EP0580298A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow detecting systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-06-28
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2013-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A flow detecting system for, for example, a water supply pipe (10), includes a flow detector (11) and a control circuit (13) which receives signals from the flow detector (11). The control circuit (13) generates an output in the event that the sensed flow rate fails to fall below a predetermined level during a given time period. Such failure of the flow rate to fall below the predetermined level is an indication that there is a leak in the supply pipe (10) downstream of the flow detector (11) and a control valve (15) is closed on generation of an output by the control circuit (13).
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Bowden Wheaton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:40
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17D; F17D5/00; G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/28; G01M3/2807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A flow detecting system which includes a flow detector (11) and a control circuit (13) which receives signals from the flow detector (11) in dependence on the sensed flow rate and generates an output when the sensed flow rate fails to fall below a predetermined level during a predetermined time period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
28 words
A flow detecting system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the output is applied to a control valve (15) which is operated to interrupt the fluid flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A flow detecting system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the control circuit (13) comprises a processor which is connected to the flow detector and is programmed so that it records instances when the detected flow rate falls below said predetermined level and generates an output when no such instances have been recorded in the given time period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A flow detecting system as claimed in Claim 3, in which the processor (13) is programmable so that the given time period is a selectable whole number of hours.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A flow detecting system as claimed in Claim 2, in which the control valve (15) is a solenoid-operated valve which is normally open but which is closed on receipt of a signal from the control circuit (13).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A flow detecting system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the flow detector (11) comprises a vaned rotor which is arranged for rotation at a rate dependent on the rate of fluid flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A flow detecting system as claimed in Claim 5, in which the solenoid-operated valve (15) is latched so that, once moved into its closed position, it will then remain in its closed position, a manually operable reset mechanism (16) being provided for returning the valve (15) to its open position.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for the detection of a leak in a fluid supply pipe (10), said method comprising:- a) providing a flow detector (11) for measuring the rate of flow of fluid through the pipe (10) and a control circuit (13) which receives signals from the flow detector (11), b) storing said signals, c) ascertaining, after a given time period, whether there are any signals which indicate that, at any time in that period, the flow of fluid fell below a predetermined level, and d) generating an output to indicate the presence of a leak in the event that there are no such stored signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in Claim 8, in which the control circuit (13) includes a programmable processor which can be set to operate a valve and/or an alarm when the rate of flow does not fall below the set value in the given time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as claimed in Claim 8, as applied to the detection of a leak in a water supply pipe, in which the flow detector (11) is located adjacent a water meter and in which the flow detector (11) and flow meter are contained within a box.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.