GB2275294A

GB2275294A - Monitoring and control of water usage

Info

Publication number: GB2275294A
Application number: GB9302957A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bruce Coward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-02-15
Filing date: 1993-02-15
Publication date: 1994-08-24
Also published as: GB9302957D0

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring a water supply and controlling usage therefrom, wherein the water supply includes a water storage means (1), a water usage means (8, 9) and a water input (3, 4), comprises first monitoring means (5, 13) for monitoring the quantity of water in the storage means, second monitoring means (7, 11) for monitoring the water usage from the supply during a predetermined time period, and control means (10, 14) arranged to control the water usage means to prevent the water usage exceeding a predetermined quantity during the given time period, preferably over a plurality of successive time periods. The apparatus is particularly useful in a situation where the supply of water is limited such as on an ocean going boat. <IMAGE>

Description

MONITORING AND CONTROL OF WATER USAGE This invention relates to the monitoring and control of water usage.

In situations away from a sure water supply, such as a mains water supply, it is sometimes important. with certain activities of people to utilise water from a water storage system. This applies, for example, in desert travel, or in travel across the sea.

In such situations it is highly desirable to ensure that the consumption of water by the persons involved in the activity is monitored and controlled so that to the greatest possible extent the supply is sufficient for the period of time over which the activity extends.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus and a method for monitoring and controlling water supplies effectively and appropriately for the circumstances just mentioned.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for monitoring a water supply and controlling usage therefrom including water storage means and water usage means comprising means for monitoring water stored in the storage means, and means for monitoring water usage from the supply within a given time period, water usage output control means controllable in dependence upon the the water storage monitoring means and the water usage monitoring means whereby to prevent water usage exceeding a predetermined quantity in said given time period.

The apparatus may includes water input means connecting to the water storage means, and means for monitoring water input in said given time period, in which case the water usage output control means is controllable additionally in dependence on the water input monitoring means.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for monitoring a water supply and controlling usage therefrom comprising the steps, within a given time period, of monitoring water stored in the supply, and monitoring water usage from that stored in the supply, and in dependence thereon controlling usage of water to prevent such usage exceeding a predetermined quantity in said given time period.

The method preferably includes monitoring water input to that stored in the supply, and additionally controlling water usage in dependence thereon.

The control of usage of water to a predetermined quantity in dependence upon said monitoring within the given time period, is renewable sequentially, so that a fresh cycle of monitoring and control recommences at the end a one given time period for a fresh time period.

In a preferred embodiment the apparatus and method may include means for and the step of displaying on appropriate display means, information concerning, for example, water input water stored. and water usage within the given time period together with the predetermined water usage quantity limit for that time period.

The monitoring and control may be by means, or with the assistance, of computer hardware and software.

The usage control may for example be by means of a valve or pump.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood one embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which comprises a schematic representation of a water supply apparatus including monitoring and controlling apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The apparatus illustrated is suitable, for example, for use in an ocean going sailing vessel of the kind used, for example, for long distance ocean racing where the size of water storage facilities is strictly limited, and water input is again limited. In such circumstances it is highly desirable that a very full control should be exercised over the day to day consumption of water on its usage basis, this being dependent upon the quantity of water stored, and the quantity of input water and the anticipated length of time for the voyage.

As will be seen the apparatus essentially comprises a water storage tank 1 which may provide electrical signals 13 of the quantity of water held therein and having a physical pipe connection 2 from a water input 3 which can be, for example, rain-water collection apparatus. The pipe 2 passes through a water input transducer 4 which will produce electrical signals 5 dependent upon passage of water from the water input 3 to the water tank 1.

The water tank 1 also has a physical output pipe 6 leading via a water output transducer, providing electrical signals 7 related to the usage of water, to a pump or valve 8 leading in turn to a water output 9 such as a tap, or a plurality of such taps. A computer device 10 which may be of a micro-controller nature, with dedicated hardware and software for its purpose, is provided. This is, as is all the other apparatus, supplied from an electrical power source 12. The micro-controller 10 is arranged to receive signals 5 from the water input transducer 4, signals 13 from the water tank 1 (where these are supplied) , and signals 7 from the water output transducer 11. In turn, and in dependence upon these signals, the micro-controller 10 is arranged to provide controlling signals 14 to the pump or valve 8 for its actuation and de-actuation.

In addition a display unit 15, which may be integral with the micro-controller 10, indicates (for example) readings from each of the water transducer, water tank and water output transducer, as well as indicating the status of the valve or pump and water usage allowed, and actually occurred in the current given time period.

In practise the micro-controller 10 is operated over units of given time, such as 12 or 24 hours periods, and within this time signals indicative of the quantity of input water passing into the tank 1, signals indicative of the quantity of water stored in the water tank, and signals indicative of output water are fed to the controller. The controller will have been provided with a predetermined value of water usage for the given period of time concerned, and will control the pump or valve appropriately should this quantity be exceeded to cut off water from the water output for the remaining part of the given period. All of the relevant data will be displayed on the display unit 15, and the status of the pump or valve.

By means of the invention as illustrated I provide an effective and accurate means for controlling water usage in a system, such as on board a long distance sailing vessel, of relatively finite water storage so as to enable assurance that the consumption of water is such that the supply lasts for the desired period of time that the vessel is out of range of other water supplies.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of water usage monitoring and controlling arrangements in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for monitoring a water supply and controlling usage therefrom, the water supply including a water storage means and a water usage means, the apparatus comprising first monitoring means for monitoring the quantity of water in the storage means, second monitoring means for monitoring the water usage from the supply during a predetermined time period, and control means arranged to control the water usage means to prevent the water usage exceeding a predetermined quantity during the given time period.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the water supply includes water input means connected to the storage tank, and in which the first monitoring means includes means for monitoring the quantity of water supplied to the tank via the water input means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 arranged to vary the predetermined quantity in dependence on the quantity of water input.

4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3 including display means arranged to display information concerning one or more of water input, water stored, water usage within the predetermined time period and the predetermined quantity allowed for that period.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 located in a boat.

6. A method of monitoring a water supply and controlling usage therefrom, which comprises maintaining a measure of the quantity of water in a water storage means, measuring the quantity of water used from the storage means during a predetermined time period and controlling the water usage to prevent the water usage exceeding a predetermined quantity in that time period.

7. A method according to claim 6 which includes obtaining said measures in each of a plurality of successive time periods and controlling the water usage to prevent the water usage exceeding a predetermined quantity in each time period.

8. A method according to claim 6 or claim 7 including means for measuring water input to the water storage means and in which the predetermined quantity for any time period is adjusted depending on the water input in previous time periods.

9. A method according to any of claims 5 to 7 including displaying the water used within each time period together with the predetermined limit of water usage for that time period.

10. A method of controlling usage of water substantially as described herein.

11. Apparatus for monitoring a water supply and controlling usage therefrom substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.