GB2377311A

GB2377311A - Fluid Flow control with automatic valve closure to protect premises when abnormal flow conditions are sensed.

Info

Publication number: GB2377311A
Application number: GB0116970A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gareth Paul Kinsey; John Hickman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-28
Filing date: 2001-07-12
Publication date: 2003-01-08
Also published as: GB0104885D0; GB0116970D0

Abstract

A flow controller, suitable for positioning in line of a domestic or industrial water supply, comprises a flow sensor 2 and a motorised valve 3 both connected to a supply pipe. The valve and sensor are connected to a controller 4 which keeps the valve open unless an abnormal flow condition is sensed. The abnormal flow condition may be a flow rate above a threshold flow rate, or may be a flow maintained above a threshold for longer than a set time limit. The controller has a timer and relay means for switching contacts to energise the valve motor. The controller may also have a reset control 6 and may be connected to the alarm systems of the premises. The flow controller can shut-off a water supply if continuous or excessive flow is sensed such as would be caused by a leak. A bypass system may be fitted to allow water to be diverted around the flow controller by opening a valve 5.

Description

KINMAN FLOW CONTROLLER.

Working discription.

1, The water flow will be monitored by a metered device. The flow rate is monitored and recorded on a pulse rate. The pulse rate will vary according to the type of meter used. The pulse rate is relayed to a control box into a time relay.

2, Inside the control box, the pulse rate (flow measurement) is converted to time via a time relay and a time delay and monitored according to the flow rate.

3, The time relay records the start of the flow and will automatically reset when the flow has stopped. However should the flow exceed the time set on the relay then the relay will automatically activate the electronic valve which will shut down the water supply.

4, Inside the control box is a built in relay which can be used with the burglar alarm system or a computer. Therefore allowing remote control of the water supply system.

KINMAN FLOW CONTROL.

FITTING AND SETTING UP

1, LOCATION : The site location of the Kinman flow control unit is vital to the control of the water flow, for example a shop, office block, small industry unit or a house where the whole of the water supply system is supplied via mains pressure, then it would be advantageous to fit the Kinman flow control as close as possible to the rising main. Thus giving control of the whole system. However large water users may well require more than one Kinman control unit for example; having fitted one unit on the incoming water supply, there may well be large storage cisterns supplying water around the building and underground to outlying buildings. In these circumstances it would be advisable to fit Kinman control valves on the outlets from the storage cisterns. From this it can be seen that total control of the water supply will be achieved, therefore it is essential to locate the node points on the system before fitting the Kinman flow control valve.

2, SYSTEM ALARM- With the Kinman control system alarm, the system continues to operate normally, but when the burglar alarm is set, the Kinman control system will automatically shut down the water supply, and reset when the alarm is switched off. Thus preventing major flood damage in premises.

3, BYPASS VALVE : It is advisable when fitting a Kinman flow control unit that a bypass be fitted and kept closed. The bypass valve would require a service check every 12 months to ensure it is operational. In industry and large water user sites the bypass valve should be tagged and clearly marked and no unauthorised person allowed to operate it. On domestic supplies the bypass valve may be used to enable large quantities of water to be drawn off for uses such as garden hosepipes etc 4, SETTING UP : To set up a Kinman flow control valve you will need to know what the maximum flow rate is, and the time duration for which the flow will take place. This information is critical when setting the flow time duration to operate the electronic valve. The pick up time delay will depend on the flow rate being continuous. When the flow rate is continuous the flow time delay will activate a time relay, when the time relay reaches the set time, the set time relay will automatically activate the valve, which will shut down the supply. From this you will note that the settings on the relays are critical to the flow rate duration.

KINMAN FLOW CONTROLLER The Kinman Flow Controller has been designed to reduce flood damage caused by burst pipes, by fitting the Kinman flow controller onto your mains water supply system, you will have the option of a flow control via a timer which will shut down the water supply after a pre set flow. time has been reached. The electronic valve will operate automatically therefore reducing flood damage and water wastage.

With the Kinman flow controller there is a built in option to enable the electronic valve to be operated via a security system, using the security option the valve will automatically close, shutting down the water supply when the security system is switched on and resetting when the security system is turned off.

The Kinman flow controller has been designed for industrial usage as well as domestic use and should prove cost effective against insurance claims.

AREAS OF USAGE DOMESTIC : Houses, nursing/residential homes, schools and hospitals could benefit from a Kinman flow controller. Depending on the size of the property, some large properties may need more than one flow controller. For example each floor could be controlled using the flow controller to control both the hot and cold water systems from the source i. e. at the point of draw off from the supply cistern.

OFFICE BLOCKS : The Kinman flow controller would be ideal in an office block situation and would require fitting at point of entry. However should the water system be supplied via storage cisterns then both the hot and cold water supplies would require a Kinman flow controller. In doing so the damage risk factor would be greatly reduced.

SHOPS : Flood damage in shops is a high-risk area, therefore it would be recommended that the whole of the water supply system be fitted with a Kinman flow controller. With shops and offices they could also benefit from the flow controller being wired to the alarm system, thus reducing flood damage from burst pipes when the premises are unoccupied.

INDUSTRY. It is a known fact that industry waste water through undue consumption and leakage. The wastage through undue consumption is usually brought about through custom and practice. However large savings on water bills could be made with the use of a Kinman flow controller. By fitting flow control valves at node points on the system, areas of wastage would be reduced. Also underground pipe work could be monitored and management attention notified when a burst pipe arises. With the automatic shut down, closer monitoring of the system would be required, this would then help reduce the wastage through custom and practice.

For enquiries or further information on the Kinman flow controller contact: John Hickman.-Tel 01905 821970 Fax 01905 821970 Gareth Kinsey-Tel 01905 354257 Fax 01905 354257 E mail. gkinsey @ freenetname. co. uk

CONTROL DETAILS 1, STOP VALVE.

2, FLOW CONTROL METER.

3, ELECTRONIC CONTROL VALVE.

4, CONTROL BOX.

5, SYSTEM BYPASS VALVE 6, RESET BUTTON.

THE KINMAN CONTROL VALVE CAN BE PRODUCED TO COVER A WHOLE RANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES FROM DOMESTIC TO INDUSTRIAL.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BEING THE SIZE OF THE PIPE WORK AND THE FLOW SETTING REQUIREMENT.

Claims

Claims 1. A variable watcr control device. to control and reduce water leakage in commercial and domestic property.
2. An automatic shut down of the water supply when the flow rate exceeds a pre set allowable.
A control box with a built in reset and over ride to allow for extended maximum flow rates, bypassing the motorised valve cut off.
4. A water flow recording device with a relay to the control box fitted to a flow timer control.
5. A built in timer connected to the flow recording device activated at a pre set flow rate.
6. A set of contacts to activate the motorise valve and relay system.
7. A sketch of what has herein been described as a variable flow controller is enclosed.