WO2008009032A2

WO2008009032A2 - A valve arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2008009032A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2007/000041
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lenka Elias Mojau; Ludrick Johannes Barnard
Original assignee: Lenka Elias Mojau; Ludrick Johannes Barnard
Priority date: 2006-07-12
Filing date: 2007-07-11
Publication date: 2008-01-17
Also published as: WO2008009032A3; ZA200900864B

Abstract

The invention provides a valve arrangement (10) which has a first fluid flow connector (22) which is engageable with a first flow meter (23) which is in communication with a fluid supply network (16), an electronic processor (24) which is connected to the first connector, a timer means (56) which is in communication with the processor and a valve member connector (26) which is engageable with a valve member (27) which is in communication with the network and which is controlled by the processor.

Description

A VALVE ARRANGEMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a valve arrangement and a method of controlling fluid flow in a fluid supply network by way of the valve arrangement.

[0002] Fresh water is a scarce resource and the costs for supplying purified and fresh water in arid parts of the world is high.

[0003] Different industries and households use water in varying quantities and the flow rate of water to a specific location might vary depending on various factors. Wastage of water often occurs as a result of leaking pipes, valves and taps. These types of leaks are often small which result in the water flowing from the supply network at a low, but constant rate. Alternatively catastrophic failure of the supply network, such as the bursting of a pipe can result in large quantities of water flowing from the supply network at a high rate and within a short period.

[0004] It is important to conserve water and to minimise water loss through leaks as this improve the sustainability of the resource and reduce costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention aims to provide a valve arrangement and a method of controlling fluid flow which might assist in the conservation of fluids such as water.

[0006] The invention provides a valve arrangement which includes at least a first fluid flow connector which is engageable with a first flow meter which is in communication with a fluid supply network, an electronic processor which is connected to the first connector, a timer means which is in communication with the processor and a valve member connector which is engageable with a valve member which is in communication with the network and which is controlled by the processor.

[0007] The first flow meter may be in the form of an electronic sensor, a magnetic sensor or a mechanical device and the network may be in the form of a liquid supply network for liquids such as water.

[0008] The processor is preferably programmable.

[0009] The timer means may be in the form of an electronic timer.

[0010] The valve member is preferably actuated by the processor based on data supplied to the processor from the first flow meter. The valve member may be closed by the processor in the event that the first flow meter measures a first flow rate in the network which is below a predetermined minimum rate for a predetermined first maximum period or if the first flow meter measures a second flow rate in the network which is above a predetermined maximum rate for a predetermined second maximum period.

[0011] The valve arrangement may include memory means which is in communication with the processor and on which data can be stored.

[0012] The valve arrangement may include a power supply which is connected to the processor. [0013] The valve arrangement may include an override means and a reset means which are in communication with the processor.

[0014] The valve arrangement may include a second fluid flow meter connector which is engageable with a second flow meter which is in communication with the network and which is connected to the processor and wherein the valve member is closed by the processor in the event that the first flow meter measures a first flow rate which remains below a predetermined minimum rate for a predetermined first maximum period or if the second flow meter measures a second flow rate which remains above a predetermined maximum rate for a predetermined second maximum period.

[0015] The invention further provides a method of controlling flow of a fluid in a fluid supply network which includes the steps of:

(a) a valve arrangement of the aforementioned kind engaging with the network;

(b) measuring the occurrence of fluid flow in the network at the first flow meteη and

(c) closing the valve member in the event that the fluid flow continues for a predetermined first maximum period.

[0016] The fluid may be a gas or a liquid such as water.

[0017] The first fluid flow meter may measure the flow rate of the fluid in the network at a first flow rate range. The first flow rate range may be between 0 and 2 litres per minute. [0018] The method may include the step of actuating the valve member by way of an electronic processor.

[0019] The method may include the step of engaging a second fluid flow meter to the network. The second flow meter may measure the flow rate of the fluid in the network within a second flow rate range. The second flow rate range may be between 15 and

30 litres per minute.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a valve arrangement according to the invention; and

Figure 2 is a graph of water flow rates in an example of household consumption.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a valve arrangement 10 which has a housing 12 which is attached to a conduit 14 which forms part of a water supply network 16.

[0022] The housing 12 is made from any appropriate plastics material and protects internal components of the arrangement 10 from damage.

[0023] The conduit 14 is in this example in the form of a pipe which connects a water supply 18 to a downstream user facility or household 20. [0024] The arrangement 10 has a first water flow connection or connector 22 with which a first flow meter 23 is engagable, a central electronic processor 24 which is connected to the first connection 22 and a valve connection or connector 26 which is engagable with an electronic valve 27 which valve connection 26 is connected to the processor 24.

[0025] The first flow meter 23 is in the form of a known electronic or magnetic sensor or a mechanical device and is connected to and in communication with the pipe 14. The valve 27 is known and is connected to and in communication with the pipe 14. The valve 27 is controlled by and actuated by the processor 24.

[0026] The processor 24 is connected to appropriate power supply 28 which can for example be in the form of electrical mains supply, a battery pack, a solar electricity generator or a turbine generator which can for example be installed in the pipe 14. The processor 24 is connected to and can receive input and communication from programming 30, an override control 32, a reset control 34, an electronic timer 36, memory 38, and a secondary input connection 40.

[0027] Any appropriate programming 30 can be used to program the processor 24 depending on requirements.

[0028] The override 32 is used to bypass certain programmed features of the processor 24 and the reset 34 is used to return the processor 24 and arrangement 10 to an original status.

[0029] The timer 36 and memory 38 are known and are used by the processor 24 in the execution of programming instructions and for the storing of data. [0030] The secondary connection 40 is used to connect a second flow meter 42 to the processor 24. Any appropriate signal or pulse from the second meter 42 is fed to the processor 24 for application depending on the programming 30. The second meter 42 can be similar to the first meter 23.

[0031] In use the housing 12 is attached to the pipe 14 and the first meter 23 is located on or inside the pipe 14 in order to measure a flow rate 44 of water 46 which travels through the pipe 14. The valve 27 is also connected to the pipe 14 in such a manner that water 46 flows freely through the pipe 14 when the valve 27 is open and water flow through the pipe 14 is terminated when the valve 27 is closed.

[0032] Depending on requirements such as for example the type of facility 20 to which water 46 is piped, the average consumption rate of water 46 at the facility 20 and the maximum flow rate capacity of the pipe 14 the processor 24 is programmed by way of the programming 30 to control the valve 27 based on input received from the first meter 23, override 32, reset 34, timer 36, memory 38 and second meter 42.

[0033] For example the processor 24 can be programmed to close the valve 27 if the first meter 23 measures a first flow rate 44A which is below a predetermined minimum rate for a predetermined first maximum period measured by the timer 36. Alternatively the processor 24 can close the valve 27 if the first sensor 23 measures a second flow rate 44B which remains above a predetermined maximum rate for a predetermined second maximum period measured by the timer 36.

[0034] The minimum rate, maximum rate and first and second maximum periods can be empirically calculated, experimentally determined or can be calculated on an on- going basis by the processor 24 based on inputs and data received from the programming 30, the timer 36, the memory 38 and the first sensor 23.

[0035] The processor 24 can be programmed with artificial programming intelligence which would allow it to calculate the minimum and maximum rates and the first and second maximum periods depending on the specific patterns of water use at the facility

20. The processor 24 stores data and calculations in the memory 38 which is constantly used to update and adjust the minimum and maximum rates and the first and second maximum periods.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a graph of water consumption within a household 20 over a four minute period. The graph plots the water consumption or flow rate 44 measured at the main water supply 18 into the household 20 and plots this flow rate 44 against time in seconds.

[0037] The maximum flow rate 44 in this example from the water supply 18 is 30 litres per minute. The graph shows that as taps and valves are opened and closed in the household 20 the flow rate 44 increases and decreases and stops completely for specific periods. Unless a tap, valve or pipe is leaking in the household 20 the flow rate 44 increases and decreases sharply when taps and valves are opened and closed.

[0038] When a minor leak occurs in the household 20 the flow rate 40 is low and continues uninterruptedly. If a catastrophic failure occurs in the network 16 of the household 20 the flow rate 40 will become extremely high and will continue uninterruptedly. [0039] In this example the minimum rate is set at 2 litres per minute and more accurately at 1.8 litres per minute. The first maximum period is set at any period between 30 seconds and 1 hour. The maximum rate can be set at 15 litres per minute but is preferably set at 20 litres per minute. The second maximum period is also set at any time between 30 seconds and 1 hour. The selected minimum rates, maximum rates and first and second maximum periods are programmed to the processor 24 by way of the programming 30 or are calculated by the processor 24 as aforesaid.

[0040] Should the flow rate 44 continue uninterruptedly for the first maximum period at the first flow rate 44A which is below the minimum rate, then the processor 24 actuates the valve 27 and the valve 27 closes to prevent further water flow through the pipe 14.

[0041] If the flow rate 44 continues uninterruptedly at the second flow rate 44A which is above the maximum rate for the second maximum period, then the processor 24 also actuates the valve 27 and the valve 27 closes.

[0042] The first flow rate 44A can be set between 0 and 2 litres per minute and the second flow rate 44B can be set between 15 and 30 litres per minute and preferably is between 20 and 30 litres per minute.

[0043] In this manner possible water wastage can be reduced as the flow of water 44 through the pipe 14 is stopped in the event of a small or a large leak.

[0044] Normal water use at the facility 20 will not affect the status of the valve 27. [0045] If the valve 27 is closed, manual intervention is required in order to locate the possible leak whereafter the arrangement 10 can be reset by activating the reset 34 which causes the valve 27 to open.

[0046] By activating the override 32 the processor 24 is deactivated and the valve 27 will remain open regardless of the flow rate 44 through the pipe 14. Depending on requirements and programming the processor 24 can, after the override 32 is initiated cause the valve 27 to close after the elapse of a specified period of time.

[0047] For certain applications the second meter 42A is connected to the processor 24 through the second connection 40.

[0048] By using the first meter 23 and the second meter 42A in combination the first meter 23 can be used to measure the first flow rate 44A and the second meter 42 can be used to measure the second flow rate 44B. This can result in a cost saving as single meters capable of accurately measuring both the first flow rate 44A and the second flow rate 44B are expensive.

[0049] Alternatively the first meter 23 can be a simple flow detector or sensor which merely detects whether water flow takes place or not. If water flow of whatsoever volume takes place over the predetermined first maximum period, then the process 24 actives the valve 27 which closes and terminates water flow.

[0050] It is important to understand that the valve arrangement 10 can be used to control fluid flow in any appropriate fluid supply network and that the flow of any appropriate liquid or gas can be controlled by way of the valve arrangement 10.

Claims

1. A valve arrangement which includes at least a first fluid flow connector which is engageable with a first flow meter which is in communication with a fluid supply network, an electronic processor which is connected to the first connector, a timer means which is in communication with the processor and a valve member connector which is engageable with a valve member which is in communication with the network and which is controlled by the processor.

2. A valve arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the first flow meter is in the form of an electronic sensor, a magnetic sensor or a mechanical device.

3. A valve arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the network is in the form of a liquid supply network.

4. A valve arrangement according to claim 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the valve member is actuated by the processor based on data supplied to the processor from the first flow meter.

5. A valve arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the valve member is closed by the processor in the event that the first flow meter measures a first flow rate in the network which is below a predetermined minimum rate for a predetermined first maximum period or if the first flow meter measures a second flow rate in the network which is above a predetermined maximum rate for a predetermined second maximum period.

6. A valve arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5 which includes memory means which is in communication with the processor and on which data can be stored.

7. A valve arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6 which includes an override means and a reset means which are in communication with the processor.

8. A valve arrangement according to claim 1 which includes a second fluid flow meter connector which is engageable with a second flow meter which is in communication with the network and which is connected to the processor and wherein the valve member is closed by the processor in the event that the first flow meter measures a first flow rate which remains below a predetermined minimum rate for a predetermined first maximum period or if the second flow meter measures a second flow rate which remains above a predetermined maximum rate for a predetermined second maximum period.

9. A method of controlling flow of a fluid in a fluid supply network which includes the steps of:

(a) engaging a valve arrangement according to claim 1 with the network;

(b) measuring the occurrence of fluid flow in the network at the first flow meter; and

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the first maximum period is between 30 seconds and 1 hour.

11. A method according to claim 9 or 10 which includes the step of actuating the valve member by way of an electronic processor.

12. A method according to claim 9, 10 or 11 which includes the step of engaging a second fluid flow meter with the network.