US20030221732A1

US20030221732A1 - Flood protection system

Info

Publication number: US20030221732A1
Application number: US10/339,997
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Winter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-12
Filing date: 2003-01-10
Publication date: 2003-12-04

Abstract

A dockside water shutoff system for a boat which includes a shutoff valve connected on an inlet end thereof to a fresh water supply. A conduit is connected to an outlet end of the shutoff valve for transferring water from the water supply to a plumbing system on a boat. A timer mechanism is operatively connected to the shutoff valve. The timer mechanism is configured to cause the shutoff valve to close after a predetermined period of time.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/347,598, filed on Jan. 12, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein.[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for shutting off fluid flow in a conduit, and more particularly to an improved flow control device for stopping fluid flow in a conduit when a predetermined time interval is exceeded.

2. Description of the Related Art

Most boats, especially smaller private recreational boats, have a limited amount of storage space. Furthermore, most boats have a limited amount of storage space for fresh water. Typically, the size of a fresh water tank depends on the available space and the occupant's needs. It is common for one person to consume one to ten gallons of water per day for drinking, washing, bathing, etc.

Therefore, due at least in part to this limited storage space, many boat owners, when tied up to a dock, connect to a fresh water supply at the side of the dock. More specifically, boat owners connect a hose (typically a common rubber garden hose) from the boat's plumbing system to a water faucet on the dock. This connection provides a continuous fresh water supply to the fresh water system on the boat. Pressurized water systems make life aboard a boat more comfortable by providing fresh water on tap for dishwashing, showering and more. Typical components of a fresh water system on a boat include a fresh water tank, hoses, a strainer, filters, a pump, an accumulator tank, a water heater, a municipal water inlet connection, faucets and a shower head.

Although the connection to the dockside fresh water supply fulfills an important need for the boat owner, it is not without potential drawbacks. That is, this configuration is susceptible to a failure of the water supply hose and/or any of the associated components which could prove to be devastating to the boat and/or the occupants on the boat. A leak in, or failure of, any of the components of the fresh water supply system that goes undetected could fill the boat with more water than the bilge pumps and/or electrical supply system can handle, thereby ultimately causing the boat to flood and sink.

It is therefore apparent that a need exists for an apparatus which would prevent such a devastating result even in the event of a failure of the water supply hose or related components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for preventing a flood in a boat resulting from an undetected leak in the fresh water supply system.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a dockside water shutoff system for a boat is provided which includes a shutoff valve connected on an inlet end thereof to a fresh water supply. A conduit is connected to an outlet end of the shutoff valve for transferring water from the water supply to a plumbing system on a boat. A timer mechanism is operatively connected to the shutoff valve. The timer mechanism is configured to cause the shutoff valve to close after a predetermined period of time. Therefore, in the event of a leak, the water will only leak for the period of time permitted by the timer mechanism.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an illustration of the valve assembly connected to a fresh water supply on the dock; [0012]
FIG. 1B is an illustration of a typical pressurized freshwater system on a boat; [0013]
FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of the flood protection system in accordance with the present invention; [0014]
FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a processing device for use in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0015]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the wiring associated with the flood protection system in accordance with the present invention; [0016]
FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating the components of the flood protection system in accordance with the present invention; and [0017]
FIG. 5 is a side view of the shutoff valve assembly with the cover of the enclosure removed.[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals refer to like or similar elements, and initially to FIG. 1A, there is shown an illustration of a valve assembly [0019] 100 connected to a fresh water supply 110 on a dock 120. Valve assembly 100 is preferably installed on the dock 120 at the source of the fresh water supply 110 to maximize amount of protection provided by the valve. That is, since the valve is located at the source of the water supply, it will shut off the water to each of the elements of the fresh water system on and off of the boat. A conduit 130 is connected to an outlet side of the valve 100 and carries water to a boat.
A timer mechanism which is operatively connected to the valve assembly may be mounted in the vicinity of the valve [0020] 100 and is preferably mounted in a wall within a boat. Preferably, the timer mechanism is installed in the proximity of a sink or other fresh water source (e.g., a water faucet or shower) on the boat. Therefore, it will be convenient for the boater to energize the flood protection system as necessary. The timer mechanism is preferably connected to a solenoid which causes the valve to open and close. The valve will remain open for a predetermined period of time such as, for example, 30 minutes. It is contemplated that the predetermined period of time may be adjustable.
FIG. 1B is an illustration of a typical pressurized freshwater system on a boat. Typical components of a fresh water system on a boat include a [0021] fresh water tank 135, hoses 140, a strainer 145, filters 150, a pump 155, an accumulator tank 160, a water heater 165, a municipal water inlet connection 170, faucets 175 and a shower head 180. As shown, the freshwater system on the boat includes several different components all connected by rigid and/or flexible conduit. Each of the connections are susceptible to leaking. Thus, the flood protection system in accordance with the present invention advantageously provides the protection required.
Referring now to FIG. 2A, a schematic diagram of the flood protection system in accordance with the present invention is shown. As shown, a two [0022] conductor cable 205 is connected at one end to the boat's power supply 210 and at a second end to a timer 215. On the other end of the timer 215, another two conductor cable 220 is run to a bulkhead fitting 225 and ultimately to an electric solenoid that controls the shutoff valve 230. It is also contemplated that the shutoff valve may be controlled by any other means known to one having ordinary skill in the art such as, for example, via pneumatic controls. It is further contemplated that the timer may be initiated by a momentary pushbutton or by a wireless signal. The shutoff valve 230 is connected to a dockside water supply 235 on an inlet side and to a conduit 240 on an outlet side. Conduit 240 is preferably a garden hose which is clean so that it will not contaminate the drinking water for the boat. Alternative materials may be utilized for conduit 240 such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or copper. An outlet end of conduit 240 is connected to a water inlet connection 245 associated with the boat.
FIG. 2B shows an example of a [0023] processing device 260 that may be used to implement the functions of the timer mechanism in accordance with the present invention. The device 260 includes a processor 262 and a memory 264 which communicate over at least a portion of a set 265 of one or more system buses. Also utilizing at least a portion of the set 265 of system buses are a control device 266 and a network interface device 268.
For example, the [0024] processor 262 may represent a microprocessor, central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), as well as portions or combinations of these and other processing devices. The memory 264 is typically an electronic memory, but may comprise or include other types of storage devices, such as disk-based optical or magnetic memory. The control device 266 may be associated with the processor 262. The control device 266 may be further configured to transmit control signals to, e.g., the water shutoff valve.
The flood protection techniques described herein may be implemented in whole or in part using software stored and executed using the respective memory and processor elements of the [0025] device 260. For example, the timer functions may be implemented at least in part using one or more software programs stored in memory 264 and executed by processor 262. The particular manner in which such software programs may be stored and executed in device elements such as memory 264 and processor 262 is well understood in the art and therefore not described in detail herein. It should be noted that the device 260 may include other elements not shown, or other types and arrangements of elements capable of providing the functions described herein.
FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the wiring associated with the flood protection system in accordance with the present invention. In general, the two [0026] conductor wire 320 is connected to the boat power supply 310, timer 315 and bulkhead fitting 325. In a preferred embodiment, the flood protection system utilizes the electrical supply system 310 from the boat. More specifically, utilizing the boat's 12 or 24 volt D.C. electrical system, a two conductor cable 320 is run through a 1.5 amp fuse and into an electrical box which is housing the timer mechanism 315. A second two conductor cable is run from the electrical box which is housing the timer mechanism 315, to an outlet in the bulkhead of the boat. Within the electrical box, the conductors of the cables are connected to the timer from the electrical supply as shown in an exploded view in FIG. 3.
FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating the components of the flood protection system in accordance with the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the components illustrated in FIG. 4 include a [0027] brass adapter 405, an electric valve 410, a PVC coupling 415, a brass adapter 420, a marine gang box 425, a marine gang box cover 430, box 435, a timer mechanism 440, a switch plate 445, 20 gage 2 conductor wire 450 and a bulkhead fitting 455. Additional components of the present invention which are not shown include a junction box, a 24 volt transformer and a 30 psi regulator. It is contemplated that alternative sizes and materials may be substituted for any or all of the exemplary parts.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the shutoff valve assembly in accordance with the present invention with the cover of the enclosure removed to permit viewing of the valve assembly. As shown, [0028] shutoff valve 505 is positioned within enclosure 510. An electric solenoid 515 is operatively connected to shutoff valve 505 to cause shutoff valve 505 to open and close in response to a signal from a timer (not shown). A PVC coupling 520 is connected to one end of shutoff valve 505. On either end of the enclosure is a brass adapter fitting 525 configured to connect to the dockside water supply (not shown) and the conduit (not shown).
The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative only. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that numerous alternative embodiments may be devised by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, although the present invention was described with reference to its application to boats, the invention has additional applications such as, for example, recreational vehicles. [0029]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A flood protection system comprising:

a valve configured to open and close the supply of water to a boat; and

timer means operatively connected to the valve to close the valve after a predetermined period of time.

2. The flood protection system as recited in claim 1 wherein the timer means is also operatively connected to the valve to open the valve at a beginning of the predetermined period of time.

3. The flood protection system as recited in claim 1 further comprising switch means to energize the timer means.

4. The flood protection system as recited in claim 3 wherein the switch means is a pushbutton switch.

5. The flood protection system as recited in claim 1 wherein the valve is connected to a source of water supply on a dock.

6. The flood protection system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a conduit connected at a first end to an outlet side of the valve and connected at a second end to the boat.

7. The flood protection system as recited in claim 6 wherein the conduit is a rubber hose.

8. The flood protection system as recited in claim 1 further comprising an electric solenoid operatively connected to the valve to open and close the valve.

9. The flood protection system as recited in claim 1 wherein the predetermined period of time is thirty minutes.

10. A method of preventing a flood on a boat, the method comprising the steps of connecting a valve configured to open and close the supply of water to a boat to a source of water; and

energizing timer means operatively connected to the valve to open the valve for a predetermined period of time.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein the source of water is on a dock.

12. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein the timer means is connected to a solenoid to open and close the valve.

13. The method as recited in claim 10 further comprising the step of closing the valve after the predetermined period of time.

14. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein the predetermined period of time is thirty minutes.