US Patent 10928229 Self-charging water usage monitor, systems, and methods

An apparatus has a housing with a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a fluid flow path, and a fluid outlet. The monitor includes a controllable valve and a diverter that accommodates different types of sensors. The housing includes a dry housing interior fluidly isolated from the fluid flow path. The monitor includes a power generator configured to generate a voltage when fluid flows through the fluid flow path and at least one sensor configured to measure at least one characteristic of a fluid flowing through the fluid flow path. The monitor includes a signal generator configured to transmit signals from the power generator and from the at least one sensor to a remote processor. The power generator is configured to power both the at least one sensor and the signal generator in response to fluid flow through the fluid flow path.