Segmented Leakage Protection with Remote Flow Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leakage protection systems in large buildings, such as apartment complexes, struggle to detect and manage leaks effectively due to high flow rates and the complexity of hydraulic systems, often resulting in late detection of water damage and difficulty in localizing mini leaks.
Innovation Solution
A centralized network server communicates with individual leakage protection fittings at each tapping point, allowing for remote parameter setting and control via a user-friendly interface, enabling automatic shut-off and notification of leaks, and utilizing flow meters and pressure sensors to monitor flow conditions without interfering with hydraulic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire main line is shut off in the event of a leak, then leakage protection is improved, but water supply to all consumers is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by dividing the water distribution network into multiple independent zones, each with its own shut-off valve. When a leak is detected in one zone, only the shut-off valve for that specific zone is activated, while other zones continue to receive water supply. This resolves the contradiction between effective leakage protection and maintaining water supply continuity for unaffected consumers.
2Measurement precision
If flow rates are monitored at the main line, then leakage detection is improved, but the system cannot localize mini leaks in large buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large building's water network into multiple smaller monitoring zones, each equipped with its own flow meter and shut-off valve. This segmentation allows the system to detect leaks in each zone independently and localize them to specific areas of the building. Instead of monitoring the entire main line as one unit, the segmented approach enables precise identification of leak locations while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to leak detection by distributing multiple flow meters throughout the building across different zones and floors. This transforms the monitoring system from a single-point measurement at the main line to a distributed multi-point measurement network, enabling three-dimensional localization of leaks within the building structure.
3Ease of operation
If maximum flow rate thresholds are set high to allow simultaneous water consumption, then ease of operation is improved, but detection of leaks is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water network into multiple zones, each with its own flow rate monitoring and shut-off capability. This allows the system to set appropriate flow rate thresholds for each zone independently, enabling flexible water consumption within each zone while maintaining sensitive leak detection. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing high overall flow capacity while maintaining low detection thresholds in each zone.
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
This solution allows for early detection and localized shut-off of leaks, reducing water damage and enabling efficient management of hydraulic systems, while also providing data for quality control and maintenance optimization.
Implementation Method 1
a flow meter is provided in the fitting which determines a flow rate of the water flowing through the fitting
Implementation Method 2
at least one additional pressure sensor is provided in the fitting which measures a pressure of the water in the fitting
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A leakage protection arrangement with at least two valve parts (14, 16, 18, 20; 230; 234, 236; 312; 412) for installation in a water installation upstream of one or more taps (306, 308); is characterized by a turbine or other flow meter (72; 110; 160; 256; 280; 300) assigned to each of the valve parts, which generates signals representing the flow through the associated valve part, and a shut-off device (50; 107; 128; 148; 260; 296; 318; 418) arranged in each of the valve parts for interrupting the water supply in the water installation; and each a separate control unit (10; 210; 320; 420) for each valve part with a signal processing unit actuated by the signals of the turbine or the other flow meter (72; 110; 160; 256; 280; 300) for detecting atypical and/or undesirable flow conditions in the water installation and for actuating the shut-off valve (50; 107; 128; 148; 260; 296; 318; 418);wherein each of the control units (10; 210; 320; 420) has its own communication unit, via which the leakage protection arrangement can be remotely adjusted by means of a user terminal device with a communication unit and communication between the control units (10; 210; 320; 420) can be established.