GB2570225B

GB2570225B - Flow detection device

Info

Publication number: GB2570225B
Application number: GB1903183.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bailey Samuel
Original assignee: HomeServe Ltd
Current assignee: HomeServe Ltd
Priority date: 2015-01-07
Filing date: 2015-01-07
Publication date: 2019-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-07
Also published as: GB2570225A; GB2569469A; GB201903178D0; GB2569470A; GB2569469B; GB2569470B; GB201903183D0; GB2569471B; GB201903180D0; GB201903182D0; GB2569471A

Description

FLOW DETECTION DEVICE

This invention relates to a device for detecting flow in pipes.

Being able to detect fluid flow in a pipe has many useful applications. A key one is detecting the presence of leaks in a pipe system. Detecting flow in a system when all taps and valves are closed will usually indicate the presence of a leak in the system being monitored.

Pipe systems can be used to transmit a complete range of fluids from air and other gasses, including combustible gasses to liquids. The liquids can be water, oils or any other liquid. In any pipe system it is important to know if there is leakage in the pipe system.

Many technologies exist for measuring flow. Many involve a mechanical device in the flow e.g. an impellor or nutating disc. In order to fit these, the system must be drained and the device inserted in the pipe. This can be inconvenient. Additionally, there is a risk of leak in the area where the measurement device has been inserted.

Non-invasive measuring techniques also exist - e.g. ultrasound and thermal mass flow measurement. However, ultrasound systems tend to be relatively expensive and do not detect flow velocities less than around 1cm/sec. Thermal mass flow metering requires the fluid to be heated by an element which requires too much power for a system to be battery powered for an extended period of time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-invasive method of detecting fluid flow in a pipe system.

It is also desirable to be able to monitor flow rates - or lack thereof remotely from a central control unit or monitoring station.

The present invention provides a device and a method for non-invasively detecting fluid flow in a pipe. Advantageously, the method and device is a low powered method suitable for a battery powered monitor.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carer aid for monitoring people, the monitor carer aid comprising a fluid flow detector for detecting fluid flow in a pipe system, the carer aid being as defined in claim 1 appended hereto. Preferred features of the carer aid are set out in dependent claims 2 to 15. The present invention also provides a system comprising the carer aid as defined in claim 16, with the preferred features thereof set out in appended claims 17 to 21, and a method of monitoring presence and activity of a person in a home as defined in claim 22. Preferred features of the method are set out in claims 23 to 25.

The inventor has determined that in a pipe system, if there is no flow of fluid in the pipe system, the temperature of the fluid in the pipe, sufficiently distant from any other sources of heating or cooling, will approach ambient temperature over a period of time. By determining the ambient temperature of air or other medium around the pipe system and the temperature of the fluid in the system, it is possible to determine if fluid is flowing in the pipe system. If the temperature of the fluid in the pipe system is monitored over a period and compared to ambient temperature and the two values approach each other and maintain a predetermined difference or less for a predetermined time, a no flow condition can be determined to exist. If the temperature differences remain outside a predetermined set of parameters, it can be assumed there is a flow in the pipe system.

If on the other hand, the difference in temperatures between the “ambient” and the fluid in the pipe is greater than a predetermined value for a predetermined period, there can be assumed to be a flow condition.

The determination of a zero flow condition is particularly useful in a number of environments or installations such as domestic, office or industrial water systems, reserve or standby fluid pipe systems such as might be employed in emergency or backup systems.

Various mechanisms can be envisaged to ensure the pipe sensor is in good contact with the pipe. These could include biasing the sensor so that it is biased into contact with the pipe by spring or other biasing means. Alternatively, and more advantageously from the device construction point of view, a spring clip can be used to ensure the device is securely clipped to the pipe and can be arranged to ensure the temperature sensor is in good contact with the pipe. Alternatively a strap or other tie mechanism could pass around the pipe, securing the sensor to the pipe. This could apply a pressure maintaining the thermal contact with the pipe.

The device is provided with an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) or a microcontroller which can be configured to have one of many arrangements. It can be provided with a large number of pre-programmed calibrations and measure temperatures and signal alarms according to a set of preprogrammed instructions.

Alternatively, each device can be provided with an ECU which is capable of calibrating the measurements obtained from the two temperature sensors and be further calibrated according to the type and details of the installation. This latter is advantageous in that it should ensure greater accuracy and reduce the number of false alarms.

The ECU needs to be capable of monitoring the outputs provided by each of the temperature sensors and comparing them over an extended period of time to determine any differences and whether the differences fall within predetermined thresholds. If the appropriate criteria are satisfied an alarm signal can be generated.

In a domestic or office environment, the temperature of the incoming cold water in a water supply varies through the year, but is typically different to room temperature due to the water being chilled or heated by the earth surrounding the subterranean supply pipes. Water flowing through the pipes will then tend to chill the pipes (or warm them, depending on the climate or time of year) to a measurable degree, even at very low flow rates (down to 5ml/min). This phenomenon can be used to detect whether or not water is flowing in the pipe.

By measuring the temperature difference for an extended period of time, the presence (or absence) of flow can be detected. For a typical domestic dwelling, periods of zero flow (e.g. at night) can be expected. If flow is detected, it probably indicates the presence of a water leak or a dripping tap or valve in a toilet. A user can then be alerted to the presence of the leak so they can fix the problem, reducing water damage to a property and reducing water wastage.

It is also now well known that in modern domestic environments it is increasingly common to operate water consuming domestic appliances, such as washing machines or dishwashing machines, at night in order to benefit from cheaper energy tariffs available. Operation of such appliances will result in a rapid and significant flow of water at periods during the operation cycle. This rapid flow will cause a sudden change in temperature of the water in the pipe. The monitoring system is therefore provided with means to detect the sudden and significant temperature change and an ECU can be programmed to ignore or discount such sudden surges and not produce an alarm condition.

In such circumstances the monitoring system will be triggered to reset itself so it again waits for the temperatures to converge, and begin monitoring afresh. A possible embodiment of the device is described below.

An example of such a device will include two high precision temperature sensors, a power supply and an electronic control unit (ECU) enclosed in a housing which is connected to a pipe. One temperature sensor is positioned such that it is in good thermal contact with the pipe, at sufficient distance from any heat sinks or sources, including the earth or any other conduits or passages that the pipe has passed through, so that they do not unduly heat or cool the pipe, it is also sufficiently close to where the pipe leaves the earth, passage or conduit when so that any fluid flowing in the pipe during a leak does not have time to reach ambient temperature before it reaches the sensor. The other temperature sensor is positioned such that it has good thermal contact with the ambient air in the general region of the pipe temperature sensor, but not so close its measurements will be unduly affected by it. Preferably it is shielded from any heating or cooling drafts or air currents which might affect the values. The sensors are connected to an ECU or microcontroller which monitors the measurements over a period of time to determine whether there is a flow in the pipe. The microcontroller can then issue an alert via a suitable method if flow is present when it is outside the predetermined parameters or is not expected.

Under normal operation (no leaks present), if all taps and valves on the circuit are closed such that there is no flow, the temperature of the pipe (and its contents) will slowly tend to converge to that of the ambient air. For a typical domestic water pipe it will take around 3 hours for it to be within 0.1C of the air temperature.

If there is a flow in the pipe, the temperature of the pipe will not tend to equal the air temperature. For larger flow rates, the pipe temperature will stay close to the incoming fluid temperature, whereas for slower flow rates, the pipe temperature will stay closer to the ambient temperature than in the other case.

The ECU or microcontroller can be programmed to detect the temperature differences and monitor them over time. It is clearly essential that if there is a sudden increase in flow rates caused by say the flushing of a toilet or drawing water for a bath or shower, that the system does not signal an alarm. Following such an event, the ECU will normally be programmed to restart the monitoring period. Advantageously and optionally, the ECU will be provided with means to determine the time of day and more preferably, the actual date. The ECU programmed in this manner should be able to determine that a period of low or zero fluid flow is to be expected, as would be the case in the middle of the night.

It will also be apparent that the temperature differences between the ambient temperature and pipe temperature will also vary according to the material from which the pipe is made and its diameter. For larger diameter pipes containing more liquid it will clearly take longer for them to approach and reach ambient temperature than a smaller diameter pipe. Also, it will be appreciated that pipes made from metals such as copper or aluminium will conduct heat far more efficiently than pipes made from plastics materials. Therefore a different rate of temperature convergence can be expected in view of such differences.

Advantageously, the ECU or microcontroller can be calibrated and set to take account of such variations.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG 1 shows an example of a flow detector device attached to a pipe. FIG 2 shows a top view of the detector device. FIG 3 shows a side elevation indicating how contact is made with the pipe. FIG 4 shows a block diagram of the inter-connection of the components. FIG 5a is a graph showing the temperature of the pipe and the ambient air over a 5 hour test period with no flow in the pipe where the water is warmer than ambient. FIG 5b is a graph showing the temperature of the pipe and the ambient air over a 5 hour test period with a small amount of flow in the pipe where the water is warmer than ambient. FIG 6a is a graph showing the temperature of the pipe and the ambient air over a 5 hour test period with no flow in the pipe where the water is cooler than ambient. FIG 6b is a graph showing the temperature of the pipe and the ambient air over a 5 hour test period with a small amount of flow in the pipe where the water is cooler than ambient.

Fig 7 is the block diagram of the system where a shut off valve is used to shut off the water supply in the event of a leak being detected.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings in which like references refer to like features in the various figures. FIG 1 shows an example of a fluid flow detection device for use in the present invention. The device is contained within a housing 10, is attachable to a pipe 12 by means of a biasable pipe clip 14. This particular device is used as a water flow detector for a domestic or office environment. Larger scale devices and housings could be used for a factory, but frequently factories operate for large portions of a day and may not have long enough periods of zero flow for satisfactory operation and require more sophisticated and complex monitoring systems. FIG 2 shows a top view of the device which may conveniently include indicator or display elements to show the state of operation of the device. These could include a system operation indicator 22 an alarm indicator 24, or a loud speaker 26 from which an audible alarm could be emitted. FIG 3 shows a side elevation of the housing 10 secured to a pipe 12 by connector 14. A temperature sensor 16 extends from the case of the housing and is shown contacting the pipe 12 to determine the outer temperature of the pipe 12. FIG 4 shows a block diagram of the components comprising the device and their inter connections. The housing 10 encloses an electronic control unit (ECU) 40 for monitoring temperatures, time and controlling the device. The device is powered by a power supply 42, normally comprising one or more batteries. The selection of batteries will be chosen to provide long life in the environment in which the device is installed. Temperature sensor 16 is shown as in contact with pipe 12 to measure the temperature of the pipe. Ambient temperature is measured by temperature sensor 20. An alarm unit 46 can include a visible alarm means, typically an LED, or an audible means or driver therefor. For some applications, a wireless connection 48 will also be provided, so enabling the device to periodically transmit data to a remote station and so send an alarm signal when needed. The wireless connection could also receive information or data from a remote station.

In another example embodiment of the invention, the power could be supplied by a mains network. In a further example, a more sophisticated power supply system is provided in which the power supply comprises a mains power supply connected with one or more batteries.

Suitable temperature sensors are for example Resol FKP6 PT1000 temperature sensors. Other devices which have been found to work well can be found in the class of PT1000 platinum sensors.

Figure 5a shows a graph of the temperature measured by each of the sensors over a period of time. The graph shows temperature along the Y axis, and time along the X-axis. The dashed line is a trace of ambient temperature over a selected measurement period, in this example 2-3 hours. The solid line shows how the temperature of water in the pipe varies. In region A, a significant flow has been occurring and the water temperature is significantly higher than the ambient temperature. (This can occur in some tropical climates and late in summer when the ground temperature has risen and is consistently (during the course of a day or so) higher than the general air temperature. The spikes indicate how the temperature has risen sharply as a significant draw down occurs and show the temperature has begun to fall towards ambient. This draw down could be a flushing of a toilet or water for a basin or sink.

In Region B, the water temperature can be seen to fall towards ambient.

In Region C, the temperatures are considered to be within the predetermined conditions and so equal. This condition would indicate there is no flow of water in the system.

Figure 5b shows a similar situation to the one in Figure 5a, but in this example, the two temperatures never quite converge, as can be seen in all regions. From this it can be concluded that there is always a flow and there is a leak in the system.

Figure 6a shows a graph of the temperature measured by each of the sensors over a period of time. The graph shows temperature along the Y axis, and time along the X-axis. In this example the ambient temperature shown by the dotted line is higher than the incoming water pipe temperature shown by the solid line. Such situations can arise in cold or temperate climates where ground temperatures can be and frequently are lower than the ambient air temperature. In region A tap on off events can be seen as indicated by the spikes in the pipe temperature. In region B the pipe temperature is rising towards the ambient temperature. In region C the two temperatures are more or less convergent, and so satisfying the criteria set out that the temperatures must be within narrow bands. This convergent set of temperatures would indicate that there is no leak in the system.

Figure 6b shows the ambient temperature (shown by the dotted line) is higher than the incoming water pipe temperature shown by the solid line. The various spikes in Region A show how the inlet water temperature falls as water is drawn off through the system, and then rises towards ambient, until the next draw off, when it falls again. In region B, there is a prolonged period without a significant draw off of water. However, as can be seen in Region C, the two temperatures do not converge closely within the predefined limits, always maintaining a difference of temperature T. Providing this temperature is greater than a predetermined value, which can vary according to the geographical and physical location fo the device, it can be assumed there is a leak in the system. If it is a significantly large temperature, as in this example, it can be assumed there is a reasonable flow rate of leak - rather than just a dripping tap. In some regions, a temperature difference of approximately 1°C will be expected, but more commonly the temperature difference will be expected to remain below approximately 0.3°C and preferably 0.1 °C for a no flow condition to exist.

An audible alert - such as a loud speaker will normally be used to provide the alert signal. Optionally the device will also be provided with a wireless or other communications link. The wireless link can be deployed to receive commands and transmit information to a remote station, either continuously on a predetermined period basis.

It is therefore possible to discriminate between the two main conditions determined by the device, flow and no flow. By monitoring the temperatures during a period when no flow is expected, any detected flow indicates that a possible leak is present in the system. The leak may be due to pipe or pipe joint failure, dripping taps, failed cisterns in toilets or any other condition which would result in continuous water flow in a pressurised plumbing system.

In one possible embodiment of the device, the device operates for 24 hours a day on a domestic water main. Typically at night there will be no water flowing in the pipes as no taps will be used and appliances such as washing machines will have finished their cycles.

The device is programmed to monitor and recognise a pattern in temperature change in the detectors. After a period when there are no sudden changes in pipe temperature (due to taps switching on) have stopped or appliances being used the ECU can be programmed to determine if the pipe temperature has not changed rapidly or significantly and compare it to the ambient temperature. It also recognises that the ambient air temperature is stable (within limits) so the device is not being adversely affected by other heat sources (for example being near a radiator or hot water pipe).

The ECU can be programmed to monitor the changes measured by the temperature detection means of the temperature of the water pipe and the ambient air. The water pipe temperature will generally be an exponential approach towards air temperature with a slope within certain limits. In a “no leak” condition, the asymptotic difference between the pipe and air temperatures will be below a calibrated value, between 0 and 0.5°C, typically between 0 and 0.3°C, but preferably between 0 and 0.1 °C. If the asymptotic temperature difference is higher than these values for greater than a predetermined period of time, say an hour or more, then there is usually flow in the pipe indicating a leak.

In another possible embodiment, the ECU in the detector may determine whether the device is subject to a constant heating or cooling from an external heat source or sink. In this case it may alert the user that it is unable to determine if a flow condition is present.

In another embodiment, the device may detect that its sensors are giving invalid values due to an error or component failure and alert a user to the fault.

On detecting a leak the device may alert a user by one of many different means typical of such domestic alarms. For example it may use an audible alert. Alternatively, or additionally, it may also include a light or a display. To avoid waking a user at night, it may wait until it next detects flow (because a user has woken up) before issuing an alert.

The device may also issue alerts and other information via a remote telemetry system. This could be one of any such technologies known in the art. For example using a cellular phone modem, an internet connection, a home automation protocol (e.g. Z Wave), a landline phone modem, an acoustic modem or any other such transmission mechanism.

In another possible embodiment, the device detects the sudden changes in pipe temperature relative to air temperature which are characteristic of taps turning on or toilet flushes. It can be calibrated to estimate frequency and quantity of water usage. Dips (or peaks) in the pipe temperature show water usage. Counting short dips shows the frequency of water usage for low use items (hand washing, toilet flushing). The height of the dips give an estimate of the incoming mains water temperature. When the pipe temp is approximately the same as the input water temperature for an extended period of time, we can assume we have constant flow over that time period. This indicates either shower, bath filling or other extended use such as irrigating a lawn.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the ECU restarts the determination of the predetermined period of time if the difference between the ambient and pipe temperatures suddenly changes to be greater than the predetermined value. Thus if a sudden sharp difference of temperature is detected between the two sensors, the ECU can be programmed to determine that a flow of water has occurred and so restart its monitoring process.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the ECU determines if the temperature difference between the ambient and pipe sensors is tending to or approximating to an exponential approach to 0 and if so indicating there is no flow in the pipe system. If the two temperatures do not converge exponentially after a period of say an hour, the device can be programmed to generate an alarm signal.

In accordance with the present invention, the device is programmed to note the absence of water usage over a period of time. This information is used to check on the presence and activity of a person in the home. For example if an elderly or vulnerable person has not used water for a predetermined period, such as a day, it may indicate that they have a problem and a carer can be alerted.

In yet another possible embodiment, the device can be programmed to rank a water leak rate according to size of the temperature difference (assuming it has reached a constant or substantially constant difference for a period of time,) thus providing an indication of the severity of the leak. If the pipe temperature stays at close to the estimated incoming water temperature (using the dip height method above), then the leak is a reasonably high flow rate. If it is within 0.5°C or so of the air temperature, it is typically a dripping leak. Temperatures in the middle indicate a medium flow leak.

In yet another embodiment, the device may have a ‘holiday’ mode that can be set by a user who knows that no water flow should be expected for e.g. 72 hours or 14 days or however long a user is absent. If any water flow is detected during that period, an alert would then be triggered.

In a further embodiment the device may connect to a service which could alert the user (e.g. by text, email or smartphone app) of the presence of leaks automatically, or it could send the alert directly to a maintenance company. The service may also alert a service provider or a plumber who could then check the leak. The device could also contact for example a neighbour who may check on a property.

Figure 7 shows a possible additional feature in which the device is connected to and controls a powered shut-off valve. The device may then, depending upon the estimated severity of the leak, shut off the water supply in response to a leak. It could also shut-off the water when the device is in holiday mode, or only if any flow is detected when it is holiday mode. Fig 7 shows a device 10 monitored by the ECU 40 and fitted to the pipe 12 . If a leak is detected or there is flow for more than a predetermined period of time, then the controller can shut off the supply in pipe 12 using the valve 50.

In this embodiment, the user may also be able to shut off the water for example using a remote switch, or another interface such as a smart phone θΡΡ·

In an alternative and further embodiment the ECU may be configured to monitor flow and signal an alarm if there is no flow for a given period of time. For example, the alarm may sound if there is no flow for more than 36 hours. In another embodiment the alarm signal may be sent if there is no flow detected for periods between 18 and 24 hours. This embodiment could be particularly useful as an aid to monitor people living in sheltered or supported accommodation where lack of water flow for an extended period could be an indication the person or persons are in need of help. Clearly, a balance needs to be struck between having a period that is not too long so that the person is not left for too long if help is needed and a period which is too short that it leads to false alarms.

An alarm signal can be generated if the predetermined conditions for flow (or lack of flow) are met. The alarm could be an audible alarm generated by the audible signal generating means on the device itself. Alternatively or additionally, a visible alarm signal could be generated.

It can be expected that normally devices according to this invention will be located close to the place where the water inlet enters a building and so are frequently located in cupboards, cellars, possibly even at a remote stop cock, and so not conveniently visible. It is therefore convenient for the device to be fitted with a wireless transmitter means to transmit the alarm to a station where it is more conveniently received and monitored. Alternatively the device may be located outside in a meter pit, in which case a wireless transmitter may also be more convenient as an audible alert may not be heard.

Advantageously, the wireless transmitter can also be programmed to transmit additional information from time to time. Such information could conveniently include information about flow rates and periods of zero flow, information about the state and condition of the batteries to provide low battery warnings, other error messages to indicate sensor errors or the like.

Preferably the power supply is a battery or set of batteries selected to provide long maintenance free life in an environment in which the device operates. However, it could advantageously be connected to a mains power supply.

In yet another alternative arrangement, the power supply comprises a mains power supply connected to a battery pack up system to provide power in the event of mains failure.

Claims

1. A carer aid for monitoring people, the carer aid comprising a fluid flow detector for detecting fluid flow in a pipe system, wherein the fluid comprises water, the fluid flow detector having a first temperature sensor to detect ambient temperature, a second temperature sensor to be mounted adjacent or in thermal contact with a pipe of the pipe system to detect pipe temperature, and a processing means connected to the first and second temperature sensors and configured to perform a flow determination for water in the pipe system by monitoring temperature differences between the ambient and pipe temperatures over a period of time, wherein the processing means is programmed to generate an alarm if there is a determination of an absence of fluid flow for greater than a predetermined time period.

2. The aid of claim 1, configured to perform at least one of: generate an alert if there is a determination of an absence of fluid flow for a predetermined period that is a day; sound an alarm if there is a determination of an absence of fluid flow for more than 36 hours; and/or send an alarm signal if there is a determination of an absence of fluid flow for periods between 18 and 24 hours, and/or wherein the predetermined time period is up to 36 hours, optionally between 12 and 24 hours.

3. The aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing means is configured detect temperature differences between the ambient and pipe temperatures and monitor them over time to perform the determination of whether fluid is flowing.

4. The aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing means is configured to determine a temperature difference between first and second temperature sensors and, if the temperature difference is below a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period, determine that no fluid is flowing in the pipe system.

5. The aid of according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing means is configured to determine a temperature difference between first and second temperature sensors and, if the temperature difference is above a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period, determine that fluid is flowing in the pipe system,

6. The aid according to claim 4 and 5, wherein the predetermined threshold to determine that fluid is flowing is the predetermined threshold to determine that no fluid is flowing.

7. The aid according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the processing means is configured to restart the determination of the predetermined period of time if the difference between, or the values of, the ambient and pipe temperatures change at a rate above a predetermined value.

8. The aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing means is configured to perform the flow determination by monitoring tempera ture difference between the pipe temperature and the ambient temperature over time to detect convergence of the pipe temperature to the ambient temperature, the processing means configured to be calibrated and set to take into account for the flow determination an expected rate of temperature convergence of the pipe temperature and the ambient temperature.

9. The aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing means is configured to perform the flow determination by monitoring temperature difference between the pipe temperature and the ambient temperature over time to detect convergence of the pipe temperature to the ambient temperature, the processing means configured to be calibrated and set to take into account for the flow determination an expectation of how long it will take the pipe temperature to approach and reach the ambient temperature.

10. The aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing means is programmed to perform the fluid flow determination by monitoring if the pipe temperature has an exponential approach towards the ambient temperature.

11. The aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing means is configured to determine if the temperature difference between the ambient and pipe sensors is tending to or approximating to an exponential approach to 0 and if so indicating there is no flow in the pipe system.

12. The aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid flow detector is provided with a ‘holiday’ mode that can be set by a user determining that no water flow should be expected for a predetermined period, e.g. 72 hours or 14 days, optionally wherein the fluid flow detector is configured to trigger an alert if any water flow is detected in that predetermined period.

13. The aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid flow detector is configured to monitor outputs by each of the temperature sensors and to compare them over a period of time and to detect dips or peaks in the pipe temperature over that time, and to use heights of the dips or peaks to give an estimate of incoming mains water temperature, wherein the fluid flow detector is configured to, if the pipe temperature is approximately the same as the estimated incoming mains water temperature for an extended period of time, determine constant flow over that time period, optionally wherein the dips or peaks in the pipe temperature are dips or peaks in the pipe temperature relative to the ambient temperature.

14. The aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid flow detector is configured to detect a water leak based on a said flow determination, wherein the detector is configured to perform the flow determination by measuring temperature difference between the ambient and pipe temperatures over time, the detector configured to provide an alert to a user in response to a said leak detection.

15. The aid according to claim 14, the fluid flow detector having a processing means configured to determine whether the fluid flow detector is subject to a constant heating or cooling from an external heat source or sink, and to thereby determine if it is unable to determine if a leak condition is present.

16. A system comprising the aid according to any preceding claim and comprising a powered shut-off valve, wherein the fluid flow detector is connected to and configured to control the powered shut-off valve.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the fluid flow detector is configured to detect a leak and to control the powered shut-off valve to shut off the water supply in response to the leak depending upon an estimated severity of a leak.

18. A system of claim 17, wherein the fluid flow detector is programmed to indicate severity of a leak by ranking a water leak rate according to size of a said temperature difference that has reached a constant or substantially constant difference for a period of time.

19. A system of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the fluid flow detector is connected to and configured to control the powered shut-off valve to shut off the water if there is flow for more than a predetermined period of time.

20. A system of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the aid is according to claim 12, the detector configured to control the powered shut-off valve to shut-off the water when the detector is in the holiday mode.

21. A system of any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the aid is according to claim 12, the detector configured to control the powered shut-off valve if any flow is detected when the detector is holiday mode.

22. A method of monitoring presence and activity of a person in a home, comprising detecting water flow in a pipe by using a first temperature sensor to detect ambient temperature and a second temperature sensor mounted adjacent or in thermal contact with the pipe to detect pipe temperature, the method using a processing means connected to the first and second temperature sensors to monitor temperature differences between the ambient and pipe temperatures over a period of time to determine whether water is flowing in the pipe , the method comprising generating an alarm if there is a determination of an absence of water flow for greater than a predetermined time period.

23. The method of claim 22, comprising using the processing means to determine a temperature difference between the pipe and ambient temperatures and to: determine that water is flowing in the pipe system, if the temperature difference is above a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period; and/or determine that no water is flowing in the pipe, if the temperature difference is below a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period, optionally wherein the predetermined threshold to determine that water is flowing is the predetermined threshold to determine that no water is flowing.

24. The method of claim 22 or 23, comprising performing the water flow determination by monitoring temperature difference between the pipe temperature and the ambient temperature over time to detect convergence of the pipe temperature to the ambient temperature, and calibrating and setting the processing means to take into account for the flow determination an expected rate of temperature convergence of the pipe temperature and the ambient temperature or an expectation of how long it will take the pipe temperature to approach and reach the ambient temperature, optionally wherein the expected rate of convergence or the expectation of how long is determined based on: a material of the pipe; whether the pipe is made from metal; whether the pipe is made from plastic; and/or a diameter of the pipe.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the processing means monitors outputs by each of the temperature sensors and compares them over a period of time and detects dips or peaks in the pipe temperature, and uses height of the dips or peaks to give an estimate of the incoming mains water temperature, wherein the processing means, if the pipe temperature is approximately the same as the estimated incoming mains water temperature for an extended period of time, determines constant flow over that time period, optionally wherein the dips or peaks in the pipe temperature are dips or peaks in the pipe temperature relative to the ambient temperature.