US-12616924-B2 - Leak detection and response system for a pressure vessel

US12616924B2US 12616924 B2US12616924 B2US 12616924B2US-12616924-B2

Abstract

A leak detection and response system includes a valve assembly with a housing defining an internal passageway. The valve assembly includes an internal inlet port, an internal outlet port, a valve port assembly, an external inlet port, and an external outlet port each in fluid communication with the internal passageway. The valve assembly includes a first sensor port disposed either between the external outlet port and the internal inlet port, or between the external inlet port and the internal outlet port. The valve assembly includes a first leak sensor positioned in the first sensor port for generating a signal indicating a presence of water. The valve assembly includes a controller configured to receive the signal from the first leak sensor, and control the valve assembly to align the valve port assembly to block water flow from the external inlet port.

Inventors

Craig Schmitt
Monica Preston

Assignees

WATTS REGULATOR CO.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20230628

Claims (16)

1 . A leak detection and response system for a pressure vessel, the leak detection and response system comprising: a valve assembly including: a housing configured for fixture to an outer surface of the pressure vessel, the housing defining an internal passageway; an internal inlet port and an internal outlet port extending from the housing for attaching to corresponding ports of the pressure vessel, the internal inlet port and the internal outlet port forming a portion of the internal passageway; a valve port assembly disposed partially inside the housing in fluid communication with the internal passageway; an external inlet port and an external outlet port extending from the housing for connecting to an external water network, the external inlet port and the external outlet port also forming a portion of the internal passageway; a first sensor port in fluid communication with the internal passageway and disposed either between the external outlet port and the internal inlet port, or between the external inlet port and the internal outlet port; a first leak sensor positioned in the first sensor port for generating a signal indicating a presence of water; a controller configured to: receive the signal from the first leak sensor; and control the valve assembly to automatically align the valve port assembly to block water flow from the external inlet port based upon the signal; a second sensor port in fluid communication with the internal passageway and disposed, relative to the first sensor port, in an other of between the external outlet port and the internal inlet port, or between the external inlet port and the internal outlet port; and a second leak sensor positioned in the second sensor port for generating a second signal indicating a presence of water.
2 . The leak detection and response system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to display an error condition indicating a location of the first leak sensor when the controller switches to block water flow from the external inlet port.
3 . The leak detection and response system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to: receive the second signal; control the valve assembly to automatically align the valve port assembly to block water flow from the external inlet port based upon the second signal; name the first and second leak sensors for providing an indication of location; depict the first and second leak sensors on a display with a respective name; depict the first and second leak sensors on the display with a coloration to indicate status; depict the first and second leak sensors on the display with a respective battery life indication; and selectively reset depiction of the first and second leak sensors on the display.
4 . The leak detection and response system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal wirelessly from the first leak sensor and communicate the signals wirelessly to a linked smart phone, tablet, or computer running a specific application for display to a user.
5 . The leak detection and response system of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is selected from the group comprising: a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a turbidity sensor, a leak sensor, and combinations thereof.
6 . The leak detection and response system of claim 1 , wherein the valve port assembly comprises a first valve port assembly and a second valve port assembly, and wherein: in an operational position, the first valve port assembly is aligned for fluid flow only from the external inlet port to the internal outlet port and the second valve port assembly is aligned for fluid flow only from the internal inlet port to the external outlet port; in a bypass position, the first valve port assembly is aligned for fluid flow only from the external inlet port to the second valve port assembly and the second valve port assembly is aligned for fluid flow only from the first valve port assembly to the external outlet port; and in a shut-off position, the first valve port assembly is aligned to block fluid flow from the external inlet port.
7 . A leak detection and response system for a water filter system, the leak detection and response system comprising: a valve assembly including: a housing defining an internal passageway; an internal inlet port and an internal outlet port extending from the housing for attaching to corresponding ports of the water filter system, the internal inlet port and the internal outlet port in fluid communication with the internal passageway; a first and second valve port assemblies disposed partially inside the housing in fluid communication with the internal passageway; an external inlet port and an external outlet port extending from the housing, for connecting to an external water network, the external inlet port and the external outlet port also in fluid communication with the internal passageway; a leak sensor positioned in a sensor port, the sensor port in fluid communication with the internal passageway and disposed between the internal inlet port, the first valve port assembly, and the external outlet port, the leak sensor configured to generate a signal indicating a presence of water; a second leak sensor positioned in a second sensor port, the second sensor port in fluid communication with the internal passageway and disposed between the internal outlet port, the first valve port assembly, and the external inlet port, the second leak sensor configured to generate a second signal indicating a presence of water; and a controller configured to: receive the signal from the leak sensor; and control the first and second valve port assemblies to block water flow from the external inlet port based upon the signal.
8 . The leak detection and response system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to display an error condition indicating a location of the leak sensor when the controller switches to block water flow from the external inlet port.
9 . The leak detection and response system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to: receive the second signal; control the valve assemblies to automatically align the valve port assembly to block water flow from the external inlet port based upon the second signal; name the leak sensors for providing an indication of location; depict the leak sensors on a display with a respective name; depict the leak sensors on the display with a coloration to indicate status; depict the leak sensors on the display with a respective battery life indication; and selectively reset depiction of the leak sensors on the display.
10 . The leak detection and response system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal wirelessly from the leak sensor and communicate the signals wirelessly to a linked smart phone, tablet, or computer running a specific application for display to a user.
11 . The leak detection and response system of claim 7 , wherein the sensor is selected from the group comprising: a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a turbidity sensor, a leak sensor, and combinations thereof.
12 . A manifold assembly for a water filter system, the manifold assembly comprising: a housing having a mating surface extending between opposing sides of the housing, the mating surface for fitting to an outer surface of a pressure vessel of the water filter system, the housing defining an internal passageway; an internal inlet port and an internal outlet port extending from the mating surface for attaching to corresponding ports of the pressure vessel, the internal inlet port and the internal outlet port forming a portion of the internal passageway; first and second valve port assemblies disposed partially inside the housing in fluid communication with the internal passageway; an external inlet port and an external outlet port extending from the opposing sides of the housing, respectively, for connecting to an external water network, the external inlet port and the external outlet port forming a portion of the internal passageway; a leak sensor positioned in a sensor port, the sensor port in fluid communication with the internal passageway and disposed between the internal inlet port and the external outlet port, the leak sensor configured to generate a signal indicating a presence of water; a second leak sensor positioned in a second sensor port, the second sensor port in fluid communication with the internal passageway and disposed between the internal outlet port and the external inlet port, the second leak sensor configured to generate a second signal indicating a presence of water; and a controller configured to receive the signal from the leak sensor and control the valve port assemblies between an operational position, a bypass position, and a shut-off position, wherein: in the operational position, the first valve port assembly is aligned for fluid flow only from the external inlet port to the internal outlet port and the second valve port assembly is aligned for fluid flow only from the internal inlet port to the external outlet port; in the bypass position, the first valve port assembly is aligned for fluid flow only from the external inlet port to the second valve port assembly and the second valve port assembly is aligned for fluid flow only from the first valve port assembly to the external outlet port; and in the shut-off position, the first valve port assembly is aligned to block fluid flow from the external inlet port.
13 . The manifold assembly of claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to display an error condition indicating a location of the leak sensor when the controller switches the valve port assemblies to the shut-off position.
14 . The manifold assembly of claim 12 , wherein the controller is further configured to: receive the second signal; control the valve assemblies to automatically align the valve port assembly to the shut-off position based upon the second signal; name the leak sensors for providing an indication of location; depict the leak sensors on a display with a respective name; depict the leak sensors on the display with a coloration to indicate status; depict the leak sensors on the display with a respective battery life indication; and selectively reset depiction of the leak sensors on the display.
15 . The manifold assembly of claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal wirelessly from the leak sensor and communicate the signals wirelessly to a linked smart phone, tablet, or computer running a specific application for display to a user.
16 . The manifold assembly of claim 12 , wherein the sensor is selected from the group comprising: a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a turbidity sensor, a leak sensor, and combinations thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of Non-Provisional U.S. application Ser. No. 17/587,674, filed on Jan. 28, 2022, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of Non-Provisional U.S. Pat. No. 11,333,264 B2, filed on Aug. 19, 2019, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/804,051, filed on Feb. 11, 2019, entitled FILTRATION SYSTEM, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to water filter systems. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a manifold assembly for a whole house Point of Entry (POE) water filter system. BACKGROUND A whole house water filter system is a system capable of filtering all the water that enters a house from an external water network. These systems are also called Point of Entry (POE) systems because the water filters are usually installed before the water reaches the water heater, thus filtering both the cold and warm water in the house. The filtered water is then delivered to the faucets and other fixtures in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and the rest of the house. SUMMARY Pressure vessels for housing the filters of a POE system typically have a manifold section with molded ports for directing water from the external water network through the filter. Thus, if the manifold section becomes damaged, the entire pressure vessel needs to be replaced. Such molded-in configurations of the manifold can also make access to the filters inside the pressure vessel cumbersome and difficult. Furthermore, it is desirable for the manifold to have a shut-off capability so that water can be shut off from the pressure vessel for maintenance of the water filter system. Preferably, the shut-off operation by the manifold maybe selectively manually or automatically performed. It is also desirable to include the ability to bypass the filter system during activities such as irrigation. Described herein is an all-in-one manifold assembly which is fabricated separately from and coupled to a pressure vessel of a water filter system. The manifold assembly can be maintained or replaced separately from the pressure vessel such that, if the manifold assembly is damaged, the entire pressure vessel does not need to be replaced. The manifold assembly advantageously includes a bypass, shut-off and normal operational setting. One or more sensors may be included in the manifold for measuring, for example, the flow, pressure, temperature, and/or turbidity of the water in the water filter system. The manifold assembly can be attached by pushing the manifold housing into ports of the pressure vessel and installing fasteners, making for easy installation, maintenance and replacement of the manifold assembly. Further examples of the manifold assembly of this disclosure may include one or more of the following, in any suitable combination. In one embodiment, the subject technology is directed to a manifold assembly for a water filter system. The manifold assembly includes a housing defining an internal passageway extending between an external inlet, an external outlet, an internal inlet and an internal outlet. The internal passageway also defines at least one valve port. In a preferred embodiment, the internal passageway defines two valve ports. At least one motor assembly mounts in the housing. The at least one motor assembly has a rotatable gear. At least one shut-off valve assembly mounts in the at least one valve port. Preferably, a shut-off valve assembly mounts in each valve port with a corresponding motor assembly. Each shut-off valve assembly includes a valve stem portion, a valve gear slideably coupled to the valve stem portion, and a knob coupled to the valve gear so that manual movement of the knob moves the valve gear along the valve stem portion to select between automatic and manual modes. In the automatic mode, the valve gear(s) engages the rotatable gear(s) so that the at least one motor assembly selectively rotates the valve stem portion between a normal operating position, a bypass position, and a shut-off position. In the manual mode, the valve gear(s) is disengaged from the rotatable gear(s) so that rotating the knob can be used to manually rotate the valve stem portion between the normal operating position, the bypass position, and the shut-off position. The knob may include indicia so that a user can visually determine the position of the shut-off valve assembly. The valve gear preferably has a central large diameter portion with outer teeth. A proximal end stem extends from the central large diameter portion. A distal portion extends from the central portion for coupling to the valve stem portion. The distal portion includes a cylindrical sidewall defining a central bore and having at least one radially inward finger. The valve stem portion includes a proximal stem slideably fit in the