Water flow monitoring system for determining the presence of leaks and stopping flow in plumbing pipes
First Claim
1. In a fluid flow monitoring system for determining the presence of leaks in plumbing pipes of a plumbing pipe system having fluid flowing therethrough under high pressure, the improvement being in a first flow monitor device mounted to a pipe of the plumbing pipe system for sensing the flow of fluid through the pipe, a second flow monitor device mounted to a pipe of the plumbing pipe system downstream from said first flow monitor device, control means for comparing the continuous flow sensed by said first flow monitor device with the continuous flow sensed by said second flow monitor device, and action taking means actuated by said control means when the continuous flow sensed by said first flow monitor device exceeds the continuous flow sensed by said second flow monitor device.
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Abstract
A water flow monitoring system for determining the presence of leaks in plumbing pipes having water flowing through the pipes under high pressure includes a flow monitor which is mounted to the pipe for sensing the flow of water through the pipe. A timer and/or accumulated volume meter is associated with the flow monitor to determine when the flow has continued for a preselected period of time, and/or when the amount of water has exceeded a preselected accumulated volume threshold. Upon detection of flow for the preselected period of time, and/or preselected accumulated volume threshold, a valve is actuated to stop flow through the pipe.
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Citations
25 Claims
- 1. In a fluid flow monitoring system for determining the presence of leaks in plumbing pipes of a plumbing pipe system having fluid flowing therethrough under high pressure, the improvement being in a first flow monitor device mounted to a pipe of the plumbing pipe system for sensing the flow of fluid through the pipe, a second flow monitor device mounted to a pipe of the plumbing pipe system downstream from said first flow monitor device, control means for comparing the continuous flow sensed by said first flow monitor device with the continuous flow sensed by said second flow monitor device, and action taking means actuated by said control means when the continuous flow sensed by said first flow monitor device exceeds the continuous flow sensed by said second flow monitor device.
- 10. In a fluid flow monitoring system for determining the presence of leaks in plumbing pipes of a plumbing pipe system having fluid flowing therethrough under pressure, the improvement being in a first flow monitor device mounted to a pipe of the plumbing pipe system for sensing the flow of fluid through the pipe, a second flow monitor device mounted to a pipe of the plumbing pipe system downstream from said first flow monitor device, control means including a counter and a comparitor, said counter receiving signals from said first flow monitor device in accordance with the flow sensed by said first flow monitor device, said comparitor comparing the count of signals received from said first flow monitor device with a pre-set point to actuate action taking means when the count of signals from said counter exceeds said pre-set point, and said second flow monitor device resetting said counter to zero when said second flow monitor device senses flow of fluid through its pipe.
- 20. In a fluid flow monitoring system for determining the presence of leaks in plumbing pipes of a plumbing pipe system having fluid flowing therethrough under high pressure, the improvement being in a first flow monitor device mounted to a pipe of the plumbing pipe system for sensing the flow of fluid through the pipe, a second flow monitor device mounted to a pipe of the plumbing pipe system downstream from said first flow monitor device, control means for comparing the continuous flow sensed by said first flow monitor device with the continuous flow sensed by said second flow monitor device, action taking means actuated by said control means when the continuous flow sensed by said first flow monitor device exceeds a predetermined continuous flow, said control means having two set points for determining when the predetermined continuous flow is reached, said two set points comprising a first set point and a second set point of higher magnitude flow parameter than said first set point, said predetermined continuous flow being reached upon selectively a first condition and a second condition, said first condition being the reaching of the first set point by said first flow monitor device when no flow is detected by said second flow monitor device, and said second condition being when flow is detected by said second flow monitor and said second set point is reached by said first flow monitor with said control means overriding said first set point.
Specification