DE102004009381A1 - Fluid consumption meter e.g. water meter, for identifying leakage or burst in e.g. home water pipe, has sealer that is changeable based on rate of fluid flow determined by meter, and logic for guaranteeing changeable function of sealer - Google Patents

Abstract

The meter (1) has a sealer (7) that is changeable based on the rate of fluid flow determined by the meter and is provided at a region of a connection housing within the total length of meter. The meter and the sealer have a common energy source. The meter has a detachable sensor and consists of ON/OFF input function. A logic (8) is provided for guaranteeing of changeable function of the sealer.

Description

The The present invention relates to a fluid consumption meter, in particular water meter with a connection housing, Means for determining the flow rate and optionally one Counter. Such fluid consumption meter are intended to reduce the water consumption in a residential building or a housing unit in particular long-term determine.

Increasingly, devices for leak detection or pipe burst detection are installed downstream of the domestic water meter. Such a device is out of the DE 197 23 189 A1 known. It is a device for automatic liquid flow interruption in pipe breaks and the like, which includes a valve, a transmitter for measuring the flow rate, a computer and control and display elements. The device recognizes a permanent withdrawal of liquid leakage via the instantaneous measurement of the flow rate and in this case switches off the supply line via the valve. However, the approach of such a known device requires increased installation requirements and thus increased costs, since corresponding devices must also be installed in the water pipe.

The The object of the present invention is a device for the automatic interruption of a fluid flow in pipe breaks and the like to disposal to provide that very easy and without major installation work in the existing water supply system can be integrated.

The The above object is achieved by a generic fluid consumption meter, in which in the area of the fluid consumption meter additionally Shut-off means are provided which, on the basis of the determined Flow rate of the fluid consumption meter are switchable. The determined flow rates of the fluid consumption meter become thus on the one hand for determines the general detection of long-term fluid consumption, on the other hand, however, also in terms of leakage detection and Activation of the shut-off used. This can be an additional Device, as stated in the aforementioned State of the art is described, be waived.

Conveniently, are the shut-off, z. B. a shut-off valve, in the area of the connection housing of the fluid consumption meter. Of the Fluid consumption meters thus owns a conventional one Installation size and fits without additional installation measures in given installation situations of the water supply.

Especially the shut-off are within the so-called insertion length L of the fluid consumption meter.

Conveniently, become the fluid consumption meter as well as supplies the shut-off means from a common energy source, which in turn reduces the installation size can be.

Besides, has the combination of functions in a single fluid meter has the advantage that with expiry of the calibration validity from currently six years the combination device is exchanged and one new or verified / used device installed becomes. As a result, the reliability of the leakage monitoring regularly ensured.

Provided the fluid consumption meter via a removable Sensor has, can the remaining components remain in the installed state.

In Advantageously, via input means certain operating settings are selected or set, such as B. Flow rate limits, via a suitable display be reproduced.

Is appropriate Also, to provide an ON / OFF input function over the z. B. at high water demand (Garden irrigation, Pool filling etc.) the leakage detection can be deactivated.

Conveniently, the circuit of the shut-off means takes place on the basis of a flow limit value. This can be advantageously entered by the user himself, but at least from a larger number selected from predetermined values become.

to warranty the switching function, the fluid consumption meter according to the invention comprises a Logic with which the given data is processed and control commands for the Barrier be generated.

Furthermore is a data interface for the Data export / import provided.

One Backflow preventer avoids unintentional backflow into the fluid consumption meter, the a measurement corruption would cause.

An expedient embodiment of the present The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing figures. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of the functionalities in the water supply area of a house connection;

2 a schematic representation of the inventive fluid consumption meter and

3 a schematic representation of the fluid consumption meter according to the invention.

1 shows a section of the water pipe of a domestic connection with one between two manual barriers 2 . 3 located fluid consumption meter 1 , which is mounted within the installation length L. Further downstream there is a filter 4 and another (optional) barrier 5 , The arrow points in the direction of water flow.

The installation lengths for domestic water meters depend on the nominal size Q _n 2.5 / 3.5 / 6/10 according to DIN and ISO and are 105/135/150/190/200 mm. They apply equally to horizontal installation as to downpipe or riser installation.

2 shows the schematic structure of the fluid consumption meter according to the invention 1 , The fluid consumption meter 1 comprises a flow meter as means for determining the flow rate 6 that with a shut-off 7 in the form of a valve on the downstream side of the flow meter 6 connected is. The valve and the flow meter 6 stand with a logic 8th in conjunction with the shut-off means based on a fixed flow rate limit 7 is switched.

The fluid consumption meter 1 further includes an input option via one or more keys 10 , by means of which the function of the leakage detection is activated or deactivated, operating conditions such. B. a flow limit or the like can be entered.

Likewise is an ad 9 intended to reproduce the above-mentioned operating conditions.

The fluid consumption meter is supplied 1 as well as the leakage functionality via a common energy source, for example in 2 in the form of a battery 12 , Furthermore, there is a data interface 11 provided, via which a data export or import can be made.

Finally, a backflow preventer 13 in addition to the valve on the fluid consumption meter 1 intended. The backflow preventer 13 is also located in the area of the connection housing 14 , ie within the installation length L of the fluid consumption meter 1 ,

The leakage detection takes place on the basis of a flow limit value, z. B. 150 l / h. If a flow rate of> 150 l / h from the flow meter 6 determined, the logic switches 8th shut off the valve.

Through the possibility of input via the key or keys 10 If appropriate, the flow rate limiting value can be varied and / or the leakage detection can be activated or deactivated. The latter is useful, for example, with large water needs (garden irrigation, pool filling, etc.).

According to the in 3 illustrated fluid consumption meter 1 this includes each at the top of the connection housing 14 a measuring capsule 15 as well as a counter 16 , The measurement within the flow meter 6 takes place either mechanically or electronically z. B. in the form of an ultrasonic transit time measurement.

For the shut-off device 7 is a lead 17 provided in which a corresponding valve insert 18 is positioned. The lead 17 for the valve insert 18 is part of the connection housing 14 , The latter is dimensioned so that it is in a mounting location in the house, z. B. domestic water supply network without additional installation measures within the installation length L can be integrated.

The present invention enables it, without expensive additional installation measures so to speak in already existing water line arrangement beside the water meter an additional leak detection provided, but previously wanted but due to the complex installation measures was not realized. The invention therefore ensures a considerable Post on the relevant technical area.

1

Fluid consumption meters

2

barrier

3

barrier

4

filter

5

barrier

6

Flowmeter

7

shutoff

8th

logic

9

display

10

button

11

Data Interface

12

battery

13

Backflow preventer

14

connection housing

15

measuring capsule

16

counter

17

head Start for valve insert

18

valve core

Claims (15)

Fluid consumption meters, in particular water consumption meters ( 1 ) each for detecting and / or documenting a long-term fluid consumption with a connection housing ( 14 ), Means for determining the flow rate and, where appropriate, a counter ( 16 ), characterized in that in the area of the fluid consumption meter ( 1 ) Blocking means ( 7 ) are provided, which on the basis of the determined flow rate of the fluid consumption meter ( 1 ) are switchable. Fluid consumption meter according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking means ( 7 ) in the area of the connection housing ( 14 ) of the fluid consumption meter ( 1 ) are located. Fluid consumption meter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blocking means ( 7 ) within the so-called installation length L of the fluid consumption meter ( 1 ) are located. Fluid consumption meter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the fluid consumption meter ( 1 ) as well as the blocking means ( 7 ) a common energy source is provided. Fluid consumption meter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid consumption meter ( 1 ) has a removable sensor. Fluid consumption meters according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Input means for selecting or defining specific operating settings are provided. Fluid consumption meter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a display ( 9 ) is provided for reproducing the selected operation setting. Fluid consumption meter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid consumption meter ( 1 ) includes an ON / OFF input function. Fluid consumption meter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit of the blocking means ( 7 ) takes place as a function of a determined flow limit value. Fluid consumption meters according to claim 9, characterized in that the flow limit free can be specified. Fluid consumption meter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to ensure the switching function of the blocking means ( 7 ) a logic ( 8th ) is provided. Fluid consumption meter according to claim 11, characterized in that a data interface ( 11 ) is intended for data export / import. Fluid consumption meter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a non-return valve ( 13 ) is provided. Fluid consumption meter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that this a measuring capsule ( 15 ) having. Fluid consumption meter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that this is a counter ( 16 ) having.