Flow detection device
AssigneeHomeServe plc
InventorSamuel Bailey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flow detector for detecting flow rates of fluid in pipes by measuring the temperature of the pipe and the ambient temperature and determining from the signals whether there is a flow in the pipe, by the shape of the temperature signals without providing any heat input to the pipe or fluid.
Claims32
A fluid flow detector for detecting a water leak in a pipe system comprising at least one of a domestic water supply pipe system and an office water supply pipe system, the fluid flow detector comprising:
- a first temperature sensor to detect ambient temperature;
- a second temperature sensor to detect a pipe temperature, the second temperature sensor configured to be coupled adjacent or in thermal contact with a pipe of the pipe system;
- and
- a processing means having:
- an input for receiving the detected ambient temperature from the first temperature sensor;
- an input for receiving the detected pipe temperature from the second temperature sensor;
- and
- an output to indicate presence of the water leak,
- wherein:
- the processing means determines a plurality of temperature differences between the received pipe and ambient temperatures over a predetermined period of time;
- the processing means compares the plurality of temperature differences to a predetermined set of at least one parameter and determines, based on the comparison, whether there is a convergent approach of the pipe temperature toward the ambient temperature, wherein a result of the comparison is dependent on how long it will take the pipe temperature to approach and reach the ambient temperature;
- and
- the output indicates the presence of the water leak based on the determination of whether there is the convergent approach.
A method for detecting a water leak in a pipe system comprising at least one of a domestic water supply pipe system and an office water supply pipe system, the method comprising:
- detecting, over a period of time, a plurality of ambient temperatures;
- detecting, over the period of time, a pipe temperature using a temperature sensor coupled adjacent or in thermal contact with a pipe of the pipe system;
- determining a plurality of temperature differences between the detected ambient and pipe temperatures;
- and
- determining whether water is flowing in the pipe system, by:
- comparing the plurality of temperature differences to a predetermined set of values;
- and
- determining, based on the comparing, whether there is a convergent approach of the pipe temperature toward the ambient temperature,
- wherein a result of the comparing is dependent on how long it will take the pipe temperature to approach and reach the ambient temperature;
- and
- outputting a water leak indication based on the determining of whether there is the convergent approach.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.