Fluid handling – Line condition change responsive valves – Safety cut-off requiring reset
Patent
1986-12-23
1988-04-05
Cohan, Alan
Fluid handling
Line condition change responsive valves
Safety cut-off requiring reset
137495, 137486, 1374875, 13762412, 73 405R, F16K 3102
Patent
active
047352310
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an apparatus for sensing and stopping large and small leakages between one or several tapping locations and a stop valve in an incoming pressurized line.
In water pipes or other lines carrying a medium at increased pressure, unintentional leakage can occur due to leaks which occur suddenly, e.g. hose rupture in a dishwashing machine, or to small leaks. Such small leaks can either be a leaking gasket, an improperly closed tap, or one dripping for some other reason, or a deficiency in water-tightness, e.g. in a pipe joint. Leaks of the last mentioned kind, in particular, can cause great damage if they are not discovered in good time. At present, there is no method of monitoring this type of leakage, which often occurs at places which are not in view, since pipes are often hidden in walls, floors, ceilings etc. Large leakages rapidly give large damage but are also discovered quicker, while small leakages are more difficult to discover, since the leak slowly drains into the building over a long time and is absorbed in floors, ceilings or walls, giving rise to very expensive and extensive damage.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an apparatus for preventing leakage, and which is adapted to cut off the flow if a large or small leak occurs. The object is further to prevent such types of damage without obstructing normal tapping of water or otherwise creating substantial inconveniences. This object, as well as further objects and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following description. They are achieved by their being given the characterizing features disclosed in the claims.
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing on which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of a regulating unit in the apparatus according to FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing the function of the apparatus when a tap is opened and closed, if the tap is kept open for some time and when there is dripping leakage.
FIG. 4 is a further diagram for describing the inhibiting function and a test function for possible restarting of the system.
As will be seen from FIG. 1, a stop valve 2, e.g. in the form of a solenoid valve is mounted in an incoming pressurized line 1, supplying medium under pressure. A pressure sensing means 3 in the form of a suitable pressure transducer is arranged in the line after this valve 2, and senses the pressure in the medium after the stop valve. From the sensing device 3 the line, now denoted by 5, continues to a plurality of taps, of which only one 6, is shown on the drawing. The flow in the incoming pressurized line 1 can be provided by connection to a water mains or the like. The flow can also be achieved directly via a motor-driven pump 7, which is coupled in between the stop valve and some source of water.
The pressure sensing means 3 is adjustable for sending a signal when a given minimum pressure is reached. More specifically, an opening signal is then given to a regulating unit 4, which in turn is adapted for opening and closing the stop valve 2. A time registering means 8 in the form of suitable electronic circuits is included in the regulating unit 4, for registrating different time sequences after the valve 2 has been opened. The time registering means 8 further initiates pressure sensing via the transducer 3 or closing of the valve 2, which will be described in detail in the following.
The time registering means 8 is adapted to start three different times, A,B,D, when the pressure transducer 3 sends the opening signal. The first time is the opening time A, which keeps the valve 2 open for a given time, irrespective of whether the pressure is low or high. The time A is adjustable to some suitable value within the interval 5-35 seconds, e.g. 20 seconds. The second time is the total time B, which is intended to achieve closure of the valve 1, if water has been running uninterruptedly during the
REFERENCES:
patent: 4249565 (1981-02-01), Brust
patent: 4589435 (1986-05-01), Aldrich
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