The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 06, 2025
Filed:
Mar. 14, 2023
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL (US);
John R. Donovan, Bloomington, IL (US);
STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, Bloomington, IL (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for automatically actuating preexisting water shut-off valves upon detection of leak conditions. A coupling of a valve actuator is connected to a handle of the valve, such that a motor of the valve actuator causes the selective opening and closing of the valve. A controller obtains water flow data from a non-intrusive flow sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic sensor) clamped onto a pipe attached to the valve in close proximity thereto, as well as obtaining additional sensor data from remote sensors disposed elsewhere in the water supply system (e.g., pressure levels measured by an in-line pressure sensor). When the controller determines a leak condition exists based upon the water flow data and the additional sensor data, it controls the actuator to close the valve. The controller may also test for leaks by periodically shutting the valve and measuring the pressure while the valve is shut.