Leak detection and control
First Claim
1. A leak detection apparatus for detecting and controlling a leak in a pressurized piping system, which comprises:
- control logic;
both of one and only one flow detector in communication with said logic, and one and only one pressure detector in communication with said logic; and
a control valve in communication with said logic;
wherein at least one of the following additional features is also provided;
the control logic, both of one and only one flow detector and one and only one pressure detector, and the control valve are in close proximity to one another; and
the control valve has a baseline condition of being shut off.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Fluid leaks can be detected and controlled in a pressurized piping system. Apparatus for this includes control logic; in communication with the logic, a flow detector and/or a pressure detector, and a control valve. One or more of the following is or are provided also: the flow and pressure detectors are both present, and both as single units; the control logic, the flow and/or pressure detector(s) and the control valve are in close proximity to one another; and the control valve has a baseline condition of being shut off. A remote control device can remotely interact with the control logic. Pressure decay and/or flow properties can be employed. The fluid can be water as, for example, in a residential, commercial or institutional system.
77 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A leak detection apparatus for detecting and controlling a leak in a pressurized piping system, which comprises:
-
control logic; both of one and only one flow detector in communication with said logic, and one and only one pressure detector in communication with said logic; and a control valve in communication with said logic; wherein at least one of the following additional features is also provided; the control logic, both of one and only one flow detector and one and only one pressure detector, and the control valve are in close proximity to one another; and the control valve has a baseline condition of being shut off. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
the control valve having a baseline condition of being shut off are present; and
wherein the apparatus can generally discriminate between controlled and uncontrolled pressure decay at very low flow rates.
-
-
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a remote control device is provided, which can remotely interact with the with the control logic.
-
13. In combination, the apparatus of claim 11 and a pressurizable piping system to which the apparatus is connected in fluid communication with the system for delivery of the fluid.
-
14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the fluid is water;
- the piping system is brachiated;
a single apparatus is connected; and
the controlled pressure decay at very low flow rates is represented by replenishment in a refrigerator'"'"'s ice maker, and the uncontrolled pressure decay at very low flow rates is represented by an unwanted leak.
- the piping system is brachiated;
-
15. In combination, the apparatus of claim 1 and a pressurizable piping system to which the apparatus is connected in fluid communication with the system for delivery of the fluid.
-
16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the fluid is water;
- the piping system is brachiated; and
a single apparatus is connected.
- the piping system is brachiated; and
-
17. A leak detection apparatus for detecting and controlling a leak in a pressurized piping system for water, which comprises, in close proximity to one another the following:
-
control logic; both of; one and only one flow detector in communication with the control logic, which can be set to detect minimal water flow; and one and only one pressure detector in communication with the control logic, which can be monitored in a pressure decay test initiated by the control logic; and a control valve in communication with the control logic, which has a baseline condition of being off. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification