System and method for leakage control and/or testing of piping and discharge points for non-compressible fluids

• US 8,561,636 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2010
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hydrigo AS
• Original Assignee: Veit Holding AS
• Inventors: Eithun, Vemund
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivell, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, MINH Q
• Application Number:
  US13/202,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20120024397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 137/487.5, 137/487, 137/624.11, 137/624.12, 251/129.04, 73/405.R, 73/40
• US Class Current: 137/487.5
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2815 using pressure measurements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0452 Detecting or repairing leak
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86397 With independent valve controller

Abstract

System and method for controlling leakage and/or testing of pipe systems and discharge points for incompressible fluids, said system including one or more automatic valve arrangements (10) arranged in a pipe system in connection with the fluid supply to a processing plant or building comprising rooms (16) having one or more discharge points (17) to open and close the fluid supply. The system includes a control device (13) provided with communication devices and arrangements (24) to detect activity in rooms (16) with discharge points (17) or the processing plant. The system comprises a pressure control arrangement (20) arranged between the automatic valve arrangement (10) and rooms (16) having discharge points (17) or the processing plant. The pressure control arrangement (20) is arranged for increasing the pressure in the pipe system.

Claims

1. System of leakage control and/or testing of a pipe system and discharge points for incompressible fluids, said system comprising

one or more automatic valve arrangements (10) arranged in a pipe system in connection with a fluid supply to a processing plant or building comprising rooms (16) having one or more discharge points (17) for opening and closing the fluid supply,

a control device (13) provided with communication devices, and arrangements (24) for detecting any activity in a room (16) with discharge point (17) or the processing plant, and

one or more pressure control arrangements (20) arranged between the automatic valve arrangements (10) and the processing plant or room (16) with discharge points (17), said pressure control arrangement(s) (20) being arranged to increase or decrease the pressure in the pipe system, and

one or more pressure measuring arrangements (21) to measure the pressure in the pipe system at any times, said pressure measuring arrangement(s) (21) being a separate device or an integral part of the pressure control arrangement (20).

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the system includes a remote control and/or manual or automatic switches or similar, said remote control or switches or similar being arranged to detect whether fixed installations such as a laundry machine, dishwasher, processing plants or similar are active.

3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller device (13) is provided with means and/or software to control the system, provided with a control panel and/or is arranged to communicate with a remote control for settings and control of the system.

4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller device (13) is arranged to communicate with a user and/or security company or similar in connection with raising an alarm, by means of communication arrangements such as via SMS, e-mail, visual and/or light warning on remote control, control panel or similar, or a combination of these.

5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the system includes an expansion tank (23) or similar formed of an expandable or non-expandable material.

6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the system includes external arrangements to measure flow and/or temperature.

7. Method of controlling leakage and/or testing of pipe systems and discharge points for incompressible fluids, to reveal any leakages in a pipe system in a processing plant or a building having rooms with discharge points, by means of an automatic valve arrangement arranged in connection with a fluid supply, and at least one pressure control arrangements and at least one pressure measuring arrangements, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of:

a) continuously monitoring any activity in rooms with discharge point or indications of any active fixed installations or processing plants, which indicates fluid consumption,

b) if there is no indication of fluid consumption, close the valve arrangement,

c) increase the pressure to a pressure substantially above the operating pressure and obtain a stable pressure during a certain period of time by means of the pressure control arrangement(s), and continuously measuring the pressure in the pipe system by means of the pressure measuring arrangement(s),

d) interpret the measured pressure in relation to predefined parameters to reveal any leakage,

e) if the interpretation in step d) indicates the presence of a leakage closing the valve arrangement and raising an alarm.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that step c) includes a reduction of the pressure in the closed circuit between the valve arrangement and the discharge points of the pipe system by means of the pressure control arrangement(s), to a pressure substantially below the operating pressure, and continuously measuring the pressure in the pipe system by means of the pressure measuring arrangement(s).

9. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that step e) includes notification of the user, security company or similar about leakage.

10. Method according to claim 7 characterized in that the steps a)-e) includes returning to step a) and setting the valve arrangement in an open position if activity occur in rooms with discharge points, activity by fixed installations, such as laundry machine, dishwasher or similar, or activity in processing plants.

11. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the method includes a continuous repetition of steps a)-e) or execution of steps a)-e) according to predefined conditions, such as predefined periods of time during a day, etc.

12. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that step e) includes interpretation of information from arrangements for flow and/or temperature measurement.

13. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that step e) includes closing the valve arrangement only for a certain period of time during which steps a)-d) are repeated several times to provide better basis for interpretation prior to raising alarm and performing permanent closing of the valve arrangement.