FR2763394A1 - Leak-detecting device for liquid supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

The device uses a U-shaped pipe (7) which has both ends teed into the main supply pipe (3) upstream of a meter (2) and which is measuring consumption to a user or users. A section (11) of the U shaped pipe is made from transparent plastic and contains a float (19). A probe (16) comprising a thin tube runs inside the pipework from the meter (2) to a nozzle (19) within a flow measuring valve (9) and gauge (17) at the top of the transparent section (11). If the installation being examined has a leak, water passes from the meter (2) along the tube (16) and through the nozzle (18) displacing the float (19) which becomes visible.

Description

 Leak detection device in a liquid fluid supply installation.

 The distribution of water in particular to individuals in both apartment buildings and in individual dwellings is carried out from the municipal network by pipelines diverted towards a meter, then from there to the dwelling itself by other pipes.

 It may happen that leaks occur in this circuit between the meter and the supply points, without the user noticing it except by careful examination of the meter, which in the event of a leak, and out of everything drawing water, turns more or less depending on the extent of the leak.

 Most often, the meters are either housed in outdoor closets (collective housing) or buried at the edge of the property (individual housing), which, we understand, does not facilitate the control of any leaks.

 However, even a small leak in the installation, can take on significant proportions in terms of damage when it is not detected quickly. In addition, the m3 of water today reaches a prohibitive price because of the various parameters entering into its composition (sanitation, taxes) and it is therefore essential not only to save it, but also to avoid any overconsumption because leaks.

 On the basis of these observations, it was intended according to the invention to offer users a simple, rational and rapid means of checking possible leaks.

 For this, and according to a first characteristic, the fluid leak detection device consists essentially of a pipe mounted as a bypass of the main pipe of the installation upstream of a meter; said pipe being equipped with a visual leakage control member acting in relation to a probe connected to the meter.

 According to another characteristic, the visual leakage control member is constituted by a free float and judiciously determined to move up and down along a transparent area of the branched pipe under the action of the detection probe, this when a leak appears in the installation causing the passage of fluid in the probe and in said branch pipe.

 These characteristics and others will emerge from the description which follows.

 To set the subject of the invention without however limiting it, in the accompanying drawings.

 Figure 1 is a general schematic view showing the device according to the invention integrated in a water distribution installation.

 Figure 2 is a partial sectional view illustrating the main elements of the device according to the invention.

 Figure 3 is a partial sectional view showing the movement of the float under the effect of a leak.

 In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting embodiment illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

 In Figure 1, we see the water distribution installation comprising in known manner a pipe (1) from the municipal network and connecting to a meter (2), with shut-off valve (6). Upstream, the meter is connected to the main pipe (3) supplying the various distribution points and on which are possibly arranged members such as anti-pollution valve (4), water hammer (5).

 The device (D) according to the invention is interposed on the main pipe (3) upstream of the meter, at a point easily and perfectly visible to the user. For example, the device can be arranged in a kitchen in the case of a collective building or else in the basement, in a garage in particular, in the case of an individual dwelling.

The device consists of a branch pipe (7) comprising successively and as an example downstream upstream: a starting tube (8) provided with a valve (9) for measuring the flow and a connector (10) to which a tube made of transparent plastic material (11) or the like is connected in leaktight manner, connected at the other end, also in leaktight manner to a second connector (12) to which a bent return tube is fixed (13) which is connected to the main pipeline (3) by a third fitting (14) and an end tube (15)
Of course, this configuration of the derivation may be different, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

 A probe (16), in the form of a thin pipe made of food-grade plastic, is housed in the main pipe (3) at the level of the meter, and passes through the valve (9) and the connector (10). and opens out at a gauge (17) integrated into the fitting (8) by being connected to a nozzle (18).

 In the transparent tube (11) located between the two connectors (8 and 12), is disposed a free float (19) which, when said tube (11) is filled with water, is in contact with the nozzle (18) and hidden above the tube (11). This float is judiciously calculated in weight and dimensions as a function of the inside diameter of the probe and the diameter of the nozzle, so that the sensitivity of the mechanism is very close to that of the counter.

 In the event of a leak in the installation, and apart from any drawing of water, the probe (16) fills with water, which via the nozzle (18) pushes the float (19) towards the low in the transparent tube, more or less depending on the size of the leak, thus making it possible to quickly detect and visualize the leak without any tedious manipulation.

 It is not excluded that the device according to the invention is integrated into the meter itself if the latter is placed in an easily accessible location.

 On the other hand, a similar device can be designed and adapted for other liquid fluids, for example in dairies, in the cooling circuits of machine tools, in distilleries ...

Claims (5)

 - 1 - Leak detection device in a liquid fluid supply installation, characterized in that it consists essentially of a pipe (7) mounted as a bypass of the main pipe (3) of the installation upstream of 'a counter (2); said pipe (7) being equipped with a visual control member (19) for leakage acting in relation to a detection probe (16) connected to the meter.  -2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the visual leakage control member consists of a free float (19) judiciously determined to move up and down along a transparent area (11) of the branch pipe (7) under the action of the detection probe (16), this when a leak, even a small one, appears in the installation causing the passage of the fluid in the probe and said branch pipe.  -3- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the transparent reading zone is constituted by a plastic or other transparent tube, tightly connected to two fittings (10-12) of the branch pipe (7).  -4- Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the connector (10) for connection with the transparent tube (11) is equipped with a valve (9) for measuring the flow, a gauge (17), and receives the end of the probe (16) arranged with a nozzle (18).  -5- Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the probe (16) is made in the form of a thin pipe of food plastic.