PRV Outlet Pressure Monitoring for Building Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leak detection methods for pressure reducing valves (PRVs) in water systems require shutting off the water supply to identify leaks, causing inconvenience and are not effective for small, sustained leaks, and do not monitor the health of the PRV or larger pressure control valves.
Innovation Solution
A leak detection system using a pressure regulating valve (PRV) with outlet and inlet pressure sensors and a processor to monitor pressure changes, detecting leaks without shutting off the water supply by identifying pressure deviations below the lockup pressure but above the setpoint, and incorporating an isolation valve to update the lockup pressure and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If water supply is shut off to detect leaks, then leak detection accuracy is improved, but user convenience deteriorates and continuous monitoring is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of shutting off water supply with a sensor-based pressure monitoring system. Pressure sensors continuously monitor the pressure differential across the PRV, and a processor analyzes pressure changes to detect leaks, eliminating the need to shut off water supply while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous leak detection by maintaining constant pressure monitoring through sensors that operate throughout the water supply system. The processor continuously analyzes pressure data, allowing uninterrupted detection of leaks without periodic shutdowns, thus maintaining continuous useful action of both water supply and leak detection.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional leak detection methods are used, then large leaks can be detected, but small sustained leaks remain undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from pressure sensors to continuously monitor pressure changes across the PRV. The processor analyzes these pressure feedback signals to detect even small sustained leaks by identifying subtle pressure differentials that traditional methods miss, enabling detection across the full range of leak sizes.
3Reliability
If pressure monitoring is implemented, then leak detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure monitoring system serves multiple functions: it detects leaks, monitors PRV health, tracks pressure differentials, and provides system diagnostics. By making the pressure monitoring system universal and multi-functional, the patent justifies the added complexity through enhanced reliability and additional capabilities beyond simple leak detection.
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
Enables continuous leak detection and monitoring of PRV health without shutting off the water supply, effectively identifying small leaks and PRV failures, and can be used for both standalone and larger pressure control valves, providing real-time insights into water usage and plumbing system health.
Implementation Method 1
An outlet pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to the PRV outlet to measure a PRV outlet pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A leak detection system for a building includes a pressure regulating valve (PRV) having a PRV inlet and a PRV outlet. The PRV is normally operative in a best operating range mode during flow conditions, and a PRV pressure at a lockup pressure during a no flow condition. An outlet pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to the PRV outlet to measure a PRV outlet pressure. A processor is operatively coupled to the outlet pressure sensor. A pressure monitoring process runs on the processor. The pressure monitoring process detects changes in pressure at the PRV outlet when the PRV pressure falls below the lockup pressure while remaining above a setpoint pressure to give an indicia of a building leak condition. A method to give an indicia of a building leak condition is also described.