FR2775784A1 - Device for detection of water leaks in domestic water supplies - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) comprises a tubular body (4) for carrying water and an entry (2) and exit (3). Within the tubular body (4) is a non-return valve (5), controlled by a spring (6). The differential pressure (P1-P2) between up and downstream of the valve is detected by a housing (8) divided by a membrane (11) with a sensor (16) linked to control electronics and alarm (18).

Description

The present invention relates to a leak detection device for

water supply installation,

especially for domestic use.

  In domestic water supply systems, water leaks are not always easy to detect. Very often these leaks are revealed only by reading the water meter, but for the user it is then already too late to escape payment of a very high water bill. In this regard, it should be noted that a water tap, losing a few drops per second, causes an annual loss of 30 to 50 m3,

  resulting in unnecessary additional consumption.

  The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks, by providing a device allowing the user to be instantly informed of any water consumption, even minimal, and thus capable of revealing leaks, the device being of simple, easy constitution. to set up in an installation

existing, and inexpensive.

  To this end, the subject of the invention is a leak detection device for a water supply installation, in particular for domestic use, which essentially comprises, in combination: - a tubular body capable of being traversed by water, and to be connected at one end to a water inlet and, at its opposite end, to a water outlet, - a non-return valve, biased by a spring, mounted inside the tubular body, - means for detecting or measuring the pressure difference, inside the tubular body, between the upstream and downstream of the non-return valve, and - means for triggering a signal in the event of detection or measurement of a pressure difference, due to a flow of water and in particular to a leak

moving the non-return valve.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for detecting or measuring the pressure difference inside the tubular body, between the upstream and downstream of the non-return valve, consist of a housing located outside the tubular body and divided into two chambers by a flexible membrane, a first chamber being connected by a conduit of small section with the interior of the tubular body, upstream of the non-return valve, and the second chamber being10 connected by another small section conduit with

  inside the tubular body, downstream of the check valve

  return, means being provided for detecting the displacement of the flexible membrane under the effect of the

  difference of the pressures exerted on its two faces.

  In the event of water flow, even at low flow rates, such as that resulting from a leak, the non-return valve is lifted from its seat, against the force of its spring, and this results in a pressure difference, between upstream and downstream of the valve. The two pressures 20 considered being transmitted on either side of the membrane, the latter is deformed in the event of a difference between these pressures, and it is therefore sufficient to observe the displacement of the membrane to immediately and with certainty detect a flow of water. 25 The membrane displacement detection means can be constituted by an electrical micro-contact, actuated by a part of this membrane describing a substantial displacement, such as the central zone of said membrane. These means can also be constituted by an electronic displacement sensor, such as a proximity detector, a magnetic sensor or an optoelectronic sensor, which also is arranged so as to be sensitive to a part of the membrane describing a substantial displacement, the electronic displacement sensor is thus preferably carried by the housing, facing the central zone of the flexible membrane. The electrical micro-contact, or the electronic displacement sensor, as the case may be, is advantageously in connection with a block or electronic alarm and / or monitoring system, triggering a signaling and / or an appropriate action, on site.

and / or remotely.

  The leak detection device, object of the invention, is a simple and compact device which can be easily inserted on a domestic water supply, where it can take the place of a drain valve or a water tap. 'traditional stop. The housing containing the membrane is advantageously located above the tubular body, and it thus takes place in the usually free space located above the axis of the water inlet. The leak detection device, object of the invention, can also be equipped, on its tubular body, with an inlet filter and / or at least one drain valve, thus constituting additional functions which can be incorporated into this detection device

  leaks, practically without changing its size.

  The invention will in any case be better understood at

  using the following description, with reference to the drawing

  attached schematic showing, by way of example, two embodiments of this leak detection device for water supply installation: Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a leak detection device according to present invention, simple constitution; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of another leak detection device according to the invention, with

additional functions.

  Referring to Figure 1, the leak detection device, generally designated by the reference 1, is interposed between a water inlet tube 2 in

  coming from a distribution network, and a tube 3 for water departure, directed towards the taps and other water use points of a domestic installation (not shown).

  The leak detection device 1 has a tubular body 4, connected at one end to the water inlet tube 2 and, at its opposite end, to the water outlet tube 3, and thus ensuring the continuity of the the water between these two tubes 2 and 3. A

  inside the tubular body 4 is mounted a check valve

  return 5, biased by a spring 6 against an annular seat 7 formed on the inner wall of said body

tubular 4.

  The leak detection device 1 also comprises a housing 8 placed outside the tubular body 4, above the latter. The housing 8 defines an enclosure, which is divided into two chambers 9 and 10 by a flexible membrane 11, metallic or otherwise, the periphery of which is secured to the wall of the housing 8. In particular, the wall of this housing 8 can be formed by two adjoining parts 12 and 13, between which the periphery of the membrane 11 is pinched. A duct 14 of small section communicates

  inside the tubular body 4, upstream of the check valve

  return 5, with the first chamber 9 of the housing 8. Another conduit 15 of small section communicates

  inside the tubular body 4, downstream of the check valve

  return 5, with the second chamber 10 of the housing 8.

  The part 13 of the housing 8 carries, in its center, a displacement sensor 16 housed in the chamber 10, and located opposite the central zone of the membrane 11. The

  displacement sensor 16 is constituted either by a micro-

  electrical contact, either by an electronic sensor such as: proximity sensor (HF sensor), magnetic sensor of the Hall effect sensor or Reed relay type, optoelectronic sensor, or any other appropriate displacement sensor. This displacement sensor 16 is connected, by a more or less long electrical link 17, to an electronic unit 18 which monitors the state 5 of said sensor 16 and is capable of automatically triggering an appropriate action, in particular a warning signal. The electronic unit 18 can be directly associated with the rest of the device 1, or be deported at any distance, not limited.10 The operation of the leakage detection device 1 described above is as follows: The water arrives through the tube 2 and escapes through the tube 3, being forced to pass through the tubular body 4. When there is a flow of water, from the tube 2 to the tube 3 passing through the tubular body 4, there is necessarily displacement of the non-return valve 5, which "comes off" from the seat 7 against the force of the spring 6. The hydraulic force which is necessary to counteract the force of the spring 6 creates, between the upstream and

  downstream of the valve 5, a certain difference in pressures.

  Via the two conduits 14 and 15, the pressures P1 and P2 prevailing respectively upstream and downstream of the valve 5 are transmitted to the two chambers 9 and of the housing 8, and are thus exerted on either side of the membrane 11, which is therefore subject to the difference

  (P1 - P2) of these pressures, and deforms accordingly.

  The deformation of the membrane 11 is such that its central zone approaches the displacement sensor 16, even for a small pressure difference (P1 - P2). The displacement sensor 16 then instantly detects the deformation of the diaphragm 11, and this detection is recognized by the electronic unit 18, which can then illuminate an indicator light permanently or flashing, or trigger a continuous or intermittent sound signal, or command any action on site or remotely, in the event of connection to a home automation system

or remote monitoring.

  The device 1 is dimensioned in such a way that it is sensitive to any flow of water, whether this is due to a deliberate drawing or to a leak. Thus, this device is in particular capable of instantly detecting and reporting a water leak, even a minor one. Of course, the valve 5 also plays its own role of non-return valve, preventing the back flow of water from

tube 3 to tube 2.

  Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the leak detection device 1, operating on

  the same principle but supplemented by additional functions.

  This device 1 is equipped with an inlet filter 19, placed at the inlet of the tubular body 4, therefore on the side of the arrival of the water coming from the tube 2. Two drain valves and 21 are also provided on the tubular body 4, at its lower generatrix, respectively at

  upstream and downstream of the non-return valve 5.

  It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this leak detection device for domestic water supply installations which have been described above, by way of example. ; on the contrary, it embraces all of the variant embodiments and applications respecting the same principle. In particular, one would not depart from the scope of the invention: - by modifications of detail of the shapes or arrangements of the components of the device, such as a modification of the position or orientation in space of the housing containing the membrane; - by the use of any type of membrane displacement sensor, in conjunction with any type of electronic alarm and / or monitoring system; - by any combination of additional functions

  such as filter and drain valves.

Claims (6)

  1 - Leak detection device for water supply installation, in particular for domestic use, characterized in that it comprises, in combination: - a tubular body (4) capable of being traversed by water, and at be connected at one end to a water inlet (2) and, at its opposite end, to a water outlet (3), - a non-return valve (5), biased by a spring (6), mounted inside the tubular body (4), - means (8 to 16) for detecting or measuring the difference in pressures (P1 - P2), inside the tubular body (4), between the upstream and downstream of the non-return valve (5), and - means (18) for triggering a signal in the event of detection or measurement of a pressure difference (P1 - P2), due to a flow d and   in particular to a leak moving the non-return valve (5).   2 - Leak detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for   pressure difference detection or measurement (P1 -   P2), inside the tubular body (4), between the upstream and downstream of the non-return valve (5), consist of a housing (8) located outside the tubular body (4) and divided into two chambers (9, 10) by a flexible membrane (11), a first chamber (9) being connected by a conduit (14) of small section with the interior of the tubular body (4), upstream of the valve non-return (5), and the second chamber (10) being connected by another conduit (15) of small section with the interior of the tubular body (4), downstream of the non-return valve (5), means (16) being provided for detecting the displacement of the flexible membrane (11) under the effect of the difference in pressures (P1 - P2) exercising on both sides.   3 - Leak detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for detecting the displacement of the membrane (11) are constituted by an electrical micro-contact, actuated by5 part of this membrane (11) describing a displacement substantial, such as the central area of said membrane. 4 leak detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the membrane displacement detection means (11) are constituted by an electronic displacement sensor (16), such as a proximity sensor, a magnetic sensor or an optoelectronic sensor, arranged so as to be sensitive to part of the membrane (11)   describing a substantial displacement.   - Leak detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that the electronic displacement sensor (16) is carried by the case (8), facing the central zone of the flexible membrane (11).   6 - Leak detection device according to one   any of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that   the electrical micro-contact, or the electronic displacement sensor (16), as the case may be, is connected (at 17) with an electronic block or system (18) for alarm and / or monitoring, triggering a signaling and / or a   action, on site and / or remotely.   7 - Leak detection device according to one   any of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that   the housing (8) containing the membrane (11) is located above above the tubular body (4).   8 - Leak detection device according to one   any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that   that it is equipped with an inlet filter (19) and / or at least one drain valve (20, 21), placed on its body tubular (4).