Fluid Management/Control System

Abstract

A system for monitoring and controlling a flow of fluid in an environment and a method of using the system to control the flow of fluid in the environment. The system comprises a main valve positioned at an entry point of the environment. The main valve permits fluid to be discharged into the environment upon receipt of an authorized request to a controller from one or more authorizing signaling devices. The controller communicates with the authorizing devices and processes signals from the authorizing signaling device to control the flow of fluid in the environment. The system may also comprise one or more monitoring signaling devices positioned in the environment intermediate the main valve and an authorizing signaling device.

1 . A system for monitoring and controlling a flow of fluid in an environment, the system comprising:
 a main valve positioned at an entry point of the environment, wherein the main valve permits fluid to be discharged into the environment upon receipt of an authorizing signal thereto;   one or more authorizing signaling devices, wherein each authorizing signaling device (i) is associated with a respective outlet tap or valve from which fluid can be requested, (ii) is positioned intermediate the main valve and the respective outlet with which it is associated, and (iii) has a unique identifier associated therewith;   a controller in communication with each of the authorizing signaling devices, wherein each of the authorizing signaling devices can request authorization from the controller to discharge fluid to the respective outlet tap or valve with which it is associated;   a supply network of one or more lines, tubes and/or pipes in the environment, wherein the supply network of one or more lines, tubes and/or pipes permit the flow of fluid through the main valve through the at least one or more of the authorizing signaling devices and to each outlet associated with the one or more authorizing signaling devices;   wherein the controller receives an authorization request from the authorizing signaling device, determines whether the requested authorization from the authorizing signaling device is an authorized request, and provides an authorizing signal to the main valve to permit the flow of fluid through the main valve upon a determination by the controller that the authorization request from the authorizing signaling device is an authorized request.   
     
     
         2 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of controlling a flow of fluid in an environment, wherein the environment comprises a main valve positioned at an entry point, wherein the main valve permits fluid to be discharged into the environment upon receipt of an authorizing signal thereto, one or more authorizing signaling devices, wherein each authorizing signaling device (i) is associated with a respective outlet tap or valve from which fluid can be requested, (ii) is positioned intermediate the main valve and the respective outlet with which it is associated, and (iii) has a unique identifier associated therewith, wherein each authorizing signaling device is in fluid communication with the main valve, and a supply network of one or more lines, tubes and/or pipes, wherein the supply network of lines, tubes and/pipes permits the flow of fluid through the main valve, through the one or more authorizing signaling devices, and to each respective outlet associated with the one or more authorizing signaling devices, wherein each of the authorizing signaling devices and the main valve is in communication with a controller; the method comprising the steps of:
 registering a unique identifier of the main valve with the controller;   registering the unique identifier of each authorizing signaling device with the controller; and   programming the controller to receive signals from at least the authorizing signaling devices and to send signals to at least the main valve,   wherein the authorizing signaling device can request discharge of fluid to their respective outlet/tap valve upon initiation of a request from the authorizing check valve to the controller; and   wherein the controller processes signals from each authorizing signaling device to control the flow of fluid within the environment.   
     
     
         18 - 20 . (canceled)