Systems and methods for detecting and correcting a leak

• US 20070181186A1
• Filed: 02/09/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Floodstop Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: Onsite Pro, Inc.
• Inventors: Walter, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,549,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/312
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/06 using electric or acoustic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/16 using electric detection means G01M3/045, G01M3/06, G01M3/12, G01M3/20, G01M3/24, G01M3/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/18 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/186 for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0452 Detecting or repairing leak
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8342 Liquid level responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A fluid leak detection system includes a sensor, a control module and a valve module. The sensor is adapted to be placed near a fluid source, such as a water supply line of an appliance. The valve module advantageously includes a motorized ball valve or a magnetic latch configured to arrest fluid flow through a supply line. The control module actuates the valve module and an audible alarm when the sensor detects a fluid leak. The valve module closes a valve positioned along the water line to restrict flow through the water line until the control unit has been manually reset or until the leaked fluid has been removed. The control module also features user inputs to allow the valve to be manually cycled for cleaning, for instance.

Claims

1. A system for automatically detecting and correcting a fluid leak, the system comprising:

a sensor configured to provide a first voltage level when exposed to a fluid flowing from a fluid source, wherein the sensor is further configured to provide a second voltage level when not exposed to the fluid;

a valve module having at least one valve that is selectively switchable between an open position to allow fluid flow from the fluid source and a closed position to substantially arrest fluid flow from the fluid source;

an adjustable resistance device configured to provide a voltage threshold;

feedback circuitry configured to output a feedback voltage indicative of the position of the at least one valve; and

a processor coupled to the sensor, the valve module, the adjustable resistance device and the feedback circuitry, wherein the processor is configured to output a first control signal to cause the valve module to close the at least one valve when the sensor is providing the first voltage level and the feedback voltage has not attained the voltage threshold, and wherein the processor is configured to output a second control signal to cause the valve module to open the at least one valve when the sensor is providing the second voltage level and the feedback voltage has not attained the voltage threshold.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the valve module further comprises a motor configured to selectively switch the at least one valve between the open and closed positions.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback circuitry is configured to output a feedback voltage that attains the voltage threshold when the at least one valve has reached the closed position while the processor is outputting the first control signal or when the at least one valve has reached the open position while the processor is outputting the second control signal.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm coupled to the processor and configured emit a signal when the sensor is providing the first voltage level.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the signal is an audible tone.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one user input usable for selectively opening and closing the at least one valve.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises water.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a thin elongated strip.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the sensor is coupled to a first terminal and a second terminal, the sensor configured to electrically couple the first terminal to the second terminal when the sensor is exposed to the water.

10. A method for automatically detecting and restricting a fluid leak, the method comprising:

receiving a first sensing signal from a sensor when the sensor detects a fluid and receiving a second sensing signal when the sensor does not detect the fluid, the second sensing signal being different from the first sensing signal;

receiving a reference voltage from an adjustable resistance device;

receiving a feedback voltage indicative of a current flowing through a valve module coupled to a source for providing the fluid; and

outputting a first control signal to the valve module to rotate a ball valve of the valve module from an open position, which allows flow of the fluid, to a closed position, which substantially arrests flow of the fluid, when receiving the first sensing signal and until the feedback voltage reaches the reference voltage.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the source comprises a water line associated with an appliance.

12. The method of claim 10, additionally comprising stopping the output of the first control signal when the feedback voltage exceeds the reference voltage.

13. The method of claim 10, additionally comprising emitting an alarm in response to receiving the first sensing signal.

14. The method of claim 10, additionally comprising outputting a second control signal to the valve module to rotate the ball valve of the valve module from the closed position to the open position when receiving the second sensing signal and until the feedback voltage reaches the reference voltage.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein outputting the first control signal to the valve module comprises providing a first voltage to a first transistor coupled to a first terminal of the valve module.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein outputting the second control signal to the valve module comprises providing a second voltage to a second transistor coupled to a second terminal of the valve module.

17. The method of claim 10, additionally comprising periodically outputting the first control signal while the receiving the second voltage signal to clean the ball valve.

18. An automatic leak detection and correction system comprising:

means for sensing a fluid flowing from a fluid source, wherein said sensing means outputs a first voltage when detecting the fluid and outputs a second voltage when not detecting the fluid;

means for selectively inhibiting fluid flow from the fluid source, said inhibiting means switchable between an open position to allow fluid flow and a closed position to inhibit fluid flow from the fluid source;

means for adjusting a threshold voltage;

means for providing a feedback voltage indicative of the position of said inhibiting means; and

means for controlling said inhibiting means, wherein said controlling means outputs a first control signal to cause said inhibiting means to close when said sensing means outputs the first voltage and the feedback voltage has not attained the threshold voltage, and wherein said controlling means outputs a second control signal to cause said inhibiting means to open when said sensing means outputs the second voltage and the feedback voltage has not attained the threshold voltage.

19. The automatic leak detection and correction system of claim 18, further comprising means for alerting a user when said sensing means detects the fluid.

20. The automatic leak detection and correction system of claim 18, further comprising means for receiving input from a user to close said inhibiting means.