GB2399205A - Water discharge limiter - Google Patents

Water discharge limiter Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2399205A
GB2399205A GB0305205A GB0305205A GB2399205A GB 2399205 A GB2399205 A GB 2399205A GB 0305205 A GB0305205 A GB 0305205A GB 0305205 A GB0305205 A GB 0305205A GB 2399205 A GB2399205 A GB 2399205A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
water
supply system
water supply
flow
change
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0305205A
Other versions
GB0305205D0 (en
Inventor
Ian Lawrence
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0305205A priority Critical patent/GB2399205A/en
Publication of GB0305205D0 publication Critical patent/GB0305205D0/en
Publication of GB2399205A publication Critical patent/GB2399205A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F17D5/06—Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss using electric or acoustic means
    • 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

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for limiting the amount of water which can be discharged inadvertently from a water supply system comprises a device which can detect a change in water flow conditions and generate an electrical signal to send to a device which can terminate the flow of water. If used with an appliance, the fuel or power supply to the appliance could also be cut off with the same electrical signal. The change in water flow conditions could include the onset of water flow, resulting in a leak, a change in the water flow rate, or a change in the hydraulic pressure.

Description

1 2399205
WATER DISCHARGE LIMITER
The present invention relates to a system for reducing the effects of a leak or overflow in a water supply system.
Unchecked leaks in water supply systems, or taps left opened, can cause considerable damage to property, as well as incurring excessive charges if the water supply system is one in which the charges are based on a metered use of water. The problem of leakage from the mains water supply or lo appliances is particularly severe in intermittently used premises which are not inspected regularly.
It is an object of the present invention that there is provided an apparatus for limiting the amount of water which can be discharged inadvertently from a water supply system.
According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for limiting the amount of water which can be discharged inadvertently from a water supply system, comprising means for detecting a change in the water to flow conditions in the water supply system and generating an electrical signal related thereto and means responsive to the said electrical signal to terminate the flow of water in the water supply system.
There may be included means responsive to the said signal to terminate the supply of power or fuel to an apparatus which is supplied with cooling water by the said apparatus.
According to the present invention in one aspect, the means for detecting a change in the water flow conditions in the water supply system is adapted to detect the onset of flow in the water supply system and the means responsive to the said signal to terminate the flow of water in the water supply system includes means for delaying the termination of the flow of lo water in the water supply system by a predetermined interval from the generation of the said signal.
The means for detecting the onset of the flow of water in the water supply pipe may be adapted to detect the drop in the water pressure in the water supply pipe which occurs at the onset of the flow of the water in the water supply pipe or it may be a flow meter-type device.
The means for terminating the flow of water supply pipe when the said interval has elapsed may comprise a variable timing device the action of to which is initiated by the said signal and which is adapted to generate a closure signal when the said interval has elapsed and an electrically operated shut-off valve adapted to respond to the closure signal to close off the water supply pipe.
Preferably there is included means for re-setting the apparatus after each occasion of its use and means for providing a warning signal when the means for terminating the flow of water in the water supply pipe has been activated.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagram which is a block diagram of a water-discharge limiting apparatus embodying the invention.
lo Referring to the drawing, an apparatus for limiting the amount of water which can be discharged by a water supply system consists of a flow detector which is adapted to detect the onset of flow in a water supply pipe 101, either when a tap or valve is opened or a leak occurs downstream of the flow detector 100 and generate an electrical signal in response thereto. The electrical signal generated by the flow detector 100 is applied to a timer or variable-delay device 102 which is arranged to produce an output pulse after a pre-determined interval, which is chosen by a user of the apparatus to suit any particular circumstance. The output signal from the timer or variable- delay device 102 is applied to a relay 103 which is arranged to actuate a solenoid-operated closure valve 104 which is situated down-stream of the flow detector 100. Although they are shown in the diagram as being separated by a length of the water supply pipe 101, in practice the flow detector 100 and solenoid valve 104 preferably would be combined to avoid the risk of a leak occurring in the pipe run between them. Also connected to the solenoid valve 104 is a re-set relay 105 and a warning device, which may be visual, audible or both. The electrical components of the apparatus are connected to a power supply 106.
The apparatus described above is intended to shut off the water supply in the event of a leak, for example, due to a burst pipe or failed joint or if a tap is left open inadvertently, but the invention can be used for other purposes.
For example, the flow detector 100 can be arranged to detect a change in the flow conditions, rather than the onset of flow, in the water supply pipe 101 lo and the variable-delay or timer 102 can be arranged to terminate the power supply to an item of equipment which is water-cooled as well as to shut off the water supply in the event of a leak in the water cooling circuit.
The flow detector 100 may be adapted to detect a change in the hydraulic pressure in the water supply pipe 100 or a change in the flow rate in the water supply pipe 100, consequent upon a leak.

Claims (10)

A CLAIMS
1. An apparatus for limiting the amount of water which can be discharged inadvertently from a water supply system, comprising means for detecting a change in the water flow conditions in the water supply system and generating an electrical signal related thereto and means responsive to the said electrical signal to terminate the flow of water in the water supply system.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein there is included means responsive to the said signal to terminate the supply of fuel or power to an apparatus which is supplied with cooling water by the said apparatus.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for detecting a change in the water flow conditions in the water supply system is adapted to detect the onset of Dow in the water supply system.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the means responsive to the said signal to terminate the flow of water in the water supply system includes means for delaying the termination of the flow of water in the water supply system by a predetermined interval from the generation of the said signal.
5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the means for detecting a change in the water flow conditions in the water supply system comprises means for detecting a change in the hydraulic pressure in the water supply system.
6. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the means for detecting a change in the water flow conditions in the supply system comprises means for detecting a change in the rate of flow of water in the water supply system.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the means for terminating the flow of water in the water supply system includes an electrically operated closure valve.
8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein there is included means for re-setting the means responsive to the said signal to terminate the flow of water in the water supply system.
9. An apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 8 wherein the means for delaying the termination of the flow of water in the water supply system is adapted to enable the said pre-determined interval to be varied.
10. An apparatus for limiting the amount of water which can be discharged inadvertently from a water supply system substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB0305205A 2003-03-07 2003-03-07 Water discharge limiter Withdrawn GB2399205A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0305205A GB2399205A (en) 2003-03-07 2003-03-07 Water discharge limiter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0305205A GB2399205A (en) 2003-03-07 2003-03-07 Water discharge limiter

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0305205D0 GB0305205D0 (en) 2003-04-09
GB2399205A true GB2399205A (en) 2004-09-08

Family

ID=9954284

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0305205A Withdrawn GB2399205A (en) 2003-03-07 2003-03-07 Water discharge limiter

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2399205A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITAN20130082A1 (en) * 2013-05-03 2014-11-04 Maurizio Bianchetti PERFECT HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4144743A (en) * 1974-12-09 1979-03-20 Shafer Valve Company Electronic fluid pipeline leak detector and method
US5228469A (en) * 1991-08-15 1993-07-20 Otten Bernard J Fluid control system
US5811674A (en) * 1995-11-14 1998-09-22 Eoa Systems, Inc. Coolant safety system for welding apparatus
US5992218A (en) * 1997-08-25 1999-11-30 Tryba; Stephen A. Water leakage protector apparatus
US6164319A (en) * 1997-04-04 2000-12-26 Cochran; David J. Automatic shut-off device for a pipe
US6209576B1 (en) * 1999-08-05 2001-04-03 Dan Davis Automatic fluid flow shut-off device
GB2360365A (en) * 2000-03-16 2001-09-19 John Michael Smith Controlling a water supply to minimise leakages

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4144743A (en) * 1974-12-09 1979-03-20 Shafer Valve Company Electronic fluid pipeline leak detector and method
US5228469A (en) * 1991-08-15 1993-07-20 Otten Bernard J Fluid control system
US5811674A (en) * 1995-11-14 1998-09-22 Eoa Systems, Inc. Coolant safety system for welding apparatus
US6164319A (en) * 1997-04-04 2000-12-26 Cochran; David J. Automatic shut-off device for a pipe
US5992218A (en) * 1997-08-25 1999-11-30 Tryba; Stephen A. Water leakage protector apparatus
US6209576B1 (en) * 1999-08-05 2001-04-03 Dan Davis Automatic fluid flow shut-off device
GB2360365A (en) * 2000-03-16 2001-09-19 John Michael Smith Controlling a water supply to minimise leakages

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITAN20130082A1 (en) * 2013-05-03 2014-11-04 Maurizio Bianchetti PERFECT HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0305205D0 (en) 2003-04-09

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)