DE102011055642B4 - Method and apparatus for preventing damage from leaks in pressurized open flow tubes - Google Patents

Abstract

Proposed is a method for preventing damage from leaks in pressurized open flow tubes, comprising (a1) equipping a flow tube S, which is traversed by liquid or gaseous substances, immediately after the feed point E1 of the media with a shut-off device A ( a2) following the flow direction, in the immediate vicinity of the shut-off device A, a primary flow meter D1 is installed, (a3) at least one secondary flow meter D2 installed before each material removal station E2, with the proviso (b1) that the shut-off device A and each of the flow meters D1 and D2 are connected to each other (b2) the primary flow meter D1 and each of the secondary flow meter D2 give a signal to the controller SR when a defined substance flow rate is exceeded, and (b3) the controller SR closes the shut-off device A, provided that not at egg the signal of the primary flow meter D1 receives another signal from at least one of the secondary flow meter D2.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of installation technology and relates to a method for preventing damage from media that leak uncontrollably and unintentionally from pressurized open flow tubes. In particular, the invention relates to a method for preventing damage by water pipe breakage.

STATE OF THE ART

Both in technology and in the home area, there are a variety of types of flow tubes in operation, which are traversed by a variety of liquid, pasty or gaseous media. The systems are usually under a pressure, for example from 2 to 10 bar, in order to ensure that the systems have a sufficiently high flow rate and that the media at the removal stations can also be easily removed. A distinction is made between open and closed systems. Examples of open systems are water pipes or gas pipelines, the typical closed systems include all types of cooling or heating circuits in which the medium as the name suggests it is not continuously fed, but a constant amount is circulated.

If leaks occur in closed flow tubes, although this is undesirable in any case and, with the exception of exceptions (such as the discharge of radioactively charged cooling water from the cooling system of a nuclear power plant), the consequences are manageable, since the quantity of leaking medium is limited , In open systems, in which the medium is replenished, as long as the discharge is not noticed and the inflow is stopped, this is naturally different. If the leak is not noticed, for example, because the break is located in an inaccessible place and the outflowing medium insured directly in the ground or just no one is present, who can optically take note of the damage, the damage can be enormous.

The reasons for such leaks are quite different: cracks or breaks caused by freezing and thawing, material or manufacturing defects, pressure surges, corrosion, fatigue or careless handling (for example in civil engineering works in road construction) are the most prominent causes.

Leaks or breaks in gas-carrying flow tubes can have catastrophic consequences, in particular if mixtures formed with atmospheric oxygen form ignitable mixtures or if gases (eg carbon monoxide) leak out that are themselves poisonous. In contrast, from a health point of view, water pipe ruptures are certainly rather uncritical, but invading germs can contaminate the drinking water supply. In the event of major damage, however, under-flushing threatens, which can result in sudden subsidence. Well-known is the example of the Kölner Stadtarchiv, which is sunk by submerging a subway construction site from one moment to the next and has torn two people to their deaths.

In the domestic area, water pipe ruptures usually have no such dramatic consequences, but the consequences are unpleasant enough: here are mainly foxing, mold and the consequences for household effects. Reason enough in any case, to think about how the consequences of such leaks can be reliably avoided and, more specifically, how leaks can be detected automatically and quickly, so that the supply of further flow medium is prevented before it comes to a serious loss.

The prior art methods are essentially concerned with providing solutions against the progressive corrosion of pipes. Known is the so-called "Tiptal" method in which an aluminum anode depending on the water flow rate aluminum ions releases to the water and in this way an aluminum hydroxide layer is produced on the pipe inner wall, which should cover at least in theory also corrosion foci. Apart from the fact that the procedure is too expensive for private households and that there is no authorization for use in drinking water systems, the results are unsatisfactory in practice. In the worst case, the pipes grow through an Al (OH) ₃ coating, and this process does not help with other causes of pipe bursts. The same applies to a subsequent phosphating of the pipe systems.

Stadtwerke Karlsruhe offers a system in which water consumption is monitored continuously via a meter. If a daily limit value is exceeded, the owner is notified by SMS (see http://www.stadtwerkekarlsruhe.de/swka-de/PDF/Service/Infomaterial/Produkte/Trinkwasser_Leckageueberwachung._pdf). However, the system can at most be regarded as a warning function. Apart from that, a real breach after one day can have caused a lot of damage before the first warning arrives.

From the German utility model DE 20107717 U a safety device for shutting off the water supply in a water pipe break is known, in which one builds a shut-off valve in the water supply, which is automatically actuated by a control unit with timer and flow meter when a predetermined flow time limit is exceeded. However, the method in turn requires the specification of a limit value, which must of course be so high that is not interrupted at every major removal of the inflow, but in the case of a real burst pipe is again so large that a great deal of damage may occur. Damage that only escapes small amounts, but over a longer period of time, will not be registered in this way.

Also the German utility model DE 10 2006 002360 U has a system for the purpose of avoiding consequential damage to leaks in water pipes. It is registered by a flow meter when water flows. This information is transmitted to a monitoring device which opens a time window. If the water flow is stopped within this adjustable time window, the time monitoring is also stopped and reset; otherwise the further water flow is interrupted by a shut-off valve. However, the method works again with the requirement that a limit must be exceeded in order to trigger a reaction of the monitoring device. It will not prevent large masses of water from causing damage before the threshold activates the lock mechanism, nor can it detect small leaks and prevent their damage.

The present patent application is therefore based on the object to provide a method that manages without exceeding a limit to be determined and the inflow, by flowing media in pressurized open flow tubes or flow systems prevents as soon as an undesirable exit of the relevant Medium occurs. This should in particular include those leaks in which the loss of flowing medium per unit time is relatively small, but certainly over a longer period of time in which the leakage is not detected summed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

• (a1) ein Strömungsrohr S, das von flüssigen oder gasförmigen Stoffen durchflossen wird, unmittelbar nach der Einspeisungsstelle E1 der Medien mit einer Absperrvorrichtung A ausstattet,
• (a2) der Strömungsrichtung folgend in unmittelbarer Nähe der Absperrvorrichtung A einen primären Durchflussmesser D1 installiert,
• (a3) vor jeder Stoffentnahmestation E2 mindestens einen sekundären Durchflussmesser D2 installiert, mit der Maßgabe,
• (b1) dass die Absperrvorrichtung A sowie jede der Durchflussmesser D1 und D2 miteinander über eine Steuerung mit Regelkreis SR verbunden sind,
• (b2) wobei der primäre Durchflussmesser D1 sowie jeder der sekundären Durchflussmesser D2 bei Überschreiten eines Stoffdurchsatzes von 0,1 bis 0,8 l/min ein Signal an die Steuerung SR gibt,
• (b3) die Steuerung die Absperrvorrichtung A schließt, sofern sie nicht bei Eingang des Signals des primären Durchflussmessers D1 ein weiteres Signal von mindestens einem der sekundären Durchflussmesser D2 erhält, und
• (b4) die sekundären Durchflussmesser D2 nach Überschreiten des Durchflussgrenzwertes bis zum folgenden Unterschreiten des Grenzwertes, also über den gesamten Entnahmezeitraum, ein Signal an die Steuerung SR geben und diese nach Überschreiten eines vorgegebenen Zeitfensters die der Entnahmestation nächste Absperrvorrichtung A schließt oder einen Alarm auslöst.

The invention relates to a method for preventing damage from leaks in pressurized open flow tubes, in which one

• (a1) a flow pipe S through which liquid or gaseous substances flow is equipped with a shut-off device A immediately after the feed point E1 of the media,
• (a2) following the flow direction in the immediate vicinity of the shut-off device A, a primary flow meter D1 is installed,
• (a3) at least one secondary flow meter D2 installed before each material removal station E2, with the proviso that
• (b1) that the shut-off device A and each of the flow meters D1 and D2 are connected to each other via a control circuit SR,
• (b2) the primary flowmeter D1 and each of the secondary flowmeters D2 giving a signal to the controller SR when a mass flow rate of 0.1 to 0.8 l / min is exceeded,
• (b3) the controller closes the shut-off device A unless it receives another signal from at least one of the secondary flow meters D2 upon receipt of the primary flow meter signal D1, and
• (b4) the secondary flow meter D2 after exceeding the flow limit until the following below the limit, ie over the entire sampling period, give a signal to the controller SR and this closes after exceeding a predetermined time window of the removal station next shut-off device A or triggers an alarm.

The proposed method solves the task described above in a complete and not previously described manner. Through the communication between a first central flow measuring device in the immediate vicinity of the feed point of the flowing media and a second group of measuring devices each directly at the sampling stations is determined with the least time delay, whether the supply of flowing medium and a decrease in a proposed removal station faces. If the monitoring station receives the information that the medium is being conveyed and this is not confirmed by the information from one of the measuring stations at the sampling points, the closing mechanism is automatically actuated. Namely, such a situation means that no medium flowing at any regular sampling station is taken out regularly and thus there is a "non-regular sampling" or, in other words, a break or leakage in the flow tube. By setting the flow rate from which the central measuring station sends its message to the monitoring unit and then waits for the response of the secondary measuring stations, it can be set from which loss amount - and thus from what extent of leakage - the automatic inflow interruption begins.

Pouring media

The present invention is in principle applicable to all open and pressurized systems in which the flowing media are liquid or gaseous or at least pasty, so can be conveyed under pressure through a flow tube or a system of flow tubes. Typical examples are gases, such as natural gas, methane, ethane, propane, butane, carbon oxides, but also oxygen, nitrogen, noble gases or chlorine. In the liquid media is naturally water in the foreground, but it is also oil in question and all liquid starting materials, intermediates or end products of the chemical industry, including pasty slurries, such as those incurred in tertiary oil production. Preferably, the pressurized open flow tubes are water or (earth) gas lines.

Shut-off devices

Suitable shut-off devices are all types of components which are capable of closing or sealing a flow tube by means of corresponding electrical pulses or radio signals, so that the further inflow of the flowing medium can be prevented quickly and reliably even under the prevailing pressure conditions. Typically, this will be a corresponding valve or a closable throttle. Preferably, as a shut-off device, a commercially available solenoid valve can be used.

Flowmeters

The choice of flowmeters is also not critical per se. The requirement, however, is that they are able, from a predetermined flow rate, corresponding binary information in the sense of "yes / no", "plus / minus" or "on / off" to a monitoring device with a connected control loop ("control ") Forward. This can be done via a power line or by radio signals including G3 or G4 systems. Basically, a distinction is made between mechanical and electronic flow meters. The former are further subdivided into speed and volumetric gauges, while the latter are essentially ultrasonic or magnetic inductive meters. Examples of mechanical measuring instruments are swashplate counters, oval wheel flowmeters, Wollmann water meters, variable area flowmeters, and in particular - and preferably - impeller meters. The measuring devices can be flanged or unbolted onto the flow tubes, but they are preferably inserted directly into the flow tubes. Straight impellers are now available in such small dimensions that they can be used directly in the perforators at the removal stations. The connection between the measuring devices can be made via electrical lines - preferably when reinstalling - or by radio, which then becomes interesting when it comes to retrofitting. Usually produce, for example, impeller in operation by induction enough energy to transmit wireless signals without external power supply can. The triggering of a signal to the monitoring device is usually triggered when a defined throughput per unit time is exceeded, for example at a limit in the range of 0.1 to 0.8 and preferably 0.2 to 0.5 l / min.

flow systems

As already described at the outset, suitable flow pipes are in particular pipelines, as well as municipal or domestic gas and especially water pipes. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flow tube forms a branched system, namely, for example, a system of water-carrying pipes, which branch from the feed point to various removal stations. In this case, it is advantageous if the system contains an additional flow meter and an additional shut-off device before and / or after each branching. In this way, it is not necessary for leakages to shut off the entire system, but only the area between the last in the flow direction flowmeter that signals the flow of the medium and the subsequent secondary measuring stations that record no corresponding removal. Such a system can be used in particular when the supply of water or gas to different floors of a residential building to be monitored.

Control and control circuit

The control of the shut-off device (s) via electrical signals or radio pulses. It is based on a simple control loop in which a signal from the primary flow meter triggers a simple yes / no query, if at least one of the secondary flow meter within a reasonable time window, so for example within 5 to 60 and preferably 20 to 30 seconds also sent a signal Has. If the first message is answered with a second message, this means that medium is withdrawn at a sampling station and further inflow is required. If the feedback fails, this means that no extraction station has been opened and thus medium flows out at a point where this is not desired. Obviously there is thus a leakage or even a breakage of the flow tube. In this case, the controller gives the command to the appropriate shut-off device to interrupt the further inflow.

In a further preferred embodiment, the secondary flow meters are designed so that they give a signal to the controller after exceeding the flow limit until the next below the limit, ie over the entire sampling period. If a predetermined time window, for example 10, 20, 30 or even 60 minutes is exceeded, this means that the flowing medium is removed at a proper removal station, but over an unusually long period of time. Thus, there is a risk that the removal station has not been accidentally closed again, which means that the controller is also again the command to a shut-off device to interrupt the further inflow of the medium or alternatively activates an alarm device. If a shut-off is made, then the solenoid valve is closed, that the sampling station is closest. If an alarm is triggered then indicate the location of the secondary measuring station where the sampling takes place. Typical application examples are faucets that have been forgotten to close or toilet flushes that run on flow. Such an embodiment of the invention is of particular interest to hotels or public institutions.

contraption

• (a1) ein Strömungsrohr S, das unmittelbar nach der Einspeisungsstelle E1 der Medien mit einer Absperrvorrichtung A ausgestattet ist,
• (a2) einem primären Durchflussmesser D1, welcher der Strömungsrichtung folgend in unmittelbarer Nähe der Absperrvorrichtung A installiert ist, sowie
• (a3) weiteren sekundären Durchflussmessern D2, die jeweils vor jeder Entnahmestation E2 installiert sind, mit der Maßgabe,
• (b1) dass die Absperrvorrichtung A sowie jede der Durchflussmesser D1 und D2 miteinander über eine Steuerung mit Regelkreis SR verbunden sind,
• (b2) wobei der primäre Durchflussmesser D1 sowie jeder der sekundären Durchflussmesser D2 bei Überschreiten eines Stoffdurchsatzes von 0,1 bis 0,8 l/min ein Signal an die Steuerung SR gibt,
• (b3) die Steuerung die Absperrvorrichtung A schließt, sofern sie nicht bei Eingang des Signals des primären Durchflussmessers D1 ein weiteres Signal von mindestens einem der sekundären Durchflussmesser D2 erhält, und
• (b4) die sekundären Durchflussmesser D2 nach Überschreiten des Durchflussgrenzwertes bis zum folgenden Unterschreiten des Grenzwertes, also über den gesamten Entnahmezeitraum, ein Signal an die Steuerung SR geben und diese nach Überschreiten eines vorgegebenen Zeitfensters die der Entnahmestation nächste Absperrvorrichtung A schließt oder einen Alarm auslöst.

Another object of the present invention relates to a device complementary to the method described above for preventing damage from leaks in pressurized open flow tubes, comprising

• (a1) a flow pipe S, which is equipped with a shut-off device A immediately after the feed point E1 of the media,
• (a2) a primary flow meter D1, which is installed following the flow direction in the immediate vicinity of the shut-off device A, as well as
• (a3) further secondary flow meters D2, which are installed before each removal station E2, with the proviso,
• (b1) that the shut-off device A and each of the flow meters D1 and D2 are connected to each other via a control circuit SR,
• (b2) the primary flowmeter D1 and each of the secondary flowmeters D2 giving a signal to the controller SR when a mass flow rate of 0.1 to 0.8 l / min is exceeded,
• (b3) the controller closes the shut-off device A unless it receives another signal from at least one of the secondary flow meters D2 upon receipt of the primary flow meter signal D1, and
• (b4) the secondary flow meter D2 after exceeding the flow limit until the following below the limit, ie over the entire sampling period, give a signal to the controller SR and this closes after exceeding a predetermined time window of the removal station next shut-off device A or triggers an alarm.

Claims (9)

A method for preventing damage from leaks in pressurized open flow tubes, comprising (a1) a flow tube 5 , which is traversed by liquid or gaseous substances, equips immediately after the feed point E1 of the media with a shut-off device A (a2) following the flow direction in the immediate vicinity of the shut-off device A a primary flow meter D1 installed, (a3) before each substance removal station E2 at least one (b1) the shut-off device A and each of the flow meters D1 and D2 are connected to each other via a control circuit SR, (b2) the primary flow meter D1 and each of the secondary flow meters D2 being exceeded Substance flow rate of 0.1 to 0.8 l / min gives a signal to the controller SR, (b3) the controller closes the shut-off device A, unless it receives another signal from at least one of the secondary flowmeters upon receipt of the primary flow meter signal D1 D2, and (b4) the secondary rates Lussmesser D2 after exceeding the flow limit until the next below the limit value, ie over the entire sampling period, give a signal to the controller SR and this closes after exceeding a predetermined time window of the removal station next shut-off device A or triggers an alarm. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is the pressurized open flow tubes to water or gas lines. Process according to claims 1 and / or 2, characterized in that a solenoid valve is used as the shut-off device. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one uses as a flow meter impeller. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that one uses the flow meter in the flow tubes. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the shut-off device and the flow meter are connected to the controller by electrical lines or radio. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flow tube forms a branched system which leads to different removal stations. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the branched system additionally contains before and / or after each branch an additional flow meter and an additional shut-off device. A device for preventing damage from leaks in pressurized open flow tubes, comprising (a1) a flow pipe S, which is equipped with a shut-off device A immediately after the feed point E1 of the media, (a2) a primary flow meter D1, which is installed following the flow direction in the immediate vicinity of the shut-off device A, as well as (a3) further secondary flow meters D2, which are installed before each removal station E2, with the proviso (b1) that the shut-off device A and each of the flow meters D1 and D2 are connected to each other via a control circuit SR, (b2) the primary flowmeter D1 and each of the secondary flowmeters D2 giving a signal to the controller SR when a mass flow rate of 0.1 to 0.8 l / min is exceeded, (b3) the controller closes the shut-off device A unless it receives another signal from at least one of the secondary flow meters D2 upon receipt of the primary flow meter signal D1, and (b4) the secondary flow meter D2 after exceeding the flow limit until the following below the limit, ie over the entire sampling period, give a signal to the controller SR and this closes after exceeding a predetermined time window of the removal station next shut-off device A or triggers an alarm.

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