US 12,291,854 B2
Integrated water shut off valve control system
John R. Donovan, Bloomington, IL (US)
Assigned to STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, Bloomington, IL (US)
Filed by STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, Bloomington, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/183,620.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/486,565, filed on Feb. 23, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0287771 A1, Aug. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. E03B 7/07 (2006.01); G01M 3/28 (2006.01)
CPC E03B 7/071 (2013.01) [G01M 3/2807 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for actuating a water shut-off valve attached to a pipe of a water supply system, comprising:
a valve actuator comprising a motor and a valve handle coupling configured to apply a torque to a handle of the water shut-off valve to selectively open or close the water shut-off valve to control flow of water through the pipe;
a non-intrusive flow sensor configured to sense water flow within the pipe when attached to an external surface of the pipe;
a communication interface configured to send and receive electronic communication via one or more wireless communication protocols; and
a controller communicatively connected to the valve actuator, the non-intrusive flow sensor, and the communication interface, wherein the controller is configured to execute instructions to:
obtain water flow data indicating a level of water flow through the pipe from the non-intrusive flow sensor;
obtain additional sensor data from one or more remote sensors disposed at one or more additional pipes within the water supply system via the communication interface, wherein the one or more remote sensors include an in-line pressure sensor disposed between a terminal connection of one of the one or more additional pipes and a supply hose of a faucet or appliance;
determine whether a leak condition is detected within the water supply system based upon the water flow data and the additional sensor data; and
when the leak condition is detected, control the valve actuator to close the water shut-off valve.