Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
  • E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
  • E03B7/07—Arrangement of devices, e.g. filters, flow controls, measuring devices, siphons or valves, in the pipe systems
  • E03B7/071—Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17D—PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES
  • F17D5/00—Protection or supervision of installations
  • F17D5/02—Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
  • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
  • G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
  • G01M3/28—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
  • G01M3/2807—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds for pipes
  • G01M3/2815—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds for pipes using pressure measurements
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
  • Y02A20/15—Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for detecting low-flow water leaks, in particular for domestic type water distribution installations.
• the invention overcomes at least some of these drawbacks. It is based on the observation that to detect low flow rates, it is necessary to be able to detect small pressure differences. The forces involved must therefore be low, including the frictional forces. However, the friction forces are important because we must keep the seal between downstream and upstream.
• the invention relates to a method and a device for detecting low liquid flow leaks comprising an inlet for the liquid, an outlet for the liquid, which is characterized in that it comprises: a first conduit intended to be interposed between the water supply and the water distribution, this conduit comprising means for allowing the passage of the water to be distributed when the pressure difference between the distribution network and the supply network exceeds a first predetermined threshold, a second conduit allowing the passage of the water to be dispensed when this pressure difference exceeds a second threshold, lower than the first threshold, and an ' alarm means providing a signal when the water passes through the second conduit.
• the cross section of the second duct is less than the cross section of the first duct.
• the friction forces may remain significant in the first conduit but may be lower in the first conduit.
• the invention allows low-flow leak detection without altering the flow of water under normal conditions.
• the second conduit is disposed inside the first conduit.
• the second conduit is bypassed on the first conduit.
• the axes of the first and second conduits are for example substantially parallel.
• the pressure difference threshold beyond which the water flows in the first conduit is, in one embodiment, determined by the characteristics of a spring opposing the movement of a member closing the first conduit, in l absence of pressure difference.
• the pressure difference threshold beyond which the water flows in the second conduit is determined, for example, by the characteristics of a spring opposing the movement of a member closing this conduit in the absence of pressure difference.
• the alarm means comprises a sensor for the position of a member which moves in the second conduit when the pressure difference between the supply and the distribution exceeds the second threshold.
• the member in the second conduit allows a flow of water from the supply to the distribution in this conduit when it has moved a predetermined length.
• the second conduit When the second conduit is bypassed on the first conduit, the second conduit preferably has a removable opening to facilitate assembly.
• the alarm means is such that it provides a signal only when the water passes through the second conduit and not through the first conduit.
• the alarm means comprises, on the one hand, a first sensor for detecting the position of the second rod and, on the other hand, a second sensor for detecting the position of the shutter head, the alarm means providing an alarm signal only if the first sensor indicates a downstream movement of the second rod and if the second sensor detects a closure of the first conduit.
• FIG. 1 represents a device according to the invention
• the 2 shows another embodiment of the device according to the invention.
• the device shown in Figure 1 has a first part comprising a conduit 20 interposed in the main water conduit and a second part comprising a bypass conduit 21.
• a piston 22 whose head is shaped truncated. This piston is movable along the axis of the conduit 20 and the movement is guided by an element 23 integral with the walls of the conduit 20 and having large openings for the passage of water.
• the head of the piston 22 is held in abutment against a wall 20 also frustoconical of the conduit 20 by means of a spring 24 surrounding a rod 25 of the piston and bearing, on one side, against a wall of the element 23 and, the other, against the piston head.
• the head of the piston 22 therefore comprises a frustoconical wall 22 ⁇ which bears against the frustoconical wall corresponding 20 ⁇ of the conduit 20.
• This wall 20 ⁇ separates a part 20 2 , of smaller section of the conduit 20, from a part 20 3 of this conduit, of larger section.
• the branch 21 communicates with the part 20 2 of smaller section, at the front of the piston 22 by means of a nozzle 261 upstream of the piston 22. This branch 21 also communicates with the part 20 3 of larger section through from another nozzle 26 2 .
• the inlet of the bypass 21 communicates with the inlet of the conduit 20 upstream of the piston 22, and the outlet of the bypass 21 communicates with the outlet of the conduit 20 downstream of the piston 22.
• the branch 21 is a conduit with an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the conduit 20. It has upstream a section 30 of smaller diameter than a section 32 downstream.
• the body 34 of a piston 36 is slidably mounted in section 30 while the head 38 of this piston 36, of larger outside diameter than the diameter of section 30, is located in section 32 downstream.
• the head 38 of the piston 36 is extended by a rod 40 passing through an opening of a guide element 42 fixed to the interior wall of the largest section 32.
• a spring 44 is disposed around the rod 40 between the end wall of the head 38 and the face of the guide element 42 which faces upstream.
• a sensor 50 is provided which is sensitive to the movements of the piston and connected to an alert system 52.
• the body 34 of the piston 36 has an opening 56 at its base to let the water pass and this opening opens onto the side cylinder wall through at least one opening 58.
• the operation is as follows:
• the spring 44 is such that the piston 36 in the bypass moves when the pressure difference between upstream and downstream is of the order of 0.1 bar, while the spring 24 is such that the piston 22 moves when the pressure difference is around 0.5 bar.
• a small pressure difference causes the piston 36 to move until the orifice 58 reaches the largest section 32 to let the water pass. In this position, the head 38 of the piston arrives near the sensor 50 which therefore detects the existence of a low flow rate which is, most often, due to a leak.
• the sensor 50 is, in one embodiment, connected to the alert system by a wireless system by radio or light wave such as infrared.
• the connection can also be by wire.
• the alarm is of the sound and / or light type. In the event of a light alarm, it will be placed in a location intended to attract the attention of the domestic user.
• a conduit 20 extending by another conduit 100 of larger section, the connection being effected by a frustoconical part 102 serving as a seat for a head 104 piston 105 whose rod 106 is guided by the opening 108 of a ring 110 fixed to the conduit 100.
• This ring 110 has, like the ring 23 shown in Figure 1, openings 112 to let the water pass when the head 104 of the piston is remote from seat 102.
• a spring 114 is disposed between the ring 110 and the base 116 of the head 104.
• the head 104 and the rod 106 of the piston 105 are crossed by an opening 118 in which a rod slides
• a spring 124 is interposed between the base 122 and the head 104.
• the rod 120 has a central opening 126 whose inlet 127 is on the upstream side and whose outlet (s) 128 are (are) radial (s). This outlet 128 is near the rear 130, on the downstream side, of the rod 106.
• the rod 120 is closed at its downstream end and this end has a stop 132 intended to cooperate with the rear 130 of the rod 106.
• a sensor 136 makes it possible to detect the presence or absence of the base, or of a part linked to the base.
• the spring 124 is calibrated at a value substantially lower than the calibration of the spring 114.
• the operation is as follows:
• the pressure difference is significantly greater, which causes the displacement of the head 104 against the spring 114.
• the water can thus flow between the head 104 and the inner surface of the seat 102 as well as through the openings 112.
• the spring 124 brings the base 122 upstream until the stop 132 comes into contact with the rear face 130 of the rod 106.
• a sensor 150 makes it possible to detect a high flow rate for which the head 104 is distant from the seat 102. In the example, this sensor 150 detects whether the head 104 is applied or not against the seat 102.
• an alarm means are provided for an alarm to be triggered only when the following two conditions are met: on the one hand? the sensor 136 detects that the base 122 is in the downstream position relative to its rest position and, on the other hand, the sensor 150 detects that the head 104 is against its seat 102. In this situation, the flow rate is low , which indicates a leak.
• a means is provided for delay, preferably adjustable, which inhibits the alarm for a determined period after the base 127 has moved away from its upstream position.
• delay preferably adjustable
• This time delay will be equal, for example, to the longest foreseeable duration of continuous use of water such as the duration of a shower or watering.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=33041900

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

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Family Cites Families (7)

• 2003
  • 2003-04-16 FR FR0304740A patent/FR2853963B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2004
  • 2004-04-15 WO PCT/FR2004/000924 patent/WO2004094978A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2004-04-15 EP EP04742506A patent/EP1613940A2/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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