WO2023220702A1

WO2023220702A1 - Backflow preventer, method to operate a backflow preventer, retrofit kit and monitoring system for at least one backflow preventer

Info

Publication number: WO2023220702A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/066919
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth G. Eskildsen
Original assignee: Ademco Inc.
Priority date: 2022-05-12
Filing date: 2023-05-12
Publication date: 2023-11-16

Abstract

Backflow preventer (10), having a first pressure zone (12) connected to a second pressure zone (13), the second pressure zone (13) connected to a third pressure zone (15), a first pressure sensor (21), a second pressure sensor (22) and a third pressure sensor (23) configured to measure pressure within the first pressure zone (12), the second pressure zone (13), and the third pressure zone (15), respectively, a shut off valve (19) positioned downstream of the second pressure zone (13), a bypass valve (28) positioned within a bypass (27) between the first pressure zone (12) and the third pressure zone (15), and a controller (30) configured to actuate the shut off valve (19) and the bypass valve (28), receive measurement signals from the pressure sensors (21, 22, 23), and process the measurement signals in order to determine if the backflow preventer (10) is properly working or improperly working.

Description

BACKFLOW PREVENTER, METHOD TO OPERATE A BACKFLOW PREVENTER, RETROFIT KIT AND MONITORING SYSTEM FOR AT LEAST ONE BACKFLOW PREVENTER

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/341 ,147 filed May 12, 2022, its entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a backflow preventer. Further on, the present disclosure relates to a method to operate a backflow preventer, to retrofit kit for a back flow preventer and to a monitoring system for at least one backflow preventer.

BACKGROUND

Backflow preventers serve prevention of contamination of potable water supplied by a potable water supply system like a municipal or a central water service. Certain types of properties that connect to a potable water supply system are required to have their water service connection fitted with a backflow preventer. Properties that are required to have their water service connection fitted with a backflow preventer are, examples given, properties with in-ground irrigation sprinklers, properties with swimming pools, metal plating facilities, cleaning facilities, processing or fabricating facilities, photo-processing facilities, laundries and dry cleaners, commercial car washes, greenhouses, hospitals, clinics, laboratories, medical and dental offices, funeral parlors, food processing plants, meat and fish packers, dye plants, auto repair shops, breweries, tanneries, exterminators, residential dwellings with water boilers that use rust-inhibitors, sewage treatment plants or handling facilities, premises with roof tanks and elevated storage lines, canneries, slaughterhouses, ice manufacturing facilities, printing facilities, supermarkets, premises with commercial or public kitchen, premises with water cooled equipment or chillers, barber shops and beauty salons. There are several other properties that are required to have their water service connection fitted with a backflow preventer.

Backflow preventers prevent possibly contaminated water in the plumbing of a property from flowing back into the potable water supply system. For example, water that has entered the piping of an underground irrigation system could be contaminated from con- tact with the soil. It is important that this water is prevented from reentering the potable water supply system intended for consumption. Backflow preventers prevent siphoning of water from the irrigation plumbing back into the home or potable water supply system.

SUMMARY

Problems arise when check valves of the backflow preventers stick in the open position and allow possibly contaminated water to reenter into the home or potable water supply system. Such a failed backflow preventer is a common problem due to mineral deposits collecting on the check valves of a backflow preventer from the water flowing through the backflow preventer or due to failure of springs that hold the check valves of the backflow preventer closed. Since backflow preventers are prone to failure, testing of the backflow preventers is desired.

Usually, backflow preventers become tested on an annual basis. It is the responsibility of the property owner to have the backflow preventer tested annually and it is the responsibility of a certified tester to provide test reports to a respective authority observing the testing of backflow preventers. The problem with this is that the backflow preventer could fail a day after the same has been tested.

There is a need for a backflow preventer, for a method to operate a backflow preventer and for a monitoring system for at least one backflow preventer that allows an automatic monitoring of a proper condition of a backflow preventer.

DE 42 04 389 C2 discloses a backflow preventer having a first check valve connected between a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone of the backflow preventer, a second check valve connected between the second pressure zone and a third pressure zone of the backflow preventer, a first pressure sensor assigned to the first pressure zone configured to measure a first pressure being present within the first pressure zone, a second pressure sensor assigned to the second pressure zone configured to measure a second pressure being present within the second pressure zone, and a third pressure sensor assigned to the third pressure zone being configured to measure a third pressure being present within the third pressure zone.

DE 10 2012 019 437 A1 , US 2021/0372096 A1 , EP 3 835 494 A1 discloses further back- flow preventers. US 11 ,199,276 B2 discloses a backflow testing device. US 7,313,497 B2 discloses a valve monitoring method and arrangement. US 5,713,240 A discloses a method and apparatus for automatic remote testing of backflow preventers.

Against this background, one or more embodiments of a novel backflow preventer, a novel method to operate a backflow preventer, a novel retrofit kit for a backflow preventer and a novel a monitoring system for at least one backflow preventer are provided. The backflow preventer according to the present disclosure is defined in claim 1 . The method according to the present disclosure is defined in claim 7. The retrofit kit according to the present disclosure is defined in claim 12. The monitoring system according to the present disclosure is defined in claim 14.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer comprises a first check valve connected between a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone of the backflow preventer.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer further comprises a second check valve connected between the second pressure zone and a third pressure zone of the backflow preventer.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer further comprises a first pressure sensor assigned to the first pressure zone being configured to measure a first pressure being present within the first pressure zone.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer further comprises a second pressure sensor assigned to the second pressure zone being configured to measure a second pressure being present within the second pressure zone.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer further comprises a third pressure sensor assigned to the third pressure zone being configured to measure a third pressure being present within the third pressure zone.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer further comprises a shut off valve positioned downstream of the second check valve. The backflow preventer further comprises a first actuator assigned to the shut off valve being configured to open and close the shut off-valve.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer further comprises a bypass extending between the first pressure zone and the third pressure zone and a bypass valve positioned within the bypass. The backflow preventer further comprises a second actuator assigned to the bypass valve being configured to open and close the bypass valve.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer further comprises a controller. The controller is configured to automatically close and open the shut off valve and the bypass valve for an automatic testing of the backflow preventer. The controller is further configured to automatically receive measurement signals from the first pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor and the third pressure sensor. The controller is further configured to automatically process the measurement signals received from the pressure sensors in order to determine if the backflow preventer is properly working or improperly working.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer allows an automatic monitoring of a proper condition of a backflow preventer. The automatic monitoring can be executed daily by the backflow preventer without the need to schedule an appointment with a certified tester.

In some embodiments, the controller of the backflow preventer may further be configured to automatically provide data about the testing through a communication interface to at least one database. The backflow preventer may automatically provide data resulting from the automatic testing to a database of a respective authority observing the testing and/or to a database of the manufacturer of the backflow preventer. The backflow preventer may also automatically provide such data to the property owner. If an improperly working backflow preventer is determined, the backflow preventer may automatically initiate repair or replacement of the same.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer and/or the controller thereof allows to determine if the first check valve and/or the second check valve of the back flow pre- venter is and/or are properly working or improperly working. So, the invention allows to detect which check valve may need to repaired or replaced.

In some embodiments, in order to test the shut off valve of the backflow preventer being positioned downstream of the second check valve backflow preventer the following steps are automatically executed: Close the shut off valve or keep the same closed. Measure the first pressure by the first pressure sensor. Measure the third pressure by the third pressure sensor. If the first pressure is greater than the third pressure, then a properly working shut off valve is detected. If the first pressure is not greater than the third pressure, then an improperly working shut off valve is detected.

In some embodiments, in order to test the first check valve of the backflow preventer the following steps are automatically executed: Close the shut off valve or keep the same closed. Measure the first pressure by the first pressure sensor. Measure the second pressure by the second pressure sensor. If a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is larger than a threshold, then a properly working first check valve is detected. If the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is not larger than the threshold, then an improperly working first check valve is detected.

In some embodiments, in order to test the second check valve of the backflow preventer the following steps are automatically executed: Close the shut off valve or keep the same closed. Measure the second pressure by the second pressure sensor. Measure the third pressure by the third pressure sensor. If a difference between the second pressure and the third pressure is larger than a threshold, then a properly working second check valve is detected. If the difference between the second pressure and the third pressure is not larger than the threshold, then an improperly working second check valve is detected.

The above method steps allow a reliable and automatic testing of a backflow preventer, namely of the shut off valve and/or of the first check valve and/or of the second check valve of the backflow preventer. The bypass valve becomes closed before and/or is kept closed for the testing of the shut off valve and/or for the testing of the first check valve and/or for the testing of the second check valve. In some embodiments, for a backflow testing of the backflow preventer the following steps are automatically executed: Close the shut off valve or keep the same closed. Measure the first pressure by the first pressure sensor. Measure the second pressure by the second pressure sensor. If a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is larger than a threshold, then open the bypass valve and provide fluid from the first pressure zone to the third pressure zone. Close the bypass valve. Measure again the first pressure by the first pressure sensor. Measure again the second pressure by the second pressure sensor. If the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure remains unchanged, then a properly working backflow preventer is detected. If the difference the first pressure and the second pressure does not remain unchanged, then an improperly working backflow preventer is detected.

In some embodiments, the retrofit kit of the present disclosure can be used to convert a prior art backflow preventer having a first check valve connected between a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone of the backflow preventer and a second check valve connected between the second pressure zone and a third pressure zone of the backflow pre-venter into a backflow preventer according to the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the retrofit kit comprises: A first pressure sensor being configured to be connected to the first pressure zone and to measure a first pressure being present within the first pressure zone. A second pressure sensor being configured to be connected to the second pressure zone and to measure a second pressure being present within the second pressure zone. A third pressure sensor being configured to be connected to the third pressure zone and to measure a third pressure being present within the third pressure zone.

In some embodiments, the retrofit kit further comprises: A shut off valve being configured to be connected to the third pressure zone downstream of the second check valve. A first actuator being configured to open and close the shut off-valve. A bypass unit being configured to provide a bypass extending between the first pressure zone and the third pressure zone and a bypass valve positioned within the bypass. A second actuator being configured to open and close the bypass valve. A controller being configured to automatically close and open the shut off valve and the bypass valve for an automatic testing of the backflow preventer, to automatically receive measurement signals from the first, second and third pressure sensor, to automatically process the measurement signals received from the pressure sensors in order to determine if the backflow preventer is properly working or improperly working.

In some embodiments, the monitoring system for at least one backflow preventer comprise a first interface, the first interface being configured to receive data from the at least one backflow preventer determined during an automatic testing of the same. The monitoring system for at least one backflow preventer comprise further a second interface, the second interface being configured to send data to at least one database.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a backflow preventer (10), having a first check valve (11) connected between a first pressure zone (12) and a second pressure zone (13), a second check valve (14) connected between the second pressure zone (13) and a third pressure zone (15), a first pressure sensor (21) assigned to the first pressure zone (12) being configured to measure a first pressure being present within the first pressure zone (12), a second pressure sensor (22) assigned to the second pressure zone (13) being configured to measure a second pressure being present within the second pressure zone (13), a third pressure sensor (23) assigned to the third pressure zone (15) being configured to measure a third pressure being present within the third pressure zone (15). The backflow preventer (10) further comprises a shut off valve (19) downstream of the second check valve (14), a first actuator (25) assigned to the shut off valve (19) being configured to open and close the shut off-valve (19), a bypass (27) extending between the first pressure zone (12) and the third pressure zone (15), a bypass valve (28), a second actuator (29) assigned to the bypass valve (28) being configured to open and close the bypass valve (28), and a controller (30). The controller (30) is configured to automatically close and open the shut off valve (19) and the bypass valve (28) for an automatic testing of the backflow preventer, is configured to automatically receive measurement signals from the first pressure sensor (21), second pressure sensor (22) and third pressure sensor (23), and is configured to automatically process the measurement signals received from the pressure sensors (21 , 22, 23) in order to determine if the backflow preventer is properly working. (Fig. 1) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred developments of the invention are provided by the dependent claims and the description which follows. Exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail on the basis of the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of backflow preventer together with components of a monitoring system for at least one backflow preventer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a backflow preventer 10. Potable water may flow through the backflow preventer 10 from an inlet port 17 of the backflow preventer 10 to an outlet port 18 of the backflow preventer 10 when the backflow preventer 10 is installed in a pipe of a potable water system.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 prevents a backflow of the potable water in the opposite direction from the outlet port 18 to the inlet port 17.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 comprises a first check valve 11 connected between a first pressure zone 12 and a second pressure zone 13 of the backflow preventer 10. The first pressure zone 12 is an inlet pressure zone and the second pressure zone 13 is an intermediate pressure zone of the backflow preventer 10. The back- flow preventer 10 comprises further a second check valve 14 connected between the second pressure zone 13 and a third pressure zone 15 of the backflow preventer 10. The third pressure zone 15 is an outlet pressure zone of the backflow preventer 10. The first check valve 11 and the second check valve 14 are accommodated with a housing 16 of the backflow preventer 10. The housing provides the inlet port 17, the outlet port 18, the first pressure zone 12, the second pressure zone 13 and the third pressure zone 15.

In some embodiments, both check valves 11 , 14 comprise springs which tend to keep the respective check valve 11 , 14 in a closed position. If a water consumption occurs downstream of the outlet port 18, the pressure with the outlet zone 15 drops and the check valves 11 , 14 open thereby allowing water flow towards the outlet port 18. If the water consumption downstream of the outlet port 18 is terminated, the check valves 11 , 14 become automatically closed by the springs of the same. Further on, a water back pressure of a downstream outlet that would cause a backflow will also close a properly working check valve 11 , 14.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 may comprise a drain valve (not shown) in order to empty the second pressure zone 13 into the environment.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 comprises a shut off valve 19 positioned downstream of the second check valve 14. The shut off valve 14 is positioned within third pressure zone 15. When the shut off valve 19 is opened, the shut off valve 19 allows a flow of potable water through the third pressure zone 15 towards the outlet port 18. When the shut off valve 19 is closed, the shut off valve 19 does not allow a flow through the third pressure zone 15 towards the outlet port 18.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 may further comprise an optional second shut off valve 20 positioned upstream of the first check valve 11 . The optional second shut off valve 20 is positioned within first pressure zone 12.

In some embodiments, when the optional second shut off valve 20 is opened, the optional second shut off valve 20 allows a flow of potable water through the first pressure zone 15 towards the first check valve 11. When the optional second shut off valve 20 is closed, the optional second shut off valve 20 does not allow a flow through the first pressure zone 12 towards the first check valve 11.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 further comprises a first pressure sensor 21 assigned to the first pressure zone 12. The first pressure sensor 21 is configured to measure a first pressure p12 being present within the first pressure zone 12. So, the first pressure sensor 21 is configured to measure the inlet pressure p12 within the inlet pressure zone 12.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 further comprises a second pressure sensor 22 assigned to the second pressure zone 13. The second pressure sensor 22 is configured to measure a second pressure p 13 being present within the second pressure zone 13. So, the second pressure sensor 22 is configured to measure the intermediate pressure p13 within the intermediate pressure zone 13. In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 further comprises a third pressure sensor 23 assigned to the third pressure zone 15. The third pressure sensor 23 is configured to measure a third pressure p15 being present within the third pressure zone 15. So, the third pressure sensor 23 is configured to measure the outlet pressure p15 within the outlet pressure zone 15.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 may further comprise an optional fourth pressure sensor 24 assigned the inlet port 17. The optional fourth pressure sensor 24 is configured to measure a fourth pressure p17 being present within the inlet port 17.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 further comprises a first actuator 25 assigned to the shut off valve 19 being configured to open and close the shut off-valve

19.

In some embodiments, if the backflow preventer 10 comprises the optional second shut off valve 20, the backflow preventer 10 further comprises an actuator 26 assigned to the second shut off valve 20 being configured to open and close the second shut off valve

20.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 further comprises a bypass 27 extending between the first pressure zone 12 and the third pressure zone 15. A bypass valve 28 is positioned within the bypass 27.

In some embodiments, a second actuator 29 is assigned to the bypass valve 28 and is configured to open and close the bypass valve 28.

In some embodiments, the backflow preventer 10 further comprises a controller 30. The controller 30 may include any combination of a combination of at least one software component and/or at least one hardware component which are designed/programmed/configured to manage/control other software and/or hardware components (such as the libraries, software development kits (SDKs), objects, etc.).

Examples of hardware elements may include processors, microprocessors, circuits, circuit elements (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and so forth), integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLD), digital signal processors (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), logic gates, registers, semiconductor device, chips, microchips, chip sets, and so forth. In some embodiments, the one or more processors may be implemented as a Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) or Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processors; x86 instruction set compatible processors, multi- core, or any other microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU). In various implementations, the one or more processors may be dual-core processor(s), dual-core mobile processor(s), and so forth.

Examples of software may include software components, programs, applications, computer programs, application programs, system programs, machine programs, operating system software, middleware, firmware, software modules, routines, subroutines, functions, methods, procedures, software interfaces, application program interfaces (API), instruction sets, computing code, computer code, code segments, computer code segments, words, values, symbols, or any combination thereof. Determining whether an embodiment is implemented using hardware elements and/or software elements may vary in accordance with any number of factors, such as desired computational rate, power levels, heat tolerances, processing cycle budget, input data rates, output data rates, memory resources, data bus speeds and other design or performance constraints. In some embodiments, the controller 30 may receive sensor signals and send control signals to various components of the backflow preventer 10 via a suitable data transfer interface. In some embodiments, the data transfer interface may include any suitable communication system that transfers data between components inside the computer system, include an internal data bus, memory bus, system bus, address bus, front-side bus, or other internal bus or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, examples of the bus may include, e.g., PCI express, small computer system interface (SCSI), parallel AT attachment (PAT A), serial AT attachment (SATA), HyperTransport™, InfiniBand™, Wishbone, Compute Express Link (CXL), among others or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the data transfer interface may be configured to operate in the distributed network environment, communicating with one another over one or more suitable data communication networks (e.g., the Internet, satellite, etc.) and utilizing one or more suitable data communication protocols/modes such as, without limitation, IPX/SPX, X.25, AX.25, AppleTalk(TM), TCP/IP (e.g., HTTP), Bluetooth™, near-field wireless communication (NFC), RFID, Narrow Band Internet of Things (NBIOT), 3G, 4G, 5G, GSM, GPRS, WiFi, WiMax, CDMA, satellite, ZigBee, and other suitable communication modes. Various embodiments herein may include interactive posters that involve wireless, e.g., Bluetooth™ and/or NFC, communication aspects, as set forth in more detail further below.

In some embodiments, the controller 30 is configured to automatically close and open the shut off valve 19 and the bypass valve 28 for an automatic testing of the backflow preventer 10. The controller 30 comprises a communication interface 31 to send respective control signals c25 and c29 to the actuator 25 of the shut off valve 19 and to the actuator 29 of the bypass valve 28.

In some embodiments, if the backflow preventer 10 comprises the optional second shut off valve 20, the controller 30 is further configured to automatically close and open optional second shut off valve 20 for the automatic testing of the backflow preventer 10. The controller may then send a control signal c26 to the actuator 26 optional second shut off valve 20 through the communication interface 31 .

In some embodiments, the controller 30 is further configured to automatically receive measurement signals p12, p13, p15 and optionally p17 from the first pressure sensor 21 , the second pressure sensor 22, the third pressure sensor 23 and optionally the fourth pressure sensor 24. The controller 30 is receives said measurement signals through the communication interface 31.

In some embodiments, the controller 30 is further configured to automatically process the measurement signals p12, p13, p15 and optionally p17 received from the pressure sensors 21 , 22, 23 and optionally 24 in order to determine if the backflow preventer 10 is properly working or improperly working or not working.

In some embodiments, the controller 30 comprises a processor 32 to automatically process the measurement signals p12, p13, p15 and optionally p17 in order to determine automatically if the backflow preventer 10 is properly working or improperly working or not working.

In some embodiments, in order to test the shut off valve 19 of the backflow preventer 10 being positioned down-stream of the second check valve 14 of the backflow preventer 10 the following steps of a first test routine are automatically executed: Close the shut off valve 19 or keep the same closed by providing a respective control signal c25 to the actuator 25 of the shut off valve 19. Measure the first pressure p12 by the first pressure sensor 21. Measure the third pressure p15 by the third pressure sensor. If the first pressure p12 is greater than the third pressure p15, then the shut off valve 19 can hold the backpressure and is not leaking, an then a properly working shut off valve 19 is detected. If the first pressure p12 is not greater than the third pressure p15, then the shut off valve 19 cannot hold the backpressure and is leaking, and then an improperly working shut off valve 19 is detected. The bypass valve 28 becomes closed before and/or is kept closed for said testing of the shut off valve 19 by providing a respective control signal c29 to the actuator 29. If the backflow preventer comprises the optional second shut off valve 20 and the optional fourth pressure sensor 24, the second shut off valve 20 is opened and/or kept opened and instead of first pressure p12 the fourth pressure p17 may be used.

In some embodiments, in order to test the first check valve 11 of the backflow preventer 10 the following steps of a second test routine are automatically executed: Close the shut off valve 19 or keep the same closed by providing a respective control signal c25 to the actuator 25 of the shut off valve 19. Measure the first pressure p12 by the first pressure sensor 21. Measure the second pressure p14 by the second pressure sensor 22. If a difference between the first pressure p12 and the second pressure p13 is larger than a threshold, then a properly working first check valve 11 is detected. If the difference between the first pressure p12 and the second pressure p13 is not larger than the threshold, then an improperly working first check valve 11 is detected. The bypass valve 28 becomes closed before and/or is kept closed for said testing of the first check valve 11 by providing a respective control signal c29 to the actuator 29. If the backflow preventer comprises the optional second shut off valve 20 and the optional fourth pressure sensor 24, the second shut off valve 20 is opened and/or kept opened and instead of first pressure p12 the fourth pressure p17 may be used.

In some embodiments, in order to test the second check valve 14 of the backflow preventer 10 the following steps of a third test routine are automatically executed: Close the shut off valve 19 or keep the same closed by providing a respective control signal c25 to the actuator 25 of the shut off valve 19. Measure the second pressure p13 by the second pressure sensor 22. Measure the third pressure p15 by the third pressure sensor 23. If a difference between the second pressure p13 and the third pressure p15 is larger than a threshold, then a properly working second check valve 14 is detected. If the difference between the second pressure p13 and the third pressure p15 is not larger than the threshold, then an improperly working second check valve 14 is detected. The bypass valve 28 becomes closed before and/or is kept closed for said testing of the second check valve 14 by providing a respective control signal c29 to the actuator 29. If the backflow preventer comprises the optional second shut off valve 20, the second shut off valve 20 is opened and/or kept opened for the testing of the second check valve 14.

In some embodiments, for a backflow testing of the backflow preventer 10 the following steps of a fourth test routine are automatically executed: Close the shut off valve 19 or keep the same closed by providing a respective control signal c25 to the actuator 25 of the shut off valve 19. Measure the first pressure p12 by the first pressure sensor 21. Measure the second pressure p13 by the second pressure sensor 22. If a difference between the first pressure p12 and the second pressure p13 is larger than a threshold, then open the bypass valve 28 and provide a fluid flow from the first pressure zone 12 to the third pressure zone 15. Then close the bypass valve 18. Measure again the first pressure p12 by the first pressure sensor 21. Measure again the second pressure p13 by the second pressure sensor 22. If the difference between the first pressure p12 and the second pressure p13 remains unchanged, then a properly working backflow preventer 10 is detected. If the difference the first pressure p12 and the second pressure p13 does not remain unchanged, then an improperly working backflow preventer 10 is detected. If the backflow preventer comprises the optional second shut off valve 20, the second shut off valve 20 is opened and/or kept opened.

In some embodiments, an automatic testing of a backflow preventer 10 in full comprises the above four test routines.

In some embodiments, a partial automatic testing of a backflow preventer 10 comprises a subset of the above four test routines, either only one test routine or two test routines or three test routines.

In some embodiments, if with one of the above test routines an improperly working back- flow preventer 10 is detected, the processor 32 of the controller 23 may automatically generate an error signal and may send that error signal through a communication interface 33 to at least one database 34, preferably to a cloud database 34 of a monitoring system 35. The monitoring system 35 has a first communication interface 36 to receive data from at least one backflow preventer 10 and to send data to at least one backflow preventer 10. The communication interfaces 33, 36 are wireless communication interfaces.

In some embodiments, the monitoring system 35 may send the error signal through a further wireless communication interface 37 to a database 38 of the property owner and/or to a database 38 of the manufacturer of the backflow preventer 10 and/or to a database of a maintenance provider to initiate a repair or replacement of the backflow preventer 10 and/or to a database 38 of an authority observing the backflow preventer testing.

In some embodiments, if with the above automatic testing a properly working backflow preventer 10 is detected, the processor 32 of the controller 23 may automatically generate a respective status signal and may send that status signal through the communication interface 33 to the at least one database 34 of the monitoring system 35. The monitoring system 35 may send the status signal to the database 38 of the property owner and/or to the database 38 of the manufacturer of the backflow preventer 10 and/or to a database of a maintenance provider and/or to the database 38 of an authority observing the backflow preventer testing.

In some embodiments, the automatic testing of the backflow preventer 10 may be initiated by the controller 30 of the backflow preventer 10 and/or by the monitoring system 35. The automatic testing of the backflow preventer 10 may be initiated daily. Data may be sent annually to an authority observing the backflow preventer testing.

In some embodiments, further on, a retrofit kit is provided to convert a backflow preventer according to the prior art having a first check valve 11 connected between a first pressure zone 12 and a second pressure zone 13 and a second check valve 14 connected between the second pressure zone 13 and a third pressure zone 15 into a backflow preventer 10 of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the retrofit kit comprises: A first pressure sensor 21 being configured to be connected to the first pressure zone 12 of the backflow preventer to be converted and to measure a first pressure being present within the first pressure zone 12. A second pressure sensor 22 being configured to be connected to the second pressure zone 13 of the backflow preventer to be converted and to measure a second pressure being present within the second pressure zone 13. A third pressure sensor 23 being configured to be connected to the third pressure zone 15 of the backflow preventer to be converted and to measure a third pressure being present within the third pressure zone 15.

In some embodiments, the retrofit kit further comprises: a shut off valve being configured to be connected to the third pressure zone downstream of the second check valve and a first actuator being configured to open and close the shut off-valve.

In some embodiments, the retrofit kit further comprises: a bypass unit being configured to provide a bypass 27 extending between the first pressure zone 12 and the third pressure zone 15 and a bypass valve 28 positioned within the bypass 27. A second actuator 29 being configured to open and close the bypass valve 28. A controller 30 being configured to automatically close and open the shut off valve 19 and the bypass valve 28 for an automatic testing of the backflow preventer 10, to automatically receive measurement signals from the first pressure sensor 21 , second pressure sensor 22 and third pressure sensor 23, and to automatically process the measurement signals received from the pressure sensors 21 , 22, 23 in order to determine if the backflow preventer 10 is properly working or improperly working.

Various detailed embodiments of the present disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

Throughout the specification, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrases “in one embodiment” and “in some embodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same embod- iment(s), though it may. Furthermore, the phrases “in another embodiment” and “in some other embodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.

In addition, the term "based on" is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" include plural references. The meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on."

It is understood that at least one aspect/functionality of various embodiments described herein can be performed in real-time and/or dynamically. As used herein, the term “realtime” is directed to an event/action that can occur instantaneously or almost instantaneously in time when another event/action has occurred. For example, the “real-time processing,” “real-time computation,” and “real-time execution” all pertain to the performance of a computation during the actual time that the related physical process (e.g., a user interacting with an application on a mobile device) occurs, in order that results of the computation can be used in guiding the physical process.

As used herein, the term “dynamically” and term “automatically,” and their logical and/or linguistic relatives and/or derivatives, mean that certain events and/or actions can be triggered and/or occur without any human intervention. In some embodiments, events and/or actions in accordance with the present disclosure can be in real-time and/or based on a predetermined periodicity of at least one of: nanosecond, several nanoseconds, millisecond, several milliseconds, second, several seconds, minute, several minutes, hourly, several hours, daily, several days, weekly, monthly, etc.

As used herein, the term “runtime” corresponds to any behavior that is dynamically determined during an execution of a software application or at least a portion of software application.

One or more aspects of at least one embodiment may be implemented by representative instructions stored on a machine-readable medium which represents various logic within the processor, which when read by a machine causes the machine to fabricate logic to perform the techniques described herein. Such representations, known as “IP cores” may be stored on a tangible, machine readable medium and supplied to various customers or manufacturing facilities to load into the fabrication machines that make the logic or processor. Of note, various embodiments described herein may, of course, be implemented using any appropriate hardware and/or computing software languages (e.g., C++, Objective-C, Swift, Java, JavaScript, Python, Perl, QT, etc.).

Any publications cited throughout this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. While one or more embodiments of the present disclosure have been de- scribed, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrative only, and not restrictive, and that many modifications may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including that various embodiments of the inventive methodologies, the inventive sys- tems/platforms, and the inventive devices described herein can be utilized in any combination with each other. Further still, the various steps may be carried out in any desired order (and any desired steps may be added and/or any desired steps may be eliminated).

List of reference signs

10 backflow preventer

11 first check valve

12 first pressure zone

13 second pressure zone

14 second check valve

15 third pressure zone

16 housing

17 inlet port

18 outlet port

19 shut off valve

20 optional shut off valve

21 first pressure sensor

22 second pressure sensor

23 third pressure sensor

24 optional fourth pressure sensor

25 first actuator

26 optional actuator

27 bypass

28 bypass valve

29 second actuator

30 controller

31 communication interface

32 processor

33 communication interface

34 database

35 monitoring system

36 communication interface

37 communication interface

38 database

Claims

CL IMS

Backflow preventer (10), having a first check valve (11) connected between a first pressure zone (12) and a second pressure zone (13) of the backflow preventer (10), a second check valve (14) connected between the second pressure zone

(13) and a third pressure zone (15) of the backflow preventer (10), a first pressure sensor (21) assigned to the first pressure zone (12) being configured to measure a first pressure being present within the first pressure zone (12), a second pressure sensor (22) assigned to the second pressure zone (13) being configured to measure a second pressure being present within the second pressure zone (13), a third pressure sensor (23) assigned to the third pressure zone (15) being configured to measure a third pressure being present within the third pressure zone (15), a shut off valve (19) positioned downstream of the second check valve

(14), a first actuator (25) assigned to the shut off valve (19) being configured to open and close the shut off-valve (19), a bypass (27) extending between the first pressure zone (12) and the third pressure zone (15), a bypass valve (28) positioned within the bypass (27), a second actuator (29) assigned to the bypass valve (28) being configured to open and close the bypass valve (28), a controller (30) being configured to automatically close and open the shut off valve (19) and the bypass valve (28) for an automatic testing of the backflow preventer (10), automatically receive measurement signals from the first pressure sensor (21), second pressure sensor (22) and third pressure sensor (23), automatically process the measurement signals received from the pressure sensors (21 , 22, 23) in order to determine if the backflow preventer (10) is properly working or improperly working. Backflow preventer as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the controller (30) is further configured to automatically provide data about the testing of the backflow preventer (10) through a communication interface (33) to at least one database (34, 38) and/or a monitoring system (35). Backflow preventer as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the controller (30) is configured to automatically provide the data about the testing of the backflow preventer (10) though the communication interface (33) to a cloud database (34). Backflow preventer as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the communication interface (33) is a wireless communication interface. Backflow preventer as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first pressure zone (12) is an inlet pressure zone of the backflow preventer (10), the second pressure zone (13) is an intermediate pressure zone of the backflow preventer (10), the third pressure zone (15) is an outlet pressure zone of the backflow preventer (10). Backflow preventer as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the controller (30) is further configured to automatically execute the method according to one of claims 7 to 11 . Method to operate a backflow preventer (10) of one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a) for a testing of the shut off valve (19) positioned downstream of the second check valve (14) the following steps are executed a1) close the shut off valve (19) or keep the same closed, a2) measure the first pressure by the first pressure sensor (21) and measure the third pressure by the third pressure sensor (23), a3) if the first pressure is greater than the third pressure, then a properly working shut off valve (19) is detected, or if the first pressure is not greater than the third pressure, then an improperly working shut off valve (19) is detected.

8. Method to operate a backflow preventer (10) of one of claims 1 to 6, preferably method according to claim 7, wherein b) for a testing of the first check valve (11) the following steps are executed b1) close the shut off valve (19) or keep the same closed, b2) measure the first pressure by the first pressure sensor (21), and measure the second pressure by the second pressure sensor (22), b3) if a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is larger than a threshold, then a properly working first check valve is detected, or if the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is not larger than the threshold, then an improperly working first check valve is detected.

9. Method to operate a backflow preventer (10) of one of claims 1 to 6, preferably method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein c) for a testing of the second check valve (14) the following steps are executed c1) close the shut off valve (19) or keep the same closed, c2) measure the second pressure by the second pressure sensor (22) and measure the third pressure by the third pressure sensor (23), c3) if a difference between the second pressure and the third pressure is larger than a threshold, then a properly working second check valve (14) is detected, or if the difference between the second pressure and the third pressure is not larger than the threshold, then an improperly working second check valve (14) is detected.

10. Method according to claim 7 or 8 or 9, wherein the bypass valve (28) is closed before and/or kept closed for the testing of the shut off valve (19) and/or for the testing of the first check valve (11) and/or for the testing of the second check valve (14).

11. Method to operate a backflow preventer (10) of one of claims 1 to 6, preferably method according to one of claims 7-10, wherein d) for a backflow testing of the backflow preventer (10) the following steps are executed d1) close the shut off valve (19) or keep the same closed, d2) measure the first pressure by the first pressure sensor (21) and measure the second pressure by the second pressure sensor (22), d3) if a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is larger than a threshold, then open the bypass valve (28) and provide fluid from the first pressure zone (12) to the third pressure zone (15), d4) close the bypass valve (28, d5) again measure the first pressure by the first pressure sensor (21) and measure the second pressure by the second pressure sensor (22), d6) if the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure remains unchanged, then a properly working backflow preventer (10) is detected, or if the difference the first pressure and the second pressure does not remain unchanged, then an improperly working backflow preventer (10) is detected.

12. Retrofit kit to convert a backflow preventer having a first check valve (11) connected between a first pressure zone (12) and a second pressure zone (13) of the back- flow preventer and a second check valve (14) connected between the second pressure zone (13) and a third pressure zone (15) of the backflow preventer into a backflow preventer (10) of one of claims 1 to 6, the retrofit kit comprising: a first pressure sensor (21) being configured to be connected to the first pressure zone (12) and to measure a first pressure being present within the first pressure zone (12), a second pressure sensor (22) being configured to be connected to the second pressure zone (13) and to measure a second pressure being present within the second pressure zone (13), a third pressure sensor (23) being configured to be connected to the third pressure zone (15) and to measure a third pressure being present within the third pressure zone (15), a shut off valve (19) being configured to be connected to the third pressure zone (15) downstream of the second check valve (14), a first actuator (25) being configured to open and close the shut off-valve (19), a bypass unit being configured to provide a bypass (27) extending between the first pressure zone (12) and the third pressure zone (15) and a bypass valve (28) positioned within the bypass (27), a second actuator (29) being configured to open and close the bypass valve (28), a controller (30) being configured to automatically close and open the shut off valve (19) and the bypass valve (28) for an automatic testing of the backflow preventer (10), automatically receive measurement signals from the first pressure sensor (21), second pressure sensor (22) and third pressure sensor (23), automatically process the measurement signals received from the pressure sensors (21 , 22, 23) in order to determine if the backflow preventer (10) is properly working or improperly working.

13. Retrofit kit of claim 12, characterized in that the controller (30) is characterized by the features of one of claims 2, 3, 4 and 6.

14. Monitoring system (35) for at least one backflow preventer, comprising a first interface (36), the first interface (36) being configured to receive data from the at least one backflow preventer (10) determined during an automatic testing of the same, a second interface (37), the second interface (37) being configured to send data to at least one database (38).

15. Monitoring system as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the first interface (36) is further configured to send data to the at least one backflow preventer (10) in order to initiate an automatic testing of the same, and/or the second interface (37) is further configured to receive from at least one database (10) on which the automatic testing at least one backflow preventer (10) is initiated.