Valve meter assembly and method

摘要

A valve meter device, assembly, and method is disclosed including a housing defining at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening and a channel connecting the openings, the at least one inlet opening having an inlet end and the at least one outlet opening having an outlet end; a water meter positioned in the channel, the water meter configured to monitor a flow of water through the valve meter device; and a valve in communication with the channel and configured to control the flow of water through the valve meter device. In some embodiments, a linear distance exists between the inlet end and the outlet end, the linear distance being no greater than a standard water meter lay-length.

主权项

1. An assembly comprising:
a housing, the housing defining at least one inlet opening, at least one outlet opening, and a channel connecting the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening, the at least one inlet opening having an inlet end and the at least one outlet opening having an outlet end, there being a linear distance between the inlet end and the outlet end, the linear distance being no greater than a standard water meter lay-length; a water meter positioned in the channel, the water meter configured to monitor a flow of water through the assembly; a valve in communication with the channel and configured to control the flow of water through the assembly; a communications device configured to send signals to a remotely located communicator; and a valve monitoring circuit, wherein the valve monitoring circuit includes:
logic configured to monitor a state of the valve, the state including an open state and at least one of a closed state and a trickle state; andlogic configured to determine if water is flowing through the meter;wherein the signals include a distress signal if at least one of a first condition and a second condition are met,wherein the first condition is that water is flowing through the meter when the state of the valve is in the closed state, andwherein the second condition is that water is flowing through the meter in excess of a predetermined amount when the state of the valve is in the trickle state.