FLUID SUPPLY MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20080184781A1
• Filed: 02/05/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aquaone Technologies LLC, Brass Craft Manufacturing Co (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Brass Craft Manufacturing Co (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Baker, Lindon Alford, Mulligan, Timothy David, Parrish, David Michael, London, Aaron Ross, Millar, David, Gros, Richard Alan
• Application Number:
  US12/025,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20080184781A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/40.5R
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/06 using electric or acoustic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/022 Test plugs for closing off the end of a pipe
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/28 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0379 By fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2579 Flow rate responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7062 Valve guards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7723 Safety cut-off requiring reset
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7727 Excessive flow cut-off
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/776 Control by pressures across flow line valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8593 Systems

Abstract

A method for testing a fluid supply system includes periodically preventing a fluid flow through the fluid supply system, and measuring a system pressure of the fluid flow subsequent to the step of preventing the fluid flow.

Claims

1. A method for testing a fluid supply system, comprising the steps of:

a) periodically preventing a fluid flow through the fluid supply system; and

b) measuring a system pressure associated with the fluid flow subsequent to said step a).

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step a) includes the steps of:

positioning a shutoff valve within the fluid supply system; and

actuating the shutoff valve to a closed position to prevent the fluid flow.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein said step b) includes the steps of:

positioning a pressure monitoring device within the fluid supply system; and

monitoring the system pressure associated with the fluid flow at a position that is downstream relative to the shutoff valve.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the pressure monitoring device includes at least one pressure transducer.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising the steps of:

c) periodically monitoring a system pressure of the fluid flow for a period of time and comparing the system pressures monitored with the system pressure measured at said step b); and

d) providing a warning signal in response to any one of the monitored system pressures exceeding a predefined maximum percentage loss relative to the system pressure measured at said step b).

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the warning signal includes both a visual warning signal and an audible warning signal.

7. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein said steps a) through d) are performed periodically at pre-defined intervals of time.

8. The method as recited in claim 5, comprising the step of:

e) postponing said steps a) through d) in response to a fluid flow demand.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising the steps of:

c) periodically monitoring a system pressure of the fluid flow;

d) comparing the system pressure measured at said step b) with the system pressures monitored at said step c); and

e) recording a potential leak in response any one of the system pressures obtained at said step c) exceeding a predefined maximum percentage loss of the system pressure measured at said step b).

10. The method as recited in claim 9, comprising the steps of:

f) repeating said steps c) and d);

g) communicating the fluid flow through the fluid supply system; and

h) providing a warning signal in response to any one of the system pressures again exceeding the predefined maximum percentage loss of the system pressure measured at said step b).

11. The method as recited in claim 10, comprising the step of:

i) preventing the fluid flow through the fluid supply system in response to a predefined amount of time occurring subsequent to said step g).

12. The method as recited in claim 9, comprising the steps of:

e) repeating said steps c) and d); and

f) providing a warning signal in response to any one of the system pressures again exceeding the predefined maximum percentage loss of the system pressure measured at said step b).

13. A method for testing a fluid supply system, comprising the steps of:

a) performing a leak test of the fluid supply system at a predefined interval of time; and

b) providing a warning signal in response to detection of a potential leak.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said step a) includes the step of:

manually commanding the leak test.

15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said step a) includes the step of:

automatically performing the leak test at the predefined interval of time.

16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein said step a) includes the steps of:

preventing a fluid flow through the fluid supply system; and

measuring a system pressure associated with the fluid flow subsequent to the step of preventing the fluid flow.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein said step b) includes the step of:

periodically monitoring a system pressure of the fluid flow for a period of time and comparing the monitored system pressures with the measured system pressure; and

providing a warning signal in response to any one of the monitored system pressures exceeding a predefined maximum percentage loss relative to the measured system pressure.