Controller for a manifold assembly in a water filter system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022154841-A1
Application number	US-202217587674-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 28, 2022
Priority date	Feb 11, 2019
Publication date	May 19, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A control system for a water filter assembly comprising a filter having an RFID tag and an RFID sensor to generate a RFID signal containing data related to the filter. A valve assembly moves between a shut off position, an operational position directing the flowpath of the water supply through the filter, and a bypass position. A controller communicate with a lawn irrigation system to determine if the irrigation system is operative. When operative, the controller has the valve assembly switch to the bypass position. The controller also receives the RFID signal to verify if the filter is proper. The controller also receives a leak signal from a leak sensor and has the valve assembly automatically switch to the shut off position if a leak occurs. The controller can name the leak sensor with a location and indicate battery life of the leak sensor.

First claim

1 - 14 . (canceled)

15 . A control system for a water filter system, the control system comprising:
an RFID tag on a filter, the RFID tag containing data related to the filter; an RFID sensor configured to read the data of the RFID tag to generate a signal containing the data related to the filter; and a controller including:
memory storing an instruction set; and
a processor in communication with the memory for running the instruction set, the controller being configured to:
receive the signal from the RFID sensor;
verify if the filter is proper for use in the water filter system; and
generate an error signal if the filter is not proper.

16 . The control system of claim 15 , wherein:
the data includes a serial or inventory number; the memory stores a master list of valid inventory; and the controller is further configured to prevent fraud based upon comparing the serial or inventory number to the master list.

17 . The control system of claim 15 , further comprising a flow sensor to generate a second signal indicating an amount of water having passed through the filter,
wherein the memory stores a predetermined threshold of use of the filter, and wherein the controller is further configured to: generate a reminder signal if the filter needs changing based upon the second signal and the predetermined threshold; and calculate an amount of life remaining for the filter based upon the second signal and the predetermined threshold.

18 . The control system of claim 17 , wherein the memory stores data related to a cell phone of an owner of the water filter system and wherein the controller is further configured to provide the reminder signal and the amount of life remaining as a text to the cell phone.

19 . The control system of claim 17 , wherein the controller includes a display screen, wherein the amount of life remaining for the filter and a reminder signal to change the filter are indicated on the display screen.

20 . A leak detection and response system for a point of entry water filter system connected to a water supply, the leak detection and response system comprising:
a valve assembly configured for movement between shut off and operational positions to respectively close and open a flowpath of the water supply; a first leak sensor positioned where water leakage may occur for generating a signal indicating a presence of water; and a controller configured to: receive the signal from the first leak sensor; and control the valve assembly to automatically switch from the operational position to the shut off position based upon the signal.

21 . The leak detection and response system of claim 20 , wherein the controller is configured to display an error condition indicating a location of the first leak sensor when the controller switches to the shut off position.

22 . The leak detection and response system of claim 20 , further comprising a second leak sensor for generating a second signal indicating a presence of water, wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive the second signal; control the valve assembly to automatically switch from the operational position to the shut off position 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.

23 . The leak detection and response system of claim 22 , wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal wirelessly from the first and second leak sensors and
communicate the signals wirelessly to a linked smart phone, tablet, or computer running a specific application for display to a user.

24 . A control system for a point-of-entry water filter assembly, the control system comprising:
a controller including memory for storing an instruction set and a processor for running the instruction set, wherein the controller is operative to:
communicate with a lawn irrigation system to determine if the irrigation system is operative; and
if the lawn irrigation system is operative, the controller communicates with a manifold of the point-of-entry water filter assembly to bypass filtering for conserving filter life.

25 . The control system of claim 24 , wherein the controller includes the lawn irrigation system so that the controller is operative to control and coordinate the manifold and irrigation components.

26 . The control system of claim 24 , wherein the controller is configured to, after completion of an irrigation cycle, communicate with the manifold to switch to a normal position for filtering incoming water.

27 . The control system of claim 24 , wherein the controller further comprises a display for user interaction to selectively manually bypass filtering.

28 . The control system of claim 24 , wherein the controller further comprises a time clock synchronized to the lawn irrigation system; and wherein the controller is further configured to synchronize with the lawn irrigation system to switch to a bypass position during watering times based upon accessing stored watering time data.

29 . The control system of claim 28 , wherein the stored watering time data is accessible via menu of a touch screen display of the controller or via a software application on a smart device such as a laptop, tablet and cell phone linked to the controller.

30 . A control system for a point-of-entry water filter assembly, the control system comprising:
a filter having an RFID tag containing data related to the filter; an RFID sensor configured to read the data of the RFID tag to generate a RFID signal containing the data related to the filter; a manifold valve assembly configured for movement between: a shut off position closing the flowpath of the water supply; an operational position directing the flowpath of the water supply through the filter; and a bypass position directing the flowpath of the water supply around the filter for conserving filter life; a first leak sensor positioned where water leakage may occur for generating a first leak signal indicating a presence of water; a second leak sensor positioned where water leakage may occur for generating a second leak signal indicating a presence of water; and a controller including memory for storing an instruction set and a processor for running the instruction set, wherein the controller is configured to:
communicate with a lawn irrigation system to determine if the irrigation system is operative;
if the lawn irrigation system is operative, the controller communicates with the manifold valve assembly to switch to the bypass position;
receive the RFID signal from the RFID sensor;
verify if the filter is proper for use in the water filter system;
generate an error signal if the filter is not proper;
receive the first leak signal from the first leak sensor;
receive the second leak signal from the second leak sensor;
control the valve assembly to automatically switch to the shut off position based upon the first and second leak signals;
name the first and second leak sensors for providing an indication of location; and
depict the first and second leak sensors on a display with a respective battery life indication.

Assignees

• Watts Regulator Co

Inventors

• Schmitt Craig
• Preston Monica

Classifications

• F16K37/0008

  Mechanical means (F16K37/0075 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B01D2201/165

  Multi-way valves · CPC title

• C02F2201/005

  Valves · CPC title

• C02F2201/004

  Seals, connections · CPC title

• C02F1/001

  Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance (C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00) · CPC title