Patent Application
20150211510
The invention relates to a water removal and storage system and method. In particular the invention relates to a water removal and storage system and method to prevent domestic and/or industrial pipes freezing during cold weather conditions. The invention also relates to a water removal and storage system to prevent damage when domestic and/or industrial pipes leak and a smart-valve implementation to provide quantised water supply pressures.
Due to changes in the winter weather, Ireland and other countries are experiencing colder spells resulting in ground frost penetrating deeper into the soil. The lowest recorded air temperature in Ireland for December 2010 was 17.5° C. below zero in Straide Co. Mayo, Ireland. Many houses now have the problem of mains water pipes freezing, incurring flooding and water damage as a result. This can be attributed, in cases, where the water pipes are not buried at the recommended depth and ground frost is penetrating to the pipe depth.
Pipe freezing occurs when the water remains stationary at an area of pipe that is below 0° C. for a long enough time. When the almost freezing water is moving, it is moving away from the colder spot, being replaced by the warmer water from the main water pipe, thus preventing the water in the pipe from freezing. However, the water in the pipe is not contained long enough for the water to freeze. When the water is stationary it can then freeze creating an ice plug in the pipe. The pipe can burst if two plugs of ice are formed. These plugs will expand along the pipe, increasing the pressure of the trapped water in between (water is not compressible), causing the pipe to burst.
A typical water supply to a house in Ireland and the UK is fed from a 13 mm internal bore plastic pipe. With a large house this pipe could be up to 25 mm to provide a larger flow. The water is typically supplied at minimum 12 litres per minute at minimum 1 bar. Although the temporary loss of water supply could be a nuisance, this could last longer than a few days before the pipe defrosts. If the pipe were to burst, every minute there is the potential to lose 12 litres of water. Unnoticed this could amass to a loss of 121 cubic meters or 120,960 litres over a week.
To remedy these problems, rather than digging and dropping the water pipe below the ground frost level a number of solutions have been proposed:
Bleeding, uses a valve to allow a small amount of water to flow into a drain to prevent the pipe from freezing (a more controlled method of leaving a tap running). It involves a valve controlled by a thermostat to open and divert a small but constant flow of water from the pipe to keep the water flowing. Since water is always moving, the colder water is replaced by the warmer water from the mains preventing any potential freezing point in the pipe work. The water is diverted to the sewer or treatment plant. The problem with bleeding is that it wastes water leading to shortages. The waste water can dilute the water going into the sewerage plant or put the treatment system under pressure from itself freezing due the volume of water in the tank. As the clean water is now directly connected to the sewage pipe the risk of cross contamination can occur.
A second solution is to use a dump valve that is thermally operated to close the input supply and dump the contents of the pipe to keep the pipe empty, opening only when there is an increase in temperature. The valve uses a thermal actuator (wax) that will close the incoming mains water and then dumps the water in the pipe going to building to a drain/soak pit. Two types of valve are available in various sizing, one valve uses the temperature of the water, and the other uses the air temperature to monitor the valve. A typical valve from Ogontz can be controlled for temperatures between 35° F. (1.7° C.) and 255° F. (124° C.) in 5° F. increments. Differential from fully open to fully closed is typically 10° F. to 15° F. Valve opens/closes gradually. A problem with the dump valve is that the valve actuates water is not available to the building. The drain water has to be lost. The temperature has to rise by up to 4 degrees Celsius before it is fully open (a slight increase opens the valve slightly).
A third solution is inline heat tracing, which uses a heat cable inserted onto or inside the problem water pipe to keep the stationery water above 0 degrees C. This system uses a self regulating or constant wattage heat cable inserted in the pipe, using a thermostat to control the times that the cable is on. Normally used on the outside of pipe work but has been adapted to use inside pipes. A problem with this approach is that it is difficult to install and associated costs when running. Needs local power supply with Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCD). The heating cable cannot pass through valves and cannot be used in all pipe dimensions, as well as restricting the water flow.
Another solution uses an in-line heat cable where a blanket uses a thermally controlled electrically heated blanket to cover the pipe. This system uses Heat Tape that is taped or twisted onto the outside of the pipe and then covered in insulation to concentrate the heat on the pipe rather than the air. A thermostat either on the pipe monitoring the water temperature or using air temperature is used to economically control the power used. Problems with this approach is that it cannot be retrofitted to buried pipe work and has associated operating costs when running. Needs local power supply with Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCD).
Another problem with water pipes is that there are no systems that effectively detect leak detection to provide flood prevention, for example due to wear and tear of the pipe or whether a tap has been left on in a building that causes flooding.
A further problem with water supply systems or networks is that facilities are not in place to regulate the water supply pressure to individual houses or buildings. This is desirable for Water Authorities for a number of reasons as it would provide greater control of water supply in a network. This is a particular problem as water is now seen as a valuable commodity and as such needs to be regulated and controlled by the Water Authority responsible for providing the supply.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system and method to overcome at least one or more of the above mentioned problems.
According to the invention there is provided, as set out in the appended claims, a water removal and storage system adapted for use in a building structure, said system comprising a water storage vessel adapted for the removal and storage of water from one or more supply lines and resupply of water stored on demand.
In one embodiment the water removal and storage system comprises:
In one embodiment the water storage vessel provides a pseudo-storage water system. In the context of this invention the pseudo-storage implies storage of a small quantity water to indicate the request of the end-user to replenish the supply pipe merely by turning on a tap rather than a switch or other complex command. Pseudo-storage also provides a degree of hysteresis to reduce the frequency of discharging/charging of the supply pipe. Pseudo-storage removes the legislation associated with the storage of potable water, (the water pseudo-stored in the accumulator has the same form as that stored in the supply pipe).
The system of the invention provides a solution to the problems of:
In addition, this system can be adapted to be an intelligent learning system for continuous monitoring of fluid dynamics and deviations from usual, historical trends.
The system of the present invention consists of a self-contained system with a water inlet and outlet, allowing the system to be retrofitted into existing plumbing systems, both residential and industrial. The system of the invention is tolerant of all external piping configurations. The system uses free volume to prevent ice expansion and hence, bursting of frozen pipe systems. The system operates automatically without user intervention. The system can undergo test/validation irrespective of season/ambient temperature.
In one embodiment the water flows through the storage vessel during normal operating conditions.
In one embodiment the system is configured to operate at a range of ambient temperatures whereby freeze pipe rupture is prevented in said at least one water pipe.
In one embodiment the storage vessel is pressurised and adapted to allow water to flow on said at least one pipe until the mains water is up to a desired pressure.
In one embodiment the temperature transducer is adapted to operate the valve with means to switch the valve on and off depending on the temperature conditions.
In one embodiment the flow and pressure transducers are adapted to control the opening and closing of the valve thereby filling or emptying of the storage vessel.
In one embodiment the flow and pressure transducers supply data to the micro controller to provide automated operation of the filling or emptying of the storage vessel dependent on the data supplied to the microcontroller.
In one embodiment the flow and pressure transducers are adapted to compensate for water losses in the building pipe-work by running the system to maintain a charge in the vessel.
In one embodiment the accumulator comprises of an air chamber that is separated from the water by a diaphragm and inflated at a slightly lower pressure than the water pressure, such that when water is forced into the accumulator the diaphragm is expanded. The volume of water pseudo-stored is equal to the distortion of the expanded diaphragm.
In one embodiment when water is required the accumulator will discharge by action of the diaphragm contracting, forcing water out of the accumulator for use.
In one embodiment, the internals of the accumulator is designed to eliminate the possibility of any residual or remnant water during normal operation to comply with regulations applied to potable water systems.
In one embodiment the flow transducer, the pressure transducer and the temperature transducer temperature sensor, a flow sensor and a pressure sensor combined to provide data that determine a water leak in said at least one water pipe.
In one embodiment the system is adapted to be retrofitted into existing plumbing systems of said building structure. A retro fit involves the least amount intrusion and cost to the client.
In one embodiment there is provided an admittance valve to facilitate water removal from the at least one water pipe.
In one embodiment an accumulator vessel is provided to pseudo-store removed water and provide a controlled pressure overhead in the system.
In one embodiment the accumulator vessel is positioned substantially in series with the mains water supply and adapted to be used in the treatment of potable water.
In one embodiment the system comprises one or more motorised valves placed in situ in said building, (at any form of storage or water reservoir, eg hot water cistern or attic storage tank. Must not be applied to any expansion tanks used in heating systems) and adapted to determine a leak in said at least one pipe at different locations in said building.
In one embodiment the flow transducer is configured to monitor changes in flow rates in said at least one pipe and adapted to transmit said changes in flow rate to said microcontroller.
In one embodiment the system comprises multiple motorised valves located at all water reservoirs internal to the building structure.
In one embodiment there is provided a non-return valve included to prevent flow reversal of water as per regulatory requirements.
In one embodiment the microcontroller comprises an intelligent learning system for continuous monitoring of fluid dynamics and deviations from usual, historical trends in said system.
In one embodiment the accumulator vessel is pressurised via the pump and adapted to allow water to flow until the mains water is up to a desired pressure.
In one embodiment, the accumulator vessel is in series with the mains water supply and used in the treatment of potable water.
In one embodiment there is provided a temperature, pressure and flow sensor as inputs to a microcontroller, which in turn, operate the smart valve and all internal valves with means to switch these valves on and off.
In one embodiment, multiple motorised valves can be placed internally in order to provide localised isolation of pipework sections/systems as an aid to determine if there are internal leaks in the system.
In one embodiment the system is adapted to be retrofit into existing plumbing systems. A retro fit involves the least amount intrusion and cost to the client.
In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a water removal and pseudo-storage system adapted for controlling water supply in a building, said system comprising:
In a further embodiment there is provided a water removal and pseudo-storage system adapted for use in a building structure, said system comprising:
In another embodiment of the invention there is provided valve for regulating water supply to a building comprising:
The smart valve embodiment is of a concentric modular form to allow one-handed installation/removal without the use of tools. The modular design allows the cascading of other water control hardware/instrumentation that complies with the modular form.
In one embodiment the valve is configured to receive the signals via wireless communication means.
In one embodiment the valve comprises a spring and rotating cam configured such that the rotating cam provides various degrees of compression on the spring dependent on the control signals.
In one embodiment the valve comprises a spring and linear screw configured such that the screw position provides various degrees of compression on the spring dependent on the control signals.
In one embodiment there is provided a communications module, said module adapted to relay valve status and metering data to a control database.
In one embodiment the valve comprises a winding current calculation algorithm configured to calculate the applied water pressure and/or the water flow rate to an end user.
There is also provided a computer program comprising program instructions for causing a computer program to carry out the above method which may be embodied on a record medium, carrier signal or read-only memory.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—
The water removal and storage system of the present invention can be incorporated in a building adapted, for example a domestic, office or industrial building, to provide at least three different functions, namely:
Functions 1 & 2 to an extent, use a common hardware arrangement, controlled from a central processor or controller that allows interaction with a remote smart user interface and described in more detail below. Function 3 has commonality with a smart valve and applied microprocessor control via an RF or wired communications link.
The schematic shown in
The components making up the system of the present invention shown in
The application, and component placement differs, pending the incline of the supply pipe work. To reduce the possibility of static water freezing within the supply line or causing damage due to a leak, the objective of the invention is to remove as much water as possible. The removal of water must be replaced by the admittance of air, via AV1. Configuration “A” drains the water at the property boundary, the vent point being internal within the dwelling. Configuration “B” stores the removed water internal within the dwelling, the vent point being at the property boundary.
The elevation of the pump bore is higher than that of the three-port valve bore, therefore water cannot be drawn from the pipe using the pump, it must be drained. Replacement volume is provided by air, admitted via AV1.
The elevation of the pump bore is lower than that of the three-port valve bore, therefore water can be pumped into the accumulator rather than drained. Replacement volume is provided by air, admitted via AV1.
The three-port motorized valve is shown in more detail in
Once pipe freeze or leak conditions are determined, isolation of supply and water removal from the pipe is imminent, irrespective of configuration type. Once removed, a method is required to determine the need to recharge the water supply pipe-work due to consumer demand.
Prior to supply isolation, the micro-controller determines whether the pressure is sufficient in the accumulator to monitor the need for recharge. If a pressure increase is determined, the boost pump will run, charging the accumulator, (and therefore the customer pipe-work) to the desired pressure.
A drop in pressure will indicate the need to recharge the system. The drain cycle rate depends on outside air temperature, (OAT), water flow rate, and consumer demand. A relatively small leak on the consumer pipework may be regarded as an inconvenience, causing the accumulator to slowly discharge. However, small leaks, whilst inconvenient, contribute to freeze protection, and this flow offset has the effect of decreasing the drain cycle rate.
The charge and drain cycle flow diagram shown for both incline configurations ‘A’ and ‘B’ is illustrated in
When freeze conditions are detected the system is adapted for the removal and storage of water from one or more supply lines and resupply of water stored on demand using the pump and the accumulator and controlled by the microcontroller, as shown in the flow diagram of
The flow diagram for the leak detection and flood prevention is illustrated in
If the occupier or owner of the building decides to investigate the cause of the erratic flow, or no action is taken after a pre-set period, the system puts MV1 into Active Mode, thereby shutting off the mains water supply. Remaining water reservoirs, such as the hot water cistern and header tank, may be isolated using two-port valves, represented by MV in
The valve shown in
The control system comprises a micro controller having one or more of the following functions:
In operation, the lithium ion power pack, or other suitable power means, can power the micro controller and the stepper motor rotation. The stepper motor rotation can be called upon only when there is a requirement to change the set point, the spring action is the primary force used to alter the valve stem position. The motor can utilise a high ratio gearbox to de-rate the motor and conserve power, a fast response to change the set point is not required. Alternate power sources have the capability to allow a greater impact of the stepper motor on the frequency of set point change. Solar cells and the inclusion of a module incorporating a micro turbine powered by water flow (not shown) are all possible with the utilisation of the smart valve and the concentric module system.
It will be appreciated that the valve can be applied to a water supply network that requires remote adjustment of Quality of Service (QoS) to customers in the form of pressure regulation. The valve shown in
In the specification the terms “comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising” or any variation thereof and the terms include, includes, included and including” or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1213421.9 | Jul 2012 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2013/065936 | 7/29/2013 | WO | 00 |
