Remotely Actuated Flood Free Zone Valve for Polybutylene Piping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Polybutylene piping in residential homes is prone to leaks due to oxidation, causing structural integrity issues and potential water damage, with existing solutions being costly and involving replacement with copper piping.
Innovation Solution
A remotely actuated flood free zone valve system that can be installed downstream of a pressure reducing valve, allowing for automatic shut-off of the water supply via RF signals, compatible with home security systems to ensure water flow to fire sprinklers in case of fire, and optionally controlled externally at the water meter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If polybutylene piping is used to replace copper piping, then cost is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to oxidation and leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water supply control into two independent zones: above the flood free zone valve (sprinkler system) and below the valve (potable water system). This segmentation allows the polybutylene piping to be used in the lower zone while protecting the upper zone from potential leaks, thus maintaining cost benefits while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flood free zone valve acts as an intermediary component between the public water supply and the residential piping system. It provides a controlled interface that can automatically shut off water flow to prevent damage from polybutylene leaks, thereby protecting the overall system reliability without requiring complete piping replacement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the water supply is shut off to prevent leaks, then water damage risk is reduced, but fire safety deteriorates due to lack of water for sprinklers
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates separate water supply zones by positioning the flood free zone valve to control flow to different areas. The sprinkler system receives water from the public supply directly (above the valve), while the potable water system is controlled below the valve. This ensures fire safety is maintained independently of the leak prevention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operation mode can be dynamically changed between automatic and manual control. In automatic mode, it shuttles off water to prevent leaks; in manual mode, it remains open to ensure water availability for fire sprinklers. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between leak prevention and fire safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If automatic shut-off valve is installed, then water damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flood free zone valve operates automatically based on signals from the security system or remote control, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-regulates water flow to prevent damage, reducing the need for complex monitoring and control infrastructure while maintaining effective water damage prevention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides an inexpensive solution to reduce water damage risk by automatically shutting off the water supply when unoccupied, while ensuring fire safety by maintaining water flow to sprinklers, without the need for replacing polybutylene piping with copper.
Implementation Method 1
An actuator is mounted on the cut-off valve and remotely actuated via radio frequency (RF) signals to drive a DC motor to open or close the cut-off valve
Data Source
AI summary
A remotely-actuated residential water supply cut-off system is disclosed. A remotely-actuated cut-off valve interposed in a residential water line downstream of a pressure-reducing valve. An electronic actuator is mounted on the cut-off valve and is remotely actuated to drive a DC motor in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to open or close the cut-off valve in response to a received signal. The electronic actuator includes a transceiver, a microcontroller and a motor. The microcontroller drives the motor to open or close the valve in response to a wireless signal received by the transceiver. A handheld transceiver unit sends a signal to the actuator to open or close the cut-off valve, or operate in automatic mode.