Leak Detector
First Claim
1. A leak detector, comprising:
- an input port constructed to be coupled to a conduit for receiving at least partially conductive liquid from a source;
a valve device including an actuator constructed to receive open and close signals for opening and closing said valve device;
said valve device being coupled to said input port and being coupled to an output port;
two electrodes located on opposite sides of said valve device and being electrically isolated from each other in absence of said liquid flowing between said input port and said output port; and
an electrical circuit for measuring an electrical property between said electrodes and thereby detecting fluid flow between said input port and said output port.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A leak detector for detecting flow of at least partially conductive fluid includes two electrodes and an electrical circuit. A valve device including an actuator is constructed to receive open and close signals for opening and closing the valve device between an input port and an outer port. The two electrodes are located on opposite sides of the valve device and are electrically isolated from each other in absence of the liquid flowing between the input port and the output port. The electrical circuit measures an electrical property between the electrodes. The leak detector is suitable for a multizone irrigation system that includes a central control unit having a central control system interfaced with a central valve and a central communication unit. The central valve regulates water flow for irrigation from a water source and can lower water pressure in the pipes at its output. The central communication unit is constructed to transmit or receive pressure based communication signals providing irrigation information. Each zone includes a sprinkler control unit having a sprinkler connected to a water pipe for irrigation.
429 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A leak detector, comprising:
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an input port constructed to be coupled to a conduit for receiving at least partially conductive liquid from a source; a valve device including an actuator constructed to receive open and close signals for opening and closing said valve device;
said valve device being coupled to said input port and being coupled to an output port;two electrodes located on opposite sides of said valve device and being electrically isolated from each other in absence of said liquid flowing between said input port and said output port; and an electrical circuit for measuring an electrical property between said electrodes and thereby detecting fluid flow between said input port and said output port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for detecting a leak in a valve device, comprising:
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providing a valve device including an input port constructed to be coupled to a conduit for receiving at least partially conductive liquid from a source, and an output port, said valve device including an actuator constructed to receive open and close signals for opening and closing said valve device and thereby enabling fluid flow between said input port and said output port in an open state of said valve and preventing fluid flow between said input port and said output port in a closed state of said valve during normal operation of said valve device; providing two electrodes located on opposite sides of said valve device and being electrically isolated from each other in absence of said liquid flowing between said input port and said output port, and providing an electrical circuit for measuring an electrical property between said electrodes; delivering said close signal to said actuator and thereby closing said valve device; and measuring said electrical property between said electrodes and thereby detecting fluid flow between said input port and said output port. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification