Smart water valve

Abstract

The present disclosure pertains to a smart water valve apparatus designed for automatic water leak detection and management in building units. The apparatus includes a water inlet, a water outlet, a shutoff valve, a water flow sensor, and a pressure sensor, all operatively connected to a controller. The controller utilizes advanced algorithms, including AI-based leak detection, to monitor water flow, pressure, and occupancy status. Upon identifying anomalies such as leaks or abnormal water usage, the system can automatically shut off the water supply or send alerts to occupants. Integration with smart home systems and IoT devices enables expanded functionality, including predictive maintenance and remote monitoring. The apparatus mitigates water damage risks, reduces resource waste, and enhances detection accuracy over time through machine learning. Primary applications include residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, providing dependable and automated water management solutions.

Description

SMART WATER VALVETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The following relates generally to a water valve, and more particularly to a smart water valve with automatic water leak detection.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Existing water valve systems often lack the intelligence to detect leaks or abnormal water usage in real-time, leaving buildings vulnerable to costly water damage and resource waste. Traditional valves are typically manual or semi-automatic, requiring user intervention to shut off water in the event of a leak, which often leads to delays in response. Moreover, conventional systems don't account for occupancy, meaning water may continue to flow even when no one is present to address the issue, exacerbating potential damage.

[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved smart water valve that overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of existing systems and methods.SUMMARY

[0004] A smart water valve apparatus for detecting a water leakage event in a piping system of a building unit is provided. The smart water valve apparatus includes a water pathway having an upstream end configured to connect to a water supply and a downstream end configured to connect to the piping system of the building unit, a shutoff valve for controlling water flow through the water pathway, an actuator operably connected to the shutoff valve and configured to selectively open and close the shutoff valve, a plurality of apparatus sensors including a water flow rate sensor disposed along the water pathway and configured to generate water flow rate signals indicating water flow rate in the piping system, a pressure sensor disposed downstream from the shutoff valve and proximate to the downstream end and configured to generate pressure signals indicating water pressure of the piping system, and a controller operably coupled to the plurality of apparatus sensors and to the actuator, the controller configured to automatically detect the water leakage event in the piping system of the building unit at least based on monitoring sensor data from the plurality of apparatus sensors and an occupancy status, the controller further configured to send a shutoff command to the actuator to close the shutoff valve in response to detecting the water leakage event. The occupancy status is provided by a home management system connected to the controller.

[0005] The controller may be further operably connected to one or more water sensors disposed in the building unit, and the controller may be further configured to receive humidity signals and / or water presence signals from the one or more water sensors, and the sensor data may further include the humidity signals and / or the water presence signals from the one or more water sensors.

[0006] Possible values of the occupancy status may include an occupied status and an away status of the building unit.

[0007] The controller may be configured to detect the water leakage event by shutting down water flow by closing the shutoff valve, monitoring pressure signals, and indicating a pressure drop below a threshold, or comparing the sensor data with normal water usage patterns; and detecting an abnormality in the sensor data, the abnormality being indicated automatically in part by the occupancy status.

[0008] The normal water usage patterns may be self-learned by the controller.

[0009] The abnormality may be further indicated by a water pressure difference, a water flow rate difference, or a flowed water volume difference value that is beyond an abnormality threshold.

[0010] The abnormality threshold may be dynamically determined by the controller and may be, at least in part, based on the occupancy status.

[0011] The apparatus may be operably connected to a user interface configured to present information to a user based on controller instructions.

[0012] The controller, in response to detection of the water leakage event and where the occupancy status is occupied, may be configured to send an alert to the user through the user interface to indicate the detected water leakage event.

[0013] The controller may be configured to receive an indication of validation or invalidation of the detected water leakage event, and the controller may use the indication to improve detection of a future water leakage event.

[0014] Where the indication validates the detected water leakage event, the controller may be configured to send the shutoff command to the shutoff valve to close the water pathway.

[0015] The controller, in response to detection of the water leak event and where the occupancy status is away, may be configured to send the shutoff command to the shutoff valve to close the water pathway.

[0016] The apparatus may be self-powered using a power generator turbine disposed on the water pathway.

[0017] The water flow rate sensor may be configured to use ultrasonic water flow rate detection.

[0018] The controller may include an Al module configured to continuously learn and update normal water usage patterns for the building unit based on historical sensor data, the occupancy status, and appliance usage, and to detect anomalies by comparing the sensor data to the dynamically updated patterns.

[0019] The controller may be further operably connected to a gateway device, and the gatewaydevice may be configured to provide connectivity between the apparatus, the one or more water sensors, and the home management system.

[0020] The gateway device may be further configured to monitor health bits and status signals from the smart water valve apparatus, the one or more water sensors, and other connected devices, and to validate water leakage events before triggering the shutoff command or providing the alert to the user, thereby reducing false positives and negatives.

[0021] The apparatus may further include a remote central monitoring center communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to aggregate, store, and analyze sensor data and status data from the smart water valve apparatus, and to provide audit logs or event histories for insurance claim verification, regulatory compliance, and / or third-party access.

[0022] A water management system for a piping system of a building unit is provided. The water management system may include a smart water valve apparatus configured to detect a water leakage event in the piping system, the smart water valve apparatus including a water pathway having an upstream end configured to connect to a water supply and a downstream end configured to connect to the piping system, a shutoff valve for controlling water flow through the water pathway, an actuator operably connected to the shutoff valve and configured to selectively open and close the shutoff valve, a plurality of apparatus sensors including a water flow rate sensor and a pressure sensor, the water flow rate sensor configured to generate water flow rate signals and the pressure sensor configured to generate pressure signals indicating water flow rate and water pressure in the piping system, a controller operably coupled to the plurality of apparatus sensors and to the actuator, the controller configured to automatically detect the water leakage event in the piping system at least based on monitoring sensor data from the plurality of apparatus sensors and an occupancy status, and to send a shutoff command to the actuator to close the shutoff valve in response to detecting the water leakage event, and a home management system operably connected to the smart water valve apparatus and configured to provide occupancy status of the building unit to the controller.

[0023] The controller may be further operably connected to one or more water sensors disposed in the building unit, the controller may be configured to receive humidity signals and water presence signals from the one or more water sensors, and the sensor data may further include the humidity signals and the water presence signals from the one or more water sensors.

[0024] The system may further include a gateway device operably connected to the smart water valve apparatus, the home management system, and to the one or more water sensors. The gateway device may be configured to provide connectivity between the smart water valve apparatus, the one or more water sensors, and the home management system.

[0025] The gateway device may be further configured to monitor health bits and status signals from the smart water valve apparatus, the one or more water sensors, and other connecteddevices, and to validate water leakage events before triggering a shutoff command or alert, thereby reducing false positives and negatives.

[0026] The system may further include a remote central monitoring center communicatively coupled to the controller, the monitoring center configured to aggregate, store, and analyze sensor data and status data from the smart water valve apparatus, and to provide audit logs and event histories for insurance claim verification, regulatory compliance, and third-party access.

[0027] Other aspects and features will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of some exemplary embodiments.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the appended drawings. However, various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the arrangements shown in the drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 A and 1 B are perspective and side views of a smart water valve, according to an embodiment;

[0030] Figure 1C is a partial cut out view of the smart water valve of Figure 1A;

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the smart water valve of Figure 1 A and its interaction with a building’s piping system, according to one embodiment;

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a circuit board of a controller of the smart valve of Figure 1 A; and

[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic view of an Al module of the controller of Figure 3, according to an embodiment, and a leak detection process based thereon, according to an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of each claimed embodiment. No embodiment described below limits any claimed embodiment and any claimed embodiment may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed embodiments are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below.

[0035] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] Further, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or the like may be described (in the disclosure and / or in the claims) in a sequential order, such processes, methods andalgorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order that is practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously.

[0037] When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device I article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device I article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a single device I article may be used in place of the more than one device or article.

[0038] The following relates generally to a water valve, and more particularly to a smart water valve with automatic water leak detection.

[0039] A smart valve apparatus may advantageously address conventional limitations by incorporating advanced sensors, Al-based leak detection, and integration with smart home occupancy systems. By monitoring water flow, pressure, and occupancy status, the system can automatically detect anomalies, such as pressure drops or unexpected water usage patterns. This enables the apparatus to take proactive measures, such as sending warnings to occupants or automatically shutting off the water supply when leaks are detected and the building is unoccupied. Such an apparatus not only protects buildings from potential damage but also learns from user behavior over time to minimize false alarms and improve detection accuracy.

[0040] The proposed water valve may advantageously mitigate water damage risks and reduce water waste, offering homeowners and property managers a more reliable, automated approach to water management. Moreover, the risk burden on building insurance companies may be advantageously reduced by implementing such a smart valve.

[0041] Furthermore, the proposed water valve apparatus may advantageously measure and detect water leakages inline and with the piping system, without necessarily including extensive external sensors or systems for leak detection. This inline detection capability enables the apparatus to autonomously monitor water flow and pressure directly in the water pathway, providing a reliable and self-contained solution for leak detection and prevention.

[0042] Referring now to Figure 1 A and 1 B, shown therein are perspective and side views of a smart water valve apparatus generally at 100, according to an embodiment.

[0043] The smart water valve apparatus 100 comprises a water inlet 101 to connect the water valve apparatus 100 to an upstream water supply line 104 (as shown in Figure 2), and a water outlet 103 to connect the water valve apparatus 100 to a downstream piping system 106 (as shown in Figure 2) of a building unit 108 (as shown in Figure 2).

[0044] The water inlet 101 and / or the water outlet 103 may be threaded. The water inlet 101 and / or the water outlet 103 may be made from suitable materials (e.g., brass or plastic) forconvenient deployment to the piping system 106. The building unit 108 may be be a residential home, an apartment unit from a residential complex or tower, an office space, a commercial building unit, a warehouse, or any other building unit. The water valve apparatus 100 directs water flow between the water supply line 104 and the building’s downstream piping system 106 through a water pathway 102 (as shown in Figures 1C and 2) connecting the water inlet 101 to the water outlet 103.

[0045] Referring now to Figure 1C, shown therein is a partial cut out view from the inside of the smart water valve apparatus 100. The water inlet 101 and outlet 103 are connected inside the water valve apparatus 100 through the water pathway 102, which is the conduit or channel through which the water flows. The water pathway 102 may be or may comprise a pipe made from suitable materials to avoid corrosion and provide durability and a long operational life for the smart water valve apparatus 100.

[0046] The smart water valve apparatus 100 further comprises a shutoff valve 110 for controlling the flow of water by opening or closing the water pathway 102. The shutoff valve 110 may be mechanical or electro-mechanical. The shutoff valve 110 regulates the water supply, enabling the water valve apparatus 100 to selectively stop or allow water flow.

[0047] In an embodiment, the shutoff valve 110 is an actuated valve that uses electromagnetic force to open or close. In another embodiments, an actuator, such as an electromagnetic or motor-driven actuator (e.g., via an electrical or hydraulic motor), is operably connected to the shutoff valve 110, and actuation of the actuator causes the shutoff valve 110 to open or close. The shutoff valve 110 (or the actuator connected thereto) is configured to be actuated using a command signal generated automatically from a controller 140 (as shown in Figure 2) or manually using a push or touch control button 164 disposed on the smart water valve apparatus 100. For example, in the event of a detected leak by the controller 140, the controller 140 automatically sends a command to the shutoff valve 110 to close the water pathway 102, thereby preventing further water damage.

[0048] The smart water valve apparatus 100 further includes a water flow (or water flow rate) sensor 112 disposed along the water pathway 102 and configured to measure the rate of water flow in real time. The flow sensor 112 generates flow rate signals that are used to monitor and track water flow rate and further indicate water consumption in the building unit 108. The flow rate signals may be used to indicate a water consumption pattern and / or detect abnormal usages such as water leakages or system malfunctions. The water flow sensor 112 is operatively coupled to the controller 140 to communicate the generated water flow rate signals.

[0049] The water flow sensor 112 may be a mechanical (e.g., a turbine, a paddle wheel sensor), an ultrasonic, or an electromagnetic flow sensor. In an embodiment, the flow sensor 112 is an ultrasonic sensor, and sound waves are transmitted through the water from one wave detector to another. By measuring the time taken for the sound waves to travel through the flowingwater (or the Doppler shift caused by the movement), the sensor 112 calculates the water flow rate. The ultrasonic flow sensor is non-invasive and advantageously does not obstruct the flow of water, thereby providing accurate measurements for water flow rates.

[0050] The water valve apparatus 100 further includes a pressure sensor 114 disposed downstream from the shutoff valve 110 and configured to measure the water pressure in the building’s piping system 106. The pressure sensor 114 is operatively coupled to the controller 140 and communicates generated pressure signals to the controller 140 for further processing and analysis, such as monitoring pressure changes and patterns, detecting abnormal pressure drops and leaks. A sudden pressure drop may indicate a significant leak.

[0051] The water valve apparatus 100 may further include other sensors such as a water temperature sensor, ambient temperature sensors, and ambient humidity sensors (not shown in Figures). The water temperature sensor may assist in adjusting for varying temperature-induced pressure changes in some embodiments and may further assist in detecting certain types of leaks (e.g., hot water line leaks). In an embodiment, the controller 140 is configured to automatically send a shutoff command to the actuator to close the shutoff valve 110 when the measured temperature falls below a predetermined threshold, such as 2°C, in order to reduce the risk of damage to the building piping system 106 due to freezing conditions. This preventative shutoff functionality may advantageously protect the piping system 106 from burst pipes or other temperature-related failures.

[0052] The water valve apparatus 100 further includes an enclosure 109 to reliably and safely enclose the components inside the water valve apparatus 100. To supply power forthe electronics in the water valve apparatus 100, such as the pressure sensor 114 and the shutoff valve 110.

[0053] The water valve apparatus 100 may be battery-operated or may include a power generator (such as a power generator turbine disposed on the water pathway 102 to generate electricity from hydraulic energy). The water valve apparatus 100 may include a power inlet 116 connected to a power supply (e.g., standard 110-230 ACV). The water valve 100 may include a combination of any of the foregoing.

[0054] Referring to Figure 2 now, shown therein is a schematic diagram of the smart water valve apparatus 100 of Figures 1A-1C and connections thereof to external components within a leak detection system 10. The building piping system 106, connected to the smart water valve apparatus 100 as herein discussed, is further connected to one or more water-consuming devices and appliances 107-1 to 107-n, such as one or more sink water taps, toilets, showers and bathtubs, washing machines, and dish washing machines. The appliances 107-1 to 107-n consume water and each may have a unique water consumption pattern or signature. For example, water consumption of a washing machine is different from a filling a toilet tank after flushing it. The water consumption patterns of each appliance are monitored and tracked by measuring water flow rate and pressure drop signals provided by the water flow sensor 112 andthe pressure sensor 114. For example, flushing a 2L toilet tank results in a different water flow rate signal compared to flushing a 1 L toilet tank (e.g., assuming similar water flow rate generally, filling a 2L tank may take two times longer than the 1 L tank).

[0055] The controller 140 is in signal communication with the shutoff valve 110, the water flow sensor 112, and the pressure sensor 114. In addition to receiving measurement signals from the sensors 112, 114, the controller 140 is configured to receive other signals from the sensors 112, 114 and the shutoff valve 110 such as device status (e.g., on / off, active / deactivated, connected / disconnected, error or fault status) and configuration data (e.g., sampling rate, actuation speed, output conditioning). The controller 140 is configured to send commands to modify device status and configurations.

[0056] The water valve apparatus 100 further comprises a communication module 144, which may be provided as part of the controller 140 or may be separate thereto, to facilitate communication between the water valve apparatus 100 and external systems such as a home management system 130, a gateway device 122 (or an loT gateway device), an loT device management system (not shown in Figures), a network router, a cloud server, and / or other external sensors (not shown in Figures).

[0057] In one embodiment, an on-site gateway device 122 is provided for establishing and managing connectivity between the smart water valve device 100, at least one water or humidity sensor 120, the home management system 130, and a cloud server (not shown). The gateway device 122 provides robust and reliable connectivity, ensuring that data from the smart water valve 100 and associated sensors 112, 114 is consistently and securely transmitted to the home management system 130 and cloud infrastructure. The gateway device 122 may further be configured to provide additional functionalities, such as monitoring the operational health of connected devices by periodically checking health bits or status signals from the smart water valve device 100, the water or humidity sensor 120, and other system components. In an embodiment, these health bits include battery level, power status, sensor calibration status, communication integrity, and operational error codes of the water sensor 120, the smart water valve apparatus 100, or other devices connected to the gateway device 122 or the home management system 130. By aggregating and analyzing these health signals, the gateway device 122 (or the home management system 130) may proactively detect device malfunctions or communication failures, thereby reducing the risk of false negatives or false positives in leak detection and system alerts. The gateway device 122 may also buffer data during temporary network outages, manage firmware updates for connected devices, and provide local processing for certain security or privacy-sensitive operations. These features enhance the overall reliability, maintainability, and security of the smart water management system.

[0058] The health monitoring functionality enables the controller 140, the gateway device 122, and / or a home management system 130 to distinguish between true leak events and falsepositives that may occur due to device malfunction, low battery, or other operational anomalies. For example, if a leak is detected by the water sensor 120, the health monitoring capability of the controller 140 may verify that the water sensor 120 is operating within normal parameters (e.g., sufficient battery level, no error codes) before confirming the leak and triggering a shutoff or alert. If a device is found to be malfunctioning or in need of maintenance, the system 10 may generate a maintenance alert or initiate predictive maintenance actions. Additional advantages of the health monitoring capability include improved system reliability, reduced risk of unnecessary shutoff events, and enhanced user confidence in the leak detection system 10. The gateway device 122 or the controller 140 may also log health data for historical analysis, support remote diagnostics, and facilitate firmware updates or recalibration of devices as desired.

[0059] The controller 140 and the smart water valve apparatus 100 are connected to at least one water or humidity sensor 120 disposed in the building unit 108. The water sensor 120 may be disposed on, in, adjacent, or generally about areas where probable water leakages may occur inside the building unit, for example, on a bathroom floor where a sink or bathtub overflow may occur. The signals generated by the water sensor 120 are processed and analyzed by the controller 140 to detect abnormal high humidity levels and water leakage events in the building unit 108.

[0060] The controller 140 and the smart water valve apparatus 100 are further connected to an occupancy sensor 132. The occupancy sensor 132 is connected to the controller 140 through a home management system 130, such as a smart home management system. The occupancy sensor 132 is configured to detect the presence of people in the building unit 108 and communicates occupancy data to the home management system 130 and the controller 140. The occupancy sensor 132 includes any one or more of a vision camera, motion detection sensors such as infrared sensors, and a self-declaring panel for the occupants to key-in if they are away or inside the building unit 108 (for example, by arming or disarming a home security system). The occupancy sensor 132 may be configured to provide information about different occupancy states such as stay or away states. The stay state may be further differentiated by an awake or asleep state.

[0061] The occupancy sensor 132 may be part of the building unit’s 108 larger smart home system, which may manage other sensors including door / window sensors, motion detectors, and security cameras. The home management system 130 relays the occupancy status to the controller 140, which uses this information to make decisions such as determining whether immediate valve shutoff is needed when the building is vacant.

[0062] In an embodiment, the system 10 further comprises a remote monitoring center 150 that is communicatively coupled to the gateway device 122 and / or the home management system 130 via a network connection. The monitoring center 150 is configured to receive, aggregate, and store measurement and status data from one or more smart water valve apparatuses 100deployed across multiple building units or locations. Additionally, the monitoring center 150 is configured to receive, aggregate, and store the data transmitted to the monitoring center 150, which may include, but is not limited to, water pressure measurements, flow rate data, total water volume, occupancy status, water leak detection status, shutoff valve status, device health information, and event logs. For example, the monitoring center 150 may receive time-stamped water flow and pressure data, occupancy status changes, and device health logs, allowing for precise reconstruction of events leading to a water damage incident. This enables third parties, such as insurance companies, to determine whether a leak was promptly detected and addressed, or whether negligence or device malfunction contributed to the damage.

[0063] The monitoring center 150 enables real-time or near real-time verification of water leakage events, facilitates comprehensive reporting, and provides auditability for third parties such as insurance companies, property managers, or regulatory authorities. For example, in the event of a suspected water leak or water damage, an insurance company may access historical data and event logs from the central monitoring center 150 to determine whether the water damage was caused by a leak due to occupant negligence, system malfunction, or other causes. This capability allows for more accurate and efficient processing of insurance claims, as well as improved risk assessment and loss prevention.

[0064] Additionally, the monitoring center 150 is configured to generate automated reports, analytics, and alerts based on aggregated data from multiple sites, supporting large-scale monitoring and management of water usage and leak events. The system 10 may further provide secure access controls, ensuring that only authorized parties (such as insurance adjusters or property managers) may review sensitive event data or audit logs. The monitoring center 150 may employ encryption and secure authentication protocols to ensure that sensitive event data and audit logs are accessible only to authorized users, thereby protecting occupant privacy and complying with data protection regulations.

[0065] In an embodiment, the monitoring center 150 further supports integration with third- party platforms, such as insurance company databases or municipal water management systems, to streamline data sharing and compliance with regulatory requirements. Integration with third- party platforms may include automated data sharing for insurance claim processing, municipal water usage reporting, and / or compliance with local building codes and water conservation mandates.

[0066] Referring now to Figure 3, shown therein is a circuit board representing the controller 140, according to one embodiment. The controller 140 includes a microprocessor 302 that executes control programs 306 stored on a memory 304 communicatively connected to the microprocessor 302. The microprocessor 302 is further connected to an input-output (I / O) unit 308. The I / O unit 308 includes a wireless interface 309 (such as an IEEE 802.11 interface) for wirelessly receiving and transmitting data communication signals between the controller 140 anda remote network 318 such as a local network, cloud network, or home management network. The wireless interface 309 further provides a connection between the controller 140 and a user interface 360 to enable a user 362, such as an occupant of the building unit 108, to interact with the controller 140. In an embodiment, the user interface 360 is a mobile App and / or a web-based user dashboard.

[0067] The I / O unit 308 also includes one or more wired network interfaces 310 (such as an Ethernet or USB interfaces) for connecting to actuator drivers 312 and sensor drivers 314, and an admin interface 320 for providing read / write capabilities of the microprocessor 302 and memory 304 to an admin user 322, for example for programming or maintenance of the smart water valve apparatus 100. The sensor drivers 314 are configured to receive analog and / or digital signals from sensors 326 (such as the flow rate sensor 112, the pressure sensor 114, and the temperature sensors) on-board or off-board the water valve apparatus 100 and to direct the signals to the I / O 308 and eventually to the microprocessor 302 as digital signals for further processing and use. The actuator drivers 312 are configured to facilitate translating digital commands signals, commissioned from the microprocessor 302, to digital and / or analog signals for an actuator 324 of the shutoff valve 110 to execute the commissioned commands (e.g., open or close the valve).

[0068] In an embodiment, the water valve apparatus 100, gateway device 122, and / or home management system 130 further include an authentication module (not shown in Figures) configured to generate and verify user credentials, ensuring secure access to the water valve apparatus 100 and its associated systems. The authentication module may operate in conjunction with an encryption module that encrypts user data, including credentials and communication signals, to secure data transmission between the apparatus 100, the gateway device 122, the home management system 130, external systems such as the remote network 318, and the user interfaces 360. The encryption module may support advanced encryption standards, such as AES-256 and RSA, to provide robust data protection. Additionally, the authentication module may be designed with a configurable timeout feature for authentication sessions, enhancing security by automatically terminating inactive sessions after a predefined period. In the foregoing embodiment, these features collectively ensure that only authorized users are able to access and control the apparatus 100, gateway device 122, and home management system 130, safeguarding the system against unauthorized access and data breaches.

[0069] Additionally, in some embodiments, the smart water valve apparatus 100, the gateway device 122, and / or home management system 130 further include a data transfer module (not shown) configured to enable efficient data transfer between devices in a network. The data transfer module may implement a data transfer protocol that defines rules for data packet transmission and a network interface that facilitates the connection to the network. The data transfer module may for example support data transfer rates up to 1 Gbps and may be compatiblewith both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols, thereby ensuring broad applicability and seamless integration with existing network infrastructures, including connectivity to the remote network 318, and the admin and user interfaces 320 and 360.

[0070] The programs 306 may include instructions that, when executed by the microprocessor 302, operate the water valve apparatus 100. For example, the instructions may include leak detection algorithms and further include sending shut off commands to the shutoff valve 110 to close the water pathway to the building unit 108 in case of water leak determination. The leak detection algorithms may include the microprocessor 302 receiving data from the sensors 326, processing and analyzing the data, and determining whether there is a water leak in the building unit 108. The controller 140 may record a log of sensory data, detected events (e.g., water leakage), sent commands, and other operational and performance data of the water valve apparatus 100 in the memory 304 for real-time or future analysis and maintenance purposes. Alternatively, the controller 140 may relay such data to an external memory such as a memory on the remote network 318 such as a cloud server.

[0071] In some embodiments, this data is further transmitted to the remote monitoring center 150, which aggregates and stores data from one or more smart water valve devices 100 for centralized monitoring, reporting, and auditing. The remote monitoring center 150 may be accessed by authorized users, such as insurance companies, to verify the cause and timeline of water leakage events, assess user response, and determine the validity of insurance claims. This centralized approach enhances transparency, accountability, and efficiency in water damage investigations and claim processing. In some embodiments, the monitoring center 150 provides a user interface or dashboard for authorized users to visualize historical water usage, leak events, and device health trends, further supporting decision-making and risk management.

[0072] The controller 140 may provide real-time and off-line feedback and notification to the user 362 and generate reports. For example, the user interface 360 may display to the user 362 real-time overall water consumption of the building unit 108 or by each appliance. The user interface 360 may further display historical water consumption patterns, sensor data, and occurred events, such as suspected leaks, high or abnormal water consumption levels, and valve shutoff events. The displayed information may be provided in various shapes and forms such as through log files, diagrams, charts, data tables, and time-series charts, for example. Accordingly, the user interface 360 may be configured to display real-time and historical water consumption patterns, allowing the user 362 to track usage and detect trends. The user 362 may manually open or close the shutoff valve 110 by using the control button 164 or through the user interface 360. In various embodiments, the term “information” as presented to the user via the user interface may include, but is not limited to, real-time and historical water usage data, sensor measurements (such as water flow rate, pressure, humidity, and water presence signals), system status updates, alerts regarding detected water leakage events, notifications of abnormal waterusage patterns, maintenance reminders, device health status, and audit logs of system events. The information may be displayed in various formats, including text, graphical charts, tables, log files, and visual alerts, and may be accessible through mobile applications, web dashboards, or dedicated display panels.

[0073] The water valve apparatus 100 may be configured to use various leak detection algorithms to determine whether there is a leak in the building unit 108. In an embodiment, the microprocessor 302 is instructed to compare the real-time data from one or more of the water flow rate and pressure sensors against expected values derived from normal water usage patterns. Particularly, the water flow sensor 112 measures the rate of water flowing through the building piping system 106, the pressure sensor 114 tracks the pressure levels in the building piping system 106, the water sensor 120 monitors and tracks humidity levels inside the building unit 108, and the occupancy sensor 132 monitors and tracks the occupancy status. The data from the occupancy sensor 132 may be key to interpreting water flow and pressure data by the microprocessor 302. For example, if the unit is unoccupied (i.e., ‘away’ occupancy status), any significant water flow is likely abnormal. The normal water usage patterns may be stored on a reference database 430 (as shown in Figure 4), stored on the memory 304, or stored at a remote storage and may be developed when initiating the water valve apparatus 100 or developed and retrained over time using data from an Al module 410. The normal water usage patterns may include collected data from sensors during initiating the water valve apparatus 100 or during different times of day (e.g., morning showers, evening laundry), expected water pressure levels during normal operation, flow rates for different appliances (such as toilet, faucet, and dishwasher).

[0074] In an embodiment, to collect an initial reference database 430 of the normal water consumption patterns, the user 362 is prompted, by the controller 140 through the user interface 360, to use various appliances under normal conditions, including asking the user to confirm which appliance was used, when the usage started and when the usage stopped, for example, to allow for collection of reliable reference data. The Al module 410 may be trained to recognize normal water usage patterns based on tracked sensor data (by the water flow sensor 112, the pressure sensor 114, the water or humidity sensor 120, and the occupancy sensor 132) and using supervised or unsupervised learning methods. For example, in a supervised learning method, the Al module 410 is initially fed labeled data indicating different water usage events and activities (e.g., toilet flushing, bathing, or dishwashing) and learns to associate sensor readings with these events and activities. In an unsupervised learning approach, the Al module 410 identifies clusters or patterns in water consumption without being explicitly programmed for each event and activity. The Al module 410 is configured to automatically determine normal water usage behavior and further distinguish the normal water usage from abnormal water usage and anomalies. Through these approaches, the Al module 410 establishes a baseline profile for normal water usage of the building unit 108. The Al module 410 is configured to account for variations due to different timesof day, seasons, and occupancy status. The occupancy status (e.g., occupied, sleep, crowded, or away) as provided by the home management system 130 and / or the occupancy sensor 132 or otherwise provided to the Al module 410 may be used by the Al module 410 in determining the normal or baseline water usage patterns. For example, in case of ‘away’ status where the building is unoccupied, the Al module 410 likely learns a normal water consumption pattern with zero or non-continuous water usage and raises an alert if the Al module detects any significant water flow, as water should not normally be used when no one is home. In case of occupied status, the Al module 410 expects some level of water usage based on the crowd and sleep status of the occupants and abnormal patterns, such as continuous water flow during sleep hours or excessive water use during short durations, may be flagged by the Al module 410 as abnormal. Moreover, the home management system 130 may be configured to provide further information to the Al module 410 about the usage status of the appliances 107-1 to 107-n, which may be combined with occupancy status data and other sensor data to further label normal water consumption patterns. For example, in case the building unit 108 is unoccupied, but the washing machine is running, the Al module 410 is configured to learn that some level of water consumption used by the washing machine is normal. By combining occupancy data and appliance usage data with sensor readings, the controller 140 more accurately assesses whether water usage is normal or whether a leak is likely. The occupancy status may be provided to the controller 140 and / or the Al module 410 continuously or periodically and may be integrated into the learning of the Al module 410 and the anomaly detection processes. This integration enables dynamic adaptation to changes in user behavior, occupancy patterns, and building usage over time. As a result, the establishment of normal water usage patterns and the detection of abnormal events may remain context-aware and responsive to evolving occupancy conditions.

[0075] For further clarity, as used herein, “normal water usage pattern” or “normal water consumption pattern” refers to water flow, pressure, and volume data collected from the building piping system 106 under typical operating conditions, as determined by sensor measurements from the water flow sensor 112 and pressure sensor 114, and user input during an initial calibration period. These patterns are stored in a reference database 430 and may be updated over time using machine learning algorithms, such as those implemented in the Al module 410, that analyze historical sensor data, occupancy status provided by the occupancy sensor 132, and appliance usage. “Normal” may be statistically defined as values within a predetermined range, for example, within one standard deviation of the mean usage for a given time period and occupancy status, or within a set percentage (e.g., ±30%) of the average measured usage for a specific appliance or activity, or for the overall water consumption of the building unit 108.

[0076] For leak detection, real-time data from the sensors is compared to these expected normal patterns and significant deviations from the normal range are flagged as potential leaks. The algorithm may use parameters such as water pressure difference, water flow rate difference, and flowed water volume difference and corresponding fixed or dynamic thresholds to check foran abnormality. The abnormality thresholds may include a pressure drop threshold (e.g., based on the lowest acceptable pressure or pressure drop level, below which the controller 140 assumes a leak), a flow rate threshold (e.g., if the water flow rate exceeds a certain flow rate value, adjusted for occupancy, a leak is flagged), and a volume threshold (e.g. a maximum allowable water volume over a certain period, exceeding which may indicate a slow, persistent leak or a major burst in the piping system 106). The abnormality thresholds may be determined based on predetermined values (e.g. values set by the admin user 322) or may be learned data by an Al-based or machine learning-based tool, for example by learning from feedback from the user 362, which enables fine-tuning the leak detection algorithms and reduces false positives and false negatives. In an embodiment, the controller 140 dynamically determines the abnormality threshold by analyzing historical sensor data (i.e., data from the water flow rate sensor 112, the pressure sensor 114, and the water sensor 120), occupancy status, and user feedback, thereby adapting the threshold to changing usage patterns and conditions.

[0077] In an embodiment, the leak detection algorithm includes instructions to monitor for abnormal water pressure drop in the piping system 106. The instructions include sending commands to the shutoff valve 110 to close temporarily to stop the water flow. This may be configured to happen during a time when water consumption is not regularly desired (e.g., during nighttime, when occupancy status is away). Once the water flow stops, the pressure sensor 114 continues monitoring the pressure in the downstream piping system 106. If there is a significant drop in water pressure after the shutoff, such significant drop may be an indication of water leakage. If pressure drops below the abnormality threshold within a short time frame, a water leakage is confirmed by the controller 140, and the user 362 or the admin user 322 are alerted for further corrective action while the shutoff valve 110 is kept closed.

[0078] As disclosed hereinabove, the controller 140 is configured to send notifications to the user 362 through the user interface 360, such as when a potential leak is detected. In one example, if the occupancy status is stay (i.e., the building unit 108 is occupied by the user), the controller 140 sends a leak detection alert to the user 362 for detected leaks, and the user is able to approve or disapprove the detection by the controller 140. If the user 362 approves the detected leak, the controller sends a shutoff command to the shutoff valve 110. When the user 362 approves a detected leak or disapproves a false positive leak alert, the controller 140 stores this feedback to improve future detection accuracy, for example by adjusting the abnormality thresholds. The controller 140 may use artificial intelligence and machine learning to learn from various patterns and improve water leakage detection, particularly to reduce false positive leak detections. The smart valve system continuously minimizes false positives, which may otherwise frustrate users or cause unnecessary shutoffs. For example, the Al module 410 is configured to identify situations that previously led to false alerts (e.g., high water usage during a party or unexpected usage during a renovation) and reduces the likelihood of repeating the false positive water leakage determinations. The Al module 410 further incorporates additional contextual data(e.g., time of day, number of occupants, seasonal variations) to improve the accuracy of leak detections.

[0079] Referring to Figure 4, shown therein is an Al module 410 of the controller 140, according to an embodiment, and a leak detection process 400 based thereon, according to an embodiment. The Al module 410 may be stored in the memory 304 as computer-executable instructions that, when executed on a processor (such as the microprocessor 302), cause the processor to perform the following functionality. The Al module 410 may a be separate module of the controller 140 configured to interact with the microprocessor 302. The Al module 410 may be configured to provide enhanced, accurate, and reliable leak detection algorithms by learning from historical data and user interactions. Over time, the Al module 410 may build a detailed profile of the typical water usage patterns of the building unit 108.

[0080] In the process 400, user-provided input data, data of the flow rate sensor 112, data of the pressure sensor 114, data of the water sensor 120, and data of the occupancy sensor 132 are provided to the Al module 410 as inputs (for training, testing, or inference), and a water leak detection is generated as the output. Where the generated output is a suspected leak event 420, the microprocessor 302 or the Al module 410 is configured to generate further instructions. The Al module 410 may be in communication with the reference database 430 of normal water usage or consumption patterns to improve the water leakage detection. The reference database 430 may be updated by the Al module 410.

[0081] In the process 400, if the unit 108 is occupied, an alert is sent for the user 362. If the unit 108 is unoccupied, the controller 140 sends a command signal to shut off the water pathway 102. As disclosed hereinabove, the user feedback (e.g., validating or invalidating the suspected leak event 420) may be fed back to the Al module 410 to improve the leak detection algorithm over time and reduce false positives.

[0082] The Al module 410 may be trained to recognize specific usage scenarios (e.g., dishwasher, running faucet, showering), distinguishing them from irregular patterns indicative of leaks. The Al module 410 may further include predictive capabilities, e.g., learning to predict potential leaks based on slow trends (e.g., slow drops in pressure over weeks), thereby improving detection of issues such as pinhole leaks before they cause major damage.

[0083] While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limiting the disclosed embodiments as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A smart water valve apparatus for detecting a water leakage event in a piping system of a building unit, the smart water valve apparatus comprising: a water pathway having an upstream end configured to connect to a water supply and a downstream end configured to connect to the piping system of the building unit; a shutoff valve for controlling water flow through the water pathway; an actuator operably connected to the shutoff valve and configured to selectively open and close the shutoff valve; a plurality of apparatus sensors comprising: a water flow rate sensor disposed along the water pathway and configured to generate water flow rate signals indicating water flow rate in the piping system; a pressure sensor disposed downstream from the shutoff valve and proximate to the downstream end and configured to generate pressure signals indicating water pressure of the piping system; and a controller operably coupled to the plurality of apparatus sensors and to the actuator, the controller configured to automatically detect the water leakage event in the piping system of the building unit at least based on monitoring sensor data from the plurality of apparatus sensors and an occupancy status, the controller further configured to send a shutoff command to the actuator to close the shutoff valve in response to detecting the water leakage event; wherein the occupancy status is provided by a home management system connected to the controller.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further operably connected to one or more water sensors disposed in the building unit, the controller further configured to receive humidity signals and / or water presence signals from the one or more water sensors, and wherein the sensor data further comprises the humidity signals and / or the water presence signals from the one or more water sensors.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein possible values of the occupancy status include an occupied status and an away status of the building unit.

4. The apparatus of any claims of claim 2-3, wherein the controller is configured to detect the water leakage event by: shutting down water flow by closing the shutoff valve;monitoring pressure signals; and indicating a pressure drop below a threshold; or: comparing the sensor data with normal water usage patterns; and detecting an abnormality in the sensor data, the abnormality being indicated automatically in part by the occupancy status.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the normal water usage patterns are self-learned by the controller.

6. The apparatus of claims 4 or 5, wherein the abnormality is further indicated by a water pressure difference, a water flow rate difference, or a flowed water volume difference value that is beyond an abnormality threshold.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the abnormality threshold is dynamically determined by the controller and is, at least in part, based on the occupancy status.

8. The apparatus of any claim of claims 2-7, wherein the apparatus is operably connected to a user interface configured to present information to a user based on controller instructions.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller, in response to detection of the water leakage event and where the occupancy status is occupied, is configured to send an alert to the user through the user interface to indicate the detected water leakage event.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to receive an indication of validation or invalidation of the detected water leakage event, and wherein the controller uses the indication to improve detection of a future water leakage event.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein where the indication validates the detected water leakage event, the controller is configured to send the shutoff command to the shutoff valve to close the water pathway.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 9-11 , wherein the controller, in response to detection of the water leak event and where the occupancy status is away, is configured to send the shutoff command to the shutoff valve to close the water pathway.

13. The apparatus of any of claims 9-12, wherein the apparatus is self-powered using a power generator turbine disposed on the water pathway.

14. The apparatus of any of claims 9-13, wherein the water flow rate sensor is configured to use ultrasonic water flow rate detection.

15. The apparatus of claims 9-14, wherein the controller comprises an Al module configured to continuously learn and update normal water usage patterns for the building unit based on historical sensor data, the occupancy status, and appliance usage, and to detect anomalies by comparing the sensor data to the dynamically updated patterns.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is further operably connected to a gateway device, the gateway device configured to provide connectivity between the apparatus, the one or more water sensors, and the home management system.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the gateway device is further configured to monitor health bits and status signals from the smart water valve apparatus, the one or more water sensors, and other connected devices, and to validate water leakage events before triggering the shutoff command or providing the alert to the user, thereby reducing false positives and negatives.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-17 further comprising a remote central monitoring center communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to aggregate, store, and analyze sensor data and status data from the smart water valve apparatus, and to provide audit logs or event histories for insurance claim verification, regulatory compliance, and / or third-party access.

19. A water management system for a piping system of a building unit, the water management system comprising: a smart water valve apparatus configured to detect a water leakage event in the piping system, the smart water valve apparatus comprising: a water pathway having an upstream end configured to connect to a water supply and a downstream end configured to connect to the piping system; a shutoff valve for controlling water flow through the water pathway; an actuator operably connected to the shutoff valve and configured to selectively open and close the shutoff valve; a plurality of apparatus sensors comprising a water flow rate sensor and a pressure sensor, the water flow rate sensor configured to generate water flow rate signals and the pressure sensor configured to generate pressure signals indicating water flow rate and water pressure in the piping system; a controller operably coupled to the plurality of apparatus sensors and to the actuator, the controller configured to automatically detect the water leakage event in the piping system at least based on monitoring sensor data from the plurality of apparatus sensors and an occupancy status, and to send a shutoff command tothe actuator to close the shutoff valve in response to detecting the water leakage event; and a home management system operably connected to the smart water valve apparatus and configured to provide occupancy status of the building unit to the controller.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the controller is further operably connected to one or more water sensors disposed in the building unit, the controller configured to receive humidity signals and water presence signals from the one or more water sensors, and wherein the sensor data further comprises the humidity signals and the water presence signals from the one or more water sensors.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a gateway device operably connected to the smart water valve apparatus, the home management system, and to the one or more water sensors, the gateway device configured to provide connectivity between the smart water valve apparatus, the one or more water sensors, and the home management system.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the gateway device is further configured to monitor health bits and status signals from the smart water valve apparatus, the one or more water sensors, and other connected devices, and to validate water leakage events before triggering a shutoff command or alert, thereby reducing false positives and negatives.

23. The system of any of claims 19-22, further comprising a remote central monitoring center communicatively coupled to the controller, the monitoring center configured to aggregate, store, and analyze sensor data and status data from the smart water valve apparatus, and to provide audit logs and event histories for insurance claim verification, regulatory compliance, and third-party access.

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