Multi-purpose apparatus for detecting and locating leaks of liquid

A system for detecting leaks of liquid, comprising:

• a central management unit and a plurality of linear sensors each comprising a first end and a second end and which are connected to one another in series;
• the plurality of linear sensors, connected together, form a linear query bus having a first and a second end;
• the central management unit is designed to, the at least one end of the linear query bus:
• send at least one query signal via the linear query bus and receive at least one response signal from the plurality of linear sensors via said end;
• communication between the linear query bus and the central management unit being two-way in such a case;
• the linear query bus is connected at both ends to the central management unit;
• and the central management unit is also arranged to compare at least one first series of response signals obtained by the first end of the linear query bus with:
• a second series of response signals obtained by the second end of the linear query bus, and/or;
• a list of data characterizing the plurality of linear sensors, said list being stored by said central management unit;
• the central management unit by deducing the presence or absence of a break in one of the linear sensors on the linear query bus.

A method for detecting leaks of liquid in a system, the system comprising a central management unit and a plurality of linear sensors each comprising a first end and a second end and which are connected to one another in series,

• the plurality of linear sensors, connected together, form a linear query bus having a first and a second end,
• for the at least one end of the linear query bus, the method comprising the following steps:
• sending at least one query signal via the linear query bus and receiving at least one response signal from the plurality of linear sensors via said end;
• the communication of the linear query bus through the plurality of linear sensors is two-way in such a case;
• the linear query bus is connected at both its ends to the central management unit;
• and the method further comprises the following steps:
• comparison by the central management unit of at least a first series of response signals obtained by the first end of the linear query bus with:
• a second series of responses obtained from the plurality of linear sensors via the second end of the linear query bus, and/or;
• a list of data characterizing the plurality of linear sensors, said list being stored by said central management unit;
• deduction by the central management unit of the presence or absence of a break in the linear query bus.