GB2315340A

GB2315340A - Controlling water systems when leaks are detected

Info

Publication number: GB2315340A
Application number: GB9614904A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rose Bailey; Philip Bailey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-07-16
Filing date: 1996-07-16
Publication date: 1998-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2016-07-16
Also published as: GB2315340A8; GB9614904D0; GB2315340B

Abstract

In order to detect water leakage from the stored water systems, the level of water maintained within the header tank or the pressure in the system is monitored. Any leakage of water from the equipment and pipework will result in the water level in the header tank or the pressure in the system falling. A level switch or pressure switch with electrical contacts detects this fall, and allows the replenishment of the lost water to be carried out, only during an adjustable time period. If replenishment is completed within this time period, then there is no further action. If replenishment is incomplete, then this is deemed to be a leakage from the system. A signal is sent to a fresh water intake valve to close, and to a drain down valve to open and to prevent pumps, boilers and other equipment associated with the stored water system, from operating and generates an alarm signal.

Description

1. Leak detector for stored water systems Background to the invention Leakage from fluid distribution systems such as stored water systems, heating and cooling sys e is is co mon and frequently goes undetected. A device described by Inge Nielson (U.K. patent @ 193 361A), detects leakage in a branch of a district heating system by monitoring the flow of water in and out of the branch, and determining whether or not the preset limits have been exceded. This approach has an obvious disadvantage of only being able to detect leakage of the intermediate section of the installation, and when water is flowing. Two flow meters, a non return valve, an electrically operated valve, and control unit are required. This equipment requires skilled labour to install and :lain'.ain.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a convenient inexpensive means of monitoring a variety of types of fluid systems for leakage. The low cost and ease of installation of the device could lead to its wide application in ty')es of systems in which no form of lea detection is now commonly employed. Its videspread use could result in major savings of cold water, hot water and to consequent savings of energy used in heating, pumping and treating water.

2. Leak detector for stored water systems S ecification This invention relates to methods of detecting, controlling, and indicating leakages within stored fluid systems.

Heating and cooling systems normally use water as the heat-cool carrying medium. This water enters the sys via header tanks and pressurisation units and then circulates within buildings, usually through pipes to its intended destination. The waters' destination may be radiators, calorifiers, batteries and other equipment fro transfering heat and cooling.

Within this pipework and equipment, there is a risk of water leaking, and causing damage to the building, and its fixtures, furniture and fittings.

It is the object of this invention to detect any fluid loss within these system by monitoring the quantity of -ater maintained within the header tank, or pressurisation unit.

The monitoring is by a level switch which has electrical connections to enable its condition to be fed to a control unit. The level switch is fitted to an adjustable platform to allow it to be fitted to any size of tank, e.s referred to ir claim 1 and If the water in the systems need to be replinished, an adjustable time period is allowed for this replinishment.

Complete replinishment is achieved during the time period, then no further action takes place. More over, if replinishment is still incomplete after the time period has elapsed, this suggests a leak of fluid from the system.

3. Leak detector for stored water systems More water intake is prevented, an alarm signal is generated and an electrically operated drain down valve is activated.

The pressurisation units -hich electrically pump water into these systems can be monitored by the same control unit, referred to in claim 5. The pressure in the system falls, he electrically oper @ @@ @u@. replinishes the later loss, which brings the pressure back to the required level. If this is not achieved within the adjustable time period, then it is d'eemed that the systems water is leaking or that the fresh water intake is insufficient, indicating a interupted water supply or faulty intake valve. on alarm signal is generated, fresh water intake is prevented, an electrically operated drain do'Th valve is activated.

4. Leak detector for stored water systems Description of the unit is detailed below.

A level switch with electrical contacts is fitted onto an adjustable platform. This platform is lowered into the storage tank and secured to the tank, to a level that can be determined by the size of the header tank and hence the volume of water within the system.

The condition of this switch is fed into .1 control unit, where its state is monitored. Once the switch changes state, the control unit detects this and initiates a timing period. During this time period, which is adjustable, water is allowed into the tank to replinish water that has been lost. If replinishment is not complete once the tine period has expired, then an alarm signal is generated, and a second timing period begins. If, at the end of this second timing the water replinishment is still incomplete, then the electrically operated water inlet valve is closed, and an electrically operated drain down valve is omened, and a second alarm signal is generated. The failure to completely replinish the water level indicates a water lea within the system, if replinishment is completed within the time period then no further action takes place.

The control system can be battery operated because the unit is inactive until replinishment is required, which should not be so frequent if the water system is not leaking.

The above action ensures that the leaking water damage is kept to a minimum and further damage is avoided, by draining down the volume of water from within the system, and preventing boilers and pumps etc from operating until the sy-stem is back to normal working order.

5. Leak detector for stored water systems In the pressurisation unit application once the pressure switch is activated, signal can be sent to the control unit. The control unit then starts a timing )eriod, the pressure within the system has to be back to normal within this time period, if it is not, an alarl-l signal is generated, and a second timing begins. If the pressure within the system is not back to normal by the end of this second time period, then an alarm signal is generated, the -ater entering the system is prevented from doing so and an electrically operated valve to drain down the system can be operated, along with preventing boilers, and pumps etc from operating whilst the system is in an alarm condition.

Claims

6. Leak detector for stored water systems

Claims 1. Heating cooling and general stored water systems with a capacity header tank characterised in that a level switch with electrical contacts ant fitted onto an adjustable platform, is inserted within the storage tank, an electrically operated valve for closing off the fresh water intake, an electrically operated valve for draining down the water from within the system.

2. Detecting leaks within the systems referred to in claim 1, characterised by the signals from the level switch being fed to a control unit, which will activate an alarm circuit onlg when replenishment is in complete and only after to adjustable time periods have elapsed, to shut off the electrically operated fresh water intake valve, to o en the electrically operated drain do valve, to prevent operation of all equipment connected to the system.

3. Method for controlling the amount of water allowed to be pumped into pressured water systems referred to in claim 1, via the pressurisation unit, b preventing oration of the pump, after an adjustable tine period h-s elapsed, generating an alarm signal, closing the electrically operated fresh water intake valve, opening the electrically operated drain down valve and preventing equipment connected to the system from operating.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A leakage monitoring system for monitoring leakage in a fluid system comprising a level or pressure switch for detecting the fluid level or pressure level in the fluid system and a control unit electrically connected to said switch and electrically connected to a first electrically operated valve for closing off fluid intake into the system and a second electrically operated valve for draining fluid from the system wherein said control unit monitors the state of said switch and operates said first and second valves in response to a change of state.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid system comprises a capacity header or storage tank and the switch comprises a level switch.
3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid system comprises a pressurised unit and the switch comprises a pressure switch.
4. A system according to claim 2, wherein the level switch is mounted on an adjustable platform adapted to be located within the storage tank.
5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit is adapted to operate said first valve to close off fluid intake and said second valve to drain fluid when, in use, said level falls below a predetermined value.
6. A method of detecting leakage in a fluid system comprising locating a level or pressure switch in the fluid system, detecting fluid level or pressure in the fluid system, and if the fluid level or pressure drops detecting the level or pressure after a given time period and if the level or pressure has not returned to its original value, closing off fluid intake to the fluid system and draining fluid from the system.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein an alarm is activated when said level or pressure has not returned to its original value.
8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said fluid intake is closed off by closing an electrically operated valve.
9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said fluid is drained by opening an electrically operated valve.
10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said given time period is adjustable.
11. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein equipment connected to said fluid system is prevented from operating when said level or pressure has not returned to its original value.