Water leak detector device and leak detection procedure

Abstract

A device is produced as a small sphere with neutral buoyancy, within which there is, at least, one hydrophone that is connected to a signal processor, which stores the information on a memory card and that is powered by at least one battery. This signal processor has a clock module, through which the sailing time elapsed for each audio signal received by the hydrophone is recorded in the memory. Therefore, based on the sailing time, the exact position of the detected anomalies or leaks can be ascertained. The device is complemented by a series of external synchronisation systems, laid out every certain distance, by which the position error that could be accumulated by the device is neutralised. Thus, a simple device is attained, which is cheap, solid, durable and highly effective.

Claims

1. A system comprising a device for detecting water leaks in pipelines, the device comprising: a spherical casing; at least one hydrophone as a receiver of audio signals generated by mechanical signals, the hydrophone being located within the spherical casing and is connected to a signal processor, which signal processor includes a non-transitory memory card for storage of audio information corresponding to the audio signals received by the hydrophone and is powered by at least one battery, the signal processor having a clock module configured to record in the memory card sailing time elapsed for each audio signal received by the hydrophone and a communication module located within the spherical casing and configured to communicate on a real-time basis with a series of spaced synchronization systems residing all along the pipeline, from which the start or end of delimited and known stretches are defined, each synchronization system being configured to reset positional parameters of the device and the device being configured to have its positional parameters reset by each synchronization system, the synchronization systems comprising a communication module, a clock module and a power-supply module; wherein the spherical casing further includes a plurality of external and spaced peripheral grooves and a plurality of raised gaskets received in the peripheral grooves; the raised gaskets to facilitate rolling of the device within a pipeline; and the device has a neutral buoyancy.

2. A method for detecting water leaks in a pipe by a spherical water leak detection device in the pipe, comprising: a) checking water flowthrough the interior of the pipe with a flow meter to confirm that a drag speed of the water flow allows the spherical water leak detection device to be navigated in the pipe; b) activating a clock module using an ignition control system that incorporates a USB connector module and a control circuitry; c) inserting the spherical water leak detection device into the pipe by means of an insert fitting formed by a rod associated with a lower plate that has an O-ring, a flexible metal jacket, and a flow meter; d) capturing acoustic signals within the pipe, along the pipe, by means of a hydrophone housed inside the spherical water leak detection device; e) sending signals corresponding to the captured acoustic signals by a communications module in the spherical water leak detection device; f) monitoring the position of the spherical water leak detection device inside the pipe and repositioning the spherical water leak detection device with synchronization systems along the pipe; g) recording in a memory inside of the spherical water leak detection device the captured signals together with an exact time at which each signal was captured; h) detecting arrival of the spherical water leak detection device with an arrival detector and a camera associated with an extraction accessory when the spherical water leak detection device approaches a net; i) removing the water leak detection device by means of the extraction accessory, which has a rod with dimensions adapted to the diameter of the pipe, is associated with the net, includes an O-ring, a metal jacket connected with a pair of flexible plates to which the net is fixed and an electronic equipment link integrated with the camera, an arrival detector and a flow meter; and j) analyzing and interpreting the captured signals through mathematical calculations to detect possible anomalies corresponding to possible water leaks in the pipe to obtain, from the elapsed time and the water flow that circulates inside the pipe, the exact distance in which each one of the detected anomalies is found by means of an equation of a uniform rectilinear movement; wherein the water leak detection device comprises a spherical casing that includes a plurality of external and spaced peripheral grooves and a plurality of raised gaskets received in the peripheral grooves; the raised gaskets facilitate rolling of the device within the pipe; and the water leak detection device has a neutral buoyancy.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the detected signals are sent by bluetooth, by radio communication, or by ultrasonic communication.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS

(1) To complement the description given below and in order to help get a better understanding of the features of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of its practical implementation, attached as an integral part of said description are a set of diagrams. By way of example and without limitation, they represent the following:

(2) FIG. 1. Displays a representation of a front overhead of a water leak detector in pipelines implemented in accordance with the object of this invention.

(3) FIG. 2. Shows a view in perspective and as a cross section in accordance with an imaginary vertical and diametric plane of the device in the previous diagram.

(4) FIG. 3. Shows an exploded view of the device in the previous diagrams.

(5) FIG. 4. Displays a profile and cross section view of an access to a large diameter pipe through which the device of the invention is inserted, showing the device used to perform the insertion in a simple manner.

(6) FIG. 5. Displays a view similar to that of diagram 4 but relating to the removal means provided for the device of the invention.

(7) FIG. 6. Displays a view of the lengthwise section of a stretch of large diameter pipe with a water leak in its wall. It can be observed that said leak produces a different sound than that of the rest of the piping when an acoustic signal is applied to it, which is easily identifiable by the device of the invention.

(8) FIG. 7. Displays the perspective detail of the means of collection of the device, at the lower level of these.

(9) FIG. 8. Displays the detail of the means of collection shown in diagram 7, in which one can see a light-camera assembly that facilitates the tasks for the removal of said device.

PREFERENTIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

(10) As can be seen in the reviewed diagrams and particularly in diagrams 1 to 3, the device of the invention is comprised of an essentially spherical casing, obtained from two semi-casings (1-1′) that can be coupled and sealed between each other, within which there is a hydrophone (2), the semi-casings being fitted with holes (3) and windows (4) to which connections are fitted (7-8), connected to the hydrophone (2), in order to capture the sound that occurs in the water.

(11) The hydrophone (2) is connected to a signal processor (9), which stores the information on a memory card (10) and is powered by a battery (11). This signal processor (9) is fitted with a clock module (12) or timer, through which the receipt of the signals is associated with the specific time at which they were received. Thus, from the water speed or flow, the exact location of the detected leak can be ascertained with great accuracy, based on the time elapsed until the time of its detection.

(12) The housing is complemented by a series of peripheral grooves into which the related gaskets are inserted (33). They constitute adherent mediums that allow the device to roll in the event of a jam. However, as has already been mentioned above, the means that determine the positioning of the device and, consequently, of the possible leaks, are fully functional and regardless of the relative rotation position or otherwise in which the device is at the time.

(13) These joints are in charge of increasing the drag surface so that the force of the water moves the device. Due to having neutral buoyancy, the device sails through the area of the pipeline that has the highest water speed, that is, the centre of the pipeline.

(14) The device can be fitted with a communication module (13), so that it can communicate on a real-time basis with a series of synchronisation systems, arranged externally and every certain distance all along the piping. The communication module is used to send data from the device to outside the pipe. Said data may be stored in the synchronisation system or be sent to an outside server that stores the information by means of a GSM/GPRS module.

(15) Communication can be one-way communication, from the synchronisation system to the device, using beaters, tone generators and Bluetooth or bi-directional communication, between the synchronisation system and the device, using radio or ultrasound communication. By using said synchronisation systems, the positional parameters of the device are reset, preventing the accumulation of errors in the calculation of the distance travelled by it.

(16) Diagram 4 shows how the device is inserted into a large diameter pipeline using the access system (14) of the manholes of the water distribution network. In order to ensure that the leak detection system enters the pipeline (15), a rod is connected (16) with the access system though the access valve (17). Thus, the access valve is opened (17) and the leak detector is pushed in using the rod (16). More specifically the rod is inserted by means of its lower end through a metal sleeve (21) that is used, together with its anchorages, to create an area with the same pressure as that of the inside of the large diameter pipe, to which one has access.

(17) The assembly is complemented with a non-referenced O-ring, which is used as the inside pressure of the metal sleeve is high. Were this O-ring not used, water would come out of the joint.

(18) To ensure the proper removal of the leak detector, diagram 5 shows a device with a rod (16′), which has a net on its lower part (18) for receiving the device. Similar to what occurs with the insertion device, the rod (16′) is passed through the access valve (17) of the access inlet (14′) and is joined by means of an O-ring.

(19) The device is complemented with a metal sleeve (21′), a couple of flexible plates (22) to which the net is attached (18) and electronic equipment (23) that includes a camera, an arrival detector and a flow meter.

(20) Thus, the extraction system is fitted in a large diameter pipe valve, it is joined to the metal sleeve and it is pushed to the end of the pipe, where the plates open and the net expands.

(21) The net traps the device when it approaches, as the camera displays it and the arrival detector is activated.

(22) Next, the rod is pulled upwards, the plates close and the device is removed from inside the sleeve.

(23) Likewise, the flow meter measures the water speed, an essential piece of information to determine the exact distances at which the possible leaks are located.

(24) As can be seen in diagram 6, dragged by the force of the water current (19), the leak detector system will start sailing through the pipeline (15). When a water leak is detected (20) on the wall of the piping (15), it will emit a different sound (21) that is captured by the hydrophone (2).

(25) With regards to the dimensions of the sphere, even though these may vary due to different design criteria, as an example, it may have a radius of between 50 and 150 mm and a thickness of 0.8 mm, with hermetic sealing and preferably made of plastic, although it may be made of other materials or combinations of these.