System and method for closing an existing valve in response to a detected leak

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting unit further comprises: a processor connected between the fluid detector and the transmitter.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2 , wherein the processor is a PIC.

Claim 5

The system of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further configured to generate the signal in response to a detected fluid.

Claim 6

The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal contains a predetermined code.

Claim 7

The system of claim 5 , wherein the code comprises a predetermined unique 32 bit code.

Claim 8

The network of claim 6 wherein the signal is a wireless signal.

Claim 9

The system of claim 7 , wherein the transmitting unit further comprises: an antenna configured to transmit the signal.

Claim 10

The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiving unit further comprises: a processor connected between the receiver and the motor.

Claim 11

The system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is a PIC.

Claim 12

The system of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine if the signal contains the predetermined code.

Claim 15

The method of claim 12 further comprising: attaching a coupling mechanism to the manual valve.

Claim 16

The method of claim 12 , wherein the fluid is one of the group consisting of a conductive liquid, combustible liquid, combustible gas, and carbon monoxide.

Claim 17

The method of claim 12 , wherein the signal comprises a code.

Claim 18

The method of claim 15 , wherein the code further comprises a predetermined unique 32 bit code.

Claim 19

The method of claim 12 , wherein the signal is a wireless signal.

Claim 20

A transmitting unit comprising: a fluid detector; a memory device configured to store a code; and a transmitter connected to the fluid detector and the memory device, the transmitter being capable of transmitting a signal in response to a detected fluid, the signal comprising the code, a manual valve being operated in response to the code, wherein the manual valve is operated by a motor, the motor being detachably secured to a handle of the manual valve, the motor operating to close the valve, thereby closing the valve and terminating current supplied to the motor.

Claim 21

A transmitting unit comprising: a fluid detector; a memory device configured to store a code; and a transmitter connected to the fluid detector and the memory device, the transmitter being capable of transmitting a signal in response to a detected fluid, the signal comprising the code, a manual valve being operated in response to the code, wherein the manual valve is operated by a motor, the motor being detachably secured to a handle of the manual valve, the motor operating to close the valve, thereby closing the valve and terminating current supplied to the motor.

Claim 22

The system of claim 18 , wherein the transmitting unit further comprises: a processor connected between the fluid detector and the transmitter.

Claim 23

The system of claim 19 , wherein the processor is a PIC.

Claim 24

The system of claim 20 , wherein the processor is further configured to generate the signal in response to a detected fluid.

Claim 25

The system of claim 18 , wherein the code is a predetermined substantially unique 32 bit code.

Claim 26

The system of claim 18 , wherein the transmitting unit further comprises: an antenna configured to transmit the signal.

Claim 27

The system of claim 23 , wherein the signal is a wireless signal.

Claim 30

The method of claim 25 , wherein the fluid is one of the group consisting of a conductive liquid, combustible liquid, combustible gas, and carbon monoxide.

Claim 31

The method of claim 25 , wherein the code further comprises a predetermined unique 32 bit code.

Claim 32

The method of claim 25 , wherein the signal is a wireless signal.

Claim 33

A receiving unit comprising: a receiver capable of detecting the signal; an attachment mechanism having two ends, a first end of the attachment mechanism being detachably secured to a handle of a manual valve; and a motor being attached to a second end of the attachment mechanism and the motor being attached to the receiving unit, wherein the motor is supplied an amount of current to generate torque to turn the valve toward an off position in response to the receiver detecting the signal and the motor being controlled to stop turning the valve in response to the amount of current exceeding a predetermined current value, thereby closing the valve and terminating current supplied to the motor.

Claim 34

A receiving unit comprising: a receiver capable of detecting the signal; an attachment mechanism having two ends, a first end of the attachment mechanism being detachably secured to a handle of a manual valve; and a motor being attached to a second end of the attachment mechanism and the motor being attached to the receiving unit, wherein the motor is supplied an amount of current to generate torque to turn the valve toward an off position in response to the receiver detecting the signal and the motor being controlled to stop turning the valve in response to the amount of current exceeding a predetermined current value, thereby closing the valve and terminating current supplied to the motor.

Claim 35

The system of claim 29 , wherein the receiving unit further comprises: a processor connected between the receiver and the motor.

Claim 36

The system of claim 30 , wherein the processor is a PIC.

Claim 37

The system of claim 29 , wherein the signal comprises a code.

Claim 38

The system of claim 32 , wherein the code comprises a predetermined substantially unique 32 bit code.

Claim 39

The system of claim 33 , wherein the processor is configured to determine if the signal contains the predetermined code.

Claim 40

The system of claim 29 , wherein the receiving unit further comprises an antenna configured to receive the signal.

Claim 41

The system of claim 35 , wherein the signal is a wireless signal.

Claim 44

The method of claim 37 further comprising: attaching a coupling mechanism to the manual valve.

Claim 45

The method of claim 37 , wherein the signal comprises a code.

Claim 46

The method of claim 39 , wherein the code comprises a predetermined unique 32 bit code.

Claim 47

The method of claim 37 wherein the receiving step is performed wirelessly.

Claim 48

A network comprising: a first transmitting unit; a second transmitting unit; and a receiving unit in communication with the first transmitting unit and the second transmitting unit, wherein both the first transmitting unit and the second transmitting unit individually comprise: a fluid detector; and a transmitter connected to the fluid detector, wherein the transmitter is capable of transmitting a signal in response to a detected fluid; and wherein the receiving unit comprises: a receiver capable of detecting the signal; an attachment mechanism having two ends, a first end of the attachment mechanism being detachably secured to a handle of a manual valve; and a motor being attached to a second end of the attachment mechanism and the motor being attached to the receiving unit, wherein the motor is supplied an amount of current to generate torque to turn the valve toward an off position in response to the receiver detecting the signal and the motor being controlled to stop turning the valve in response to the amount of current exceeding a predetermined current value, thereby closing the valve and terminating current supplied to the motor.

Claim 49

A network comprising: a first transmitting unit; a second transmitting unit; and a receiving unit in communication with the first transmitting unit and the second transmitting unit, wherein both the first transmitting unit and the second transmitting unit individually comprise: a fluid detector; and a transmitter connected to the fluid detector, wherein the transmitter is capable of transmitting a signal in response to a detected fluid; and wherein the receiving unit comprises: a receiver capable of detecting the signal; an attachment mechanism having two ends, a first end of the attachment mechanism being detachably secured to a handle of a manual valve; and a motor being attached to a second end of the attachment mechanism and the motor being attached to the receiving unit, wherein the motor is supplied an amount of current to generate torque to turn the valve toward an off position in response to the receiver detecting the signal and the motor being controlled to stop turning the valve in response to the amount of current exceeding a predetermined current value, thereby closing the valve and terminating current supplied to the motor.

Claim 50

The network of claim 42 wherein the signal is a wireless signal.

Claim 51

The network of claim 43 wherein each transmitting unit further comprises an antenna configured to transmit the signal and wherein each receiving unit further comprises an antenna configured to receive the signal.

Claim 52

A network comprising: a first receiving unit; a second receiving unit; and a transmitting unit in communication with the first receiving unit and the second receiving unit, wherein both the first receiving unit and the second receiving unit individually comprise: a receiver capable of detecting a signal; an attachment mechanism having two ends, a first end of the attachment mechanism being detachably secured to a handle of a manual valve; and a motor being attached to a second end of the attachment mechanism and the motor being attached to the receiving unit, wherein the motor is supplied an amount of current to generate torque to turn the valve in response to the receiver detecting the signal and the motor being controlled to stop turning the valve toward a closed position in response to the amount of current exceeding a predetermined current value, thereby closing the valve and terminating current supplied to the motor; and wherein the transmitting unit comprises: a fluid detector; and a transmitter connected to the fluid detector, wherein the transmitter is capable of transmitting the signal in response to a detected fluid.

Claim 53

A network comprising: a first receiving unit; a second receiving unit; and a transmitting unit in communication with the first receiving unit and the second receiving unit, wherein both the first receiving unit and the second receiving unit individually comprise: a receiver capable of detecting a signal; an attachment mechanism having two ends, a first end of the attachment mechanism being detachably secured to a handle of a manual valve; and a motor being attached to a second end of the attachment mechanism and the motor being attached to the receiving unit, wherein the motor is supplied an amount of current to generate torque to turn the valve in response to the receiver detecting the signal and the motor being controlled to stop turning the valve toward a closed position in response to the amount of current exceeding a predetermined current value, thereby closing the valve and terminating current supplied to the motor; and wherein the transmitting unit comprises: a fluid detector; and a transmitter connected to the fluid detector, wherein the transmitter is capable of transmitting the signal in response to a detected fluid.

Claim 54

The network of claim 45 wherein the signal is a wireless signal.

Claim 55

The network of claim 46 wherein each transmitting unit further comprises an antenna configured to transmit the signal and wherein each receiving unit further comprises an antenna configured to receive the signal.

Claim 56

A network comprising: a first matched set, the first set comprising: one or more transmitting units; and one or more receiving units in communication with the one or more transmitting units of the first set; and a second matched set, the second set comprising: one or more transmitting units; and one or more receiving units in communication with the one or more transmitting units of the second set; and wherein both the first matched set and the second matched set individually comprise: one or more transmitting units; one or more receiving units in communication with the one or more transmitting units; wherein each of the one or more transmitting units individually comprises: a fluid detector; and a transmitter connected to the fluid detector, wherein the transmitter is capable of transmitting a signal in response to a detected fluid; and wherein each of the one or more receiving units individually comprises: a receiver capable of detecting the signal; an attachment mechanism having two ends, a first end of the attachment mechanism being detachably secured to a handle of a manual valve; and a motor being attached to a second end of the attachment mechanism and the motor being attached to the receiving unit, wherein the motor is supplied an amount of current to generate torque to turn the valve toward an off position in response to the receiver detecting the signal and the motor being controlled to stop turning the valve in response to the amount of current exceeding a predetermined current value, thereby closing the valve and terminating current supplied to the motor.

Claim 57

A network comprising: a first matched set, the first set comprising: one or more transmitting units; and one or more receiving units in communication with the one or more transmitting units of the first set; and a second matched set, the second set comprising: one or more transmitting units; and one or more receiving units in communication with the one or more transmitting units of the second set; and wherein both the first matched set and the second matched set individually comprise: one or more transmitting units; one or more receiving units in communication with the one or more transmitting units; wherein each of the one or more transmitting units individually comprises: a fluid detector; and a transmitter connected to the fluid detector, wherein the transmitter is capable of transmitting a signal in response to a detected fluid; and wherein each of the one or more receiving units individually comprises: a receiver capable of detecting the signal; an attachment mechanism having two ends, a first end of the attachment mechanism being detachably secured to a handle of a manual valve; and a motor being attached to a second end of the attachment mechanism and the motor being attached to the receiving unit, wherein the motor is supplied an amount of current to generate torque to turn the valve toward an off position in response to the receiver detecting the signal and the motor being controlled to stop turning the valve in response to the amount of current exceeding a predetermined current value, thereby closing the valve and terminating current supplied to the motor.

Claim 58

The network of claim 48 wherein the signal is a wireless signal.

Claim 59

The network of claim 49 wherein each transmitting unit further comprises an antenna configured to transmit the signal and wherein each receiving unit further comprises an antenna configured to receive the signal.