FR3085461A1 - VISUAL LEAK DETECTION DEVICE FOR CONNECTION DEVICES FOR PLUMBING PIPE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a leak detection device [1] for plumbing pipe [T], comprising a hollow tank (2) for receiving water leakage from said pipe [T] forming a conduit with a first end overlapping in upper part of the sealing means of the slip or compression fittings comprises a protection means while ensuring the securing of the detection device to the connection device, and the second end of which in the lower part of said tank (2) comprises a means sealing enclosing said pipe [T], said device [1] being characterized in that it further comprises: -at least one hollow tubular conduit (5) connecting the tank to the outside of the partition or counter-partition , so as to evacuate outside and make it possible to visually detect any leak in the connection in real time.

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Visual leak detection device for connection devices for plumbing pipes The present invention relates to the field of sanitary plumbing for buildings. The present invention relates more particularly to a leak detection system to be installed on a connection device mounted on a fixing device, for example on a partition or counter-partition formed by plumbing or pipe facing plates. A problem in the field of plumbing concerns the control of a water leak, in particular visual and in real time, on a fitting installed in a partition or a counter-partition on a pipe network. It should be noted that various types of domestic water supply piping are used in the field of plumbing and the transport of running water. In general, the installation is characterized by a free end of a pipe provided with a connection (or connection end piece or connection device) for sealingly connecting said pipe to the rest of the installation of pipes. There are different types of fittings depending on the material of the pipe. Generally, a “braze” or “crimp” type connector is used for copper pipes or tubing, while cross-linked polyethylene (PER) or multilayer pipes for example (PER and aluminum) can be used with compression, slip or crimp fittings. In addition, the Unified Technical Documents according to French Standard impose installation rules. For example, DTU 65.10 (general criteria for choice of material) and DTU 60.1 (sanitary plumbing for buildings used for residential use) impose accessibility (inspection hatches, removable panels, etc.) to the removable connection devices for the no leakage check. Thus, there are three cases of installation of fittings to line pipes meeting the DTU regulations. A first installation of fittings on the outside of a partition, provides that the pipes are arranged outside the partition and all types of fittings (described above) can be used according to regulations because water leaks on the fittings will be visible. A second installation of fittings inside the hollow partition (for example in showers, baths, draw-off taps, etc.), provides that an inspection hatch is arranged at the rear of the partition and that the fittings visitable are mounted by the front of the partition to meet the constraints of the regulations. Finally, a third installation of fittings in the counter-partitions, in which the visitable fittings are mounted by the front face of the counter-partition to also meet the constraints of the regulations. Various fittings are known in the prior art. , in particular for flexible pipes, the sealing of which is ensured by tightening a ring on a sleeve. For example, document FR2230924A1 describes a connection device for semi-rigid pipe which comprises a nozzle having a radial bulge with a tapered tapered edge, a deformable biconical ring and a nut for tightening the ring against the bulge of the nozzle.

In addition, it is known from documents EP0410843Al and EP0581678A1, respectively, a connection end piece for plastic pipe and a clamping device included in said connection end piece. The end piece includes a nut which engages on the outside of the pipe by overlapping a biconical ring of the clamping device, to tighten it axially against a collar piece when tightening the nut on a corresponding male end piece. A seal, distant from the ring, is arranged between the collar and the male end piece, to seal between the connecting end piece and the male end piece. The end piece further comprises a washer arranged in a groove of the nut and / or of the collar part and cooperating with the ring to allow the tightening of the nut on the male end piece and also the tightening of the ring on the pipe. The document EP0581678A1 is an improvement on the document EP 0410843A1 by proposing a split biconic ring. It is also known from documents JP2017003010 and US6416085B1 a channel for preventing leaks, but it should be noted that none of these documents show a channel connecting the detection device with the exterior of the partition or counter-partition making it possible to visually detect leak in real time.

One of the connecting devices for semi-rigid pipe comprises a nozzle having circular bulges, a skirt with a tapered tapered edge, a deformable biconical ring fitted on the semi-rigid pipe, said pipe being already fitted on the nozzle, a nut tightening the ring against the pipe and simultaneously the pipe against the bulges of the nozzle. This device is called a “compression fitting”. Another connecting device for semi-rigid pipe comprises a nozzle having circular bulges, a ring fitted firmly onto the semi-rigid pipe, said pipe already being fitted on the nozzle, this device Another connection device for semi-rigid pipe comprises a skirt containing a nozzle having circular bulges, the skirt is crimped radially on the semi-rigid pipe, said pipe being already fitted on the nozzle, device is called “crimp connection” These solutions are provided with a single sealing barrier and of the same type which is neither sufficient nor reliable and therefore presents a risk of water leakage within the network of pipeline. Thus, in the event of a water leak at the fitting / pipe interface on a compression fitting, the leakage check is carried out by dismantling the various accessories from the front face of the partition or counter-partition, but the detection of escape is difficult and often late. In addition, disassembly of the accessories attached to the fitting is not easy, and therefore generally requires the intervention of a plumbing expert instead of being achievable by all.

In this context, it is interesting to propose a solution which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by facilitating the visual detection of water leakage on a connection device for a pipe pipe, while strengthening the barrier. sealing against water leakage inside the partition containing the pipe.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an alternative solution to that presented in patent LR 1755641 [0009] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome certain drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a detection system for leak installed on a connection device for a pipe, collecting the leak water and facilitating the visual and real-time detection of said leak.

This main object is achieved by a leak detection system to be installed on a connection device for plumbing pipe, comprising a hollow tubular tank forming a conduit, a first end with total opening in the upper part may for example have a internal circular cavity intended to receive a tubular / O-ring or any other shape or type and the second end of which in the lower part of said through reservoir has a free end with reduced opening having an internal circular cavity intended to receive a sealing means. A flexible tubular conduit of small diameter in lateral connection of the tubular reservoir has an internal channel opening at a first free end of said conduit and a second end opening in the reservoir. The leak detection system being characterized in that it further comprises:

-A hollow tubular tank for receiving water leakage from the water supply pipe of the connection device;

At least one tubular conduit comprising a channel connecting the tubular reservoir with the exterior of the partition, so as to evacuate to the exterior and make it possible to visually detect any leakage from the connection [0013] According to another feature, said detection device further comprises a tubular / O-ring for example disposed in the internal circular cavity present in the reduced end of the lower part of said tank and enclosing the plumbing pipe so as to form a leak-tight sealing barrier of said pipe.

In another feature, said detection device may further comprise an O-ring / tubular for example disposed in the internal circular cavity present in the free end of the upper part of the tank and whose internal diameter is less than that of the circle circumscribed to the rotary nut or the ring. This dimensional peculiarity of the said joint allows it, after the passage of the ring or the nut, to secure the detection device on the connection device and to form a protective barrier in said tank against any intrusion of dust or particles of insulation present in the partition or counter-partition.

In another feature, the tubular conduit and the tube formed by the reservoir are oriented perpendicularly to each other, so that the device forms a bend.

Another object is to provide a leak detection device in a plumbing (or pipe) network, facilitating the visual and real-time detection of the water leak on already existing and commercial plumbing fittings.

This object is achieved by a leak detection system in a plumbing network comprising:

- at least one plumbing pipe [0018] - at least one partition or counter-partition separating the interior of the plumbing network [0019] - at least one device for connecting said pipe [0020] - at least one device for fixing capable of fixing said connection device in a housing of a front plate of the partition or of the counter-partition [0021] The attached drawings illustrate the invention:

[Fig.l] shows a sectional view of the leak detection device according to an embodiment comprising a slip connection and a fixing device, [0023] [Fig.2] shows a sectional view of the leak detection device according to an embodiment comprising a compression connection and a fixing device, [0024] [Fig.3] shows in perspective the device of the invention [0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description below, made with reference to the accompanying drawings [0026] Many combinations can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention; the person skilled in the art will choose one or the other according to the economic, ergonomic, dimensional or other constraints which he will have to respect.

More particularly, Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a preferred but not limiting embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to [Fig.l] and [Fig.2], the end piece of the connector [R] is always securely fixed in an opening drilled in a partition or against a partition, which are generally facing plates fixed on racks, according to at least one of the cases of installation of fittings to pipe pipes regulated by the DTU. The body of the fitting [R] can be fixed to said pipe [T] by sealing means specific to each embodiment.

In some embodiments, the tightening means may be a rotary nut [E], in the case of the compression fitting as shown for example in [Fig.2], [0030] In some embodiments, the clamping means may be a sleeve [D], in the case of the slip connection as shown for example in [Fig.l] [0031] The present invention relates to a detection device [1] mounted on a connection device [R] for plumbing or pipe pipe [T] allowing: - to detect and visually check and check in real time a water leak on a fitting (for example a compression fitting) that can be installed in a partition or a partition wall;

- direct or deflect the flow of water to the outside of the partition or counter-partition, in the event of water leaking from the fitting;

- Reinforce the sealing barrier on the fitting to prevent water leakage inside the partition or counter-partition and consequently prevent the degradation of the partition or counter-partition and the reconstruction of the pipeline installation;

- Assemble the detection device on the plumbing fitting reliably, quickly and durably with little tools.

The detection device [1] comprises a hollow tubular reservoir (2) forming a conduit (10) opening, on the one hand, in the upper part on a first end with total opening which may include an internal circular imprint intended to receive an O-ring / tubular joint (3) for example. The dimensional particularity of said seal allows it, after the passage of the sleeve [D] in the case of slip fittings [fig.l] or of the rotary nut [E] in the case of compression fittings [Fig.2] stow the detection device on the connection device [R] and form a protective barrier in said tank against any intrusion of dust or particles of insulation present in the partition or counter-partition and on the other hand, on a second end with reduced opening comprising an O-ring (4) disposed in the internal circular cavity so as to form a sealing barrier for water leakage from said pipe. The tubular conduit (5) connecting the tank to the outside of the partition evacuates the leakage water from the fitting.

In all embodiments, the reservoir (2) may include a dye (for example a coloring powder or any other equivalent means) placed for example in the conduit (10) to color the water leakage from the fitting. This coloring can thus help the user to visually check for a leak.

The present application describes various technical characteristics and advantages with reference to the figures and / or to various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical characteristics of a given embodiment can in fact be combined with characteristics of another embodiment unless the reverse is explicitly mentioned or it is obvious that these characteristics are incompatible or that the combination does not provide a solution to at least one of the technical problems mentioned in the present application. In addition, the technical characteristics described in a given embodiment can be isolated from the other characteristics of this mode unless the reverse is explicitly mentioned.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Consequently, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration, but may be modified in the field defined by the scope of the protection requested, and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] A detection device [1] comprising a hollow tubular reservoir (2) forming a conduit (10), a first end of which is with full opening and the second end of which is of restricted opening. The device [1] being characterized in that it further comprises: - at least one internal circular imprint present in the opening on the first end side - at least one internal circular imprint present in the opening on the second end side - at least one hollow conduit, one end of which is fixed to the reservoir and the other end of which is free [Claim 2] Detection device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises in the internal circular impression present in the side opening first end of the reservoir (2) an O-ring / tubular joint (3) or any other shape or type [Claim 3] Detection device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises in the internal circular cavity present in the opening side of the second end of the tank (2) a tubular or O-ring (4) [Claim 4] Detection device according to claim 1 characterized in that the hollow tubular conduit (5) and the tank (2) are oriented perpendicularly one relative to each other so that the device [1] forms an elbow