US 12,320,102 B2
Thermal dispersion flow meter with fluid leak detection and freeze burst prevention
Robert Trescott, San Marcos, CA (US); Scott Shaw, Brentwood, TN (US); Scott Pallais, Escondido, CA (US); and Kenneth Fox, Escondido, CA (US)
Assigned to Sentinel Hydrosolutions, LLC, Escondido, CA (US)
Filed by Sentinel Hydrosolutions, LLC, Escondido, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/124,308.
Application 18/124,308 is a division of application No. 16/554,491, filed on Aug. 28, 2019, granted, now 11,608,618.
Application 15/396,346 is a division of application No. 13/899,450, filed on May 21, 2013, granted, now 9,759,632, issued on Sep. 12, 2017.
Application 16/554,491 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/041,216, filed on Jul. 20, 2018, granted, now 11,814,821.
Application 16/041,216 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/396,346, filed on Dec. 30, 2016, granted, now 10,036,143, issued on Jul. 31, 2018.
Application 13/899,450 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/342,961, filed on Jan. 3, 2012, granted, now 9,146,172, issued on Sep. 29, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/542,793, filed on Oct. 3, 2011.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/429,242, filed on Jan. 3, 2011.
Prior Publication US 2024/0060278 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01F 1/684 (2006.01); E03B 7/07 (2006.01); E03B 7/08 (2006.01); E03B 7/09 (2006.01); E03B 7/12 (2006.01); E03B 9/02 (2006.01); G01F 1/688 (2006.01); G01F 1/69 (2006.01); G01F 1/696 (2006.01); G01F 1/7084 (2022.01); G01F 15/00 (2006.01); G01K 13/02 (2021.01); G01M 3/00 (2006.01); G01M 3/28 (2006.01); G01K 1/143 (2021.01)
CPC E03B 7/071 (2013.01) [E03B 7/08 (2013.01); E03B 7/09 (2013.01); G01F 1/6847 (2013.01); G01F 1/6888 (2013.01); G01F 1/69 (2013.01); G01F 1/696 (2013.01); G01F 1/7084 (2013.01); G01K 13/02 (2013.01); G01M 3/002 (2013.01); G01M 3/2807 (2013.01); G01K 13/026 (2021.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fluid leak detection and freeze prevention system, comprising: a fluid leak detector configured to monitor a fluid flow of a fluid conduit system through the use of a primary sensor package that is configured to track a first fluid flow rate and a first fluid temperature, and a secondary sensor package that is configured to track a second fluid flow rate and a second fluid temperature;
a heating system thermally coupled to the fluid conduit system some distance downstream from the primary sensor package and comprising:
a heating element thermally coupled to the fluid conduit system;
a first relief valve configured to evacuate excess pressure within the fluid conduit system; and
a second relief valve located at a high point within the system, the high point located above an occupant area, and
a controller configured to increase the temperature of the heating element to a fluid flow rate measurement temperature, wherein a fluid flow rate is a function of the current required to heat the heating element to the fluid flow rate measurement temperature, the controller in communication with the primary sensor package, the secondary sensor package, and the heating system and operable to operate the first relief valve and the second relief valve,
wherein the controller is configured to activate the heating system upon detection of the first fluid temperature reaching a first threshold temperature to add heat energy to the fluid in the fluid conduit system,
wherein the controller is configured to activate the heating system upon detection of the second fluid temperature at or below a second threshold temperature for a predetermined time to add heat energy to fluid in the fluid conduit system, and
wherein the first threshold temperature is lower than the second threshold temperature.