US-20260126821-A1 - SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING PIPE TEMPERATURE

US20260126821A1US 20260126821 A1US20260126821 A1US 20260126821A1US-20260126821-A1

Abstract

A system for monitoring and controlling pipe temperature to prevent freezing comprises a heating apparatus, at least one processor, and a memory storing executable instructions. The processor receives temperature readings from a sensor coupled to the pipe and determines the pipe's state based on these readings. The system automatically controls the heating apparatus based on the determined state, including detecting rapid temperature drops by calculating temperature change rates over time. A mobile computing device communicatively couples to the processor, enabling remote monitoring and manual override capabilities. The system continuously monitors pipe temperature, activating heat tape when temperatures fall below thresholds or when rapid temperature drops are detected, and deactivating when safe temperatures return. This automated protection system addresses the critical need for real-time pipe monitoring in vulnerable housing structures, preventing costly freeze damage without requiring extensive modifications to existing plumbing infrastructure.

Inventors

Daryl B. Alexander
Randolph Louis Abidin

Assignees

Daryl B. Alexander
Randolph Louis Abidin

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251203

Claims (6)

1 . A system for monitoring and controlling a temperature of a pipe, comprising: a heating apparatus; at least one processor; and a memory storing instructions that when executed by the processing cause the processor to perform a method, the method comprising: receiving, from a sensor, at least one temperature reading of the pipe; calculating, by the at least one processor, a first temperature condition using the at least one temperature reading; comparing, by the processor, the first temperature condition to a rapid temperature drop threshold; in response the first temperature condition being above a threshold, activating, by the processor, the heating apparatus; in response to the first temperature condition being below the threshold, comparing the at least one temperature reading to a second threshold; in response to the at least one temperature reading being at or below the second threshold, activating, by the processor, the heating apparatus; and in response to the at least one temperature reading being above the second threshold, deactivating, by the processor, the heating apparatus.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein calculating the first temperature condition, further comprises: calculating, using the at least one temperature reading, a difference in temperature over time.
3 . A computer implemented method for monitoring and controlling a temperature of a pipe, comprising: receiving at least one temperature reading of the pipe; calculating a first temperature condition using the at least one temperature reading; comparing the first temperature condition to a rapid temperature drop threshold; in response the first temperature condition being above a threshold, activating the heating apparatus; in response to the first temperature condition being below the threshold, comparing the at least one temperature reading to a second threshold; in response to the at least one temperature reading being at or below the second threshold, activating the heating apparatus; and in response to the at least one temperature reading being above the second threshold, deactivating the heating apparatus.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein calculating the first temperature condition, further comprises: calculating, using the at least one temperature reading, a difference in temperature over time.
5 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that when executed cause a processor to: receive at least one temperature reading of the pipe; calculate a first temperature condition using the at least one temperature reading; compare the first temperature condition to a rapid temperature drop threshold; in response the first temperature condition being above a threshold, activating the heating apparatus; in response to the first temperature condition being below the threshold, comparing the at least one temperature reading to a second threshold; in response to the at least one temperature reading being at or below the second threshold, activating the heating apparatus; and in response to the at least one temperature reading being above the second threshold, deactivating the heating apparatus.
6 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 5 , wherein calculating the first temperature condition, further comprises: calculating, using the at least one temperature reading, a difference in temperature over time.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims benefit to Provisional Application No. 63/716,604, filed Nov. 5, 2024, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Endeavor The present invention relates to pipe monitoring systems, and more particularly, to a system for monitoring and controlling the temperature of a pipe to prevent catastrophic failure thereof. Background of Related Art Piping structures commonly used in residential homes, especially those with cold crawl spaces, and particularly prevalent in mobile homes, manufactured homes, and modular homes, are highly susceptible to freezing. Such freezing events frequently lead to pipes bursting, resulting in significant water damage to the property and incurring substantial repair expenses for homeowners. A critical deficiency in existing solutions is the lack of direct control and real-time monitoring of heat tape systems and the overall piping infrastructure within these vulnerable housing structures. Manual systems require users to physically turn heat tapes on and off, which can be inefficient and susceptible to human error, particularly during unexpected temperature drops or when homeowners are absent. Furthermore, many conventional pipe protection methods require extensive and costly modifications to a home's existing electrical and water piping systems. These modifications often involve the installation of complex components such as pressure sensors, bypass valves, and secondary drainage systems, typically requiring the expertise and expense of professional plumbers. The financial burden imposed by frozen and burst pipes is considerable. According to 2023 State Farm claims data 1, the company processed more than 17,200 claims directly related to frozen pipes, resulting in payouts exceeding $432.5 million, with the average claim amounting to over $23,500. States most affected by these claims in 2023 included Texas ($64 million), New York ($17 million), Illinois ($10.8 million), Michigan ($7.2 million), Colorado ($6.5 million), Washington ($6.4 million), Minnesota ($6.3 million), Pennsylvania ($5.7 million), Alaska ($4.3 million), and Connecticut ($3.8 million). As can be seen, there is a need for a system for monitoring and controlling the temperature status of a pipe to prevent catastrophic failure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention include a system and method for monitoring and controlling a temperature of a pipe. The system includes a plurality of components, such as, a heating apparatus, at least one sensor, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions that when executed by the processing cause the processor to perform a method. The method of the present invention receives temperature readings of the pipe from the sensor and calculates a first temperature condition using the temperature reading. The first temperature condition is compared to a rapid temperature drop threshold, and in response the first temperature condition being above a threshold the heating apparatus is activated. In response to the first temperature condition being below the threshold, the temperature reading is compared to a second threshold. In response to the temperature reading being at or below the second threshold the heating apparatus is activated. Finally, in response to the temperature reading being above the second threshold the heating apparatus is deactivated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for monitoring and controlling pipe temperature, according to aspects of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method of configuring a system for monitoring and controlling pipe temperature, according to aspects of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an overall method of monitoring and controlling pipe temperature, according to aspects of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a sub-flow diagram of a method controlling pipe temperature and rapid temperature drop detection, according to aspects of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a sub-flow diagram of a method for activating and deactivating temperature control systems, according to aspects of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a sub-flow diagram of a method for activating and deactivating temperature control systems, according to aspects of the present invention; and FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method of delivering key indicators, according to aspects of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. As stated above, plumbing systems are susceptible to damage from freezing temperatures,