Arrangement for measuring a leak in a drinking water supply system and pressure reducer

Abstract

Arrangement (10) for measuring a leak in a drinking water supply system, comprising a backflow preventer (12), wherein the backflow preventer (12) is open when, viewed in a drinking water flow direction, there is a pressure drop caused by drinking water consumption downstream of the backflow preventer (12), wherein the backflow preventer (12) is closed when, viewed in a drinking water flow direction, there is no pressure drop caused by drinking water consumption downstream of the backflow preventer (12), comprising a flow meter (13) connected in parallel to the backflow preventer (12), through which, when the backflow preventer (12) is closed, a drinking water leakage flow caused by a leak in the drinking water supply system downstream of the backflow preventer (12) can be guided, wherein the flow meter (13) is integrated into a bypass (14) to the backflow preventer (12), comprising a Pressure reducer (15),which, viewed in the direction of drinking water flow, is arranged upstream of the backflow preventer (12), wherein the pressure reducer (15) has a housing (16) with an inlet (17), with an outlet (18), with a pre-pressure zone (19) coupled to the inlet and a back-pressure zone (20) coupled to the outlet, wherein the pressure reducer (15) has a valve insert (24) received in the housing (16), which, in the closed state, separates the pre-pressure zone (19) from the back-pressure zone (20) and, in the open state, connects the pre-pressure zone (19) and the back-pressure zone (20), wherein the backflow preventer (12) is integrated in the area of ​​the back-pressure zone (20) and / or the outlet (18) of the housing (19) of the pressure reducer (15), wherein the bypass (14), in which the flow meter (13) is integrated, is separated from the housing (16) of the pressure reducer (15) is characterized by,that an upstream section (14a) of the bypass (14) is formed from the housing (16) with respect to the volume flow meter (13), a downstream section (14b) of the bypass (14) is formed from the housing (16) with respect to the volume flow meter (13), a recess (22) is formed in the housing (16) between the upstream section (14a) of the bypass (14) and the downstream section (14b) of the bypass (14) in which the volume flow meter (13) is positioned, a flow channel (23) of the volume flow meter (13) communicates with the upstream section (14a) and the downstream section (14b) of the bypass (14).

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for measuring a leakage in a drinking water supply system. The invention further relates to a pressure reducer.Both pressure reducers and backflow inhibitors can be installed in drinking water supply systems of houses or buildings. The basic design and the basic mode of operation of pressure reducers and backflow reducers are familiar to the person skilled in the art addressed here. Thus, DE 102011 101 081 A1 discloses the basic design and the basic mode of operation of a pressure reducer. The basic design and the basic mode of operation of a backflow preventer is known, for example, from DE 201 05 191 U1.If a leak occurs in a drinking water supply system, this can lead to considerable damage in the building or house in which the drinking water supply system is installed. The detection of a leakage is of great importance in this case. However, it has hitherto been difficult to reliably detect, in particular, very small leaks.EP 3 032 236 B1 discloses a device for detecting a leak in a drinking water supply system.EP 3 239 682 A1 discloses a further device for detecting leaks in a drinking water supply system.US 2003 / 0 192 377 A1 discloses an arrangement for measuring a leakage in a drinking water supply system according to the preamble of claim 1.U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,789 A, WO 2014 / 029 699 A1 and DE 197 06 564 A1 disclose further prior art.Although devices are already known with the aid of which a leak in a drinking water supply system can be detected, the detection of ultra-small leaks with simple means has hitherto presented difficulties.Proceeding from this, the object of the present invention is to create a novel arrangement for measuring a leakage in a drinking water supply system and a novel pressure reducer.This object is achieved by an arrangement for measuring a leakage in a drinking water supply system according to claim 1.The arrangement according to the invention for measuring a leak in a drinking water supply system comprises a backflow preventer, wherein the backflow preventer is open when there is a pressure drop caused by a regular consumption of drinking water downstream of the backflow preventer as seen in a drinking water flow direction, and wherein the backflow preventer is closed when there is no pressure drop caused by a regular consumption of drinking water downstream of the backflow preventer as seen in the drinking water flow direction.The arrangement according to the invention for measuring a leak in a drinking water supply system further comprises a volume flow meter connected in parallel with the backflow preventer, via which a drinking water leakage flow caused by a leak in the drinking water supply system downstream of the backflow preventer can be conducted when the backflow preventer is closed, wherein the volume flow meter is integrated into a bypass to the backflow preventer, and wherein the volume flow meter is preferably designed for a measurement range between 0.1 ml / min and 20 ml / min.The arrangement according to the invention for measuring a leakage has a pressure reducer which, as seen in the drinking water flow direction, is arranged upstream of the backflow preventer. The combination of the backflow preventer and the volume flow meter with a pressure reducer which is arranged upstream of the backflow preventer is particularly advantageous. It is thus possible to limit the pressure range to which the volume flow meter is exposed. This allows advantageous detection of ultra-small leaks in a drinking water supply system.The pressure reducer of the arrangement according to the invention for measuring leakage has a housing with an inlet, with an outlet, with a preliminary pressure zone coupled to the inlet and a back pressure zone coupled to the outlet, wherein the pressure reducer has a valve insert accommodated in the housing, which separates the preliminary pressure zone from the back pressure zone in the closed state and connects the preliminary pressure zone and the back pressure zone in the open state.In the case of a pressure reducer, the backflow preventer is integrated into the pressure reducer in the region of the back pressure zone and / or the outlet of the housing, wherein the bypass, in which the volume flow meter is integrated, is formed by the housing of the pressure reducer. Such a design is compact and simple.A portion of the bypass upstream with respect to the volume flow meter is formed by the housing, wherein a portion of the bypass downstream with respect to the volume flow meter is formed by the housing, wherein a recess in which the volume flow meter is positioned is formed in the housing between the upstream portion of the bypass and the downstream portion of the bypass, and wherein a flow channel of the volume flow meter communicates with the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the bypass.With the arrangement according to the invention, it is possible with simple means to detect minute leaks, in particular in a range of between 0.1 ml / min and 20 ml / min, by measurement in a drinking water supply system. Thus, the arrangement has the backflow preventer and the volume flow meter connected in parallel with the backflow preventer. Then, when regular consumption of drinking water does not occur in the drinking water supply system, for example, by opening a faucet or the like, the backflow preventer is closed.If a leak occurs downstream of the backflow preventer, a leakage flow caused thereby is guided via the bypass and thus via the volume flow meter integrated into the bypass. This is integrated into the bypass and is designed for a measurement range preferably between 0.1 ml / min and 20 ml / min. This makes it possible to determine very small leaks in the drinking water supply system in a particularly advantageous manner.The volume flow meter preferably has a flow channel with a flow cross section between 2 mm and 4 mm, wherein the bypass, in which the volume flow meter is integrated, has a flow cross section between 2 mm and 4 mm, namely a flow cross section designed for a flow cross section of the volume flow meter. Such flow cross sections of bypass and volume flow meter are particularly advantageous for detecting ultra-small leaks.The pressure reducer of the invention is defined in claim 5.Preferred developments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, without being restricted thereto. The following shows: FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an arrangement for measuring a leakage in a drinking water supply system; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a further development of the arrangement of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows a side view of a structural configuration of the arrangement of FIG. 2 ; FIG. 4 is a cross-section III--III of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the structural embodiment of FIG. 2 ; FIG. 6 shows the structural embodiment of FIG. 2 in a partially exploded view; FIG. 7 shows a cross section through a detail of the structural embodiment of FIG. 2 ; and FIG. 8 shows a further cross section through a detail of the structural embodiment of FIG. 2.FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a first arrangement for measuring a leakage in a drinking water supply system.Thus, FIG. 1 shows a backflow preventer 12 integrated into a drinking water supply line 11. If a pressure drop which is greater than a limit value caused by a regular consumption of drinking water downstream of the backflow preventer 12 is present at the backflow preventer 12. If, on the other hand, there is no regular consumption of drinking water downstream of the backflow preventer, a pressure drop at the backflow preventer 12 is therefore less than the limit value, and the backflow preventer 12 is thus closed.A drinking water consumption, as a result of which the backflow preventer 12 opens, is a regular drinking water consumption, which is caused, for example, by opening a drinking water tap or another drinking water extraction point.A volume flow meter 13 is connected in parallel with the backflow preventer 12. Then, when the backflow preventer 12 is closed, a drinking water leakage flow caused in a drinking water supply system by a leakage downstream of the backflow preventer 12 can be guided via the volume flow meter 13 connected in parallel to the backflow preventer 12. The volume flow meter 13 is integrated in a bypass 14 to the backflow preventer 12, wherein the bypass 14 branches off from the drinking water supply line 11 upstream of the backflow preventer 12 and opens into the drinking water supply line 11 downstream of the backflow preventer 12.If a minimum leak develops in the drinking water supply system downstream of the backflow preventer 12 and a drinking water leak flow thereby develops, as a result of which the backflow preventer 12 does not open, this drinking water leak flow flows via the volume flow meter 13.A relatively small and cost-effective volume flow meter can be used in the bypass 14, which is also referred to as a microflow sensor. This is preferably designed for a measurement range between 0.1 ml / min and 20 ml / min. A drop with a tropene diameter of 5 mm has a volume of 0.055 ml. Accordingly, leaks in the order of 2 drops per min to 400 drops per min can be detected.Such a volume flow meter 13 preferably has a flow channel 23 with a flow cross section between 2 mm and 4 mm.The bypass 14, in which the volume flow meter 13 is integrated, has a flow cross section which is adapted to the flow cross section of the volume flow meter 13, that is to say a flow cross section preferably between 2 mm and 4 mm.Such volume flow meters are known, for example, from the leaflet "LD20-2600B Liquid Flow Sensor, Single-Use Liquid Flow Sensor for Biomedical Applications, Sensation AG, February 2018. The invention proposes for the first time using volume flow meters which have been used up to now in biomedical applications for leakage detection in a drinking water supply system of a building or house.FIG. 2 shows a further development of the arrangement which, in addition to the backflow preventer 12 and the volume flow meter 13, comprises a pressure reducer 15. Viewed in the direction of flow of the drinking water flow, the pressure reducer 15 is arranged upstream of the backflow preventer 12.Depending on the design, the pressure reducer 15 limits a drinking water supply pressure, which is in particular of the order of magnitude of up to 16 bar, to a pressure of the order of magnitude between 0.5 bar and 12 bar. It is possible to set the pressure to which the pressure reducer 15 limits the supply pressure offered at the pressure reducer 15.This has the advantage that damage to the volume flow meter 13 due to excessively high pressures can be reliably avoided.FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 to 8 show details of a structural embodiment of the arrangement 10 of FIG. 2, FIGS. 3, 4 to 5 thus show a housing 16 of a pressure reducer 15, wherein the housing 16 of the pressure reducer 15 provides an inlet 17, an outlet 18, a preliminary pressure zone 19 connected to the inlet 17 and a secondary pressure zone 20 connected to the outlet 18. Inlet 17 and outlet 18 provide, so to speak, a section of the drinking water supply line 11. The housing 16 furthermore provides a receiving space for a valve insert 24 of the pressure reducer 15 which, in the closed state, separates the preliminary pressure zone 19 from the rear pressure zone 20.FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 to 8 also show connections 21 for pressure measuring devices, in order to measure the pressure in the back pressure zone in particular. These connections 21 are closed by plugs 25.The housing 16 of the pressure reducer 15 receives the backflow preventer 12 in the region of the outlet 18. The backflow preventer 12 is accordingly exposed to the pressure in the back pressure zone 20 of the pressure reducer 15. Then, when the valve insert 24 of the pressure reducer 15 is closed, the preliminary pressure zone and the rear pressure zone are separated from each other. When the valve insert 24 is open, on the other hand, the preliminary pressure zone 19 and the rear pressure zone 20 are coupled.The housing 16 of the pressure reducer 15 forms the bypass 14, in which the volume flow meter 13 is integrated. Thus, it can be seen in particular from FIGS. 4, 8 that the housing 16 of the pressure reducer 15 forms, on the one hand, a section 14 aof the bypass 14 upstream with respect to the volume flow meter 13 and, on the other hand, a section 14 bof the bypass 14 downstream with respect to the volume flow meter 13.Between the upstream section 14 aof the bypass 14 and the downstream section 14 bof the bypass 14, the housing 16 of the pressure reducer 14 forms a recess 22, which serves to accommodate the volume flow meter 13. The flow meter 13 is arranged in this recess 22, namely in such a way that the flow channel 23 of the flow meter 13 communicates with the upstream section 14 aand the downstream section 14 bof the bypass 14.A cover 26 covers the volume flow meter 13 in the assembled state. The cover 26 has at least one snap-hook-like or barb-like securing element 27 on at least one side, which engages in a respective groove 28 or notch on the housing in order to secure the cover 26 on the housing 16 and thus the volume flow meter 13 in the recess 22 of the housing 16.The volume flow meter 13 can be inserted in a single defined position into the recess 22 of the housing 16 without tools and can be covered by the cover 26. For this purpose, a sensor housing of the volume flow meter 13 has at least one notch 29 which interacts with a projection on the housing 16 and / or a projection on the cover 26. Faulty installation of the volume flow meter 13 opposite to the required flow direction can thus be avoided.Sealing elements 30, which are provided on connecting pieces of the volume flow meter 13, seal the volume flow meter 13 in the installed state on the housing 16 in order to seal the interfaces of the flow channel 23 of the volume flow meter 13 relative to the sections 14 a, 14 bof the bypass 14.The invention enables the measurement of ultra-small leaks in a drinking water supply system with little effort. Accordingly, leaks of the order of 2 drops per min to 400 drops per min can be detectedThe volume flow meter 13 can be exchanged simply and without tools. The recess 22 of the housing 16, which serves to accommodate the volume flow meter 13, is easily and easily accessible.The arrangement according to the invention comprises, in addition to the backflow preventer 12 and the volume flow meter 13, the pressure reducer 15, wherein the housing 16 of the pressure reducer 15 accommodates both the backflow preventer 12 and the volume flow meter 13.Such a structural unit can be easily installed in a drinking water supply system. The volume flow meter 13 can be easily replaced.List of reference characters10 Arrangement 11 Drinking water supply line 12 Backflow preventer 13 Volume flow meter 14 Bypass 14 aSegment 14 bSegment 15 Pressure reducer 16 Housing 17 Inlet 18 Outlet 19 Preliminary pressure zone 20 Rear pressure zone 21 Connection 22 Recess 23 Flow channel 24 Valve insert 25 Plug 26 Cover 27 Securing element 28 Groove 29 Notch 30 Sealing element

Claims

Arrangement (10) for measuring a leakage in a drinking water supply system, having a backflow preventer (12), wherein the backflow preventer (12) is open when a pressure drop caused by consumption of drinking water is present downstream of the backflow preventer (12) as seen in a drinking water flow direction, wherein the backflow preventer (12) is closed when no pressure drop caused by consumption of drinking water is present downstream of the backflow preventer (12) as seen in the drinking water flow direction, having a volume flow meter (13) connected in parallel with the backflow preventer (12), via which a drinking water leakage flow caused by leakage in the drinking water supply system downstream of the backflow preventer (12) can be conducted when the backflow preventer (12) is closed, wherein the volume flow meter (13) is integrated into a bypass (14) to the backflow preventer (12), having a pressure reducer (15) which, as viewed in the drinking water flow direction, is arranged upstream of the backflow preventer (12), wherein the pressure reducer (15) has a housing (16) having an inlet (17), having an outlet (18), having a preliminary pressure zone (19) coupled to the inlet and a rear pressure zone (20) coupled to the outlet, wherein the pressure reducer (15) has a valve insert (24) which is accommodated in the housing (16) and separates the preliminary pressure zone (19) from the rear pressure zone (20) in the closed state and connects the preliminary pressure zone (19) and the rear pressure zone (20) in the open state, wherein the backflow preventer (12) is integrated in the region of the back pressure zone (20) and / or the outlet (18) of the housing (19) of the pressure reducer (15), wherein the bypass (14), in which the volume flow meter (13) is integrated, is formed by the housing (16) of the pressure reducer (15), characterized in that an upstream section (14a) of the bypass (14) with respect to the volume flow meter (13) is formed by the housing (16), a downstream section (14b) of the bypass (14) with respect to the volume flow meter (13) is formed by the housing (16), a recess (22), in which the volume flow meter (13) is positioned, is formed between the upstream section (14a) of the bypass (14) and the downstream section (14b) of the bypass (14) in the housing (16), a flow channel (23) of the volume flow meter (13) communicates with the upstream section (14a) and the downstream section (14b) of the bypass (14).Arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the volume flow meter (13) is designed for a measurement range between 0.1 ml / min and 20 ml / min.Arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the volume flow meter (13) has a flow duct (23) with a flow cross section of between 2 mm and 4 mm.Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bypass (14), in which the volume flow meter (13) is integrated, has a flow cross section of between 2 mm and 4 mm, namely a flow cross section designed for a flow cross section of the volume flow meter (13).Pressure reducer (15), having a housing (16) which has an inlet (17), an outlet (18), a preliminary pressure zone (19) coupled to the inlet and a rear pressure zone (20) coupled to the outlet, having a valve insert (24) which is accommodated in the housing (16) and separates the preliminary pressure zone (19) from the rear pressure zone (20) in the closed state and connects the preliminary pressure zone (19) and the rear pressure zone (20) in the open state, having a backflow preventer (12) which is integrated into the pressure reducer (15) in the region of the rear pressure zone (20) and / or of the outlet (18) of the housing (19), the backflow preventer (12) being open when a pressure drop caused by consumption of drinking water is present downstream of the backflow preventer (12), wherein the backflow preventer (12) is closed when there is no pressure drop caused by consumption of drinking water downstream of the backflow preventer (12), with a volume flow meter (13) connected in parallel with the backflow preventer (12), via which a drinking water leakage flow caused by a leakage in the drinking water supply system downstream of the backflow preventer (12) can be guided when the backflow preventer (12) is closed, wherein the volume flow meter (13) is integrated into a bypass (14) to the backflow preventer (12) which is formed by the housing (16) of the pressure reducer (15), characterized in that an upstream portion (14a) of the bypass (14) with respect to the volume flow meter (13) is formed by the housing (16), a recess (22) in which the volume flow meter (13) is positioned is formed in the housing (16), a flow channel (23) of the volume flow meter (13) communicates with the upstream section (14a) and the downstream section (14b) of the bypass (14), between the upstream section (14a) of the bypass (14) and the downstream section (14b) of the bypass (14).Pressure reducer according to Claim 5, characterized in that the volume flow meter (13) can be inserted in a single defined position into the recess (22) of the housing without tools and can be covered by a cover (26).

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