claim 24  wherein the signal is audible.