Flow control system

Abstract

The system according to the present invention is a system for detecting a leak location from a water pipe, wherein the system comprises a first detector (100) installed at a first point of the water pipe and detecting a vibration sound wave and a flow rate value, a second detector (200) installed at a second point of the water pipe and detecting a vibration sound wave and a flow rate value, a water pressure regulator (300) for regulating the water pressure of the water pipe, and a management server (500) connected via communication with the first detector, the second detector, and the water pressure regulator, wherein the water pressure regulator (300), the first detector (100), and the second detector (200) are installed sequentially from one side of the water pipe to the other, and the management server (500) is configured to increase the water pressure to confirm the leak signal when a leak is presumed based on the detected leak signal and the change in flow rate value, and to calculate the leak location when the magnitude of the leak signal increases due to the increase in water pressure.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for detecting leakage by detecting changes in the amount of water leakage in a water pipe buried underground and controlling the flow rate using this information. Background Technology

[0003] With the improvement of living standards, water usage is increasing day by day. Water supply pipes are generally buried underground, making it impossible to visually check for leaks. Buried water pipes may be equipped with valves, connecting pipes, and pipes made of different materials.

[0004] The vibration detection device detects vibration from the object to be detected and transmits the detected vibration signal to the server. The server analyzes the transmitted vibration signal and determines whether the vibration signal is a normal vibration signal or a vibration signal caused by a malfunction.

[0005] When the signal being analyzed is a signal caused by a leak, a vibration detection device is installed in the piping. Vibration detection devices are installed at one point and another point on the piping, respectively, and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. If a leak occurs in the piping between the one point and the other point, the vibration signal caused by the leak is transmitted to the vibration detection device installed at the one point and the vibration detection device installed at the other point, and the speed at which the vibration signal is transmitted varies depending on the location of the leak. The server calculates the location of the leak based on the difference in vibration signals transmitted from the separated vibration detection devices.

[0006] For example, Patent No. 1454288 detects the location of a leak by utilizing the time difference of detected leak vibration waves. The prior art literature places multiple sensors spaced apart in a pipe buried underground and detects the location of the leak based on signals output from the sensors. Prior art literature

[0008] Published Patent Application No. 10-2010-0014046, Water supply distribution pipe leak suspected section detector and leak suspected section detection system Registered Patent Application No. 10-1454288, Leak detection system Registered Patent Application No. 10-1563279, Leak location detection method and leak location detection system based on elastic wave velocity measured by section in a pipe Published Patent Application No. 10-2011-0032272, Leak detection device and method The problem to be solved

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system for detecting leakage from vibration waves transmitted from a water pipe and estimating the location of the leakage from the detected leakage vibration waves.

[0010] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a system for estimating the location of a leak by detecting the leak based on the amount of change in the flow rate of water pipes.

[0011] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned. Other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0013] The system according to the present invention is a system for detecting a leak location from a water pipe, wherein the system comprises a first detector (100) installed at a first point of the water pipe and detecting a vibration sound wave and a flow rate value, a second detector (200) installed at a second point of the water pipe and detecting a vibration sound wave and a flow rate value, a water pressure regulator (300) for regulating the water pressure of the water pipe, and a management server (500) connected via communication with the first detector, the second detector, and the water pressure regulator, wherein the water pressure regulator (300), the first detector (100), and the second detector (200) are installed sequentially from one side of the water pipe to the other, and the management server (500) is configured to increase the water pressure to confirm the leak signal when a leak is presumed based on the detected leak signal and the change in flow rate value, and to calculate the leak location when the magnitude of the leak signal increases due to the increase in water pressure.

[0014] Additionally, the first and second detectors (100) are comprised of first and second vibration sensor units (110, 210) that detect vibration sound waves transmitted to a first point and a second point of a water pipe, first and second flow rate detection units (120, 220) that detect flow rate values ​​at the first point and the second point of the water pipe, and first and second control units (130, 230) that are communication-connected to a management server and drive the first and second vibration sensor units and the first and second flow rate detection units.

[0015] Additionally, the management server (500) comprises a leakage signal detection unit (510) that detects a leakage signal included in the vibration sound wave, a flow rate difference value calculation unit (520) that calculates the flow rate difference value between the flow rate value of the first point and the flow rate value of the second point, a water pressure control unit (530) that controls the water pressure regulator, a leakage location calculation unit (540) that calculates the leakage location based on the difference in arrival times of the vibration sound waves detected from the first and second vibration sensor units and the distance between the first and second vibration sensor units, and a drive control unit (550) that controls the operation of the leakage signal detection unit, the flow rate difference value calculation unit, the water pressure control unit, and the leakage location calculation unit. Effects of the invention

[0017] Leakage signals detected from water pipes may not indicate an actual leak due to factors such as daily noise or usage noise. According to the present invention, if the detected leakage signal and the change in flow rate are presumed to be signals caused by leakage, the water pressure is increased to verify the leakage signal. If the magnitude of the leakage signal increases due to the increase in water pressure, it is finally determined to be a leak, and the leakage point is calculated. Therefore, signals caused by leakage can be reconfirmed, and misjudgment of leakage signals can be reduced. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0019] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a leak detection system according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a detection unit according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of a management server according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a management server according to the present invention in sequence. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the following, expressions such as system, part, unit, device, etc. are used to include hardware and software mounted on said hardware.

[0022] The present invention relates to a leak detection system for estimating the location of a leak in a water supply pipe.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a leak detection system according to the present invention.

[0024] The leak detection system includes a first detector (100), a second detector (200), a water pressure regulator (300), and a management server (500) installed in a water pipe.

[0025] The first detector and the second detector are installed in the water pipe (PP). The first detector (100) is installed at a first point (A) of the water pipe, and the second detector (200) is installed at a second point (B) of the water pipe. The first point and the second point are separated by a predetermined distance.

[0026] The first and second detectors (100, 200) detect vibrational sound waves transmitted from a water pipe. For example, if a leak occurs in the water pipe between the first detector and the second detector, the sound waves are transmitted in one direction and in the other direction from the leak point. The first detector can detect vibrational sound waves transmitted in one direction, and the second detector can detect vibrational sound waves transmitted in the other direction.

[0027] In addition, the first and second detectors (100, 200) detect the flow rate in the water pipe. For example, if a leak occurs in the water pipe between the first detector and the second detector, there is a difference between the flow rate of the first detector and the flow rate of the second detector. The specific configuration of the first and second detectors will be described later in the description section of FIG. 2.

[0028] The above-mentioned water pressure regulator (300) regulates the flow intensity of water flowing inside the water pipe. The water pressure regulator can control the operation of a pump installed in the water pipe. The water pressure regulator (300) is installed on one side of the first detector (100). Assuming that water flows from one side to the other in the water pipe, the water pressure regulator (300), the first detector (100), and the second detector (200) are installed sequentially from one side to the other of the water pipe.

[0029] The above management server (500) is wirelessly connected to the first detector, the second detector, and the water pressure regulator. The management server receives the vibration sound waves and flow rate values ​​detected by the first and second detectors, respectively, and controls the water pressure regulator to determine whether there is a leak. In addition, if a leak is determined, it calculates the leak point, i.e., the leak location, of the water pipe. In the following description, the detectors used individually may refer to the first detector and the second detector. This method of expression is applied equally to the vibration sensor unit and the flow rate detection unit.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a detector according to the present invention.

[0031] The first and second detectors (100, 200) detect vibrational sound waves transmitted from the water pipe and flow rates flowing at the first and second points.

[0032] The first and second detectors may be configured to include first and second vibration sensor units (110, 210), first and second flow rate detection units (120, 220), and first and second control units (130, 230). The first and second detectors may be installed in the joints constituting the water supply pipes.

[0033] The first and second vibration sensor units (110, 210) are attached to the surface of a water pipe and detect vibration sound waves transmitted from the water pipe. The vibration sensor units may be piezoelectric acceleration sensors, MEMS acceleration sensors, strain gauge type acceleration sensors, etc.

[0034] The first and second flow detection units (120, 220) can be installed in the pipe joint and detect flow rate values ​​at the first and second points of the water supply pipe. The flow detection unit can be selected from the differential pressure method, area method, volumetric method, turbine method, and ultrasonic method.

[0035] The first and second control units (130, 230) control the operation of the vibration sensor unit and the flow rate detection unit, and transmit the vibration sound waves detected by the vibration sensor unit and the flow rate values ​​detected by the flow rate detection unit to the management server (500). They also receive control signals transmitted from the management server and control the vibration sensor unit and the flow rate detection unit. As an example, the control unit can control the detection cycle and detection time of the vibration sensor unit and the flow rate detection unit.

[0036] Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of a management server according to the present invention.

[0037] The management server (500) includes a leak signal detection unit (510), a flow rate difference value calculation unit (520), a water pressure control unit (530), a leak location calculation unit (540), and a drive control unit (550).

[0038] The above leak signal detection unit (510) detects a leak signal included in the detected vibration sound wave. The leak signal detection unit detects the leak signal by comparing it with a leak signal that has been previously stored and confirmed as a leak. The comparison between the detected leak signal and the previously stored leak signal can be performed through a similarity comparison. At this time, if the detected leak signal is determined to be a leak, the collected leak signal is transmitted to the drive control unit.

[0039] The above flow rate difference value calculation unit (520) receives the flow rate values ​​of the first point (A) and the second point (B) of the water pipe and calculates the flow rate difference value between the flow rate value of the first point and the flow rate value of the second point. As an example, if a leak occurs between the first point and the second point, the flow rate value of the second point is smaller than the flow rate value of the first point. The flow rate difference value calculation unit outputs a leak confirmation signal to the drive control unit when the flow rate difference value is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value.

[0040] The above water pressure control unit (530) controls the water pressure regulator (300). Depending on the control signal, the water pressure of the water flowing inside the water pipe can be increased or decreased.

[0041] The above leak location calculation unit (540) can calculate the leak location based on the difference in arrival times of vibration sound waves detected from the first and second vibration sensor units and the distance between the first and second vibration sensor units. In one embodiment, the calculation of the leak location can be performed using a cross-correlation method.

[0042] The above-mentioned drive control unit (550) controls the operation of the leak signal detection unit, the flow rate difference value calculation unit, the water pressure control unit, and the leak location calculation unit. The drive control unit receives the vibration sound waves and flow rate values ​​from the first and second points, respectively, and controls the water pressure regulator to determine whether there is a leak. In addition, if a leak is determined, it calculates the leak point of the water pipe, i.e., the leak location.

[0043] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, the operation of the management server configured in this manner will be explained in detail.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a management server according to the present invention in sequence.

[0045] A leak detection method implemented by a management server includes: a step of detecting whether a leak exists from a leak signal and a flow rate difference value (S100); a step of increasing water pressure by driving a water pressure regulator (S200); a step of determining that a leak has occurred if the detected leak signal increases according to the increased water pressure (S300); and a step of calculating the leak location from the leak signal (S400).

[0046] 1. A step of detecting whether there is a leak from a leak signal and a flow rate difference value (S100);

[0047] This step is performed by the leak signal detection unit and the flow rate difference calculation unit. The leak signal detection unit determines whether a leak has occurred by comparing the leak signal with a previously stored leak signal. At this time, the determination of a leak can be performed through similarity comparison. The similarity comparison judgment can be achieved by calculating cross-correlation or convolution.

[0048] If the leakage signal detection unit determines that a leakage signal included in the vibration signal is a signal caused by leakage, it generates a collected leakage signal and transmits the collected leakage signal to the leakage determination unit.

[0049] Additionally, the flow rate difference calculation unit calculates the flow rate difference value by comparing the flow rate at the first point with the flow rate at the second point. The above flow rate difference value may be the value obtained by subtracting the flow rate difference value at the first point from the flow rate value at the first point. In this case, if the calculated flow rate difference value is greater than or equal to a predetermined set reference value, a leak confirmation signal is generated and the leak confirmation signal is transmitted to the drive control unit.

[0050] 2. A step of increasing water pressure by driving a water pressure regulator (S200);

[0051] This step is performed by the drive control unit and the water pressure control unit. When the drive control unit receives a collected leakage signal and a leakage confirmation signal, it transmits a drive signal to the water pressure control unit. The water pressure control unit controls the water pressure regulator using the drive signal. As an example, the water pressure of the water flowing inside the water pipe can be increased by controlling the water pressure regulator.

[0052] 3. A step of determining leakage when the detected leakage signal increases according to the increased water pressure (S300);

[0053] This step is performed by the leak signal detection unit and the drive control unit. When water pressure is increased, the leak signal may manifest as a change in magnitude. Increasing water pressure causes water to flow out from the damaged leak site, and the magnitude of the leak signal increases due to the increased pressure. In contrast, sound waves caused by daily activities and water usage exhibit a response independent of the increase in water pressure.

[0054] The leakage signal detection unit detects a leakage signal and compares the magnitude of the currently detected leakage signal with the magnitude of the previously calculated leakage signal. If the change in the magnitude of the leakage signal exceeds a predetermined allowable value, it is determined to be due to a leakage factor.

[0055] 4. A step of calculating the leak location from the leak signal (S400);

[0056] This step is performed in the leak location calculation unit. The leak location is calculated based on the time difference in arrival of the vibration sound waves and the length of the water pipe. Specifically, the leak location can be calculated based on the time difference in which the vibration sound waves reach the first vibration sensor unit and the second vibration sensor unit, and the distance between the first vibration sensor unit and the second vibration sensor.

[0057] The above leakage location is calculated as follows.

[0058]

[0059] Here, D is the length of the water pipe, c is the propagation speed of the vibration wave in the water pipe, and Δt is the time difference of arrival. d1 is the distance between the first point and the leakage point, d2 is the distance between the leakage point and the second point, and the sum of d1 and d2 is equal to D.

[0060] According to the present invention, when the detected leakage signal and the change in flow rate are presumed to be signals caused by leakage, the water pressure is increased to confirm the leakage signal. If the magnitude of the leakage signal increases due to the increase in water pressure, it is finally determined to be a leakage, and the leakage point is calculated. Therefore, the signal caused by leakage can be reconfirmed, and misjudgment of the leakage signal can be reduced.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described in detail through specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0064] 100 : 1st detector 110,210 : 1st and 2nd vibration sensor units 120,220 : 1st and 2nd flow detection units 130,230 : 1st and 2nd control units 200 : 2nd detector 300 : Water pressure regulator 500 : Management Server 510 : Leakage signal detection unit 520 : Flow rate difference calculation unit 530 : Water pressure control unit 540 : Leakage Location Calculation Unit 550 : Drive control unit

Claims

Claim 1 A leak detection system for detecting a leak location from a water pipe, wherein the system comprises a first detector (100) installed at a first point of the water pipe and detecting a vibration sound wave and a flow rate value, a second detector (200) installed at a second point of the water pipe and detecting a vibration sound wave and a flow rate value, a water pressure regulator (300) that regulates the water pressure of the water pipe, and a management server (500) that is connected to the first detector, the second detector, and the water pressure regulator in communication, wherein the water pressure regulator (300), the first detector (100), and the second detector (200) are installed sequentially from one side of the water pipe to the other, and the management server (500) is configured to increase the water pressure to verify the leak signal when a leak is presumed based on the detected leak signal and the flow rate change value, and to calculate the leak location when the magnitude of the leak signal increases due to the increase in water pressure. Claim 2 A leak detection system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second detectors (100) comprise first and second vibration sensor units (110, 210) for detecting vibration sound waves transmitted to a first point and a second point of a water pipe, first and second flow rate detection units (120, 220) for detecting flow rate values ​​at the first point and the second point of the water pipe, and first and second control units (130, 230) that are communication-connected to a management server and drive the first and second vibration sensor units and the first and second flow rate detection units. Claim 3 A leak detection system according to claim 2, wherein the management server (500) comprises a leak signal detection unit (510) for detecting a leak signal included in the vibration sound wave, a flow rate difference value calculation unit (520) for calculating a flow rate difference value between the flow rate value of the first point and the flow rate value of the second point, a water pressure control unit (530) for controlling the water pressure regulator, a leak location calculation unit (540) for calculating a leak location based on the difference in arrival times of the vibration sound waves detected from the first and second vibration sensor units and the distance between the first and second vibration sensor units, and a drive control unit (550) for controlling the operation of the leak signal detection unit, the flow rate difference value calculation unit, the water pressure control unit, and the leak location calculation unit.

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