Device for Detecting Leaks of Fluids

• US 20100258204A1
• Filed: 04/14/2010
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Enolgas Bonomi S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: Enolgas Bonomi S.p.A.
• Inventors: Cipolla, Giovanni
• Application Number:
  US12/759,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20100258204A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/460
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/05 by using mechanical effects
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/005 Valves valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/10 Preventing damage by freezing or excess pressure or insufficient pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 5/00 Measuring a proportion of the volume flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7727 Excessive flow cut-off
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve

Abstract

A device for detecting leaks of fluids includes means for metering flow of a fluid towards a premises, shut-off means for the fluid, operable between a delivery configuration of the fluid and a closed configuration to allow/prevent its transit towards the premises, and a management and control unit, able to act in conjunction with the metering means of the flow and to send a signal to the shut-off means to switch from the delivery to the closed configuration. The management and control unit comprises enabling means, able to allow or prevent the signal to be sent to the shut-off means. The device comprises, in addition, means for detecting the presence of a user in the premises, operatively connected to the enabling means in such a way that these allow the signal to be sent to the switch if the presence detector means detect the absence of the user in the premises.

Claims

1. A device for detecting leaks of, for example, hydraulic fluids, comprising:

metering means of the flow of a fluid towards a premises, such as a habitation;

shut-off means of the fluid, operable between a delivery configuration of the fluid and a closed configuration to allow/prevent its transit towards the premises; and

a management and control unit, able to act in conjunction with the metering means of the flow and to send the shut-off means a signal to switch from the delivery to the closed configuration;

wherein the management and control unit comprises enabling means, able to allow/prevent sending of the switch signal to the shut-off means;

wherein the device comprises, in addition, presence detector means of a user in the premises, operatively connected to the enabling means in such a way that these enable the switch signal to be sent if the presence detector means detect the absence of the user on the premises.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the enabling means comprise a timer device which, when the presence detector means detect the absence of the user on the premises, is able to send the switch signal in the case in which the deliveries of fluid are contrary to pre-set temporal or flow criteria for example.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the presence detector means comprise movement sensor devices, for example volumetric.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the metering means of the flow comprise at least one turbine which, moved by the transit of the fluid, generates electric signals received by the management and control unit.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the shut-off means of the fluid comprise at least one motorised valve, solenoid valve or similar, and/or check valve.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the management and control unit comprises at least one microprocessor, alarm device and means of communication, such as towards a user, to signal an anomalous situation.

7. Device according to claim 1, comprising, in addition, seismic detection devices, able to detect telluric quakes, operatively connected to the management and control unit.

8. Device according to claim 1, comprising, in addition, heat detection devices, able to detect the temperature of the fluid, operatively connected to the management and control unit.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein:

the shut-off means are positioned on a first duct;

the metering means of the flow are positioned on a second duct in fluidic connection with the first;

the first duct having a bigger through section than the second duct.

10. Device according to claim 1, comprising:

seismic detection devices, able to detect telluric quakes, operatively connected to the management and control unit;

heat detection devices, able to detect the temperature of the fluid, operatively connected to the management and control unit; and

wherein

the shut-off means are positioned on a first duct;

the metering means of the flow are positioned on a second duct in fluidic connection with the first;

the first duct having a bigger through section than the second duct.

11. A device for detecting leaks of, for example, hydraulic fluids, comprising:

metering means of the flow of a fluid towards a premises, such as a habitation;

shut-off means of the fluid, operable between a delivery configuration of the fluid and a closed configuration to allow/prevent its transit towards the premises; and

a management and control unit, able to act in conjunction with the metering means of the flow and to send the shut-off means a signal to switch from the delivery to the closed configuration;

wherein

the shut-off means are positioned on a first duct,

the metering means of the flow are positioned on a second duct in fluidic connection with the first duct, and

the first duct has a bigger through section than the second duct.