Systems and methods for pipe freeze prevention with appliances

Abstract

An appliance is configured for communication with an external computing device. The appliance includes a valve and a controller configured for signal communication with the external computing device. The controller configured to operate the valve in a freeze prevention mode in response to a freeze prevention mode activation signal from the external computing device. The freeze prevention mode activation signal includes one or more of a fluid time for the valve in the freeze prevention mode, a fluid volume through the valve in the freeze prevention mode, and a break time for the valve in the freeze prevention mode. In the freeze prevention mode, the controller opens and closes the valve of the appliance to flow fluid through the appliance according to the freeze prevention mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An appliance configured for communication with an external computing device, the appliance comprising:
 a valve; and   a controller configured for signal communication with the external computing device, the controller configured to operate the valve in a freeze prevention mode in response to a freeze prevention mode activation signal from the external computing device, the freeze prevention mode activation signal comprising one or more of a fluid time for the valve in the freeze prevention mode, a fluid volume through the valve in the freeze prevention mode, and a break time for the valve in the freeze prevention mode,   wherein, in the freeze prevention mode, the controller opens and closes the valve of the appliance to flow fluid through the appliance according to the freeze prevention mode.   
     
     
         2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the external computing device comprises a cloud-based server. 
     
     
         3 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid time comprises an amount of time the valve of the appliance is open in the freeze prevention mode. 
     
     
         4 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid volume comprises a volume of fluid to flow through the valve of the appliance in the freeze prevention mode. 
     
     
         5 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the break time comprises an amount of time between closing and reopening the valve of the appliance in the freeze prevention mode. 
     
     
         6 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the freeze prevention mode is activated by the controller in response to a freeze risk identified by the external device. 
     
     
         7 . The appliance of  claim 6 , wherein the freeze risk is determined using one or more of a weather forecast and public information about water utility installations. 
     
     
         8 . A method of operating an appliance in a freeze prevention mode, the appliance comprising a controller configured for signal communication with an external computing device, the method comprising:
 monitoring, by the external computing device, data corresponding to a weather forecast at the appliance;   identifying, by the external computing device, a freeze risk at the appliance based at least in part on the weather forecast;   calculating, by the external computing device, a fluid time for a valve of the appliance in a freeze prevention mode, a fluid volume through the valve in the freeze prevention mode, and a break time for the valve in the freeze prevention mode; and   transmitting, by the external computing device, data corresponding to a freeze prevention mode activation;   operating, by the controller, the valve of the appliance to flow fluid through the appliance according to the freeze prevention mode.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the external computing device comprises a cloud-based server. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid time comprises an amount of time the valve of the appliance is open in the freeze prevention mode. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid volume comprises a volume of fluid to flow through the valve of the appliance in the freeze prevention mode. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the break time comprises an amount of time between closing and reopening the valve of the appliance in the freeze prevention mode. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the external device continuously monitors the weather forecast. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the freeze risk is determined using one or more of the weather forecast and public information about water utility installations. 
     
     
         15 . An appliance, comprising:
 a valve;   a user interface; and   a controller configured to operate the valve in a freeze prevention mode in response to a freeze prevention mode activation input from the user interface, the freeze prevention mode activation input comprising one or more of a predetermined fluid time for the valve in the freeze prevention mode, a predetermined fluid volume through the valve in the freeze prevention mode, and a predetermined break time for the valve in the freeze prevention mode,   wherein, when in the freeze prevention mode, the controller opens and closes the valve of the appliance to flow fluid through the appliance according to the freeze prevention mode.   
     
     
         16 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined fluid time comprises an amount of time the valve of the appliance is open in the freeze prevention mode. 
     
     
         17 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined fluid volume comprises a volume of fluid to flow through the valve of the appliance in the freeze prevention mode. 
     
     
         18 . The appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined break time comprises an amount of time between closing and reopening the valve of the appliance in the freeze prevention mode.