METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING WATER SYSTEM LEAKS

• US 20080251131A1
• Filed: 04/12/2007
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Brent Ford
• Original Assignee: Michael Brent Ford
• Inventors: Ford, Michael Brent
• Granted Patent: US 8,667,978 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/39
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2815 using pressure measurements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0777 With second control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6969 Buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86485 Line condition change responsive release of valve

Abstract

A methods and system detecting water system leaks provides detecting of water leakage having very low flows. Very low flow leaks are detected by detecting drops in a building water system pressure when the water supply source is disabled. The water system is disabled by an electrically controllable valve, which may be turned off in response to a motion detector that detects that no human activity is present in the building. The rate of pressure drop is used to determine the magnitude of the leak, and multiple thresholds can be used to detect slow leaks versus more serious leaks. A humidity detector may also be incorporated in the system to detect abnormal humidity conditions and shut the electrically controllable valve in response. Appliance current consumption can be detected and used to override motion-sensor based shut-off of the valve, so that water-consuming appliances can continue to operate.

Claims

1. A system for measuring low-flow leaks in a building water distribution system, comprising:

at least one electrically controllable valve for controlling at least a portion of said building water distribution system;

an electronic pressure gauge for determining a water pressure within said building water distribution system; and

a control circuit coupled to said electrically controllable valve for operating said electrically controllable valve, and further coupled to said electronic pressure gauge, wherein said control circuit monitors an output of said electronic pressure gauge to detect a drop in pressure when said electrically controllable valve is closed and generates an indication of a potential water leak in conformity with said detected drop in pressure.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one motion sensor coupled to said control circuit for providing a determination of a presence of human activity within said building, whereby said control circuit controls said electrically controllable valve in conformity with said determination of said presence of human activity.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said control circuit compares a rate of change of said drop in pressure to a threshold level, wherein said control circuit generates said indication of a potential water leak only when said rate of change drop exceeds said threshold level.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said control circuit compares said rate of change to two different thresholds level, wherein said generating generates an indication of a slow leak if said rate of change exceeds a lesser one of said threshold levels, but is less that a greater one of said threshold levels, and wherein said generating generates an indication of a severe leak when said rate of change exceeds a greater one of said threshold levels.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an air bladder coupled to said water distribution system for reducing a rate of said drop in pressure.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an appliance current sensor for sensing activation of at least one appliance that uses water supplied by said water distribution system, wherein said current sensor is coupled to said control circuit, and wherein said control circuit opens said electrically controllable valve if said at least one appliance is activated.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said building water distribution system is a residential household water distribution system.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a humidity detector for detecting a level of humidity inside of said building, and wherein said control circuit has an input coupled to an output of said humidity detector and closes said electronically controllable valve if said control circuit determines that an abnormal humidity level is present inside of said building.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said indication of a potential water leak is an alarm signal.

10. A method for measuring low-flow leaks in a building water distribution system, comprising:

controlling at least a portion of said building water distribution system using at least one electrically controllable valve;

determining a water pressure within said building water distribution system;

closing said electrically controllable valve; and

comparing a result of said determining with a threshold to determine a drop in said pressure; and

generating an indication of a potential water leak in conformity with said detected drop in pressure.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

detecting motion within said building to provide a indication of a presence of human activity within said building; and

controlling said electrically controllable valve in conformity with said determination of said presence of human activity.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising comparing a rate of change of said drop in pressure to a threshold level, and wherein generating said indication of a potential water leak is performed only when said rate of change exceeds said threshold level.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said comparing compares said rate of change to two different thresholds level, wherein said generating generates an indication of a slow leak if said rate of change exceeds a lesser one of said threshold levels but is less that a greater one of said threshold levels, and wherein said generating generates an indication of a severe leak when said rate of change exceeds a greater one of said threshold levels.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising sensing activation of at least one appliance that uses water supplied by said water distribution system by measuring an electrical current consumed by said at least one appliance, and wherein said closing is performed unless an appliance override mode is set and said sensing senses that said at least one appliance is active.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said building water distribution system is a residential household water distribution system.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising detecting a level of humidity inside of said building, and wherein said closing closes said electronically controllable valve if said detecting detects an abnormal humidity level inside of said building.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said generating generates an alarm signal.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising reducing a rate of said drop in pressure using an air bladder.

19. A system for controlling a building water distribution system, comprising:

at least one electrically controllable valve for controlling at least a portion of said building water distribution system;

an electronic pressure gauge for determining a water pressure within said building water distribution system;

a motion sensor detecting human activity within said building; and

a control circuit coupled to said electrically controllable valve for operating said electrically controllable valve, coupled to said motion sensor for closing said electrically controllable valve when said motion sensor does not detect said human activity, and further coupled to said electronic pressure gauge, wherein said control circuit monitors an output of said electronic pressure gauge to detect a drop in pressure when said electrically controllable valve is closed and generates an indication of a potential water leak in conformity with said detected drop in pressure.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a humidity sensor having an output coupled to an input of said control circuit for providing an indication of humidity level within said building, and wherein said control circuit further closes said electrically controllable valve if said indication of humidity level exceeds a threshold value.

21. The system of claim 19, further comprising an appliance current sensor for sensing activation of at least one appliance that uses water supplied by said water distribution system, wherein said current sensor is coupled to said control circuit, and wherein said control circuit opens said electrically controllable valve if said at least one appliance is activated and an appliance override mode is selected.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein said control circuit compares a rate of change of said drop in pressure to a threshold level, wherein said control circuit generates said indication of a potential water leak only when said rate of change drop exceeds said threshold level.