WO2015159279A1

WO2015159279A1 - System and apparatus for detection and operation of leakages

Info

Publication number: WO2015159279A1
Application number: PCT/IL2015/050344
Authority: WO
Inventors: Meiram Heller
Original assignee: Meiram Heller
Priority date: 2014-04-13
Filing date: 2015-03-31
Publication date: 2015-10-22
Also published as: IL232131A; IL232131A0

Abstract

The invention is directed to a leakage detection and alerting apparatus configured to detect liquid and gas leakage and alert a person in charge, the apparatus comprises: a meter configured to be positioned on a liquid/gas pipe to be detected for leakage, said meter composed of a body and a ceiling, wherein said body comprises a plurality of electrical coils and magnetic switches embedded in it or attached thereto, and wherein said ceiling is configured to seal the body so as to avoid liquids/gas transition outside the meter; a rotary piston configured to be positioned within the meter and to revolve around its axis whenever there is a flow of liquid/gas, said rotary piston comprises a plurality of fins, wherein at least part of said fins are attached to magnets; and an electronic board configured to obtain signals from said magnetic switches and said coils, to regulate the operation of the leakage detection apparatus, and to send alert to the person in charge upon detection of a leakage. The invention is further directed to a leakage detection and operation system comprising: at least one leakage detection and alerting apparatus configured to detect liquid/gas leakage and alert a person in charge according to claim 1; and at least one electric valve configured to remotely receive instructions from said leakage detection and alerting apparatus whether to be open or close.

Description

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION AND OPERATION OF

LEAKAGES FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of home maintenance in general and detection of gas and fluids leakage and remote controlling of the detected leakage, in particular. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water leaks are always considered to be a traumatic event when they occur, especially in situation when no one is present at the event venue to close the spigot so as to cease the flow and to avoid extensive property damage. When it comes to gas leaks it may be a life threatening event. There are several devices know in the art that suggest solutions to this problem, "Water Alert™" manufactured by Dor] en Products, provides an audible alarm when the presence of water is detected thus alerting an individual that immediate attention is required. This provides no protection if no one is present at the time the alarm sounds. Another commercially available system is the "Fluid Guard," manufactured by Fluid Guard Incorporated. This system detects a water leak condition by monitoring the volume of water flow versus time. It has several disadvantages such as a somewhat complex plumbing installation, need for sensitivity and time as well as high cost.

Yet, another device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,268 that utilizes a transistor to sense the presence of liquid via a resulting base-to-emitter current. This current causes transistor collector current to flow which is directly drives a latching relay. The relay, when latched on, energizes a solenoid which, in turn, closes the water valve, thus shutting off water flow. The system is powered by a rectified AC power source which is isolated from the AC mains by a transformer. The main drawback of this system is that if there is a power failure either during or after the valve closure due to a water leak condition, the valve will once again open allowing the water leak to continue. Additional citations that may also be relevant to the field of the present invention are: US Pat. No. 8,347,427 and US Pat. No. 5,971,011. Thus, there is a real need in the art for a reliable, simple self-feeding, and none expensive solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary section of the patent application is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter disclosed herein, in a form lengthier than an "abstract", and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to any features described in this summary section.

It is the aim of the present invention to provide a novel system configured and operable to allow detection of leakage of gas and liquids and to send an alert on the leakage detected to a person in charge of receiving such alert. The novel system is further configured to allow the person in charge upon receiving an alert to remotely stop the gas/liquid flow i.e., to stop the leakage, by remotely operating an electric valve.

The novel system for detection of gas/liquid leakage and remotely stopping the flow provided herein is further configured to be used as a water meter. In such embodiment of the invention, the system is mounted near the main spigot of a water company and configured to send a user and/or the water company or both, data about the amount of water used during a predefined period of time.

The novel leakage detection system (hereinafter: "LDS") provided herein is a self-feeding system i.e., the system is configured and operable to create electricity for its operation, thus reducing the need for external charging. The LDS generally composed of a leakage detection apparatus (hereinafter: "LDA"), and an electrical valve as will be described in details with reference to the figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples illustrative of embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to figures attached hereto. In the figures, identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with the same numeral in all the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Many of the figures presented are in the form of schematic illustrations and, as such, certain elements may be drawn greatly simplified or not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The figures are not intended to be production drawings.

The figures (Figs.) are listed below.

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a standard water meter area in houses and factories according to the current state of the art.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an example of a water meter area with a LDS of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the main components of the LDA in accordance with one example of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of one another optional variation of the

LDA of the invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an electronic board configured and operable to control the operation of the LDS of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of an example of the LDS of the present invention operating as a power supply source for a series of water company meters and valves.

Figures 7A - 7B are schematic illustrations of usage of the LDS of the present invention for detection of gas leakage.

Figures 8 is a schematic flow chart illustration of one optional operation flow of the LDS of the present invention in a scenario of liquid leakage.

Figures 9A - 9B are schematic exemplifying flow charts illustrating the operation flow of the LDS of the present invention in a scenario of gas leakage and the relations between a "master" LDA (Fig. 9A) and a "slave" LDA (Fig. 9B). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, various aspects of a gas/liquid leakage detection and alerting system will be described. For the purpose of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the apparatus

Although various features of the disclosure may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the disclosure may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the disclosure may also be implemented in a single embodiment. Furthermore, it should be understood that the disclosure can be carried out or practiced in various ways, and that the disclosure can be implemented in embodiments other than the exemplary ones described herein below. The descriptions, examples and materials presented in the description, as well as in the claims, should not be construed as limiting, but rather as illustrative.

Terms for indicating relative direction or location, such as "right" and "left", "up" and "down", "top" and "bottom", "horizontal" and "vertical", "higher" and "lower", and the like, may also be used, without limitation.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a leakage detection system (LDS) is provided configured and operable to detect a leakage situation in various types of liquids and gases like water, gasoline, cooking gas, cooling fluids and else. The novel system comprises a leakage detection apparatus (LDA), and an electric valve, wherein the LDA is configured and operable to detect liquid leakage situation by monitoring their flow over time and to send an alert to a consumer upon detection of a leakage. The system is further configured to receive the consumer instructions whether to close the main valve to stop the detected leakage as first aid assistance. The consumer, in accordance with the present invention, may be a private person, or a person in charge occupied by a company, the government, the municipal authority, and the like.

One preferred implementation of the LDS of the invention is to detect water leakage. Once the LDA observes that the flow of the water is longer than it should be (for example, one hour of water flow in a household), the LDA is configured to send an alert to a person in charge. Preferably, the alert may be in a form of a message sent to a pre-programmed phone number. However other forms of alerts may be used.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention the LDA may functionally and operable be connected to an electric valve to thereby create a system that allows the person who gets the alert to further stop the water flow from a distance by sending, for example, SMS back to the LDA to close the valve.

The leakage detection and prevention system provided herein is a self- sufficient system, as it uses the flow of water to generate the electrical requirements it needs for operation as will be described in details below. In accordance with one main aspect of the present invention, the leakage detection and alerting apparatus of the invention configured to detect liquid and gas leakage and alert a person in charge comprises:

A meter configured to be positioned on a liquid/gas pipe to be detected for leakage, said meter composed of a body and a ceiling, wherein said body comprises a plurality of electrical coils and magnetic switches embedded in it or attached thereto, and wherein said ceiling is configured to seal the body so as to avoid liquids/gas transition outside the meter;

A rotary piston configured to be positioned within the meter and to revolve around its axis whenever there is a flow of liquid/gas, said rotary piston comprises a plurality of fins, wherein at least part of said fins are attached to magnets; and

An electronic board configured to obtain signals from said magnetic switches and said coils, to regulate the operation of the leakage detection apparatus, and to send alert to the person in charge upon detection of a leakage.

The apparatus of the invention is configured to create electricity required for its operation by said magnets and magnetic coils

The leakage detection and alerting apparatus is configured to create electricity required for its own operation and may further create and supply electricity to other electric meters and/or electric valves connected to it.

The leakage detection and alerting apparatus is configured to create electricity required for its operation and further to create and supply electricity to other electric meters and/or electric valves connected to it. This is achieved by the electric coils that configured and operable to create electrical power each time there is a liquid/gas flow. The electric power created is obtained by the movement of the magnets in proximity to the coils. The electric power is delivered to a power regulator component comprised in the electronic control board and used for self-feeding of the apparatus as well as for feeding other electrical units connected to the leakage detection and alerting apparatus.

The magnetic switches are configured and operable to generate electrical pulses every time the magnets are passing near them so as to allow measuring of the existence of a liquid/gas flow and the duration of the flow.

In some embodiments of the invention, the leakage detection and alerting apparatus is further comprising a wheel and an electronic box positioned outside the liquid/gas meter and connected to it via a shaft configured to allow delivery of rotation movements of the rotary piston to the wheel and the electronic box, and wherein said magnets are positioned on the wheel and said magnetic switches and electric coils are positioned on the electric box. The electronic box may be either an independent component or a continuance structure of the liquid/gas meter.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention the leakage detection and alerting apparatus of the invention is further configured to operate as a consumption meter for billing consumers by a gas/water supplying company.

In some embodiments, the leakage detection and alerting apparatus is functionally connected to an electric valve and, wherein upon detection of a leakage, said electric valve is configured to be remotely closed by the leakage detection and alerting apparatus.

In accordance with another main aspect of the invention, a leakage detection and operation system is provided, said system comprising: at least one leakage detection and alerting apparatus configured to detect liquid/gas leakage and alert a person in charge; and at least one electric valve configured to remotely receive instructions from said leakage detection and alerting apparatus whether to be open or close.

In some embodiments, leakage detection and alerting apparatus of the provided system further comprises a wheel and an electronic box positioned outside the liquid/gas meter and connected to it via a shaft configured to allow delivery of rotation movements of the rotary piston to the wheel and the electronic box, and wherein said magnets are positioned on the wheel and said magnetic switches and electric coils are positioned on the electric box.

In some another embodiment of the invention, the leakage detection and operation system may comprise a plurality of leakage detection and alerting apparatuses, wherein the first apparatus is configure to operate as a master apparatus, while the others are operating as slaves units, and wherein detection of a leakage is performed by comparing the flow volume measured by the master apparatus to the total flow volume measured by the slave apparatuses.

In some further embodiments, the leakage detection and operation system comprises a plurality of leakage detection and alerting apparatuses each connected to adjacent electric valve so as to allow remote controlling of a leakage in elongated liquid/gas pipes positioned in isolated open areas.

The detection of leakage may be performed by comparing the duration of a measured flow to a predefined value, and wherein an alert to the person in charge is submitted when the flow duration is equal to the predefined value. Additionally or alternatively, the detection of leakage is performed by comparing measured flow volumes by at least two leakage detection apparatuses positioned on one pipe.

The characters and functionalities of the leakage detection and alerting apparatus and the leakage detection and operating system of the invention will be better understood by the examples and figures provided below.

Reference is now made to the figures.

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a standard water meter area in places having a water supply such as houses and factories according to the current state of the art. Water 50 received from the water company via water pipe 120 is controlled by a central spigot 124 configured and operable to control passage of water from the water pipe 120 into a target location 130 of a consumer 132. The term "target location" as used herein refers to any place having a water supply including private and public commercial locations that consume water from a water company. The target location may be for example an apartment in a building, a private villa, a factory, a shop, a Gymboree, a fitness club, a business center, company's office, a private place of work, and the like. In an ordinary situation, water flow is supplied by a water company via water pipe 120 to a target location 130 and the consumption of the water over a predetermined period of time is measured by a water meter 126 usually positioned near the central spigot 124. In a scenario that the consumer 132 is interested to stop the consumption of water, he/she may manually turn off the central spigot 124 and avoid water to flow into the target location 130. This is what usually been done when a leakage is detected. The consumer at first stops the water flow into the target location by shutting down the central spigot. For that action, the consumer should be in the target location and further to be aware of the leakage, two term conditions that are not always held. Thus, damage from the leakage may occur until a leakage is being recognized and action is being done.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of an example of a water meter area with a LDS 100 of the present invention comprising a LDA 102 and an electric valve 110 controlled by said LDA. LDS 100 may be positioned on the water pipe 120 in adjacent to the regular water meter 126 and the main spigot 124 of the water company before the entrance of the water pipe to the target location 130. Also shown in this figure are water 50 and consumer 132. Electric valve 110 implemented in the LDS 100 of the invention can be any type of valve that operates on standard DC/ AC power including without limitation: gate valves, ball valves, and knife gate valves available in the market.

Figure 3 is a schematic exploding view illustration of an example of the leakage detection apparatus (LDA) 102 of the present invention. LDA 102 is generally operating as a self-sufficient power supply source. LDA 102 comprises a meter body 104 positioned onto the water pipe 120, a rotary piston 106 having plurality of fins 1061 configured and operable to be positioned within the meter body 104 and to revolve around its axis whenever there is a flow of water, in a similar manner as a regular mechanical water meter operates. LDA 102 further comprises magnetsl08 that are preferably being added to the edges of the rotating piston fins 1061, and magnetic switches 109 configured and operable to generate electrical pulses every time the magnets are passing near them. Magnetic switches 109 usually positioned on the outer surface of meter body 104, however it may be positioned in other locations as well as long as it is in a proper proximity to magnets 108 and electrical pulses are generated. The generated pulses are delivered to electronic control board 114 and are used for measuring the existence of a water flow and the duration of the flow. The number of magnets 108 and magnetic switches 109 may vary, and are in direct correlation to the accuracy level of the leakage detection system provided herein. LDA 100 further comprises electric coils 112 configured and operable to create electrical power. In the specific example illustrated in this figure, magnets 108 are positioned in dedicated niches 1081. In the same manner, magnetic switches 109 and coils 112 may be positioned in dedicated nichesl091 and 1121respectively. Alternatively, the magnets, magnetic switches and the coils may be attached to the meter body and to the rotary piston by various adhesive and mechanical means (not shown).

Rotary piston 106 with the added magnets 108 functionally operates as a rotor of a dynamo and the electrical coils acts a as a stator. Whenever there is a water flow, rotating piston 106 with magnets 108 are revolving near the electrical coils 112. The movement of the magnets creates a changing magnetic field that in turn generates electric current on coils 112. This electrical current is delivered to electronic control board 114 comprising a power regulator component that manage the created current for operation of the leakage detection system of the invention and/or for storage as will be described in details with reference to figure 5.

LDA 102 further comprises a meter cover 116 configured and operable to close the meter body 104, in order to keep the surroundings dry and avoid splash of water from the water pipe 120. Electronic board 114 may be embedded within cover 116 or positioned above it.

Reference is now made to Figure 4 that schematically illustrates one another optional variation of the leakage detection apparatus in accordance with the present invention. In the example illustrated in this figure magnets 208 are not positioned on the fins 2061 of the rotating piston 206 as before, but rather transferred to a wheel 218 located outside the meter body 204 and positioned in dedicated niches 2081. The rotation movement is transferred from the rotating piston 206 to wheel 218 comprising the magnets attached thereto (also denoted hereinafter: "magnets wheel") using a shaft 2062.

In the example illustrated in this figure, electrical coils 212 and magnetic switches 209 are positioned on an electronic box 217 configured and operable to cover the magnetic wheel 218 in dedicated niches 2121 and 2091 respectively. The electronic box 217 can be an independent component or a continuance of the meter body 204. This configuration makes it more feasible to use electromagnets instead of magnets. It should be noted that the method of detecting the liquids flow and generating electricity in both configurations remains the same.

Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram illustration of the electronic board 114 illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 in accordance with one example of the present invention. Electronic board 114 comprises a micro control unit (MCU) 302 configured and operable to monitor the flow of water, to send/receive messages to the consumer or another person in charge, and further to control closing of the electrical valve when a leakage is detected and the consumer/person in charge decides to close the water flow, and optionally to re-open the valve upon demand of the consumer/person in charge. MCU 302 may be a FPGA chip, a dedicated proprietary chip and combination of several chips. MCU 302 is connected to a power regulator 304 configured to regulate the electric current obtained from the coils via coils connectors 305 to a battery 306 for storage or to other components of the leakage detection system of the invention. Battery 306 is a rechargeable battery. Power regulator 304 may be any standard, off the shelf power regulator. The power regulator and the battery are responsible for supplying a regulated power to MCU 302 and to the electrical valve 110 when they are in an operating mode. In addition the unused power generated by LDA 102 is directed to the rechargeable battery for storage.

In addition to the above, electronic board 114 further comprises magnet switches connectors 303 configured to deliver to MCU 302 pulses indicative of existence of flow, and electric valve connector 301 configured to allow remote closing/opening of the valve. Electronic board 114 also comprises at least one antenna 307 configured to allow transmission of alerts to the consumer upon detection of a leakage and further to receive instructions from the consumer/person in charge.

Generally, there are two main tasks to perform when monitoring the water flow: the first is to determine if the flow is continues, and the second is to measure the duration of the flow. A continues flow is determined by measuring the time between two electrical pulses that are generated by the LDA 102. If the time do not exceed a pre-programmed time period then the flow is continues (the length of the time between the pulses determines the sensitivity of the system). When continues flow is detected, the electronic board 114 starts with the second task of measuring the duration of the flow (how long the water flow last). This is done by activating a counter that counts the time until the flow stops or it reaches a given value (e.g. one hour in case of a home use). If the counter reaches the pre-programmed value it is configured to send a message (which can be in the form of SMS, voice message over the phone, email and the like) to the consumer/person in charge notifying about the existence of a leak. After sending the message the electronic board starts waiting for instruction from the consumer/ person in charge whether to keep the electric valve open or to close it. It should be clear that although reference is made in the text to water, the system provided herein may be suitable for detection of other liquids as well. A detailed flow of liquids leakage detection and alert by the novel system of the invention is provided with reference to figure 8 below.

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of an example of the LDA 102 of figure 2, operating as a power supply source for a series of water company's meters and electrical valves. In such embodiment, LDA 102 is positioned on the main water pipe 120 before the split of the pipe to specific consumers. In the specific example illustrated in this figure, the water pipe splits to four (4) sub-pipes 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D, wherein each pipe is configured to deliver water 50 to a respective apartment 148 (apartment 148A, apartment 148B, apartment 148C, and apartment 148D). After the split of the water pipe, for each apartment a dedicated unit 125A to 125D comprising a water meter and electric valve, is installed on the respective water pipe allowing to supply water and measure the water consumption of each apartment. Power lines 127A to 127D are electric cables configured and operable to connect LDA 102 to units 125A to 125D to thereby provide them the electric power required for their normal operation. Figures 7A-7B are schematic exemplifying illustrations of usage of the leakage detection system 100 of the present invention for detection of gas leakage.

As mentioned above, the leakage detection system of the present invention is configured and operable to detect a leakage situation in various types of liquids and gases like gasoline, cooking gas, cooling fluids and the like. In the examples illustrated in figures 1 to 6 above, the detection method was based on tracking the flow of the liquids. In the example illustrated in figures 7A and 7B, detection of leakage is being achieved by tracking the volume of gas passing through a LDA at one point, and comparing it to the volume passing through another LDA located at another point along a gas pipe. In this manner, it is possible to monitor pipes over long distances or where flow tracking is not relevant (like pipes that take gas from the refineries to gas stations). Because of the way the system is built, the direction of the flow may be detected and an indication about a leakage problem may then be sent to a person in charge as an alert. A leakage problem may rise due to various reasons including without limitation: a broken pipe, dysfunction of a valve, dysfunction of pumps or flow control valves. However, in both detection methodologies, the basic structure of the LDA of the present invention remains the same, while the MCU is configured to control the leakage detection in accordance with the specific scenario.

Figure 7A is an example of a domestic gas system 700 in which, volume comparison is used for detection of a gas leakage. The system is configured and operable to monitor the volume of gas coming out of a main gas container 702 and flowing via main gas pipe 720 to a bundle of apartments, and to compare it to the total volume of gas measured by sub units positioned on the individual pipes leading to the apartments. In more details, the flowing gas is measured by a master detection unit 704 comprising at least an electric valve 110 and LDA 102. Main gas pipe 720 is divided into sub-pipes 720A-720D each configured to deliver gas to corresponding apartments 708A, 708B, 708C, 708D. The volume measured is then compared to the total volume of gas measured by each of slave detection units 706A, 706B, 706C, 706D comprising at least an electric valve 110' and LDA 102', each positioned on sub-pipes leading the gas to each of the apartments respectively. If the sums are not equal, then there is a problem in the pipes between the master detection unit 704 and the slave detection units 706A -706D, and the leakage detection system will send at least one alert, e.g. to the housekeeper in the apartments building, to the gas company, to the fire brigades or else, according to preset definitions of the system. Slave detection units 706A-706D transmit the measured data to the master detection unit 704 for example by Wi-Fi technology, Bluetooth technology, or any other suitable transmission technology known in the art.

Figure 7B illustrates another implementation of the leakage detection system of the present invention for detection of fuel leakage along a long fuel pipe 720 configured to deliver fuel from refinery 740 to a gas station 750. Along the fuel pipe 720 a plurality of LDA units 102 are distributed in order to allow monitoring of the flowing liquids in the pipe at different locations. The comparison is made in this example, between two following detectors. When volume that passes through the two detectors is not the same a person in charge at the refinery 740 gets a notification that there is a leak and optionally gets further data about the location of the leak. The person in charge may stop the gas flow by instructing the system to close the relevant electric valve 110 until it will be repaired. As the LDA 102 does not need external power supply since the apparatus is configured to create its own consumed power, it is easy to install many detectors, making it easier to pinpoint the problematic point along a long pipe. In accordance with the example provided herein, it is possible to use the direction of the flow to further detect and monitor other problems in the system for example, that the pumps, check valves and other equipment are working properly (by stopping the pumps and letting the gas flow backwards). Figure 8 is a schematic flow chart illustrating the operations of the LDS 800 of the present invention in a scenario of liquid leakage, wherein the detection of a leakage is obtained by monitoring pulses that are indicative of liquid's flow and the duration between two pulses.

At the start point (step 802) system 800 waits for a pulse (step 804). If a pulse was not detected then the system waits for a pulse. If a pulse was detected (step 806) then the system (the electronic board) starts counting time until detection of the next pulse (step 808). If a second pulse was not detected, then the system waits for the next pulse (step 815). If a second pulse was detected (step 810) then the system should check if the preset time between the two pulses has passed (step 812). If the answer is Yes, the system should reset the continuous flow counter (step 814) and return to start. If the answer in No, the system should check if the continuous flow counter is running (step 816). If the answer is No, the system will start counting time of continuous flow (step 817) and wait for next pulse (step 815), If the answer is Yes, the system will check is the continuous flow counter has reached the preset time (step 818). If the answer is No, the system will wait for the next pulse (step 815). If the answer is Yes, the system will send a message to a person in charge to alert about identification of a leakage situation (step 820). In the next step (step 822) the system check is instruction to close the valve was received. If the answer is Yes, the system will close the electronic valve (step 824) and the process will end (step 826). If the answer is No, the system will wait for instruction (step 823).

Figures 9A-9B are schematic exemplifying flow charts illustrating the operations flow of the LDS 900 of the present invention in a scenario of gas leakage detection measured by comparison of flowing volumes, and the relations between a "Master" LDA 901 (Fig. 9A) and a "Slave" LDA 903 (Fig. 9B).

Master LDA (detector) 901 starts to operate (step 902) and waits for a pulse (step 904). If a pulse was not detected, then the master sub-system continues to wait for a pulse (step 904). If a pulse was detected (step 906) the master sub-system checks if an "ON" signal was received from a "slave" LDA (step 908). If the answer is No, the master sub-system sends an alarm to the gas company (step 918). If the answer is Yes, the master sub-system starts measuring the volume of gas passing (step 910). In the next steps the master's system reads data from all operating "slaves" LDAs every time period, for example, every 5 seconds (step 912), and sums all data collected from "slaves" LDAs (step 914). The sum is compared to the value measured by the master sub- system (step 916). If the values are equal then the sub-system goes back to step 912 and reads data from the operating slaves LDAs every 5 seconds. If the sums are not equal then the master sub-system sends an alarm to the gas company (step 918), and the process ends (step 920).

In accordance with further implementation of the invention, a person in charge at the gas company that obtains the alert may further instruct the master unit to close the main valve as a first aid for stopping the leakage.

Slave LDA (detector) 903 starts to operate (step 952) and waits to detect a pulse (step 954). If a pulse was not detected the slave's system continue to wait for a pulse (step 952). If a pulse was detected (step 956) the slave sub -system sends an "On" signal to the master unit 901 (step 958). At this stage the slave sub-system starts to measure time (for example 5 seconds) (step 957) and simultaneously starts to measure the volume of gas passing through during said 5 seconds (step 959). At the next step (step 960) the slave system sends the measured data to the master unit, and wait until a second pulse is detected (step 962). If a second pulse was detected the slave system goes back to steps 957 and 959 (i.e. starts measuring 5 seconds and the volume of gas passing during that time). If a second pulse is not detected, then the slave system sends an "Off signal to the master unit (step 964) and the process ends (step 966). Any other time interval different than 5 seconds may be set and the time duration set above is only an example.

It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope. It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification could make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the present invention.

Claims

Leakage detection and alerting apparatus configured to detect liquid and gas leakage and alert a person in charge, said apparatus comprising:

a. A meter configured to be positioned on a liquid/gas pipe to be detected for leakage, said meter composed of a body and a ceiling, wherein said body comprises a plurality of electrical coils and magnetic switches embedded in it or attached thereto, and wherein said ceiling is configured to seal the body so as to avoid liquids/gas transition outside the meter;

b. A rotary piston configured to be positioned within the meter and to revolve around its axis whenever there is a flow of liquid/gas, said rotary piston comprises a plurality of fins, wherein at least part of said fins are attached to magnets; and

c. An electronic board configured to obtain signals from said magnetic switches and said coils, to regulate the operation of the leakage detection apparatus, and to send alert to the person in charge upon detection of a leakage.

Wherein, said apparatus is configured to create electricity required for its operation by said magnets and magnetic coils.

Leakage detection and alerting apparatus according to claim 1, further configured to create and supply electricity to other electric meters and/or electric valves connected to it.

Leakage detection and alerting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic switches are configured and operable to generate electrical pulses every time the magnets are passing near them so as to allow measuring of the existence of a liquid/gas flow and the duration of the flow.

Leakage detection and alerting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electric coils are configured and operable to create electrical power each time there is a liquid/gas flow.

Leakage detection and alerting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said electric power created is obtained by the movement of the magnets in proximity to the coils.

6. Leakage detection and alerting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said electric power is delivered to a power regulator component comprised in said electronic control board and used for self-feeding of the apparatus as well as for feeding other electrical units connected to the leakage detection and alerting apparatus.

7. Leakage detection and alerting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a wheel and an electronic box positioned outside the liquid/gas meter and connected to it via a shaft configured to allow delivery of rotation movements of the rotary piston to the wheel and the electronic box, and wherein said magnets are positioned on the wheel and said magnetic switches and electric coils are positioned on the electric box.

8. Leakage detection and alerting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said electronic box is either one of: an independent component or a continuance structure of the liquid/gas meter.

9. Leakage detection and alerting apparatus according to claims 1 and 7 further configured to operate as a consumption meter for billing consumers by a gas/water supplying company.

10. Leakage detection and alerting apparatus according to claims 1 and 7, wherein said apparatus is functionally connected to an electric valve and, wherein upon detection of a leakage, said electric valve is configured to be remotely closed by the leakage detection and alerting apparatus.

11. Leakage detection and operation system comprising:

a. At least one leakage detection and alerting apparatus configured to detect liquid/gas leakage and alert a person in charge according to claim 1; and

b. At least one electric valve configured to remotely receive instructions from said leakage detection and alerting apparatus whether to be open or close.

12. Leakage detection and operation system according to claim 11, wherein said leakage detection and alerting apparatus further comprises a wheel and an electronic box positioned outside the liquid/gas meter and connected to it via a shaft configured to allow delivery of rotation movements of the rotary piston to the wheel and the electronic box, and wherein said magnets are positioned on the wheel and said magnetic switches and electric coils are positioned on the electric box.

13. Leakage detection and operation system according to claims 11 and 12, comprising a plurality of leakage detection and alerting apparatuses, wherein the first apparatus is configure to operate as a master apparatus, while the others are operating as slaves units, and wherein detection of a leakage is performed by comparing the flow volume measured by the master apparatus to the total flow volume measured by the slave apparatuses.

14. Leakage detection and operation system according to claims 11 and 12 comprising a plurality of leakage detection and alerting apparatuses each connected to adjacent electric valve so as to allow remote controlling of a leakage in elongated liquid/gas pipes positioned in isolated open areas.

15. Leakage detection and operation system according to claims 11 and 12, wherein the detection of leakage is performed by comparing the duration of a measured flow to a predefined value, and wherein an alert to the person in charge is submitted when the flow duration is equal to the predefined value.