Plumbing Isolation Valve Control for Abnormal Water Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plumbing systems face contamination risks due to water pressure extremes, lack of check valves, and back-flow preventers, leading to potential water supply disruptions and contamination, necessitating manual purging and boiling under 'Boil Water Advisories.
Innovation Solution
An isolation device with pressure sensors, a flow sensor, and a controller that automatically regulates a main valve to isolate the plumbing system from the water supply when pressure parameters are violated, preventing contamination and allowing controlled purging of suspected contaminated water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a check valve or back-flow preventer is installed to prevent water drainage back into the water-main, then water contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases and requires periodic inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical check valves and back-flow preventers with an electronically controlled isolation valve system. The controller automatically opens or closes the isolation valve based on pressure sensor readings, eliminating the need for mechanical one-way valves and their associated inspection requirements while maintaining contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-regulation through pressure sensors that continuously detect water main pressure and automatically trigger valve closure when contamination risk is detected. This eliminates the need for manual inspection and operation of traditional check valves.
2Reliability
If manual purging is performed to remove contaminated water from the plumbing system, then contamination is eliminated, but loss of time and productivity occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation valve prevents contamination from entering the plumbing system in the first place by closing automatically when abnormal pressure conditions are detected. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for subsequent purging operations, saving time and maintaining continuous water supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensors provide continuous feedback to the controller, enabling real-time detection of contamination risks and immediate valve closure. This feedback mechanism prevents contamination before it requires manual purging, reducing downtime and maintaining water supply continuity.
3Reliability
If the isolation valve remains closed to prevent contamination, then water safety is maintained, but water supply availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation valve transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic system that automatically opens when normal pressure conditions are detected and closes only when contamination risk is present. This dynamic behavior ensures water safety while maximizing water supply availability during normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors pressure parameters and changes the valve state based on detected pressure conditions. When pressure returns to normal ranges after a contamination event, the valve automatically opens to restore water supply, balancing safety with availability.
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
The solution effectively preserves potable water, prevents contamination, eliminates the need for manual flushing, and alerts users to high pressure risks, ensuring continuous access to clean water while protecting plumbing components from damage.
Implementation Method 1
The first water pressure sensor, which is coupled to the housing, senses a water pressure of water flowing through the water supply line and outputs a first measurement signal.
Implementation Method 2
The second water pressure sensor, which is coupled to the housing, senses water pressure of water flowing through the plumbing system and outputs a second measurement signal.
Implementation Method 3
The flow sensor senses a flow of water in the isolation device and outputting a third measurement signal.
Implementation Method 4
When the main valve is in the closed position, water in the plumbing system is isolated from water in the water supply line.
Data Source
AI summary
An isolation device and method are provided for isolating a plumbing system of a premises from a potable water source if permissible input water pressure parameters are violated. After the plumbing system has achieved a desired input water pressure, the isolation device places the plumbing system in an isolated state and only removes the plumbing system from the isolated state if the isolation device detects a demand for water from the plumbing system and if the isolation device determines that permissible input water pressure parameters are not being violated. Once the demand no longer exists, the isolation device returns the plumbing system to the isolated state.