Water use monitoring apparatus

摘要

The present invention is a water use and/or a water energy use monitoring apparatus that is affixed to the hot and cold water supply piping for continuously (or on demand) monitoring displaying the water and water energy (hot vs. ambient) use within a residential or commercial building. A first wire or wireless means is incorporated to communicate with a remote display for viewing by the owner of a commercial building or occupier/resident of a home. A second optional wire or wireless means can be incorporated that can be monitored by civil, commercial, governmental or municipal operators or agencies, using a remote display and/or recorder means or by a secure wire or wireless communication network (e.g. cell phone, smart phone or other similar technology communication means). A third wireless means communicates water parameter data utilizing typical cell tower technology and/or mesh network technology. The water use monitor apparatus includes a power generation, a microprocessor, temperature and water flow sensors, optional water quality sensors, timing circuits, wireless circuitry, and a display means. A wired or wireless means is designed to electronically communicate water use, water energy use and/or water quality information to a remotely located display apparatus or typical cell phone, smart phones, or similar apparatus for convenient observation by a commercial, operator or occupier, resident, municipal or government agency.

主权项

1. A water parameter use and monitoring apparatus comprising:
A base station apparatus connected to a main water supply means; said base station having a plurality of joint means including an input cold or ambient joint means engaged to an output of a cold/ambient, or alternately a joint means including a cold and hot water near or at the water supply source; said base station apparatus designed to be installed prior to any distribution lines within a residence or commercial building; electrical circuitry including one or more microprocessors contained with said base station apparatus; a power source connected to said electrical circuitry; one or more flow rate sensors means in close proximity to said water supply means, said one or more flow sensor means in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry; one or more pressure sensors in close proximity to said water supply means, said one or more pressure sensors in electric communication with said electrical circuitry; a temperature sensing means, said temperature sensing means in electrical communication with said electrical circuitry; said base station capable of monitoring and processing the water flow, water energy and/or water quality data or information obtained from the one or more flow rate sensors, one or more pressure sensor data or information, and the temperature sensing means data or information; one or more wireless electrical communication means, said one or more wireless electrical communication means having the capability to transfer water parameter, water energy and/or water quality information and/or data, one or more pressure sensor data or information, and the temperature sensing means data or information said one or more wireless communication means utilizing a router/server or cellular technology to connect and transferring said water parameter, water energy and/or said water quality information and/or data to the internet; and said one or more wireless electrical communication means utilizing encrypted, authentication, integrity and/or non-repudiation format technology to securely provide water use, water energy and/or water quality information and/or data in a confidential format.