SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND PREVENTING FLUID LEAKS
First Claim
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1. A system for detecting leaks in a fluid distribution network (304), comprising:
- a first conduit (102);
a second conduit (300) coupled to said first conduit (102), said second conduit (300) having a flow control valve (308) and said second conduit (300) being coupled to said fluid distribution network (304) downstream of said flow control valve (308);
a third conduit (302) having an upstream end (310), a flowmeter (104) and a downstream end (312), said upstream end (310) coupled to one of said first and second conduits (102, 300) upstream from said flow control valve (308), and said downstream end (312) coupled to said fluid distribution network (304), said third conduit (302) being configured to accept at least a portion of fluid flowing through said first conduit (102); and
a system controller (106) coupled to said flowmeter (104) and said flow control valve (308), said system controller (106) being configured to control a state (404) of said flow control valve (308) and to monitor said flowmeter (104) to determine whether a leak exists in said fluid distribution network (304).
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for detecting and preventing fluid leaks. A rate of flow of a portion of fluid flowing through a fluid distribution network over a period of time is monitored. A determination is made whether the rate of flow of the fluid over the period of time is greater than zero but so low that it indicates a leak in the water pipe. If the rate of flow over the period of time indicates a leak, then the flow of the liquid through the system is stopped and an indication is provided that a leak has been detected.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for detecting leaks in a fluid distribution network (304), comprising:
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a first conduit (102); a second conduit (300) coupled to said first conduit (102), said second conduit (300) having a flow control valve (308) and said second conduit (300) being coupled to said fluid distribution network (304) downstream of said flow control valve (308); a third conduit (302) having an upstream end (310), a flowmeter (104) and a downstream end (312), said upstream end (310) coupled to one of said first and second conduits (102, 300) upstream from said flow control valve (308), and said downstream end (312) coupled to said fluid distribution network (304), said third conduit (302) being configured to accept at least a portion of fluid flowing through said first conduit (102); and a system controller (106) coupled to said flowmeter (104) and said flow control valve (308), said system controller (106) being configured to control a state (404) of said flow control valve (308) and to monitor said flowmeter (104) to determine whether a leak exists in said fluid distribution network (304). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of detecting a leak in a fluid distribution network (304) comprising:
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establishing a minimum legitimate rate of flow (326) for fluid flowing into said fluid distribution network (304); monitoring (422) a rate (313) at which fluid flows into said fluid distribution network (304); and indicating (450, 452) the occurrence of a leak when said monitoring activity detects fluid flowing at less than said minimum legitimate rate of flow (326) but greater than zero for a predetermined period of time (336). - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for detecting leaks in a fluid distribution network (304), comprising:
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a first conduit (102) having a first flow control valve (306); a second conduit (300) coupled to said first conduit (102) downstream of said first flow control valve (306), said second conduit (300) having a second flow control valve (308) and said second conduit (300) being coupled to said fluid distribution network (304) downstream of said second flow control valve (308); a third conduit (302) having an upstream end (310), a flowmeter (104) and a downstream end (312), said upstream end (310) coupled to one of said first and second conduits (102, 300) between said first and second flow control valves (306, 308), and said downstream end (312) coupled to said fluid distribution network (304), said third conduit (302) being configured to accept at least a portion of fluid flowing through said first conduit (102); a pressure sensor (112) downstream from said first flow control valve (306); and a system controller (106) coupled to said first flow control valve (306), said flowmeter (104), said second flow control valve (308) and said pressure sensor (112), said system controller (106) being configured to; control a state of said first flow control valve (306); and control a state (404) of said second flow control valve (308); and monitor said flowmeter (104) and said pressure sensor (112) to determine whether a leak exists in said fluid distribution network (304). - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification