GB2151383A

GB2151383A - Flow detection device

Info

Publication number: GB2151383A
Application number: GB08333700A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephan Paul Michlig; J Robert Heggie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-12-17
Filing date: 1983-12-17
Publication date: 1985-07-17
Also published as: GB8333700D0

Abstract

A device generates an indication whenever it detects the flow of water through a conduit. The device is particularly intended to monitor presence of water flow as the sensed parameter in an alarm system. As shown in the Fig., a spring biassed non return valve has a magnetic valve component (14) and an external reed switch (12) which senses movement of the valve. As applied to a domestic water usage type of inactivity alarm, the reed switch resets and initiates a timer 23. If the timer "times-out" before a subsequent resetting operation, the alarm (24) (eg audio/visual/radio/telephone dialler) is energised. The alarm may also be initiated by direct manual operation. The device may also detect sprinkler operation, or actuate shut off valves if pipes rupture. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Detection device This invention relates to detection devices and in particular to devices for detecting the passage of water along a water conduit and to installations in which such detection devices are used to initiate an alarm.

Various proposals have been made to provide an alarm so that persons living alone may summon assistance when required. A particular problem arises when such persons are incapacitated and are unable to operate the alarm themselves. To meet this problem it is possible to provide a pressure-operated pad coupled to a delay device which operates an alarm when the pad is not operated within a predetermined period. However for such an arrangement to be satisfactory the pad must be placed in a location in which the person would normally step during the predetermined period; otherwise the alarm would be operated inadvertently; Alternatively several linked pads would be necessary.

It is an object of the invention to provide a detection device and an associated alarm which overcomes the disadvantages of present devices.

According to one aspect of the invention a detection device comprises a movable element located in a fluid conduit so that the flow of fluid in the conduit causes the element to move relative to the conduit, a sensing device located adjacent the movable element, externally of the conduit and arranged to sense said movement of the element, and an indicating device operated by the sensing device.

Preferably the movable element is a resiliently mounted valve member including a magnet, and the sensing device senses electrically movement of the valve member from an no-flow position in the conduit. In such an arrangement the sensing device provides a signal to the indicator upon said movement.

The indicating device may include a timer which is actuated upon receiving a signal from the sensing device and, upon a predetermined time elapsing from receipt of a signal the indicating device initiates an alarm. The alarm can take various forms including a noise emitter, a radio signal to a central control, or a dial-out arrangement on a telephone line to provide a pre-recorded message to a predetermined telephone number.

According to another aspect of the invention an alarm call installation includes a detection device having a movable element located in a water conduit of a dwelling, the element being moved relative to the conduit upon a flow of water in the conduit, a sensing device located adjacent the movable element and arranged to sense said movement of the element, an alarm device including a timer whereby the sensing device transmits a signal to the alarm device when a flow of water in the conduit takes place and, if a predetermined time period elapses from receipt of the signal and no further signal is received, the timer initiates the alarm.

In this way the installation gives an automatic alarm if the water supply in the dwelling is not used during the predetermined time period, for example, fifteen hours, and assistance is summoned to that dwelling.

Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example only and with reference to the drawing which is a schematic view of an alarm installation incorporating the detection device.

Referring to the drawing a length of conduit 10 is shown at the ends of which are connecting means for connecting the conduit 10 into a water conduit of a dwelling, preferably downstream of and adjacent the main water control valve of the dwelling.

The conduit 10 is formed internally with a seating 11 for a ball valve element 1 2 having a resilient sealing ring 1 3 about its periphery.

The element 1 2 is connected to a magnetised rod 14 which extends away from the element 12 axially of the conduit 10.

The element 1 2 is resiliently urged against the seating by a spring 1 6 located around the rod 14 and bearing at one end on the element 11 and at the other end on a support 1 7. The support 1 7 includes a central annular member 1 8 having a central opening through which the rod 14 is movable in the axial direction.

The annular member 18 is supported with its axis coincident with the axis of the conduit 10 by equally-spaced, radially-directed arms 1 9 which are secured to a shoulder 20 formed on the interior of the conduit 10.

On the outside wall of the conduit 10 is a fixed housing 22 for a sensing device including a reed switch (not shown) sensitive to the position of the rod 14 whereby upon movement of the element 1 2 and hence the rod 14 from the position shown, i.e. when no water is flowing in the direction of flow A along the conduit, the reed switch is operated to generate an electrical signal.

The signal is passed to a control device 23 in which is located a timer and the timer is initiated by receipt of the signal. The timer is pre-set to run for a predetermined time period, for example fifteen hours, and if a further signal is received during this time the timer recommences timing the predetermined period. If the timer completes timing the full time period without receiving a further signal the timer initiates a signal to activate an alarm device 24. The device may take the form of a simple audible and/or visual alarm which may be remotely located. Alternatively the alarm may generate a radio signal to a receiving station where the alarm is received. As a further alternative the alarm signal may be coupled to a facility for automatically sending a recorded message by telephone line to a predetermined location.

The electrical system is powered by the mains electrical supply 25 and/or by a battery charged from the mains supply.

Provision may be made on the control device for the alarm to be turned off during absence from the dwelling. Moreover the alarm may be initiated manually by the occupant when assistance is required, over-riding the passive alarm system.

It will be appreciated that the alarm system described will initiate an alarm if during a predetermined period the water in the dwelling is not turned on thereby ensuring that the alarm is given even if the occupant is unable through incapacitation to operate the alarm.

The system can be made insensitive to a small flow of water, such as may occur when a central heating system is topped up or if there is a dripping tap; by arranging for the sensing device not to be operated by small movement of the valve element 1 2.

The detection device of the system may also find other applications such as detecting a flow of water in water sprinkler systems operated by fire detectors or in closing water control valves in the event of burst water pipes, or in other fluid control functions.

Claims

1. A detection device comprises a movable element located in a fluid conduit so that a flow of fluid in the conduit causes the element to move relative to the conduit, a sensing device located adjacent the movable element, externally of the conduit and arranged to sense said movement of the element, and an indicating device operated by the sensing device.

2. A detection device according to claim 1 wherein the movable element is a resiliently mounted valve member including a magnet, and the sensing device senses electrically movement of the valve member from a noflow position in the conduit.

3. A detection device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the indicating device includes a timer which is actuated upon receiving a signal from the sensing device and, upon a predetermined time elapsing from receipt of a signal the indicating device initiates an alarm.

4. An alarm call installation includes a detection device having a movable element located in a water conduit of a dwelling, the element being moved relative to the conduit upon a flow of water in the conduit, a sensing device located adjacent the movable element and arranged to sense said movement of the element, an alarm device, and a timer; wherein the sensing device transmits a signal to the timer when a flow of water in the conduit takes place and, if a predetermined time period elapses from receipt of the signal and no further signal is received, the timer initiates the alarm.

5. An installation according to claim 4 wherein the movable element includes a movable ball valve in sealing engagement with a seating under no-flow conditions in the water conduit.

6. An installation according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the movable element includes a magnetised rod movable upon flow in the conduit relative to the Sensing device, the sensing device being located externally of the conduit.

7. An installation according to claim 6 wherein spring means is located aound the rod and urges the movable element towards a no-flow position in the conduit.

8. An installation according to claim 7 wherein the spring means engages the movable element at one end and a support mounted in the conduit at the other end, the magnetised rod being movable axially of the conduit through the support element.

9. An installation according to any one of claims 5-8 in which the alarm includes an audio and/or visual alarm device, a radio transmitter, and/or a telephone dial-out device.

10. An alarm call intallation substantially as described with reference to the drawing.