Plumbing Dye Injection Manifolds for Rapid Leak Source Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Identifying the source of water leaks in a home is difficult and delays in detection can lead to increased damage and costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
A plumbing system with integrated manifold assemblies and standalone injection devices that introduce dyes into the water supply, allowing visual differentiation between water from leaking pipes and other sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dye injection devices are integrated into the plumbing system, then leak detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dye storage reservoir, injection mechanism, and manifold assembly into an integrated leak detection system. The injection device merges multiple functions (dye storage, pressurization, and distribution) into a single unified apparatus that connects to the plumbing manifold, thereby improving leak detection capability while managing system complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both a water distribution manifold for the plumbing system and an injection system for dye delivery. The same manifold body distributes both potable water to fixtures and injects dye into the water supply for leak detection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated injection infrastructure and reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple dyes are used to differentiate water sources, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different colored dyes to different manifolds or pipe zones to create local differentiation. Each manifold or zone receives a unique dye color (e.g., blue for one zone, green for another), allowing visual identification of which specific zone or pipe is leaking. This localized quality approach enables precise source differentiation without requiring complex centralized control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates rapid identification of leaking pipes by changing the color of water stains, distinguishing them from other sources of water damage and aiding in fault determination for insurance claims.
Implementation Method 1
The manifold injection device includes a reservoir filled with an aqueous solution including a dye and an injection assembly having a first end in fluid communication with the reservoir and a second end in fluid communication with the interior manifold cavity. The manifold injection device can inject the aqueous solution including the dye from the reservoir into the interior manifold cavity.
Implementation Method 2
an injection device for use in a plumbing system, where the plumbing system includes a pipe having an interior pipe cavity, includes a reservoir filled with an aqueous solution including a dye, and an injection assembly having a first end in fluid communication with the reservoir and a second end in fluid communication with the interior pipe cavity of the pipe. The injection device can inject the aqueous solution including the dye from the reservoir into the interior pipe cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for identifying the sources of leaking water in a home or other facility. In particular, the embodiments provide devices that can dye water in a plumbing system to provide a visual indicator of water that has leaked from a pipe. These include manifold assemblies with integrated injection devices, as well as stand-alone injection devices that can be coupled to individual pipes and/or pipe connectors.