Leak detection system

• US 20050072214A1
• Filed: 09/18/2003
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michigan Aqua Tech Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Michigan Aqua Tech Incorporated
• Inventors: Cooper, Ralph W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,174,771 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/40.50R
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2815 using pressure measurements

Abstract

A leak detection system capable of automatically detecting a leak in a pressurized piping system. A pressure decay test is utilized to test for leaks in the piping system. Disruption to users of the piping system is reduced by only performing the pressure decay test when there is no user demand on the piping system. Thus, a leakage test is performed by first determining whether there is user demand on the piping system and proceeding with a pressure decay test only if there is no user demand present. If user demand is initiated during the performance of a pressure decay test, the system detects the user demand and halts the pressure decay test until the user demand stops.

Claims

1. A method for use in detecting a leak in a pressurized piping system conveying a liquid, comprising the steps of:

testing for the presence of user demand on the pressurized piping system; and

determining whether pressure decay is present in the pressurized piping system when no user demand is present.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the piping system conveying a liquid is a waterline.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the waterline is a residential waterline.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the testing step comprises determining whether there is a flow rate in the piping system that is greater than or equal to a preset minimal user flow rate.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the minimal user flow rate is about 0.2 gallons per minute.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the step of determining whether pressure decay is present comprises determining whether the pressure in the piping system has dropped below a minimum acceptable pressure.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the minimum acceptable pressure is about 15 psig.

8. A method for use in detecting a leak in a pressurized piping system conveying a liquid, comprising the steps of:

testing for the presence of user demand on the pressurized piping system;

determining whether pressure decay is present in the piping system when no user demand is present; and

preventing flow of liquid into the piping system when pressure decay is present and no user demand is present.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the piping system conveying a liquid is a water line.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the water line is a residential water line.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the testing step comprises determining whether there is a flow rate in the piping system that is greater than or equal to a preset minimal user flow rate.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the minimal user flow rate is about 0.2 gallons per minute.

13. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of determining whether pressure decay is present comprises determining whether the pressure in the piping system has dropped below a minimum acceptable pressure.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the minimum acceptable pressure is about 15 psig.

15. A system useful for detecting a leak in a pressurized piping system, comprising:

control logic;

a user demand detector in communication with the control logic;

a pressure decay detector in communication with the control logic; and

a shut-off valve in communication with the control logic.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the control logic is designed to close the shut-off valve whenever pressure decay is detected and no user demand has been detected.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein the user demand detector comprises a flow switch.

18. A system according to claim 15, wherein the user demand detector comprises a flow meter.

19. A system according to claim 15, wherein the pressure decay detector comprises a pressure switch.