Plumbing Leak Detection via Temperature Decay Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Detecting small leaks in plumbing systems is notoriously difficult, as conventional flow sensors often fail to detect flows below a certain threshold, leading to potential water damage and mold growth, with existing technologies relying on temperature and flow differences that are not always reliable.
Innovation Solution
A plumbing analyzer using temperature and pressure sensors, coupled with signal processing and machine learning algorithms, to detect minute flows and differentiate between normal usage and leaks, even when the flow is below the measurable limit of conventional sensors, by analyzing temperature and pressure decay patterns over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flow sensors are used to detect leaks, then they can measure noticeable flooding, but they fail to detect small leaks below a certain threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical flow sensors with a thermal sensing system that uses temperature sensors to detect heat transfer caused by water movement. This substitution allows detection of extremely small leaks (as low as 0.06 gpm) that are below the detection threshold of conventional mechanical flow sensors, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and detectability.
2Reliability
If temperature and flow difference methods are used, then leak detection can be attempted, but the method is not always reliable and produces false results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from analyzing temperature and flow differences in the time domain to analyzing temperature signatures in the frequency domain using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). This dimensional transformation allows the system to distinguish between normal usage patterns and actual leaks more reliably, improving detection accuracy while managing algorithmic complexity through well-established signal processing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter being analyzed from raw temperature values to frequency-domain characteristics of temperature variations. By examining the spectral content of temperature signals rather than absolute temperature differences, the system achieves more reliable leak detection that is less susceptible to false positives from normal plumbing operations.
3Measurement precision
If flow sensors are used during periods of inactivity, then they can measure water usage, but they cannot distinguish between small leaks and normal usage below minimum measurable flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flow-based measurement with thermal-based measurement, allowing detection of water movement at rates far below the minimum measurable flow of conventional sensors. The temperature sensors detect the thermal signature of water flow through heat exchange with the surrounding environment, enabling detection of leaks as small as 0.06 gpm without losing information about small-scale water movement.
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
Effectively detects small leaks as low as 0.06 gpm, providing early warning of potential water damage and mold growth, while minimizing false alarms through advanced signal processing and statistical approaches.
Implementation Method 1
One or more temperature and pressure sensors are thermally coupled to the liquids within the plumbing
Implementation Method 2
Temperature will generally decay in a particular predicable way when there is flow as the temperature of water upon entry to the building is lower than the air temperature within the building
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for detecting small leaks in a plumbing system is disclosed. A temperature sensor coupled to the water in the plumbing system is used to determine if there is a leak. During times of inactivity for fixtures in the plumbing systems, a flow sensor might measure usage of water that would indicate a leak. For very small leaks, the flow is below a minimum measurable flow of the flow sensor. Embodiments of the invention measure temperature of water within a pipe coupled to the plumbing system. Temperature will generally decay in a particular predicable way when there is flow as the temperature of water upon entry to the building is lower than the air temperature within the building. Signal processing, machine learning and/or statistical approaches are used to analyze the temperature and optionally flow and/or pressure over time to determine when a leak is likely.