Water Outlet Stagnation and Flush Timing Sensor

Abstract

The invention is directed to a sensor apparatus for determining when a water outlet needs flushing, comprising a water flow monitoring sensor adapted to be in contact with a source of water flowing through a conduit; a microprocessor in electronic communication with the water flow monitoring sensor, the microprocessor configured to calculate whether the water stagnation time exceeds a predetermined threshold; and indicia for signaling when the water needs flushing by a user, the indicia n electronic communication with the microprocessor. The water flow monitoring sensor may include an accelerometer for detecting water flow vibrations typical of water flow in water conduits. A microprocessor calculates and tracks the total flush time since the prior flush of a drinking water source, thereby monitoring its safety for users of the water source. Indicia for indicating the safety state of the water include readily discernible warning systems or remotely accessible databases monitoring flush times of individual water sources in a network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Sensor apparatus for determining when a water outlet needs flushing, comprising:
 a. A water flow monitoring sensor adapted to be in contact with a source of water flowing through a conduit;   b. a microprocessor in electronic communication with the water flow monitoring sensor, the microprocessor configured to track water flow-generated movement representative of water usage and to calculate whether water stagnation time exceeds a predetermined threshold; and   c. indicia for signaling when the water is in need of flushing by a user, the indicia being in electronic communication with the microprocessor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the water flow monitoring sensor comprises an accelerometer. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the indicia comprises visual indicia such as a colored light source. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the visual indicia comprises one or more light-emitting diodes. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the accelerometer is located proximate the terminus of the conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the microprocessor is configured to detect the on and off cycles of the water outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the microprocessor is configured to determine the stagnation time of the last off time period, compare it to a predetermined threshold of between about one hour to in excess of about twenty-four hours, and if the stagnation time exceeds the threshold, the indicia is set to indicate “flush” to a next user. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the microprocessor monitors the flush period, and, if the flush period is in excess of a calculated flush time, the indicia is set to indicate the water is flushed. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the water flow monitoring sensor is rigidly attached to the water outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the water flow monitoring sensor is attached in a noninvasive manner. 
     
     
         11 . Sensor apparatus for determining when a water outlet needs flushing, comprising:
 a. an accelerometer adapted to be in direct contact with a source of water flowing through a conduit, the accelerometer being in communication with a microprocessor configured to track water flow-generated movement representative of water usage; and   b. indicia for signaling when the water is in need of flushing by a user, the indicia being in electronic communication with the microprocessor.   
     
     
         12 . Sensor apparatus for determining when a water outlet needs flushing, comprising:
 a. an accelerometer adapted to be in direct contact with a source of water flowing through a conduit, the accelerometer being in communication with a microprocessor configured to track water flow-generated movement representative of water usage; and   b. a light-emitting diode for signaling to a user when the water is in need of flushing by the user, the light-emitting diode being in electronic communication with the microprocessor.   
     
     
         13 . A method for monitoring when a water source is in need of flushing, comprising the steps of:
 a. Providing a sensor apparatus comprising a water flow monitoring sensor adapted to be in direct contact with a water conduit, and further comprising indicia for signaling when the water is in need of flushing by a user, the indicia being in electronic communication with a microprocessor configured to track water flow-generated movement representative of water usage and to calculate whether the water stagnation time exceeds a predetermined threshold; and   b. Attaching the sensor apparatus to a water source capable of being monitored in a non-invasive manner.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the water flow monitoring sensor comprises an accelerometer. 
     
     
         15 . A sensor network for monitoring when one or more water sources have been flushed, comprising
 a. A plurality of water flow monitoring sensors adapted to be attached to separate water conduits comprising:
 i. an accelerometer in direct contact with a source of water flowing through its conduit and configured to track water flow-generated movement representative of water usage, the accelerometer being in communication with a microprocessor configured to track water flow; and 
 ii. indicia for signaling when the water is in need of flushing by a user, the indicia being in electronic communication with a microprocessor configured to calculate whether the water stagnation time exceeds a predetermined threshold; 
   b. one or more nodes capable of connecting to each water flow monitoring sensor when necessary to communicate water data;   c. one or more servers configured to communicate, store, access and process water data from the network;   d. communications infrastructure connecting the water flow monitoring sensors, nodes, servers and users; and   e. flushing indicia for signaling to a user when the water is in need of flushing by a user, the flushing indicia being available to a user in need of the information for determining whether the water stagnation time exceeds a predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         16 . The sensor network of  claim 15  wherein the communications infrastructure comprises the internet. 
     
     
         17 . The sensor network of  claim 15  wherein the flushing indicia comprises one or more LEDs located proximate a respective water source flush sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The sensor network of  claim 15  wherein the flushing indicia comprises a database of records indicating the flushing history of any sensor connected to a node. 
     
     
         19 . A water contaminant sensor apparatus, comprising:
 a. a monitoring sensor placed in contact with a source of water flowing through a conduit, the monitoring sensor configured to track water flow-generated movement representative of water usage;   b. potential water contamination determination programming responsive to water flow-generated movement tracked by said monitoring sensor; and   c. a water contamination user indication responsive to said potential water contamination determination programming.   
     
     
         20 . A water contaminant sensor apparatus as described in  claim 19  wherein said monitoring sensor configured to track water flow-generated movement representative of water usage comprises a monitoring sensor configured to track flow vibrations consistent with fluid usage. 
     
     
         21 . A water contaminant sensor apparatus as described in  claim 20  wherein said monitoring sensor configured to track flow vibrations consistent with fluid usage comprises a monitoring sensor configured to track water hammer vibrations. 
     
     
         22 . A water contaminant sensor apparatus as described in  claim 20  wherein said monitoring sensor configured to track flow vibrations consistent with fluid usage comprises a monitoring sensor configured to track flowing fluid vibrations. 
     
     
         23 . A water contaminant sensor apparatus as described in  claim 22  and further comprising extraneous environmental vibration filter programming configured to distinguish water flow-generated movement from extraneous environmental movement. 
     
     
         24 . A water contaminant sensor apparatus as described in  claim 19  wherein said monitoring sensor adapted to be in contact with a source of water flowing through a conduit, comprises a monitoring sensor connected to an external surface of said conduit. 
     
     
         25 . A water contaminant sensor apparatus as described in  claim 19  wherein said monitoring sensor adapted to be in contact with a source of water flowing through a conduit comprises a wireless communication sensor to which said potential water contamination determination programming is wirelessly responsive. 
     
     
         26 . A water contaminant sensor apparatus as described in  claim 19  wherein said monitoring sensor adapted to be in contact with a source of water flowing through a conduit comprises a sensor electrically connected to a microprocessor. 
     
     
         27 . A water contaminant sensor apparatus as described in  claim 19  wherein said potential water contamination determination programming comprises programming configured to determine when there is a need of flushing by a user. 
     
     
         28 . A water contaminant sensor apparatus as described in  claim 19  wherein said potential water contamination determination programming comprises programming configured to determine a contaminant remediation recommendation. 
     
     
         29 . A water contaminant sensor apparatus as described in  claim 19  wherein said potential water contamination determination programming comprises programming configured to determine water stagnation.