Classifications

• • 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
  • G01M3/2807—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 for pipes
  • G01M3/2815—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 for pipes using pressure measurements
• • 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
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/0318—Processes
  • Y10T137/0396—Involving pressure control
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/7722—Line condition change responsive valves
  • Y10T137/7758—Pilot or servo controlled
  • Y10T137/7759—Responsive to change in rate of fluid flow
  • Y10T137/776—Control by pressures across flow line valve
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/7722—Line condition change responsive valves
  • Y10T137/7758—Pilot or servo controlled
  • Y10T137/7761—Electrically actuated valve
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/8593—Systems
  • Y10T137/86389—Programmer or timer
  • Y10T137/86397—With independent valve controller
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/8593—Systems
  • Y10T137/87917—Flow path with serial valves and/or closures

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of facilities consuming a liquid, for example sanitary water distribution installations in dwellings or in distribution networks to dwellings.
• the purpose of the present invention is to monitor the flow conditions in the installations in order, for example, to be able to identify if there are flows corresponding to leaks or micro-leaks, while not disturbing the flows corresponding to the users' needs. .
• the subject of the present invention is a method for detecting the flow of a liquid, in particular water, in a consuming installation comprising at least one opening / closing means for delivering liquid, this installation being supplied via a input pipe equipped with a solenoid valve, a pressure sensor upstream of the solenoid valve capable of delivering an upstream pressure signal (Pam) and a pressure sensor downstream of the solenoid valve capable of delivering a downstream pressure signal.
• the method may comprise calculating the difference between the upstream pressure signal value (Pam) and the value of the downstream pressure signal and comparing this difference with at least one trip threshold.
• the method may be such that when the pressure difference becomes equal to or greater than a trip threshold, an opening command signal of the solenoid valve is made; when the pressure difference becomes equal to or less than a trip threshold, a closing command signal of the solenoid valve is produced, and a flow signal is generated according to said pressure difference.
• the flow signal can be elaborated according to the opening control signal and the closing control signal of the solenoid valve.
• a closing signal of the solenoid valve can be developed and said control signal of the closure of the solenoid valve can be delayed by a predetermined time delay relative to this closing signal.
• the value of the tripping threshold generating the opening signal may be greater than the value of the tripping threshold generating the closing signal.
• the developed flow signal may be the time between a closing control signal and a subsequent solenoid opening control signal.
• the present invention also relates to a method for detecting the flow of a liquid, in particular water, in a consumer installation comprising at least one opening / closing means for delivering liquid, this installation being fed via an inlet pipe equipped with a solenoid valve generating a pressure drop, a pressure sensor upstream of the solenoid valve. capable of delivering an upstream pressure signal and a pressure sensor downstream of the solenoid valve capable of delivering a downstream pressure signal.
• the method may comprise calculating the difference between the value of the upstream pressure signal and the value of the downstream pressure signal, and comparing this difference with at least one triggering threshold.
• the method may be such that when the pressure difference becomes equal to or greater than a trip threshold, an opening signal of the solenoid valve is produced and an opening command signal of the solenoid valve is issued immediately, when the pressure difference becomes equal to or less than a triggering threshold, a closing signal of the solenoid valve is developed and a closing command signal of the solenoid valve is issued after a delay time, and when the duration between a signal of closing and a subsequent opening signal is less than a predetermined time, a flow signal is generated.
• the value of the tripping threshold generating the opening signal may be greater than the value of the tripping threshold generating the closing signal.
• the durations respectively between the closing control signals and the subsequent solenoid opening control signals can be stored.
• the stored durations can be compared and when a predetermined number of successive durations is equal to a difference, an alarm signal is issued.
• the subject of the present invention is also a device for detecting the flow of a liquid, in particular water, in a consumer installation comprising at least one opening / closing means for delivering liquid and being fed via a control line. ' Entrance.
• the device may comprise a solenoid valve generating a pressure drop, a pressure sensor mounted upstream of the solenoid valve and capable of delivering an upstream pressure signal, a pressure sensor mounted downstream of the solenoid valve and capable of delivering a signal.
• downstream pressure, and management means adapted to control the solenoid valve between a closed state and an open state as a function of the difference between the value of the upstream pressure signal and the value of the downstream pressure signal and able to deliver a signal flow according to said difference.
• FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an installation equipped with a flow detection device
• FIG. 2 represents an electronic diagram of the flow detection device
• Fig. 3 is a diagram of an operating mode of the flow detection device
• FIG. 4 represents a diagram of another mode of operation of the flow detection device.
• FIG. 1 shows a consumer installation 1 of a liquid, for example water, comprising an inlet pipe 2 and means of opening / closing, manual or controlled, permitting a water withdrawal. of the inlet pipe
• the opening / closing means are, for example, taps 3.
• the inlet pipe 2 is equipped with a flow detection device 4 able to identify, directly or indirectly, different types of liquid flows in the consumer installation 2, in particular to detect micro-leaks of liquid due for example to a deterioration of this installation, compared to a voluntary drawdown.
• the flow detection device 4 comprises, mounted on the inlet pipe 1, a solenoid valve 5, a pressure sensor 6 mounted upstream of the solenoid valve 5, able to deliver an upstream pressure signal Pam, and a sensor pressure valve 7 mounted downstream of the solenoid valve 5, adapted to deliver a downstream pressure signal Pav.
• the solenoid valve 5 is chosen so as to generate a pressure drop such that, when the liquid flows, the value of the downstream pressure signal Pav is less than the value of the upstream pressure signal Pam.
• the flow detection device 4 further comprises an electronic circuit 8 adapted to process the signals Pam and Pav from the pressure sensors 6 and 7 and to deliver control signals of the solenoid valve 6 and flow detection signals such as micro-leaks or large leaks.
• the electronic circuit 8 comprises a comparator 9 which delivers a signal ⁇ P corresponding to the difference between the value of the upstream pressure signal Pam and the value of the downstream pressure signal Pav.
• the electronic circuit 8 comprises a comparator 10 which receives the signal ⁇ P and which delivers a signal So of opening of the solenoid valve 5 when this signal ⁇ P passes above a predetermined opening trip threshold S ⁇ Po.
• This signal So constitutes a control signal Co directly transmitted to the solenoid valve 5 to cause it to be put in the open state.
• the control signal Co could be shifted with respect to the signal Sf.
• the electronic circuit 8 comprises a comparator 11 which also receives the signal ⁇ P and which delivers a signal Sf of closure of the solenoid valve 5 when this signal ⁇ P goes below a predetermined closing threshold S ⁇ Pf.
• the predetermined closing threshold S ⁇ Pf is preferably lower than the predetermined opening threshold S ⁇ Po.
• the electronic circuit 8 comprises a timer 12 which receives the signal Sf and which delivers a control signal Cf offset by a predetermined delay time ⁇ t. This control signal Cf is transmitted to the solenoid valve 5 to cause it to be put in the closed state and maintained in this state.
• the flow detection device 4 is operable as described below.
• Case 1 The valves 3 are closed (no drawing is required) and the installation 1 has no leakage or micro-leakage. Solenoid valve 5 is in the OFF state. The value of the upstream pressure signal Pam and the value of the downstream pressure signal Pav are equal or balanced so that the signal ⁇ P is equal to zero. Nothing happens.
• Case 2 A user performs a voluntary draw. This case is illustrated in Figure 3.
• Solenoid valve 5 is in the OFF state.
• the value of the downstream pressure signal Pav drops relative to the value of the upstream pressure signal Pam.
• the comparator 10 delivers the control signal Co which is transmitted to the solenoid valve 5 to cause its immediate setting to the open state (ON ) and deliver water.
• the timer 12 delivers, at the end of the delay time ⁇ t, a control signal Cf to the solenoid valve 5 to cause it to be put in the closed state (OFF). .
• the value of the pressure difference signal ⁇ P returns above the opening trip threshold S ⁇ Po.
• the solenoid valve 5 remains in the open state (ON) to ensure this drawing and the comparator 10 delivers a reset signal of the timer 12.
• the delay time ⁇ t makes it possible to avoid successive opening / closing of the solenoid valve. 5 for relatively close drawing requests, intervening during this period.
• Case 3 The valves 3 are closed (no drawing is required) but the installation 1 is leaked or micro-leaked.
• Solenoid valve 5 is in the OFF state.
• the value of the downstream pressure signal Pav drops progressively with respect to the value of the upstream pressure signal Pam.
• the comparator 10 delivers the control signal Co which is transmitted to the solenoid valve 5 to cause its immediate setting to the open state (ON). Since the valves 3 are closed, the value of the downstream pressure signal P0 increases with respect to the value of the upstream pressure signal Pam.
• the comparator 11 delivers the signal Sf to the timer 12. At the end of the delay time ⁇ t, the timer 12 delivers a control signal Cf to the solenoid valve 5 to cause it to be put in the closed state (OFF).
• the flow rate of a leak or micro-leak is normally much lower than the normal flow rates, they do not interfere with the operation as the case 2. They really act on the downstream pressure Pav by reducing it only when the solenoid valve 5 is closed.
• the electronic circuit 8 further comprises a stopwatch 13 which is started by the control signal Cf for closing the solenoid valve 5, delivered by the timer 12, and which is stopped by the control signal Co for opening the door. Solenoid valve 5.
• the stopwatch 13 therefore delivers values of duration D which separate the closed and the consecutive consecutive sets in the open state (ON) of the solenoid valve 5.
• the duration values D are delivered to a comparator 14 subject to a reference duration value Dmax.
• duration D When a value of duration D is less than the reference duration value Dmax, it means that there is a flow through the solenoid valve 5, by voluntary drawing and / or micro-leakage.
• This duration value D is stored in a comparison register as a value Dn.
• the register 15 is able to compare the stored duration values Dn. If the values of duration Dn are very variable, it means that one is normally dealing with voluntary draws.
• the register 15 detects a number n of successive duration values Dn which are equal or which have a predetermined difference between them, more precisely a predetermined small difference, this means that n cycles of the case 3 described above occurred successively. and that we are dealing with leakage or micro-leakage. Then, the register 15 delivers an alarm signal Sa on a signaling means 16 in a suitable form, for example on a screen and / or in the form of a beep.
• the register 15 is a shift register which stores only the last n successive duration values Dn.
• the electronic circuit 8 may further comprise a computer 17.
• the computer 17 can calculate the flow rate of the leak or the micro-leak and deliver this value on for example the signaling means 16. .
• the computer 17 can furthermore deliver the cost of the loss of water, for example in monetary value per day, per month.
• the electronic circuit 8 may further comprise a timer or timer 18 started by the signal So (Co) and reset by the signal Sf (or the signal Cf). If the signal Sf (or the signal Cf) is not delivered to the stopwatch 18 after a safe duration Dsec, greater than the duration Dmax, the stopwatch 18 delivers a safety signal Sfsec to the solenoid valve 5 for beget its final closure. This means that there is a significant and lasting leak, resulting for example from a tap 3 forgotten in the open state by a user or a significant deterioration of the installation 1. This safety closure state is then issued by means of signaling 16 in a suitable form. An intervention is then required to return the detection device 4 in normal operation.
• the operation of the detection device 4 may be dependent on the differences between the values of the pressures Pam and Pav but independent of their actual values which may vary over time. Nevertheless, in a variant, it could be considered that the value of the upstream pressure Pam is fixed, so that the upstream pressure sensor could be eliminated. The value of the upstream pressure Pam could then be a reference value delivered to the comparator 9.
• the solenoid valve 5 can be selected normally open, normally closed or bistable.
• the value of the delay signal ⁇ t could be between 0, 1 and 15 minutes.
• the value of the reference duration Dmax could be at least up to 10 seconds.
• the value of the safe duration Dsec can be between 15 minutes and 3 hours.
• the number n of successive duration values Dn equal to each other or which have a predetermined difference between them, triggering an alarm signal, may be between 5 and 50.
• the difference between the successive duration values Dn giving rise to an alarm signal could be up to at least 15%.
• the flow detection device 4 can then be able to detect micro-leaks from a few drops per minute.
• the flow detection device 4 could also be equipped with a means, for example a button, for temporarily suspending the flow control, by voluntarily placing the solenoid valve 5 in the open state, for example to satisfy prolonged demand for water.
• the restarting of the flow control as previously described could preferably be done automatically after a predetermined time, for example a long time, or else under the effect of a means, for example a button.
• the installation 1 could also be equipped with a bypass line capable of short-circuiting the solenoid valve 5, this bypass can be provided with a manual valve to be able to supply the valves 3 in case the device 4 would be blocked or defective.
• the upstream pressure Pam which constitutes a reference pressure value, possibly variable if the upstream pressure varies, could be replaced by another reference pressure such as, for example, a value of fixed pressure or the value of the downstream pressure measured by the downstream pressure sensor 7 just after each closing of the solenoid valve, and stored, without modifying the described operation. In these cases, the upstream pressure sensor 6 could be removed.

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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)
• Magnetically Actuated Valves (AREA)
• Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)
• Indication Of The Valve Opening Or Closing Status (AREA)
• Flow Control (AREA)
• Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)

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Citations (9)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2008
  • 2008-11-24 FR FR0857950A patent/FR2938914B1/fr active Active
• 2009
  • 2009-11-23 RU RU2011125902/28A patent/RU2509293C2/ru active
  • 2009-11-23 JP JP2011536935A patent/JP5680543B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2009-11-23 DK DK09795497.8T patent/DK2350600T3/da active
  • 2009-11-23 CN CN200980155308.0A patent/CN102292624B/zh active Active
  • 2009-11-23 EP EP09795497.8A patent/EP2350600B1/fr active Active
  • 2009-11-23 WO PCT/FR2009/052262 patent/WO2010058141A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2009-11-23 US US13/130,025 patent/US8905062B2/en active Active
  • 2009-11-23 AU AU2009317030A patent/AU2009317030B2/en not_active Ceased
• 2011
  • 2011-05-10 TN TN2011000230A patent/TN2011000230A1/fr unknown
  • 2011-05-11 IL IL212818A patent/IL212818A/en active IP Right Grant
  • 2011-05-13 MA MA33844A patent/MA32874B1/fr unknown

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